Brief Encounters | What to do in Ipoh – gateway to Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands is a relaxed city-break destination in its own right
- From the city’s famed white coffee to addictive nasi ganja, gourmands will find much that pleases their palates
- Still out of reach of globalisation, Ipoh’s charms lie in its laid-back authenticity and warm welcome
There’s no Angkor Wat or Great Wall to IG, simply a down-home Malaysian city that’s more like a large town, replete with excellent places to eat and relax, and Ipohites for whom courtesy is second nature. And no, it’s not vibrant.
Where to stay
The planet may be getting dunked by globalisation, but some corners have so far escaped its full force. There are no bland international hotels in Ipoh, and no exhilarating ones either. The home-grown choice is either nothing-to-WhatsApp-about high-rises, or rather more down-to-earth and characterful accommodation.
Ipoh’s Airbnbs tend to be closeted in blocks of flats and decorated with sizeable party-minded groups in mind. Light sleepers should check Google Maps – the first call to prayer is scheduled well before dawn.
Where to shop
Rather than a flea market, think of Memory Lane as an elaborate piece of outdoor theatre. Spreading out from Jalan Horley along alleyways and streets, it’s not so much Aladdin’s cave as the stuff he would have got rid of when he spring-cleaned. Junk, antiques and curios, pre-loved, second-hand or simply stuff with a capital S, it’s all here, with banter flying back and forth amid brisk bargaining sessions. The “tsunami” watch demo – ie, immersed in H2O to guarantee that it’s waterproof – is a sure-fire crowd-puller.