Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village: A Peaceful Getaway
Serenity and nostalgia rolled into one—this is the perfect way to describe the experience that awaits you in Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village. Nestled in one of Ipoh’s many limestone hills, this spot will treat you to a tranquil experience away from the glitz and glamour of city life.
It’s certainly one of the best attractions to visit in Ipoh and we’re here to tell you why. If you’re reading this, you’re in the right place, as we’re inviting you to this one-of-a-kind spot—but first, here’s everything you need to know:
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village purely depends on personal preference. For instance, if you want fewer crowds during your trip, it would be best to avoid weekends and public holidays—perfect for a more relaxing getaway.
Weather-wise, we recommend visiting during the dry season, since the village is pretty open—you wouldn’t want your trip to be ruined by rain, right? The dry season in this part of the country usually runs from December to February.
If you’re not a big fan of heat but want to visit during the dry season, we advise stopping by the village early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The weather will be much more pleasant while the skies remain clear.
Keep in mind, however, that these months are also considered the peak times to visit the cultural village so expect denser crowds and pricier rates.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: 22A, Persiaran Pinggir Rapat 5a, Taman Saikat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone details: +60 5-312 4140
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Entrance fees:
- Malaysian: RM12
- Foreigner: RM20
- Kids/OKUs: Free
How to Get There
Trains: Riding the train is an efficient way of getting to the cultural village but unfortunately, it won’t directly take you there. All you have to do is ride a train going to Ipoh Railway Station and from there, you can either hail a taxi or book a Grab.
Buses: Taking the bus is the cheapest option, but you will be sacrificing some level of comfort but hey, that’s what travelling is all about, right?
You can ride one of the intercity buses from where you’re coming from to Ipoh. Once you arrive at the Ipoh bus terminal, you can either ride a taxi/Grab to the village or hop on another bus going to Syarikat Perabot KOTA (10 mins away).
Taxi/Grab: You can also hail a taxi if you want to prioritise speed and comfort during your trip, but remember that this will be much more expensive. Alternatively, you can book a ride through Grab if you want a fixed fare and a much more comfortable experience overall.
Car rental: If you prefer to be behind the wheel and in charge of everything on your trip, from the route to the stopovers, we recommend renting a car. There are tons of reliable car rental companies in Kuala Lumpur and even in Ipoh!
We recommend setting Syarikat Perabot KOTA handy as your destination on the Waze or Google Maps app, as it serves as a great landmark.
Where to Stay
Merton Hotel Ipoh
— From: mahanikasbollah
Address: 25, Jln Lapangan Symphony, Symphony Business Park, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 5-318 2887
Pricing: $
Merton Hotel is a great 3-star hotel we highly recommend for its affordable prices and impressive rooms. Even though you’re paying cheap, these rooms are far from it, as they’re spacious, neat and equipped with essential amenities for a comfortable stay.
We also feel like it’s one of the more aesthetically pleasing hotels in the area, boasting a rustic and modern design that’s begging to be included in your IG profile.
Granted that it lacks some facilities, it does make up for this by featuring a great location—you can’t have them all after all!
Symphony Suites
Address: Business Park, 41, Jln Lapangan Symphony, Pusat Kesihatan Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 5-312 2288
Pricing: $$
Symphony Suites is among the classier accommodations near the cultural village. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that you’re going to break the bank when you book a room in this hotel.
For a place that features huge rooms and amazing amenities, the rates are surprisingly more affordable than you’d expect. Not to mention that it also comes with lavish facilities as well like the tea room and in-house buffet dining.
Ipoh Bali Hotel
Address: 12, Lorong Cheah Cheang Lim, 30350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 5-242 0222
Pricing: $$$
Ipoh Bali Hotel is the place to choose if you want to experience something more like a getaway rather than just a simple overnight stay. As you may have gleaned from its name, this resort will make you feel like you’re staying in Bali by offering deluxe bungalows and chalets.
What makes this resort extra memorable, however, is the variety of spa & wellness services they offer to their guests. These services include massages, body treatments and body scrubs and baths—spa date, anyone?
WEIL Hotel
Address: 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 5-208 2228
Pricing: $$$
If you’re willing to do a bit of travelling from the cultural village to Ipoh’s city centre, we recommend checking out WEIL Hotel. It’s a 5-star hotel that offers world-class rooms that feature all the bells and whistles you need for a comfortable stay.
