8 Best Things to Do in Perak

8 Best Things to Do in Perak

| October 17, 2023

When it comes to perfect vacation destinations in Malaysia, one of the states that will commonly be thrown into the conversation is Perak–and for good reason. Located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it’s home to natural landscapes, delicious Malaysian cuisines and more!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a travel destination without featuring tons of activities as well! This being said, join us here as we take a look at some of the best things to do in Perak.

Spend a day in paradise on Pangkor Island

Website: https://www.pulau-pangkor.com

Address: Strait of Malacca, Perak, Pangkor Island

Pangkor Island is one of the best destinations that Perak has to offer. Filled with beautiful white sandy beaches and world-class resorts, this place is the ultimate getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

What’s amazing about this island is that you’ll have tons of things to do throughout your stay. Of course, swimming in its pristine waters is already a given, but some of the unique activities you can do include snorkelling, kayaking, diving and more!

Speaking of diving, Pangkor Island is one of the premier sites for this activity because of its abundance of luscious marine life and explorable wrecks. There are three wrecks in total around the island, each of which has become part of the natural surroundings of the sea creatures.

Meanwhile, if you want a more relaxing activity, you can simply chill along the shores of the island and be in awe of the beautiful Malacca Strait. If you want our advice, we recommend doing this around 4:00 to 5:00 PM, as you’ll be treated to a beautiful sunset.

Pro tip:

  • If you’re looking to stay somewhere luxurious, the best place we can recommend is Pangkor Island Laut Resort. It’s sort of this island’s version of The Maldives, and it features all the premium amenities you can expect from an establishment like this.

Spot and feed majestic hornbills

Another activity you can do in Pangkor that’s worth highlighting is spotting and feeding local hornbills. These birds reside on the island and you’ll most likely come across a bunch of them during one of your many explorations around Pangkor.

They’re quite shy, however, so you may have to be quiet and keep your eyes peeled to really see them. If you want to spot them, you must keep your eyes on the tree branches, as these are their main chilling spots.

Once you know where to look, there’s no way you can miss them thanks to their unique look and majestic demeanour. Their most unique feature is of course their hornbills which are shaped like bananas.

If you want to interact with them, you can do so by visiting Sunset View Chalet where you’ll be able to feed them first-hand! This has been a long-running ritual between the birds and the owners of the guest house, and it’s only right to carry on their tradition.

Pro tip:

  • Aside from the opportunity at Sunset View Chalet, it’s not recommended to feed these birds by yourself. This is because they’re not very good at digesting food, so it’s best to leave the feeding to the experts.

Discover the story of Kellie’s Castle

Address: Kompleks Pelancongan Kellie’s Castle Lot 48436, KM 5, 5, Jalan Gopeng, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia

Contact details: +60 5-365 3381

Operating hours: Opens daily from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM

Kellie’s Castle is the perfect example of something being tragically beautiful in that it features a sad story behind its breathtaking appearance. Before diving into its timeless story that has been passed on several generations, you should first know what makes this place beautiful.

For starters, it’s a massive old-timey mansion that features three floors and a fusion of British-Indian architecture. The majority of its design is mostly made out of bricks, which adds more charm to the already majestic structure.

It also sits atop a hill, which kind of makes it look like a castle from the movies and fairy tales you’ve watched and read growing up.

However, the story behind the construction of the castle is far from beautiful. Various versions have been thrown around over the years but the gist is that it was built by a planter named William Kellie-Smith for his wife Agnes.

Unfortunately, Kellie-Smith ended up contracting pneumonia and passed away before the house could even be finished. That same unfinished house is what you’ll see today as the famous Kellie’s Castle in Perak.

People have also claimed to experience hauntings in this castle, but that’s too supernatural for us. Personally, we love sticking to the facts and see it as the epitome of being tragically beautiful.

Pro tip:

  • If you want to explore every nook and cranny of the castle, do some research first! There are some secret corridors and stairwells that may not be visible to first-time visitors.

Experience a fun-filled day at the Lost World of Tambun

Website: https://sunwaylostworldoftambun.com

Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1, Sunway City Ipoh, 31150 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Contact details: +60 5-542 8888

Operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed except on public and Malaysian school holidays

Entrance fee:

  • Adults (13 yrs and above): RM127
  • Children, senior citizens: RM120

If you want your day to be filled with tons of fun activities, there’s no better place to go in Perak than the Lost World of Tambun. In this single location, you can go on thrilling theme park rides, relax at a spa, dip your toes in a hot spring and even pet some animals!

The theme park here is filled with amazing rides, all of which are perfect for different age groups. There are the extreme ones for adults and the tamer ones for elders and kids alike or those who simply aren’t too fond of fast rides.

