What to see and doKellie's CastleThis amazing, unfinished mansion was the brainchild of Scottish architect, William Kellie Smith, who started work on the building in the early 1920s. The remnants of his first family home - built in 1909 - lay next to it. He returned to England during the 1920s to visit his family, but died in Lisbon, Portugal in 1926 from pneumonia. His grand home was never completed. As a staggering backdrop is the 900 acre rubber plantation he laid down around the building. Tel: 02 05 3668 198. Email: kelliescastle@hotmail.com Web: virtualtourist.com/kelliecastle Gua Tempurung A huge network of caves that have formed deep in Ipoh's limestone hills offer a spectacular view of huge caverns that have been lit up to show millions of years of rock formations. At one time this also housed a group of communist rebels who were fighting against the British. A subterranean river also flows through this huge natural structure.. One of several caves in the area - the other option would be Perak Caves to the north. Tel: 02 06 017 5901 625. Email: enquiries@guatempurung.com Web: www.guatempurung.com Lost World of Tambun This newly-opened water-themed family park offers a splashing good time to everyone - whatever their age. Grab a float and enjoy being pulled along the 600 metre long man-made adventure river - the longest of its kind in the region - or be swept along in the huge wave pool that generates seven different wave patterns. There is also a natural hot-spring from an underground source to relax in. Opens week days 11am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 9pm, closed Tuesdays. Tel: 02 05 542 8888. Email: lostworldoftambun@sunway.com.my Web: www.sunway.com.my/lostworldoftambun Meru Valley Golf and Country Club Don't forget to bring your golf clubs. Just 10 minutes off the E1 expressway from the city centre is the luxurious 27-hole championship Meru Valley resort course complete with swimming pool. You don't need to be a member to play here as long as you book in advance. This 500 acres of lush flora and fauna is set in the heart of Kledang-Saiong Forest Reserve, making it a pleasure for golfers and non-golfers alike. Short stay service apartments mean the whole family can enjoy a stay-over here. Tel: 02 05 5293 303. Email: magdalene@meruvalley.com.my Web: www.meruvalley.com.my Perak Tong Temple This beautiful Buddhist temple is built into the side of one of Ipoh's many limestone caves and has been in existence for more than 100 years. A very recent addition to it, however, is the giant statute of Buddha in inside the cavern which is the tallest and largest of its kind in Malaysia. There are many such temples around Perak, and the sister temple to this is the Sam Po Tong temple (Cavern of Three Precious) which also houses some giant tortoises. Tel: 02 05 2551 510 or 02 05 016 5953 336 Hulu Kinta Waterfall While not a large, crashing, spectacular waterfall, but more of a lake with a series of small rapids, this is nonetheless a peaceful and picturesque picnic spot for the whole family to enjoy. Located near to Police Field Force North Brigade base, this secluded beauty spot has several sheltered viewing platforms where you can enjoy your lunch and the kids can happily play in the shallow water, providing they are supervised at all times by an adult. Enjoy, but do not litter!
Where to stayThere are a plethora of hotels in and around Ipoh. The Highway chose the 3 star Syuen Hotel in the town centre, which also offers full convention facilities. Our Deluxe room offered a top view of the Greentown business district skyline and came with Queensize bed. Family rooms are almost twice the size of the Deluxe and Superior rooms, while the hotel's one-room executive suites have a large bedroom, a sitting room and two bathrooms with toilets. The two room executive suites have two bedrooms while the ultimate in luxury is offered by the Penthouse suites, which come with their own Jacuzzis.Syuen's facilities include a gym, a pool, men's and women's Spas, tennis and squash courts and a steam bath. For food you have the choice of the Silverboat Chinese restaurant or the Seasons Coffe House restaurant. There is also a lounge bar to relax with an after dinner drink. Tel: 02 05 2538 889. Email: syuenht@tm.net.my Other HotelsExcelsior: Tel: 02 05 2536 666. Email: htexcel@po.jaring.myCasuarina Parkroyal: Tel: 02 05 2555 555 Heritage: Tel: 02 05 2428 888 The Majestic Station Hotel: Tel: 02 05 2555 605 |
