Set in a landscape of dramatic limestone cliffs and bisected by the Kinta River, Ipoh is the relaxed regional capital of Perak province. The city is well known for its street food and its street art and, as the gateway to the Cameron Highlands, offers an excellent stop, to soak up some culture and history, on your holiday to
Malaysia, before delving deep into lush nature.
The old town and the new town sit on opposite banks of the river, the historic heart of the city full of lovely colonial architecture. On streets and squares you’ll find the British, Moorish and Edwardian Baroque styles of the grand government landmarks and railway structures, while atmospheric lanes are home to colourful shophouses and bustling kedai kopi (coffee shops). Here, you’ll also find a wonderful array of street art, painted by local artists and paying homage to local culture, history and food. Speaking of food, in Ipoh the street food is considered legendary, a number of ethnic groups heritage and flavours coming together to produce something delicious. ‘Nasi ganja’ (rice smothered in a mix of rich curries and topped with fried chicken), ‘pasir pinji chee cheong fun’ (rolled rice noodles in a savoury sweet sauce) and silky taufoo fah (a soy beancurd dessert) are all must-tries.
Just 20 minutes outside of Ipoh, in the towering white cliffs around the city, you’ll find magnificent temples nestled in caves, caverns and recesses. These Buddhist temples feature ponds, red-roofed pagodas, vibrant statues and paintings.