Some of the best rides here that we think are worth mentioning include Giddy Galleon, Dragon Flights, Lupe’s Adventure and Perak Parade.

Aside from thrilling rides, this park also features a fully fleshed-out water park where you can cool down in different fun and relaxing ways. 

For instance, there’s a section called “Sandy Bay” where you can bask under the sun and feel like you’re on an actual beach instead of a pool. Meanwhile, they also have attractions that feature exciting slides for those looking for a more thrilling water adventure.

To top it all off, the Lost World of Tambun also features a zoo where you can find various adorable animals. Kids will surely get a kick out of this attraction, as it allows visitors to pet and even feed these animals.

All in all, if you’re looking for family-friendly activities to do in Malaysia, the Lost World of Tambun should be included in your itinerary!

Pro tip:

  • If you want to keep your belongings safe while you’re enjoying the park’s different rides, you can rent different-sized lockers. They cost around RM25 to RM50 and they’re available throughout the day.

Take photos at Malaysia’s leaning tower

Address: Lot 1&2, Komplex Menara Condong, Jalan Bandar, Pekan Teluk Intan, 36000 Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia

Operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Menara Condong Teluk Intan is famously known for being Malaysia’s version of Italy’s popular leaning tower. However, it’s more modern-looking as opposed to being completely made out of marble.

Another similarity that it has with the Leaning Tower of Pisa is that it wasn’t meant to lean this way as well! It was originally built as a water storage back in the late 1880s and due to its weight over the years, it caused one side to sink.

Fortunately for us, we get to enjoy it for the amazing tourist attraction it is today. It stands 84 feet tall and features an oriental design, which is great as it gives it a distinct look that’s worth taking “Instagram-worthy” photos of.

Pro tip:

  • If you want to see this tourist attraction in its best form, we recommend visiting at night. During this time, the tower will be lit up with various beautiful lights that make it more photo-worthy!

Spend a nice afternoon at Concubine Lane

Address: Concubine Ln30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Concubine Lane is one of the most iconic places to visit in Ipoh. Think of it as this state’s version of Jonker Street in Melaka or even Chakit Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur.

We say this because just like those iconic streets, this lane is lined with various shops, restaurants and hawker stalls. These establishments all offer products and dishes that will give you an idea of the country’s culture and creativity.

This is also a place where you’ll find some of the best dessert shops in Perak. So, if you want to treat yourself to something sweet while exploring the street and the city as a whole, make sure to stop by here!

Also, if you’re looking to score some unique Malaysian souvenirs, this is one of the best places to go to.

Aside from shopping, this is where you can also take iconic photos to share on your social media pages. Some of the sights you can see here include various street mural art and the famous umbrella attraction.

Pro tip:

  • If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting this iconic street at around 11:00 AM when the stores are just opening their doors.

Go hiking at Royal Belum State Park

Address: Perak, Malaysia

Contact details: +60 19-437 2087

If you’re someone who’s looking for a more adventurous way to spend your day in Perak, we recommend stopping by Royal Belum State Park. It’s one of the oldest rainforests in the world and it’s one of the country’s premier camping and hiking spots.

The hiking trails here vary from beginner to intermediate levels. Regardless of which one you’ll take, however, we recommend going with a guide to make sure that everything goes smoothly during your trip.

The absolute best part of trekking in this rainforest is the plentiful natural landscapes that you’ll be treated with. From rivers to waterfalls, you’ll be spoiled with beautiful sights during one of your hikes here.

Aside from hiking, one of our favourite things to do in this state park is going on river cruises. It’s a relaxing experience that will let you reconnect with nature, which we recommend if you’re too caught up with your office jobs. 

Pro tip:

  • Make sure to bring a bottle of sunscreen and mosquito repellent during your hike! It can get super hot and mosquitos can be unforgiving around these parts.

Check out our Royal Belum State Park guide here if you want to learn more about this amazing hiking spot.

Explore Perak Cave Temple

Address: Jln. Kuala Kangsar, Kawasan Perindustrian Tasek, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Contact details: +60 11-2358 4126

Operating hours: Opens daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Perak Cave Temple is one of the most beautiful temples you can visit in the state or in the entire country for that matter. A huge reason for its majesty is that it’s located in the middle of beautiful natural landscapes that can easily take your breath away.

Its most notable feature is the huge limestone cave behind it, which makes the temple feel small even when it’s a massive building in itself. As for the design, it features an oriental look that you’ve surely grown accustomed to if this isn’t your first time visiting a temple in the country.

Furthermore, if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can climb the 400-step staircase to reach the viewing platform. It’s here where you’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking views of the surrounding nature.

Pro tip:

  • Make sure to wear modest clothes, as this temple is still a place of worship. This being said, don’t forget to act accordingly as well!