Malaysia’s second largest city, Ipoh, is most visited for its surrounding cave temples, such as Sam Poh Tong with its Buddha statues, Gua Kek Lok Tong, and Perak Tong, famed for its Chinese Buddhist paintings.
IPOH
The city itself, like Kuala Lumpur, is rooted in the Tin mining trade and its old town likewise reflects a colonial past. The Muzium Darul Ridzuan contains a comprehensive history of Malaysian tin mining and The Muzium Geololgi complements this with its display of minerals and precious stones drawn from the country's geological wealth.
North of Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar is a popular stop-off to visit the impressive Masjid Ubudia Mosque, Istana Iskandariah (Sultan’s palace) and the royal museum Istana Kenangan (Palace of Memories).
Nearby, Taiping is home to picturesque Lake Gardens, Ling Nam Temple, Muzium Perak, Matang Mangrove Forest and Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary.
Further north are a series of lakes, culminating at Empangan Temenggor Dam, around which there are some interesting jungle trails and impressive waterfalls. Treks here can additionally offer fascinating homestay opportunities with the Temiar and Jahai peoples, though it should be noted that the trails themselves can be difficult in places and are prone to encounters with leeches.
PULAU PANGKOR
Off the coast, southwest of Ipoh, is the Island of Pulau Pangkor with its beaches, Pasir Bogak, Teluk Nipah, and Teluk Ketapang on the western coast providing largely simple accommodation. The north coast Pangkor beach Resort provides up-market accommodation on Pantai Puteri Dewi (beach of the Fairy Princess) and Teluk Dalam Resort provides Kampung style bungalows.
The exquisite white powder beach at Emerald Bay on adjacent island of Pangkor Laut is the home of one of the World’s most exclusive Resorts, Pangkor Laut Resort, only accessible to its patrons and famously chosen by actress Joan Collins for one of her several honeymoons.