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Once overshadowed by Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Ipoh has quietly reinvented itself. Today, it is one of Malaysia’s most exciting “renaissance cities”: a place where grand colonial facades, colourful street art, hip cafés and leafy limestone hills come together in a relaxed, walkable destination.
Whether you are planning a short city break, a stop between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, or a longer Malaysia holiday from Pakistan, this updated 2025 guide will help you explore both Ipoh Old Town and New Town - and show how Malik Express Travel & Tours can make your trip effortless.
Ipoh is the capital of Perak state and Malaysia’s fourth-largest city, but it still feels pleasantly compact. It grew rich on tin-mining in the Kinta Valley, leaving behind elegant shop houses, banks and civic buildings that now form the backbone of the Ipoh Heritage Trail.
In recent years, careful restoration and a wave of creative entrepreneurs have transformed Ipoh into a destination known for:
Ipoh Old Town sits west of the Kinta River and is where most visitors begin. Here, weathered shop houses and colonial-era buildings are being reborn as boutique hotels, galleries and cafés.
The Ipoh Heritage Trail is a self-guided route that links many of the city’s most important colonial buildings, starting around the iconic Ipoh Railway Station. From there, you pass the stately City Hall, Birch Memorial Clock Tower and several historic banks and shop houses.
Tip: Pick up a heritage trail map at the local tourism office, or bookmark a digital version on your phone for easy reference.
Once associated with merchants and their families, Concubine Lane and the nearby narrow streets have been transformed into lively pedestrian lanes with cafés, souvenir stalls and photo spots. On weekends and holidays, they are especially vibrant and busy.
What to look for:
Inspired by the mural boom in Penang, Ipoh commissioned street art that celebrates local stories: miners, coffee sellers and daily life. Several pieces were created by internationally recognised artist Ernest Zacharevic and are scattered around Old Town.
Tip: Use a street-art map or simply wander -the fun is in spotting murals hidden in side streets and alleyways.
No Ipoh trip is complete without tasting its famous white coffee. The beans are traditionally roasted with palm oil margarine, giving a smooth, caramelised flavour that is then served with condensed milk.
Look for classic kopitiams (coffee shops) in Old Town, some of which date back decades and have retained their old-world charm.
Across the river, Ipoh New Town offers a more contemporary side of the city.
While Old Town is where you will spend most of your sightseeing time, New Town gives you a sense of how Ipoh lives and grows today, making the city feel truly “old and new” at once.
One of Ipoh’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to mix city exploring with nature.
Set within a limestone hill, Kek Lok Tong features a dramatic cave chamber with statues, altars and openings that frame views of lush gardens and small lakes behind the temple. Visitors often highlight its peaceful atmosphere.
These cave temples combine Buddhist statues, colourful murals and steep staircases that lead to viewpoints over the city and surrounding hills. They make excellent half-day trips from the city centre.
Located just outside Ipoh, this lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs that reflect on the still water, creating a mirror-like effect - a favourite photo spot.
Families and groups often add a day at Lost World of Tambun, a theme park and hot spring resort with water slides, petting zoo and evening hot-spring pools.
Ipoh lies roughly 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur and is easy to reach:
Travellers from Pakistan usually:
You’ll find a range of stays from heritage guesthouses to modern hotels:
Tip: If you plan to follow an early-morning heritage walk or join day tours, staying in or near Old Town keeps most attractions within walking distance.
Ipoh’s reputation as a food city is growing fast. Some local flavours to look out for:
Plan 2-3 days minimum
This gives you time for Old Town, New Town, at least one cave temple and a relaxed food crawl.
Planning a Malaysia trip from Pakistan can be time-consuming, especially if you want to include several cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands and Penang. Malik Express Travel & Tours can handle the details so you simply enjoy the journey.
Ipoh is no longer just a stopover on the way to somewhere else. Its blend of old-world charm, creative energy, delicious food and surrounding nature makes it a rewarding destination in its own right.
By following this 2025 guide and partnering with Malik Express Travel & Tours, you can experience Malaysia’s renaissance city in comfort, from lantern-lit alleys and heritage buildings to tranquil cave temples and lakes just beyond the city.
When you are ready, Malik Express can help you turn this Ipoh dream trip into a complete Malaysia holiday, perfectly tailored to you.