WHERE TO STAY IN IPOH WITH KIDS?

There’s something for everyone from solo travelers to couples and families. Honeymooners and those looking for a luxurious experience can stay at Malaysia’s first luxury natural hot springs wellness retreat, The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, but do note that the resort only allows children 12 years and above. Alternatively, pamper yourself at the stunningly gorgeous Pangkor Laut Resort, a luxurious private island resort for ultimate relaxation located further away from Ipoh city. For families, the Lost World Hotel tops the list as the Lost World theme park is right across the road. Adventure seekers looking to connect with nature in the lush rainforest of Perak can head to Adeline Villa and Rest House just 30 minutes away in Gopeng where thrilling activities such as white water rafting, waterfall abseiling, jungle trekking and caving await. The city also has many mid-range and boutique hotels to cater to all sorts of budgets.

Luxury Hotels

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, www.sunwayhotels.com/the-banjaran

Pangkor Laut Resort, www.pangkorlautresort.com

Family-Friendly Hotels:

The Haven Resort Hotel, www.thehavenresorts.com

Lost World Hotel, sunwaylostworldoftambun.com/lost-world-hotel

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, www.bukitmerahresort.com.my

Mid-Range Hotels:

Ipoh Bali Hotel, www.ipohbalihotel.com

WEIL Hotel, www.weilhotel.com

Boutique Hotels:

Bedrock Hotel, bedrockhotelipoh.com

M Boutique Station 18 Hotel, s18.mboutiquehotels.com

The Happy 8, www.thehappy8.com.my

Eco-Resorts

Belum Rainforest Resort, www.belumrainforestresort.com

Gopeng Glamping Park, www.facebook.com/gopengglampingpark

Hijau @ Gopeng, www.ecoadventuresmalaysia.com/hijau-gopeng

Tiger Rock, www.tigerrock.info

THINGS TO DO IN IPOH WITH KIDS

A must-visit for families with small children is the Lost World of Tambun where the many attractions including the petting zoo, amusement park, water park, adventure park, and hot springs will keep the little juniors busy. Stop by the ruins of Kellie’s Castle, a partially completed castle built-in 1915 by a Scottish planter and was one of the locations used for the 1999 movie, Anna, and the King. Wander around Ipoh city to check out the street art concentrated around the Old Town and Mural Arts Lane, and visit the unique Sam Poh Tong Buddhist temple built within a limestone cave. Animal lovers, make your way to the Taiping Zoo or check out the Bukit Merah Orangutan Foundation on Orang Utan Island, a conservation facility for the endangered Borneon Orangutans accessible by ferry from Bukit Merah. For visitors keen to extend their stay for some sun and sea, head to Lumut which is about 85km from Ipoh and hop on a ferry that will take you to Pangkor Island, where you can explore the fishing villages, meet the locals and soak up some sun.

Lost World of Tambun, No.1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1, Sunway City Ipoh, 31150 Ipoh, Perak, +605 542 8888, sunwaylostworldoftambun.com

Kellie’s Castle, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, www.facebook.com/kelliescastleofficial

Sam Poh Tong Temple, Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak

Taiping Zoo, Jalan Taman Tasik Taiping, Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak, +605 808 6577, www.zootaiping.gov.my

Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation, Jalan Bukit Merah, 34400 Semanggol, Perak, +605 890 8110, www.orangutanisland.org.my

Also check out:

Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Lot 1&2, Komplex Menara Condong, Jalan Bandar, Pekan Teluk Intan, 36000 Teluk Intan, Perak

Tempurung Cave, Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung, 31600 Gopeng, Perak

IpohWorld at Han Chin Pet Soo, 3 Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30100 Ipoh, Perak, +605 241 4541, www.ipohworld.org

Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Off Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 30010 Ipoh, Perak, +605 506 3088

Gaharu Tea Valley, Lot 9840, Kampung Sungai Itek, 31600 Gopeng, +6017 596 4999, www.hoga.my

Kuala Sepetang - Fishing Village, www.ipoh-city.com/attraction/Kuala_Sepetang

WHERE TO EAT IN IPOH?

Food hunters, when in Ipoh, the local food is a must-try. You'll find a number of local dishes from Cantonese and Hakka origins due to the large Chinese population here. Be sure to sample the famous Ipoh Chicken Rice served with bean sprouts at Lou Wong and Restoran Onn Kee. Another local favorite is dim sum at Restoran Foh San, and Restoran Chooi Yue Dim Sum but go early for breakfast as hot sellers tend to run out quickly. Other local delicacies to try are Hakka Mee and Kai See Hor Fun aka Chicken Kuey Teow Soup. Coffee lovers, find the original Ipoh White Coffee at Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong, or have your cuppa at Nam Heong White Coffee Shop. Don’t leave without trying the smooth, silky Tau Fu Fah or soybean curd for dessert at Funny Mountain Soya Bean.

Lou Wong, 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, 30000, Ipoh, Perak, +605 254 4199

Restoran Onn Kee, 51, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, + 605 253 1652

Foh San, 51, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, +605 254 0308

Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong, 15 A, Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, +605 241 4601

Nam Heong White Coffee Shop, 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, +6012 588 8766

Funny Mountain Soya Bean, 49, Jalan Theatre, Ipoh, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, +60 125161607