What To Do In Ipoh: Our 3D2N Family-friendly Itinerary
Ipoh's known for being a foodie haven, but there are plenty of kid-friendly things to check out, too!
By Kendra Tan -
Ipoh, Malaysia — A hidden gem that's way too good to be kept a secret.
Ipoh is a great getaway for families looking for some old-world charm, delicious food, and kid-friendly activities. If you're tired of the same old, same old, Johor Bahru, Ipoh is your escape.
From exploring the historic Old Town to an exciting theme park, there are many things to do in Ipoh. This 3-day 2-night itinerary is designed to provide a fuss-free experience, allowing you to fully enjoy the time with your family.
Note: The itinerary and timings recommended in this article are based on research. Flight timings and traffic conditions may vary, especially during peak seasons.
Your 3D2N family-friendly Ipoh Itinerary
Here are some ways you can get to Ipoh:
By Plane:
Cost: Around $150 - $200 per person (round trip)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Airlines: Scoot, AirAsia
By Car:
Duration: Around 6 hours minimum (without stops)
By Bus:
Cost: Around $65 per person (round trip)
Duration: Approximately 8 hours
Pro tip: If you're on a budget, taking the bus is a great option. However, if you prefer a more comfortable and faster journey, flying is the way to go.
For the sake of this article, let’s assume you take a flight from Singapore to Ipoh.
Day 1 — Depart Singapore for Ipoh
11:05am - 12.15pm: Your adventure begins!
At around 11am, take off from Singapore Changi Airport to Ipoh, assuming that you book this flight from Scoot.
You’ll reach Ipoh in 1 hour 10 minutes, at around 12.15pm.
According to TripAdvisor, immigration at Ipoh is pretty fuss-free. You can expect to clear everything in about half an hour, and it should be around 1pm by the time you’re out of the airport.
1pm - 1.30pm: Take a cab from the airport to Ipoh Old Town
From the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, take a taxi (Grab) down to your hotel. This journey should take around 10 to 15 minutes.
1.30pm - 2pm: Check into Bedrock Hotel Ipoh
Before heading out for lunch, drop off your bags at Bedrock Hotel Ipoh. This highly-rated (4.8 stars on Google) and affordable hotel is located in the heart of the Ipoh Old Town, making it the perfect base for exploring the city. It's possible to walk to the Old Town in about 15 minutes, where you'll find all the major tourist attractions.
Bedrock Hotel in Ipoh is spacious yet affordable, with rooms big enough to comfortably fit a family of four.
You can consider booking:
Family Room (2 king beds): Approximately $130 per night
Duplex Family Room (2 single beds, 1 king bed): Approximately $150 per night
There are many food options around the hotel too. Did we also mention that it comes with complimentary hotel breakfast?
If you drive to Ipoh, there is free parking at the hotel as well.
2pm - 3pm: Lunch nearby
There are many food options near the hotel. Here are some highly-rated restaurants (at least 4.5 stars on Google) within a 5-minute walking distance from Bedrock Hotel.
Yi Pin Mini Bowl: Classic Sichuan, Hunan and Cantonese cuisine served in mini bowls — you can enjoy a variety of dishes without having to order huge mains!
Cheers Toast & Burger: This Hamburger restaurant is highly rated at 4.8 stars on Google reviews from almost a thousand visitors. They serve up juicy burgers, curly fries and even burritos as well.
Taste Supreme: Your kids are sure to love this place. Taste Supreme is a popular restaurant in Ipoh known for its old-school tuck shop vibe and diverse menu, offering both Chinese and Western dishes such as chicken chop rice, cheese egg and ham toast, as well as burgers and fries.
J Yuan Kopitiam: A wide variety of Asian cuisine is served at this air-conditioned eatery, including local Ipoh favourites, kaya toast, Ipoh white coffee, stewed pork rice, nasi lemak and more.
3pm - 7pm: DIY heritage trail
After lunch, take a brisk 20 minute walk, or 7 minute cab ride to Ipoh Railway Station to embark on a DIY Heritage Trail. This is a self-guided walking tour (download the map here!) that takes you to many of Ipoh's must-see attractions.
The entire trail, which brings you to a total of 24 spots, takes around 2 hours to complete. But with kids in tow, endless photo opportunities and perhaps even stopping to check out a couple of museums, we will cater 4 hours for this activity.
Here are some highlights:
Ipoh Railway Station
Start your journey with a visit to the Ipoh Railway Station, a historic landmark affectionately known as the "Taj Mahal of Ipoh."
