Ipoh Things to Do

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I think a trip to Ipoh will be truly wasted if u did not stop by Gua Tempurung. Just standing in front of the Caves makes u feel how insignificant you are, and its a truly humbling experience, those who have issues with ego---please tkae this trip as soon as you can!! :) Take either package 3/4, where one will be up 100ft above ground, and the journey there would take 1600 steps!! :) and the journey out would be through a waterfall in the cave (go there during Aug-dec to fully enjoy the active waterfalls), bring a torchlight and a change of clothes. Its a truly exciting experience, once youre done witht hat, drive on over to Tambun hot springs, where you'll be given a natural massage!!! :)

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If you are visiting Ipoh with your kids, you may want to check out The Lost World of Tambun. It is the latest offering from the people who created Sunway Lagoon.

To get there, you need to get off the North-South PLUS highway at exit 139, and turn left towards Tesco & Jusco. You can then follow the signs that are quite well marked. From exit 139, it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to get to the entrance of the Lost World, as there are quite a number of set of traffic lights.

By comparison to Sunway Lagoon, this park is rather small, but is cosy in its own way.

What I liked best:
The hot springs was my personal favourite. That evening when it rained briefly, I sat emersed in the pool while letting the light rain drops fall lightly over my hair and face. Nice...
~ sigh ~

What my kids liked:
It has a long lazy river ride that really took my little son's fancy because of the authentic cries of wild animals that startled him along the ride. The girls enjoyed the large and small water slides and all of us liked the wave pool.

One thing that I noticed and appreciated was that the life guards on duty were very attentive. That is really important because many of the visitors here are young children and school kids.

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The Lost World of Tambun.

An all-in-one family theme park.

It is a water themed park, a mini zoo, and natural picnic area for the whole family.

The hot spring has various levels of temperature, from a mild 35 degrees to a hot 45 degrees.

Have a picnic near the lake overlooking the famous pencil rock.

The young ones will enjoy the mini zoo.

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This is an interesting historical museum, located in a pretty former tin-mining tycoon's mansion built in 1926 on the main road to Kuala Kangsar about 500m north of the Padang. The exhibits on display chart the history of mining (downstairs) and forestry (upstairs) plus there are two concrete air-raid shelters in the garden, erected in 1941.

Open: 9.30am-5pm Sat-Sun, 9.30am-12pm & 2.45-5pm Friday. Admission: Free.

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Located on the other side of the roundabout, north of the Padang is this Anglican Church. It was completed in 1912, under the leadership of Reverend J.P. Parry. It has a knave measuring 72 ft long. During the Japanese Occupation in World War II, there was religious suppression when they forcefully converted the church into a noodle factory of all things.

The Birch Memorial Clock Tower is a historical landmark that was built to commemorate the life of J.W.W. Birch. On the square tower are a bust of Birch and four panels that show the development of civilisation. J.W.W. Birch was the first British Resident in Perak and was killed at Pasir Salak on Nov 2, 1875.

The clock tower was unveiled by Sir John Anderson, British High Commissioner in 1909, and it was dedicated to J.W.W. Birch, the first Resident of Perak state.

The tower hosts a 6ft diameter 10 cwt mother bell chiming to the tune of the Big Ben of London. Perched on the pedestal at the four corners of the belfry are sculptured figures representing the "Virtues of the British Administration" - Loyalty, with sword and shield, Justice, blind and carrying a sword and a pair of scales, Patience, unarmed, and Fortitude, bearing a spear.

Although not as well maintained or in so many numbers as those in George Town, Penang, you'll find plenty of Chinese shophouses in the Old Town which were built in the style of Straits-Chinese architecture.

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This pale blue building, made even paler from years of neglect, is located on the eastern side of the Padang and dates from 1906. Founded by a Hainanese immigrant, "The F.M.S", an acronym for the Federated Malay States, was the archetypal European miners and planters bar. Reputed to be the oldest restaurant in Malaysia, it has occupied the present premises since 1923, with a hotel upstairs.

Today, it is operated by fourth generation proprietor Pang Chee Ein, "Nephew" of the late "Uncle" Cheam Yeow Toon. A new heritage cafe serving Hainanese food is set to replace the hotel above the bar. It was, undergoing renovations when I visited in Feb 2009.