5 Awesome Day Trips From Ipoh Malaysia

Perak State, an often overlooked part of Malaysia, boasts an impressive list of natural, cultural and colonial attractions. Most tourists start in Ipoh, conveniently located between Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Discover our favourite day trips from Ipoh to experience more of Perak, including Kellie’s Castle, cave temples and thrill-seeking adventures.

Walk Through the Eerie Kellie’s Castle, Batu Gajah

Located approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) south of Ipoh in Batu Gajah, Kellie’s Castle is one of Malaysia’s most mysterious colonial structures. William Kellie-Smith moved to Malaya, now Malaysia, in the late 19th century and made a fortune from growing rubber. Wealthy Smith started building a mansion for his wife. He wanted the grandest and most opulent estate in all of Malaya. With a mixture of styles including Roman, Moorish and Indo-Saracenic as well as numerous eccentric decorations, Kellie’s Castle is an architectural marvel. But after his death in 1926, the Kellie family sold the property. The jungle quickly reclaimed the unfinished mansion. Today, it’s said to have several hidden passageways and whispers of the supernatural.

Some people claim the castle is haunted.

Photograph Exotic Cave Temples, Ipoh

Popular cave temples such as the Nam Thean Tong and Sam Poh Tong just outside of the city

Underground Adventures at Tempurung Cave, Gopeng

Tempurung Cave, or Gua Tempurung in Malay, is among the largest limestone caves in Malaysia outside of Sarawak. Stretching for almost 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) and consisting of five chambers, the caves offer an intriguing experience in Perak, approximately 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from Ipoh. Inside, look up and see how the top resembles a coconut shell with distinct markings and characteristics. Then stroll past stalagmites, stalactites and unusual rock formations as thousands of bats hide in the inky darkness. Visitors can choose between different packages which include wet and dry tours. Expect to squeeze through gaps and slide down walls in the internal obstacle course and wade through water in the wet tours. The dry ones are easier to navigate. Adventurous travellers should consider this day trip from Ipoh. Tickets range from RM20 ($5.10) to RM50 ($12.70) depending on the type of tour.

One of the largest limestone caves in Malaysia

See Taiping’s Colonial Heritage

Perak’s former capital, Taiping, sits approximately one hour northwest of Ipoh. The area played a significant role in Malaysia’s once prosperous tin mining industry. Stroll through the streets and find more than 30 colonial buildings as well as traditional shophouses and the Taiping Zoo. But the main appeal is the central lake and park transformed from a former tin mine. Highlights include walking around the lake, snapping photographs of the centuries-old trees and admiring the scenery that resembles a park in rural England more so than tropical Malaysia. The Telegraph Office Museum, one of Taiping’s newest attractions inside the oldest colonial building (1885) is worth visiting too.

Centuries-old trees in Taiping Lake Gardens

A great place to unwind and relax in Taiping

A Day of White Water Rafting on Kampar River, Perak

The Kampar River rates as one of the top day trips from Ipoh for thrill-seekers. With a total of 14 rapids ranging in difficulty from Class I to Class III, visitors can expect a day of adrenaline-pumping fun. Prices start at RM170 ($43.30) per person, including a safety induction, all equipment and a professional rafter to guide beginners. Sessions start at either 9:00am or 1:00pm lasting a total of two to three hours.

Take a thrilling trip to Kampar River with your friends.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.