This heritage spot not only serves as a transportation hub but also boasts an architectural splendour that captures the essence of Malaysia's colonial era. With its picturesque setting and beautiful architecture, the Ipoh Railway Station is a perfect spot for Instagram-worthy photos. Plus, its location makes it easy to explore other nearby attractions like Padang Ipoh and the Birch Memorial Clock Tower.
Birch Memorial Clock Tower
As a key tin mining town during the colonial era, Ipoh boasts a rich history that's reflected in its stunning British-influenced architecture. The Birch Memorial Clock Tower is a prime example of this colonial elegance.
Nestled in a serene garden, this impressive clock tower adds a touch of European flair to Ipoh. It's the perfect spot for a quick photo op.
Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo
We highly recommend that you take a break at Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo and explore this fascinating museum to learn about the history of the Hakka community in Ipoh. There's no entrance fee, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Ranked on TripAdvisor as the #1 thing to do in Ipoh, this non-profit organisation showcases relics of Ipoh’s past — Every corner tells a story from the golden days of old Malaya.
According to reviews, visitors usually spend an hour here. Do note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
Concubine Lane
As the name suggests, a famous tycoon gifted this lane to one of his concubines over a hundred years ago. A charming alleyway filled with famous Ipoh eateries and coffee shops, cool cafes, and dessert houses.
It has also been given a modern makeover by street artists, who have painted murals that capture the area's history.
Do take some photos here, because did you really visit Ipoh if you didn’t take pictures with the town’s art murals? Don’t forget to bring a tripod!
This is also the last stop in the DIY heritage trail.
Bonus activities: If the weather gets too hot and you want to seek shelter indoors, consider kid-friendly places like Ipoh Upside Down World and Funtasy House Trick Art.
7pm onwards: Ipoh Parade
Whew, you’ve had a long day.
Malaysia’s heat might take a toll on your body, especially since you’ve been outdoors the entire day. So, what better place to go to at the end the day than an air-conditioned mall?
As the sun goes down, take a 7-minute cab to Ipoh Parade, a shopping mall with Parkson, Golden Screen Cinemas, Jaya Grocer, Guardian and Mr DIY. Do some shopping there (check out our article on the best things to buy in Malaysia) and grab dinner before going back to the hotel to rest.
Day 2 — A fun-filled day at Lost World of Tambun
Morning: Breakfast at hotel
Fill your tummy with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. At Bedrock Hotel, breakfast is available from 7am to 10am daily.
10.30am - 11am: Head to Lost World of Tambun
It’s time for a fun-filled and adrenaline pumping day at Ipoh’s Lost World of Tambun. To get the most out of your day (and tickets!) plan to reach the theme park at 11am, when the doors open.
The rest of the day: Lost World of Tambun
This popular theme park in Ipoh is a one-stop shop for family fun. With 10 themed areas, Lost World of Tambun offers something for everyone, from toddlers to thrill-seekers. Make sure you allocate enough time to explore all it has to offer!
Trust us, you will definitely spend an entire day here, as the park closes at 11pm.
Why the Lost World of Tambun is perfect for families
Lost World Water Park
Have a splashing fun time at the Lost World Water Park by racing down twisting water slides such as the Tube Raiders and Cliff Racer, having a battle with water cannons, or relaxing in the wave pool. Young explorers can have a safe and fun aquatic adventure in the Kids Explorabay.
Lost World Petting Zoo & Tiger Valley
Get up close with majestic tigers at Lost World Tiger Valley, or have a heartwarming meet-and-greet with furry friends at the petting zoo.
Animal feed is available at an extra charge.
Lost World Amusement Park
Take a thrilling ride on Perak's first-ever roller coaster, Lupe's Adventure, or conquer your fear of heights on the ziplines (at an additional cost) at Lost World Adventure Park.
Lost World Hot Springs
Relax and unwind after a day of exploration in the natural hot springs.
Admission tickets to Lost World of Tambun cost around $30 per person, and each comes with admission to the hot springs park. Other activities such as animal feeding, ziplining, and paddle boating come at an extra cost.
Food at Lost World of Tambun
Don’t worry about your meals because Lost World of Tambun has tons of restaurants scattered around the park.
DAY 3 — Last minute shopping, depart from Ipoh to Singapore
12pm: Check out of the hotel
From your check-out time, you’ll have around three hours to eat and do some last-minute shopping before heading back to Singapore.
3pm: Leave your hotel for Ipoh airport
3.30pm: Reach the airport
Let’s assume you take this Scoot flight that leaves Ipoh for Singapore at 5.25pm. You should reach the airport two hours earlier, which is at 3.30pm.
5.25pm: Ipoh to Singapore
Bye Ipoh, see you next time!