It doesn’t fall short on facilities as well, as it offers things like a co-working space, a rooftop bar, an infinity roof deck swimming pool, and more! Plus, it’s also worth mentioning that the location of the hotel isn’t too bad at all, as it’s near essential establishments.
Where to Eat
Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
Address: Eko Perlancongan, 1, Jln Perniagaan Sengat, Pusat Perniagaan Sengat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Pricing: $
Kin Loong Valley Chan Jiang White Coffee is an amazing cafe that serves delicious coffee and non-coffee drinks while offering stunning views. This is because the cafe is located near limestone caves and Ipoh’s famous mirror lake, so make sure to take tons of photos!
Aside from their drinks, they also serve some great dishes like curry noodles, toasted bread and wanton mee. However, the experience won’t be complete without trying their specialty, Ipoh white coffee, which is also the most famous beverage in the capital city of Perak.
Red Brick Kitchen
Address: 1A, Laluan Panorama 4/4, Taman Panorama Rapat Indah, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 11-5622 3642
Pricing: $$
Red Brick Kitchen is a great choice if you’re craving classic Western dishes like burgers, steak and a handful of brunch items. Aside from that, they also serve a variety of lip-smacking seafood that will leave your tastebuds and your hunger satisfied at the same time.
It’s also hands-down one of the best-looking restaurants near the cultural village. This is because it features huge floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow the guests to admire the beautiful natural landscapes that surround the restaurant.
La Formule Bistro
Address: Next to Merton Hotel, Business Park, 17 & 19 Lapangan Symphony, Jln Sultan Nazrin Shah, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 14-967 1945
Pricing: $$$
If you’re celebrating something special or you’re just feeling fancy, then dining at La Formule Bistro should be a no-brainer. This lavish restaurant serves delicious and authentic French dishes while providing a relaxing bar/cafe-like ambience.
One of their bestsellers is their steak and fries, and we can see why, as the serving size is huge and the meat itself is oozing with juice. If you want to treat yourself to something sweet, however, we recommend trying out their creme brulee.
What to Do in Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village
Enjoy a scenic bicycle ride
— From: rizmel_nazrin
One of the best ways to get around the village is by riding a bicycle, as it’s efficient and of course, environmentally friendly! It’s also an activity where you’ll feel like you’re in a movie because of the beautiful views that you’ll get to see while you’re pedalling through the village
There are bicycle rentals in the village and the best part is that they offer different variations! For instance, you can rent a bicycle that can accommodate up to two adults and a baby—how cute is that?
Make a wish by the Banyan tree
— From: adelinetew
You can’t leave the village without stopping by the Banyan tree in the middle of the park. It’s a tradition to visit this “magical tree” where you can write your wishes on red ribbons and throw them or simply hang them on one of the branches.
A red ribbon costs around RM3, but hey, it’s for the experience at the end of the day. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the lucky person who gets their wish granted!
Stroll through the memory lane
— From: jiaxinnnnn_0202
The Memory Lane is one of the main attractions in the village, boasting colourful exhibits and mini structures of notable architectural feats in Ipoh. These structures are made with attention to detail, as they look like their real-life versions like the Birch Memorial Clocktower.
It’s also an attraction that will make you feel nostalgic, as exhibits depict the old street stalls found in Ipoh during the ‘80s. These vintage representations are just for show but the attention to detail put into them is so realistic that you’ll think that they’re operational!
Admire the beautiful lake
— From:kittykhoo2002
The massive lake is undoubtedly the main star of the show in this cultural village. It’s a calm body of water that perfectly mirrors the village itself, which is such a stunning sight to behold in person.
There’s a viewing deck that overlooks this lake where you can take tons of creative photos. However, the place we recommend for admiring this lake is the swingset, as it treats you to a fun experience while providing stunning views.
Feed the ducks and fish
— From: notreal_seezhihong
During your exploration in the village, it won’t be long until you meet the resident ducks and fish living their best lives on the lake. You can simply admire them from afar and observe their behaviours or better yet, interact with them by feeding them their favourite snacks!
Apps to Download
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app