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.
We found it sort of by accident. We were staying in Ipoh for a few weeks and saw signs for this park, and once we looked it up, we knew we had to take our kids. We figured, it’s affordable, it’s easy to get to, and it looks like something they’d love. And we were right.
Getting to Ipoh, Malaysia
We actually came from Penang, which is another spot in Southeast Asia that families love. If you’re doing that route too, you can take the train from Butterworth to Ipoh Perak, and it’s a really easy trip even with small kids. We booked business class tickets on Baolau.com so we had more space since we were traveling with all of our stuff. The train was clean, smooth, and had bathrooms, which, if you’re a parent, you know is a big deal. Once you get to Ipoh, it’s super easy to grab a Grab car to take you right to the theme park.
We stayed just north of downtown Ipoh, about seven minutes from everything, and it ended up being perfect. We had a mountain view from our Airbnb, a pool, and easy access to food nearby. There are plenty of family-friendly places in the area, so you don’t have to stress about finding a spot to stay.
First Impressions of The Lost World of Tambun with Kids
The minute you pull up, you can feel the excitement. The Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh, Malaysia has this big, bright entrance that instantly feels fun and family-friendly. It’s clean, easy to find, and not so huge that it feels overwhelming, which is exactly what you want when you’ve got little kids in tow.
We booked our tickets on Klook, and I’d 100% do that again. It’s cheaper, quicker, and you skip the ticket line completely. Tickets are usually around 18 to 20 USD per person, and once you arrive, you just scan your phone and walk in.
Right at the gate, they’ll check your bags. You can’t bring outside food or water, so eat before you come or plan to grab lunch inside. There are plenty of food stalls once you’re in, but pack light since security looks through every bag.
After your tickets are scanned, a staff member will explain which sections close earlier, good to know because some areas like the animal park and adventure zone shut down before the water park does.
The best tip we got was to start at the back of the park and work your way forward. Most people do the opposite, so this helps you avoid crowds. We began with the dry rides and animal areas, then finished the day in the water park. It made everything flow so much easier.
Quick Tips for a Smooth Start
- Arrive early when the park opens around 10 AM.
- Buy tickets through Klook to save time and money.
- Don’t bring outside food or drinks, they check every bag.
- Pack swimsuits, sunscreen, and water shoes for later in the day.
- Use a locker near the water area for your bags.
It’s an easy, stress-free setup, and by the time you walk through that front building, you’ll already know you’re in for a good day.
Exploring the Theme Park
The first section we walked through had a few smaller rides, a carousel, a swing ride, and a mini roller coaster. Our kids were three and five at the time, and it was perfect for them. Nothing too big or scary, just fun enough to make them laugh and want to go again. You could see how much thought went into making it kid-friendly. Everything felt safe, well-run, and close together, so we never had to walk far between rides.
As you go deeper into The Lost World of Tambun, the atmosphere starts to change. It’s surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants, and suddenly you’re not just in a theme park anymore, you’re in this mix of adventure park and mini zoo. It’s beautiful. The park sits right against the limestone cliffs of Ipoh Perak, which makes the whole place feel tucked into nature.
One of our absolute favorite parts of the day, and the memory our kids still talk about, was feeding the hippos. In the animal section, you can buy a small bucket of fruit and feed them yourself. It’s not expensive, and it’s one of those moments that just sticks with you. We got up close, tossed pieces of fruit right into the hippos’ mouths, and the kids were in awe watching those giant mouths open wide. Their faces were priceless.
What to Expect in the Park
- Most rides in this area are for kids over about 3 years old, with a few that require an adult to ride along.
- The animal area is big, clean, and easy to navigate with little ones. You’ll see everything from hippos and salt water crocodiles to birds and are even able to pet a capybara in the petting zoo.
- There are shaded walkways, which make it comfortable even on hot days.
- Plan to visit this section earlier in the day, since it closes earlier than the water park.
- Bring a little cash for extras like the animal feeding buckets.
