Ipoh
Ipoh, the Perak state capital, is a slow, food-led stop known for tin-era shophouses, limestone cave temples and bean sprouts chicken.
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Ipoh is the capital of Perak, a state on the west side of Peninsular Malaysia. The town grew during the tin mining boom of the late 1800s, and its old center still has rows of two-story shophouses, many with covered walkways. Limestone hills rise abruptly from the flat land around the city, and several hold cave temples reached by stairs.
Food is a strong reason to visit. Ipoh is known for bean sprouts chicken, poached chicken served with blanched sprouts, and for white coffee, a local kopi with a paler, lighter taste. Kellie's Castle, an unfinished early 1900s mansion, is a short drive away in Batu Gajah. Plan two to three days for the old town, a few temples and a slow pace of meals. Expect heat and humidity year-round, so schedule hill climbs for early morning.
Ipoh in five
- Get the Grab app before you arriveGrab runs cars and motorbike taxis in Ipoh, and it is the simplest way to reach the cave temples from the old town. Set up your account with a Malaysian phone number before you go out.Phones and eSIM
- Carry ringgit cash for hawker stallsSome hawker stalls and coffee shops in the old town take cash only, and small notes are easier to spend. Carry ringgit (MYR) for breakfast and snacks.Money and costs
- Dress for the cave templesExpect temple halls to ask visitors to remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Wear shoes that come off easily and carry a light layer.
- Take the train from Kuala LumpurTrains from Kuala Lumpur take about 2.5 hours to Ipoh, and the station is a short taxi or Grab ride from the old town. Check current times on the operator's site before you book.Getting around
- Climb the limestone hills before noonThe steps up to the cave temples have little shade, and the midday heat makes the climb hard. Go early and take water.
Things to do in Ipoh
See all attractions in Ipoh
Need to know
- Currency
- Ringgit (MYR)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for most visitors Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; check the bill for a service charge
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°New Year breakJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
New Year break
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Lunar New YearFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lunar New Year
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, drierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 244 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- AprilRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, rains startAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 343 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, rainyMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, drierJuneRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 254 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- JulyRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, drierJulyRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, humidAugustRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 278 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainySeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 314 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°RainyOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 387 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°DeepavaliNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 441 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Deepavali
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 321 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Ipoh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ipoh
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Ipoh
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed31°24°96%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu30°24°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri29°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun30°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 02:30 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kuala Lumpurabout 2.5 hours by trainThe national capital, a long day trip or an easy return point for the train.
- Kuala Kangsarabout 40 to 60 min by roadThe royal town of Perak, known for its mosque and riverside setting.
- Cameron Highlandsabout 2 to 3 hours by roadTea estates and cooler hill air, a good change from the lowland heat.
Before you go to Ipoh
Rules for Ipoh, checked
- File the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive; check the current entry rules on the immigration site.Source
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering temple halls and shrines.
- Declare cash and goods above the legal limits on arrival; check the current rules with Royal Malaysian Customs.Source
- Dial 999 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Malaysia.
- Malaysia's drug laws are strict and apply to small amounts; carry medicine only with a prescription in your name.
Plan around Ipoh
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Malaysia trip
Read the guideGetting around MalaysiaTrains, buses and taxis between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day in Ipoh
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the digital arrival card
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town and station areas, by budget
Read the guideLocal customsManners at temples, hawker stalls and family meals
Read the guideIpoh FAQ
Is Ipoh worth visiting?
Yes, for heritage shophouses, hawker food and limestone hills with cave temples. It is smaller and quieter than Kuala Lumpur, so it suits a slower stop.
Can you visit Ipoh on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, but it is a long day, with about 2.5 hours each way by train. Stay a night if you want the old town after the day trips have left.
How many days do you need in Ipoh?
Two nights cover the old town, the cave temples and one day trip. One night works if you arrive by midday and leave the next afternoon.
Is Ipoh walkable?
The old town is walkable, but the cave temples sit in the limestone hills and need a taxi or Grab. Walking uphill in midday heat is hard.
Is Ipoh better than Penang for food?
Ipoh suits a slower food trip, with white coffee and bean sprouts chicken at local stalls. Penang is the bigger food city, with more restaurants and choice.