Located in the heart of the city, Tower Regency guests have easy access to the city's shopping malls, namely Ipoh Parade, Greentown Mall and Kinta City.
Quaint boutiques offering a wide range of items from fashionable clothing to traditional bamboo craft and famous Ipoh delicacies dot the city and the nearby Greentown Business Centre.
Interesting Places in Perak Gua Tempurung
If you are looking for adventure during your stay in Ipoh, then Gua Tempurung is where you should head on. The trek into the caves, littered by amazing formations of stalagmites and stalactites will delight you as you wonder at the powers of nature within the caves themselves as well as the surrounding landscape.
This well-known relic was the brainchild of the Scottish rubber tycoon William Kellie Smith. Construction started in the late 19th century. However, during a trip to Lisbon, Smith passed away suddenly at the age of 56 and his abode was never completed. Popularly known as Kellie's Castle, these ruins are also often referred to as Kellie's Folly and is located about half an hour's drive away from the city.
Lou Wong Nga Choi Gai
Just over an hour's drive away from Ipoh lie the pristine white beaches of Pangkor Island. It is near enough for a day trip to the beach or if you prefer, the island has numerous accommodation options to choose from. Dive into clear waters for a relaxing swim or invigorating sea-scooter riders or just laze about the beach with a cool long drink.
Lata Kijang Waterfall
Located in the heart of ipoh, is the famous Lou Wong Bean Sprouts Chicken or as the locals refer to as Nga Choi Gai. Just a mere 3 minutes drive from Tower Regency Hotel & Apartments, indulge yourself in a yummy steamed chicken served in soya sauce and sesame oil, crunchy bean sprouts and smooth textured Sa Hor Fun, aka Keuy Teow.
The majestic Lata Kinjang waterfall is visible from the North-South Expressway after passing the Tapah exit. Cascading 850m down the side of a mountain, this multi-tiered waterfall is a spectacular sight indeed. Not only it is a good picnic spot, it is also famous for its legendary Malay character, Sang Kelembai who had lived with her child. Sang Kelembai was said to be a female giant with red hair and villagers feared as her curse would turn anything into rock. The rocky terrain of Lata Kinjang was supposedly formed when she cursed the spot where her child was crushed by a tree. This story is still passed down from generation to generation.
(Extract from Perak Tourism Website, 28/April/2011)
Sam Poh Tong Temple
The most recent attraction in Gopeng is the one and only Gopeng Museam, launched on April 18, 2009. The house-turned-museum is a small unit of pre-war shophouse lot at 28, Jalan Eu Kong, at the centre of Gopeng town. It is developed by Bernard Yaw, a businessman, a Gopeng origin. A number of artifacts and pictures depicting an unseen before Gopeng are well displayed in this town museum which is now under secure supervision of Gopeng Museum Management Society, also headed by Bernard Yaw. (Photo from http://www.go2homestay.com/gopeng-muzium/, Write-up sourced from http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopeng, 10/June/2011)
Perak Tong Temple
The Sam Poh Tong Temple is located 5km south of Ipoh in an area called Gunung Rapat. Discovered in 1912, it is an impressive work of art and faith with numerous statues of the Lord Buddha nestled among the naturally-formed stalagmites and stalactites of the caves. Visitors can also feed tortoises which reside in a pond inside the cave (the tortoise is the Chinese symbol of longevity) next to a wishing well. After you trek through the temple, delight in the vegetarian cuisine of the restaurant outside as you appreciate the beautifully decorated exterior pavilions and landscaped gardens.
Gopeng Kuan Yin Temple
The Perak Tong Temple is another must-visit. Built into the huge limestone caves of Gunung Tasik by Buddhist priests from China, the temple houses over 40 Buddha statues. The centerpiece of them all is the impressive 12.8 meter high sitting Buddha right in the middle. Beyond the main altar, the passage leading into the cave's interior is flanked by mystical murals painted onto the cave walls. After a steep climb of 385 steps, the cave opens up again to reveal a picturesque and peaceful view of the surrounding countryside.
Nam Thean Tong
The Gopeng Kuan Yin Temple which is located next to the Gopeng Fire Station is believed to be 137 years old since used by the local Buddhist for prayers and religious activities. It was recently refurbished to enhance its charm and glory.
Ling Sen Tong
Nam Thean Tong, the oldest of the three, was discovered in 1867 by a priest. Some 130 steps leading up into the temple offers a bird's-eye view of Ipoh city. Filled with over 40 statues of Chinese deities and mythical creatures, Ling Sen Tong is the most colourful and vibrant in architecture.
The colourful Ling Seng Tong depicts a grand series of ancient Chinese folklore. Built into a cave and expanding into an impressive external compound, Ling Sen Tong can be seen from the road. Incense smoke spiral around the statue of the dieties, giving Ling Seng Tong a mythical and magical aura at the same time. (Extract from Perak Tourism Website, 25/May/2011)