Lei Hou! It means how are you in Cantonese. Why am I speaking Cantonese here? Today, I'm going to talk about my beloved hometown, Ipoh. You might be wondering why I'm discussing my hometown after all these years of blogging. Well, even though I moved to KL 6 years ago, I still have a deep fondness for the charming town of Ipoh. It holds so many memories for me, my friends, and my family. Whenever my friends from other states visit Ipoh, they always ask me where to eat, what to do, and where to go in Ipoh. So, I decided to explore Ipoh for half a day and share the itinerary here, so you'll have some ideas for your next visit to Ipoh. Let's embark on a journey from KL to Ipoh! Enjoy reading!
First up, if you're wondering what mode of transportation you should take, bus or train? Well, I would suggest taking the ETS (Electric Train Service) instead of the bus. Why, you ask? Simply because the ETS takes only a little over 2 hours to reach Ipoh, and it can bypass the heavy traffic jams, especially on public holidays. All you need to do is go to KL Sentral Station for departure. Yes, usually I drive back to Ipoh, but this time I intentionally didn't drive because I wanted you all to experience it with me. Lol.
Just in case you're not sure how to get to KL Sentral, here's the attached map for you to have a look at.
This is the ticket counter where you can purchase your train ticket.
Since I purchased my train ticket online through www.busonlineticket.com, there's no need to buy it at the station. It's important to note that after buying the ticket online, simply print it out, and it serves as your official ticket. There's no need to exchange it at the ticket counter.
If you're lost, no worries. You can always refer 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.
Gate A was just beside 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 of the train.
Every coach has 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 minute to the right-hand side then you will see a bunch of cabs 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 say if you never tried their coffee before, then you have never been to Ipoh.
I used to take away this Chinese pancake (大块面) when I finished school in those old days. I don't know what it is called in English but it is named Apam Balik in Malay. The inside of the pancake is usually filled with sweet corn and peanuts.
I ordered a "cham ice" which is also one of their signature drink in their shop.
And this is the hot white coffee that was ordered by my friend.
I ordered a "hakka me" and some fish balls, 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 finishing our lunch, we walked to the nearby places to capture the street art. There are many random street art but we only managed to take photos of some of them.
There are many different themes of the shop and this one was the forest-themed shop I guess.
When I looked at this "Selalu Lock" area I kept laughing. I don't know even Ipoh has this kind of lock section like other countries.
They also have a bazaar here. I'm not sure whether they will have a bazaar daily or only for the weekdays because the 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 happened a long time ago. And guess what~ Concubine Lane is a 120-year-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 by all the changes. Now it has become the tourist favourite place to visit. Continue reading to find out more.
This is a quite unique shop for tourists to grab some cute products as souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.
Ipoh key-chain. LOL
They also sell flower-style 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 see and use when we were kids.
It was definitely the interesting retro shop cum gallery @ Concubine Lane.
Since the building was really old, they needed to maintain it well. They requested to collect RM1 for taking photos purpose. Since I and my friend was thinking of taking photo up-stair we paid 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 say is, it's worth paying a visit here especially for tourists. Well, even though I'm an Ipohian I feel new here. Lol
Details
Concubine Lane
Address : Panglima Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
Address : Panglima Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
We then head to Big Johns Music Shack to take a chill. It was located opposite of Snow Beer 元华雪花啤.
Big Johns provided Western foods at the time. By night, they will be having a live band and provides alcoholic drink as well. Open until midnight.
I was excited to try on this Rose Conet ice cream because I always saw this on YouTube videos but I have no idea now I could 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 to 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
Business Hours : Tue - Sun (5:00pm - 1.00am)
Tel : +605 - 241 1617
Oh ya! Besides leng lui and delicious foods. Ipoh is also famous for the Dim Sum. I know normally you guys will visit Foh San Dim Sum but there are so many people queuing. So in the end I and my colleague decided to choose Ming Court Dim Sum.
The taste of the dim sum was fine. There was so crowded in the restaurant because their shop is in small size. However, dim sum is not much choice 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
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 cuisines that you should visit at Ipoh but I can't list down all here and I rarely go back to Ipoh even if I do I also go back there for only 1 or 2 days. I will try to share more with you guys about the place, foods and activities that you guys should try. Do share with me as well if you have any suggestions.
You may also interested
If you find it interesting, feel free to visit other day trip posts as follows:
- 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
I'm amazed by the first part of blog, of showing people the route to KL sentral, train (before, during and after) and station..Actually there're many more places to be discovered in Ipoh, come again :D and (y) for your blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment. I will definitely back again and blog more about it. =)
DeleteCan I know what App/Software you used to make the first picture (aka cover) in this blog? Thanks~
ReplyDeleteI'm using Photoshop CS6. =)
DeleteOic~ I thought u were using Apps... I'm not good in Photoshop, haha XD
Deletethe concubine lane looks so beautiful and i would love to explore the town too! i havent been to ipoh before :P
ReplyDeleteThe concubine lane got many years of history and yes, you should visit Ipoh someday =)
DeleteHahahaha Ipoh has got 'Pretty girls' no comment. There is so much to do in Ipoh and the food looks cheap for RM5 and eat as much as you can wow.
