IPOH DAY TRIP 怡保一日游

Lei Hou!  It means "how are you" in Cantonese. Why am I speaking Cantonese here? Yes, today I'm gonna talk about my lovely hometown - Ipoh. You might be wondering, why will I blog about my own grown up place after so many years of blogging? Well well, although I already moved to KL since 6 years ago but sometime I still miss the little Ipoh town. There are so many memories for me, friend and family. Whenever my friends from other states pay a visit at Ipoh, they sure asked me what to eat, what to do, where should they go in Ipoh. Hmm... So I decided to explore there for half day and blog about the itinerary here, so you guys will have some ideas when you plan to visit Ipoh next round. So, let's go from KL to Ipoh!

Please noted that I won't appear on the photo that I'm taken because I want you guys focus on the places and activities instead of me. Lol. So when I mentioned Ipoh, what is the first thing that pop out in your mind? When I was first came to KL, most of my KL friends(especially guys) told me that Ipoh got many "leng lui"(pretty girls) and delicious foods. Hahaha. Nope, I'm not gonna admit I'm a pretty girl but I'm still proud to say I'm an Ipohian. 

First up, if you wondering what transport should you take? Bus or train? Well, I will suggest ETS instead of bus. Why? Simply because ETS only need 2 hours+ to reach Ipoh and it can skip the heavy traffic jam especially public holiday. All you need to is just go to KL Sentral Station for the departure. Yes, normally I drive back to Ipoh but this time I purposely don't drive because I want you guys to experience it with me. LOL.

Just in case if you not sure how to go to KL Sentral. Here's the attached map for you to have a look. 

Here's the ticket counter which allow you to buy your train ticket.

Since I purchase my train ticket via www.busonlineticket.com, so I no need to buy on the spot. Please noted that after you bought the ticket online, just print it out and it is the official ticket. No need to change ticket anymore at the ticket counter.

If you're lost, no worries. You can always refers to this directory.

There are 2 gates on the 2nd floor, which are Gate A and B.  We should stay at Gate A if Ipoh is your final destination.

The Gate A was just beside of KFC. So you can just look for KFC if you don't know where is the location Gate A. You may go take your meals while waiting for the train to arrive.

Ta-da! This is the ETS. It stands for "Electric Train Service".

The interior inside the train.

Every coach got their one small LCD screen and their toilet is almost like the one on the plane.

After about 2 hours and 20 minutes, we reach our destination - Ipoh! Here's the entrance at Ipoh Railway Station.

Check out the "exit" signboard in case you don't know where is the exit.

This is the ticket counter at Ipoh Railway Station. You may purchase your train ticket here to another destination as well.

This is the entrance for you to get on the ETS. There are 2 entrances so remember don't enter the wrong one.

And this is the ambient of the outside of Ipoh Railway Station.

From the main entrance, you just walk for 1 minutes at our right hand-side then you will see bunch of cab here. We took a cab to Nam Heong and it cost us RM15 for the ride.

For your info, Nam Heong was renowned as a local icon especially among fundamental and traditional coffee shops. It was a signature of Ipoh because their old town white coffee was popular. Some people saying if you never try their coffee before, then you never been to Ipoh.

I used to take away this "大块面" when I finished school in those old days. I don't know what it is called in English but it named as "Apambalik" in Malay.

I order a "cham ice" which is also one of their signature drink in their shop.

And this is the hot white coffee that ordered by my friend.

I ordered a "hakka me" and some fish ball, tofu etc as my lunch. It cost about RM4.90.

Fish ball Kuey Teow soup for my friend.

Details

Kedai Makanan Nam Heong

Address : 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Business Hours : Daily (7:30am - 10:30pm)

Tel : +6012 - 588 8766

After finished our lunch, we walk to the nearby places for capturing the street art. There are some many random street arts but we only managed to take photo some of them.

There are many different theme of the shop and this one was the forest themed shop I guess.