If your kids are anything like ours, they’ll want to linger here. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and just enjoy watching them explore. Between the rides and the animals, this part of the park felt like the heart of The Lost World of Tambun with kids, full of wonder, laughter, and the kind of joy that makes the whole trip worth it.
The Water Park and Water Slides
By the time the afternoon heat kicked in, we were more than ready for the water park section at The Lost World of Tambun. This part of the park is such a win for families. It’s colorful, clean, and built for kids of all ages, which makes it easy to just let go and enjoy the day.
There are different sections depending on your child’s age. For little ones, there are shallow splash pools, gentle slides, and fountains everywhere. It felt safe, relaxed, and easy to supervise because everything is close together. The attendants and lifeguards were attentive, and that gave me peace of mind so I could actually have fun too.
For bigger kids and adults, the main slides looked amazing. There’s a huge green tube slide and a few that twist and turn before splashing into the pool. Just a heads-up: most of the large water slides require two people, so if you’re visiting with small kids and can’t leave them alone, you’ll probably stick to the family or kid slides. Still, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy without feeling like you’re missing out.
I’d definitely bring water shoes for everyone. The pavement gets hot during the day, and those shoes made a big difference when moving between slides and pools. You can rent lockers nearby to keep your stuff dry, and there are shaded spots to rest if you need a break.
Everything felt really well-maintained. The water was clean, there were plenty of lifeguards around, and the entire water park felt safe for families. If I had to rate it, it would easily be a 10 out of 10 for cleanliness and family-friendliness.
A Few Helpful Tips for the Water Park
- Bring swimsuits, sunscreen, and water shoes. The ground gets hot in the afternoon.
- Plan to visit this section after lunch when the sun is high and you’re ready to cool off.
- Rent a locker near the entrance to the water park to keep bags and clothes dry.
- Stay hydrated and take short breaks in shaded areas.
- Expect to spend at least two hours here, the kids won’t want to leave.
Our kids could have stayed in this part of the park all day, and honestly, I don’t blame them. It was fun, safe, and easy to manage, everything you want when you’re traveling through Southeast Asia with little ones.
Food and Snacks
Inside the park, you’ll find several food stalls near the front with a mix of Malaysian dishes and snacks. They do check your bags for food and drinks at the gate, so plan to buy your meals inside or eat before you go in. We mostly stuck to ice cream while we were there, they sell it by weight, which was a fun novelty for the kids.
If you want a real meal, there are places serving things like nasi lemak and satay, so you can still try local Malaysian food without leaving the park. Prices seemed fair, and there’s plenty of seating.
Where to Stay Near the Lost World of Tambun
If you want to stay right next to the park, there’s The Lost World Hotel, which is attached to it. But you don’t have to stay there.We found that being a short Grab ride away was just as easy. Staying in Ipoh itself lets you enjoy both the theme park and the city, which has great coffee shops, night markets, and fun places to walk around.
Our Airbnb was perfect for our family, with a pool and easy access to restaurants. You can find plenty of similar options on Airbnb or Booking.com, depending on your budget and how long you plan to stay.
Is It Worth It?
Overall, this was an affordable big theme park. Once you’re inside, most of the rides are included in the ticket price. The only extras would be certain activities like ziplining or the rope course, which makes sense since they require special gear.
We spent about four or five hours at the park and easily could have stayed longer. It’s a full day of fun, and for the price, it’s absolutely worth it, especially if you have kids around ages three and up.
Final Thoughts on The Lost World of Tambun with Kids
If you’re traveling through Southeast Asia and looking for a family-friendly adventure, this place is 100% worth adding to your itinerary. It’s affordable, clean, and built with families in mind.
For us, The Lost World of Tambun with kids was one of those spontaneous finds that turned into a core memory. Watching our kids run through the water park, feed a hippo, and just be free in such a safe, fun space reminded us why we love slow travel so much.
You don’t need a big, expensive park to make memories with your kids. Sometimes, all you need is a sunny day in Ipoh Malaysia, some water slides, and a bucket of fruit for a hippo.
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