ReplyDeleteI love the wall paintings that are more similar to Penang..
Its sad that i never got to visit Ipoh during my stay in Malaysia
Hahaha. This I what been told when I came to KL. You should visit Ipoh someday. =)
DeleteOMG u're my lifesaver! Didn't know u're from ipoh but yes, ipoh girls very very pretty!! They have seriously good skin complexion! Am gonna save this post down gonna be super useful when I travel to ipoh this year with my family hehe
ReplyDeleteYou're much welcome dear! Yes, this is what my friends told me. They said their skin complexion is better because of the water here. Have fun when you're in Ipoh. =D
Deletegosh! ipoh so cool now. even have concubine lane...nice exploration dear!
ReplyDeleteThe Concubine lane is here since many years ago. Thank you =D
DeleteDont even know Ipoh got so many nice place to hang around until i read your blog. And there's rose icecream!!! <3.<3
ReplyDeleteIpoh still many places to explore but I only able to cover a few. The rose ice-cream is not looks nice as in other countries but it's better than nothing right? =D
DeleteGood selection of places despite the tight schedule. Ipoh is a city to be discovered, so do come again.
ReplyDeleteHahaha. We just randomly choose some places to discover. I'm going back to my hometown this week again. =)
DeleteI heard ipoh from my best friend and when I saw your picture definitely want go there
ReplyDeleteYes, you should visit here sweetie. =D
DeleteI like many things in Ipoh. The food, the scenery! Superb!
ReplyDeleteAnd the lifestyle, so relax XD
DeleteI went to Ipoh during Christmas.
ReplyDeleteVisited exactly the same places!
Will definitely visit again.
Really? You're awesome sweetie! =)
DeleteTake ETS to ipoh is convenient. But prolly not that convenient to go around Ipoh unless u have friends and relative there to take your around. hehe
ReplyDeleteYes it's true. Ipoh don't have LRT here and if you don't have transport and friends here you might need to take public transport only.
Deletewoohoo! thanks for saving me. am going to ipoh, and this post saves me from spending time and effort from research!! thanks dear.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. Hope you will have a lot of fun here. =)
DeleteWow.. Luckily read your post on today, because im going ipoh on tomorrow. XD
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info.
Hahaha. What a coincidence~ Have fun. =D
Deletesuch a nice places. never knew ipoh have so much of great places
ReplyDeleteThanks sweetie. Ipoh still have many historical places that I haven't discover yet. =)
DeleteHow pretty and quirky, I did not even know such places existed in Ipoh... now that I know I might just make it a point to see Ipoh more...
ReplyDeleteHope you will have a lot of fun when travelling to Ipoh dear. =D
DeleteIts been some times since I visit Ipoh, all your photos make me miss ipoh now! The ETS definitely a great choice to travel to Ipoh for a day trip =D
ReplyDeleteReally? Then you should visit Ipoh again dear and Ipoh changed a lot already! XD
DeleteVisited Ipoh last two years. How time flies. Look like it's time to revisit this interesting place. :)
ReplyDeleteHow was your last Ipoh trip sweetie? Yes, Ipoh welcome you. =D
DeleteThere are so many interesting things to find in Ipoh, especially cafes. There are just so many cafes there, it's growing like mushrooms. I hope to visit them all (if I can lah) when I visit Ipoh one of these days..
ReplyDeleteYup, indeed. There are many cafes which I still haven't visit yet. You can dear! XD
DeleteMing Court is my favourite dim sum too. Ipoh truly a food heaven.
ReplyDeleteHahaha. That's why I'm fat when I'm in Ipoh. XD
DeleteWow its quite a fruitful day in Ipoh. Perhaps I should try to take a train there instead of driving, along the way I can see the scenery.
ReplyDeleteYup, this is my very first time to take the ETS. Normally I just drive my own.
DeleteThe ETS service seems efficient and convenient, will consider this when I travel up to Ipoh next time :)
ReplyDeleteYup, and the duration is exactly 2 hours only. =D
Deletewaa Ipoh have interesting place to visit! Want to visit soon with family
ReplyDeleteHave fun when visit Ipoh =D
Deleteyou got me there.
ReplyDeletei really didnt know ipoh has so many pretty spots to visit and fine at.. always felt it is a rather quiet town.
It's indeed a quiet town compare to KL City. But also a relaxing town. =)
DeleteI thought of coffee when I think of Ipoh. Wow, all the place and food look so nice. Really want to explore there too one day.
ReplyDeleteYup, the popular Old Town White Coffee! HAHAHA.
Deleteyou are from iPoh no wonder so leng lui, as they say nearly all ipoh girls are pretty. love that place especially the food.
ReplyDeleteHahaha. Yup, I'm a truly Ipoh girl. Have no idea why they're describe ipoh girl like this. Ipoh is another food paradise. =)
DeleteHi...do you know any tour co. that can arrange for a day tour around ipoh?
ReplyDelete