When I looking this "Selalu Lock" area I was keep laughing. I don't know even Ipoh also having this kind of lock section like other countries too.

They also having bazaar here. I'm not sure whether they will having bazaar on daily or only for the weekdays because that day we went there was on Thursday.

Finally we reach the famous Concubine Lane 二奶巷. This lane was very messy and dirty last time because a fire was happened long time ago. And guess what~ Concubine Lane is 120 years old lane at Old Town Ipoh! I knew they already renovated but this would be my very first time to step in after so many years. I felt surprised for all the changes. Now it became the tourist favourite place to visit. Continue reading to find out more.

This is a quite unique shop for tourist to grab some cute products as souvenir or gifts to friends and family.

Ipoh key-chain. LOL

They also selling flower style of cotton candy. I didn't try it but it might taste delicious. (Check out the expression of the little girl)

Details

Eesha Handmade

Address : No. 12, Lorong panglima, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.

Business Hours : +6012 - 519 9152

Tel : Tue - Sun (11:00am - 5:00pm)

Right beside Eesha Handmade was Meiko Gallery.

Noticed the signboard was very retro and old. It 's because this shop will display all of the objects that we used to seen and used when we were kids.

It was definitely the interesting retro shop cum gallery @ Concubine Lane.

Since the building was really old, so they need to maintain it well. They requested to collect RM1 for taking photo purpose. Since me and my friend was thinking to take photo on up-stair so we pay RM1 for each person.

My grandma used to use the sewing machine like this when I was a kid. I like the sounds of this old typewriter. "Tik tak, tik tak"

Details

Meiko Gallery

Address : No. 14, Lorong Panglima, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.

Business Hours : Daily (9:00am - 5:00pm)

Tel : 016 - 414 4399

You may stop by here to try their red bean ice.

All I can said is, it's worth to pay a visit here especially for tourist. Well, even I'm an Ipohian but I feel new here. Lol

Details

Concubine Lane
Address : Panglima Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.

We then head to Big Johns Music Shack for take a chill. It was located opposite of Snow Beer 元华雪花啤.

Big Johns provides Western foods at day time. By night, they will be having live band and provides alcohol drink as well. Open until midnight.

I was excited to try on this Rose Conet ice-cream because I always saw this on Youtube video but I have no idea now I can taste it at Ipoh! It cost RM2.50 (1 layer), RM3 (2 layers) and RM5 (3 layers).

Ta-da! Here is it! Too bad the weather was so hot and caused the ice-cream melt so fast. =(

Rose bud tea which cost only RM5. Quite affordable because we can't get this price at KL.

Details

Big Johns Music Shack

Address : 24 Lorong Panglima (Concubine Lane), 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
Business Hours : Tue - Sun (5:00pm - 1.00am)
Tel : +605 - 241 1617

Oh ya! Besides of leng lui and delicious foods. Ipoh also famous with the Dim Sum. I know normally you guys will visit Foh San Dim Sum but there is so many people queuing. So at the end me and my colleague decided to choose Ming Court Dim Sum.

The taste of the dim sum was fine. There is so crowd in the restaurant because their shop is in small size. However, the dim sum is not much choices compared to other dim sum cuisine.

Details

Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum
Address : 32. 34. 36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Business Hours : Daily (5:00am - 12.00pm)
Tel : 05 - 255 7134

Actually there are still many places and cuisine that you should visit at Ipoh but I can't list down all at here and I rarely go back to Ipoh even I do I also went back there for only 1 or 2 days. I will try to share more with you guys about the place, foods and activity that you guys should try. Do share with me as well if you have any suggestion.

You may also interested

If you find it interesting, feel free to visit other day trip posts as follow :

• Malacca Day Trip : http://www.shinilola.com/2015/12/shinixtravel-malacca-day-trip.html
• Johor Bahru Day Trip : http://www.shinilola.com/2015/11/johor-bahru-day-trip.html
• Sekinchan Day Trip : http://www.shinilola.com/2017/09/sekinchan-day-trip.html