Malaysia

Below are the best things we did in Ipoh with our kids, experiences that were genuinely family-friendly, manageable with young children, and memorable for all the right reasons. Each section is based on our real time here and links out to deeper guides if you want to dive further

If you’re traveling through Malaysia with kids, Ipoh street art is one of those rare experiences that gives you culture without asking too much in return. No guides herding you along. No rules about volume levels. No trying to keep a toddler quiet in a place that was clearly designed for adults.

Ipoh was one of those places that quietly surprised us. Tucked between Penang and Kuala Lumpur, this laid-back Malaysian city moves at a slower pace, with leafy streets, colonial architecture, and some of the best food  we ate and coffee we drank in the country. It felt easy from the moment we arrived, walkable, calm, and incredibly family-friendly without trying too hard.

Kellie’s Castle is located south of Ipoh, making it an easy day trip if you’re already exploring the area. From Ipoh town, it took us about 30 minutes by Grab, and the ride there was simple and stress-free. No tour required, no complicated planning, just hop in a car and go.

We visited two of the better-known temple caves in Ipoh, Malaysia: Perak Cave Temple and Kong Fook Ngam Temple. Both were easy to access, free to enter, and offered totally different (but equally engaging) experiences for us and the kids.

We wanted to visit Mirror Lake Ipoh with kids because it looked beautiful without the effort of a big hike or the overwhelm of large crowds. And it turned out to be extremely family-friendly, a definite bonus when you have two kids in tow.

Most mornings started late (because Ipoh Perak runs on a slower rhythm than the U.S.), and that first sip of coffee felt like permission to slow down too. We discovered that coffee shops in Ipoh weren’t just places to drink, they were places to breathe. The kids could snack, color, or play, while we got a moment to exhale, plan the day, and people-watch.

If you’re visiting Malaysia with kids, one place that has to make your list is The Lost World of Tambun. It’s in Ipoh Perak, which is kind of this smaller town you might not expect to have a giant theme park, but somehow they made it happen, and it’s incredible. It’s got everything: a water park, roller coasters, animals, hot springs, food, and all kinds of activities packed into one really beautiful place surrounded by mountains.

If you’re craving a break from Malaysia’s tropical heat, a quick visit to Cameron Highlands might be exactly what your family needs. Picture this: rolling green hills, misty mountain air, tea plantations stretching for miles, and strawberry farms waiting for tiny hands to pick from. It’s a slower, cooler corner of Malaysia that feels worlds away from the bustle of Ipoh, even though it’s just about an hour and a half up the road.

If you’re curious about Penang travel costs and how far your money really stretches here, this post breaks it all down.

In total, we spent $3,510.56 over five weeks, averaging $100.30 per day for our family of four. Here’s how that breaks down. All amounts are listed in U.S. dollars.