Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Best time to visit

January, February, June, July, August

Ipoh is hot and humid all year, so plan around the rain. The drier stretches, roughly January to February and June to August, are best for walking the Old Town, visiting caves and doing outdoor activities. Heavy afternoon downpours are most common around October and November, but they rarely ruin a short city stay.

History and culture

Ipoh began as a cluster of Malay villages. It grew rapidly once tin was found in the Kinta Valley, drawing Chinese, Indian, Sumatran and other migrants under local leaders such as Dato' Panglima Kinta. The tin fortunes earned it nicknames like 'The Town Built on Tin' and 'City of Millionaires', and many locals still affectionately call it Paloh. It was granted city status in 1988 by the Sultan of Perak. The tin-era legacy survives in the colonial government buildings, the shophouses of the Old Town and the grand mansions. It is also visible in the food: Ipoh white coffee is traced to the mining workers of the 19th century, and the multiracial population gives the city its Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influences. Limestone caves were turned into Buddhist and Taoist temples, and recent heritage programmes and street art have given the Old Town new life.

Sights

Places to see. 7 places besides the lead pick.

Food and drink

Places to eat and drink. 7 places.

Stays

Places to sleep. 8 places.

Articles it was based on

The pages the research read. Each opens on its own site.