Ipoh: City of many attractions - Star Metro Perak

15 July 2016 by Ivan Loh

IPOH’S inclusion into Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 Asian destinations to visit this year is not a fluke.

Indeed, to Ipoh folk, the recognition was fully deserved as the city, with its mix of modernisation from development and olden charm, has vast potential in attracting tourists from all over the globe.

The boom of modern hipster and boutique cafes and the olden-style kopitiams, against the backdrop of rising skyscrapers and colonial buildings – things are as quirky as they are interesting.

Kindergarten clerk Lily Lim, in her 30s, said there were plenty of places to visit, especially in the Old Town part of the city.

“The influx of tourists began in the last four to five years.

“There is so much more to see now, including the popular Yi Lai Hong (Concubine Lane) or Panglima Lane, there are also the Han Chin Soo Pet Soo (Han Chin Villa) exhibition centre, a three-dimensional interactive art funhouse and the recently opened Ho Yan Hor Museum,” she told MetroPerak.

“Apart from these tourist attractions, the food is definitely another thing visitors look forward to when they come here,” she said.

“The ever popular nga choi kai or bean sprout chicken, dim sum, pomelos, tau foo fah (soy bean curd dessert) are some of the well-known items here in Ipoh,” she added.

Lonely Planet has listed Ipoh, the only city from Malaysia, at number six on its inaugural Best in Asia 2016 list, which was topped by Hokkaido (Japan), followed by Shanghai (China), Jeonju (South Korea), Con Dao Islands (Vietnam) and Hong Kong.

Apart from the attractions at Old Town, marketing communications manager Joey Loh said there were other attractions such as the Chinese temples built at limestone hills – Sam Poh Tong, Perak Tong and Kek Lok Tong.

“There are other places near Ipoh that visitors could go to.

“Within travelling distance from Ipoh are white water rafting and eco-tourism destinations in Gopeng, Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah and other nearby attractions,” she said.

Loh also said that the street food offered in Ipoh was cheaper than those found in metropolitan cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

“Street food, cafes, restaurants and fine-dining eateries. We can be called a food paradise now,” she added.

Many netizens too agreed that Ipoh is a nice place to visit.

They commented on The Star Online’s Facebook posting of the article that they were proud that the city was recognised by Lonely Planet.

Cecilia Yap said: “Proud that I’m from Perak, plenty of yummy food, Love Ipoh kacang Putih and all the historical places!”

Mathavi Nadarajah Thevar said: “Macam tak percaya kan? Masa kita pergi banyak tempat yang berpotensi kan. Lagi seronok daripada KL.” (Unbelievable right? When we visited, there were lots of places with potential. More fun than KL.”)

Another social media user, Marcus Kho, said he liked the serenity of the city, which was surrounded by hills.

Meanwhile, Ipoh City Watch president Prof Dr Richard Ng said the announcement by Lonely Planet has put Ipoh on the world map ahead of Visit Perak Year 2017.

“We are definitely proud to hear that Ipoh has finally been given the due recognition by travellers around the world who have visited the historical city to be named as a destination for world travellers for the next 12 months,” he said.

“With that in mind, the local authorities and community leaders must work together to ensure that visitors would have a pleasant visit here,” he said.

“There needs to be a task force, consisting of the Ipoh City Council, police, welfare department, non-governmental organisations, the Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNKK) and Consumer Association of Perak, to look into ways to capitalise on this recognition with Visit Perak Year looming,” he added.

Dr Ng said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city to showcase its attractions and to live up to its namesake as a food paradise.

“Cleanliness will be an issue and the city council needs to ensure all the food outlets be rated ‘A’ before year end.

“All these outlets must also ensure the toilets are clean, practice garbage separation at source, avoid using polystyrene and clean up their drains,” he said, adding that businesses must be monitored to ensure they would not charge exorbitant prices that could tarnish the city’s name.

“The Police, the Perak Anti-Drugs Agency and the Welfare Department must work hand-in-hand to keep ‘jaga kereta’ touts, who are usually drug addicts, at bay,” he added.