Concubine Lane is a classic stop in Ipoh Old Town, where vibrant shophouses, street art, and small artisan shops bring the city’s heritage to life. (Image by [email protected])
With Merdeka and Malaysia Day festivities happening these past few weeks, having a lokal holiday feels right. Sometimes, a short getaway close to home is all it takes to reset, especially when there is plenty to discover along the way.
Memories of my 2-day getaways to Ipoh over the past few years are some that I cherish. There’s something about the stunning limestone karst-studded city that seems to always refresh my soul. With its mix of nature, colonial buildings, street art, iconic food, and easy access from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh makes a wonderful choice for a 2-day reset — especially if you enjoy wandering without too much of a plan.
Find unexpected treasures at Memory Lane Flea Market
Memory Lane comes alive on Sunday mornings, offering a treasure trove of vintage goods, Malaysian nostalgia, and friendly banter with local vendors. 
Memory Lane comes alive on Sunday mornings, offering a treasure trove of vintage goods, Malaysian nostalgia, and friendly banter with local vendors.
The Memory Lane Flea Market is something that I accidentally came across, but is a reason why I keep coming back to Ipoh.
When going on a wholesome sibling holiday to the city with my brother, we stayed at a budget hotel right in front of this Sunday morning pop-up flea market.
Unaware of the Memory Lane Market, I was delighted to see the market come to life at my doorstep. Sprawling across the car-free roads, I roamed up and down for hours, coming across vintage art pieces, such as stunning broad copper pots, Malaysian Lat*-themed cards, and wooden carved kuih makers. There were also quirky buys like little tin boats powered by candles, tiny Milo trucks, and even adorable palm-sized bunnies to adopt.
Exploring the market, I had so much joy finding second-hand gems, bargaining over prices (it’s the norm!), and getting to know the friendly vendors.
You can spend your whole morning on Memory Lane, stopping to get a bite to eat from stalls selling keropok (crackers) and karipap (curry puffs), or picking up jugs of thirst-quenching drinks.
Memory Lane happens every Sunday morning. Bring money or a QR-code-friendly bank account and enjoy searching for market treasures.
Wander through Ipoh Old Town And New Town
The city centre is home to Ipoh’s Old Town and New Town, separated by the lush Kinta River. The area is easy to explore on foot, and every time I have walked (or even skateboarded!) around it, I have come across another hidden gem — whether it was street murals, artsy second-hand clothes shops, shophouse museums, or a store for skaters. Of course, as Ipoh is known for its cuisine, there are plenty of foodie spots to chow down at.
One route I have enjoyed is a walk along Kinta Riverfront Walk, which connects the Old Town with the New Town. The peaceful path takes you past the green fringe of the river, temples, and artistic bridges built across the water — one bridge is particularly high and fun to climb on!
Another classic route is Concubine Lane, a charming alleyway in Ipoh Old Town tucked between the city’s iconic colonial buildings. The alley is filled with street art, quirky shops, and even a Harry Potter-themed cafe named Platf9rm Coffee & Brew Cafe, where you can dress up as your favourite wizard and celebrate with a Butterbeer.
A short walk from Concubine Lane is Kong Heng Square. For those looking for a new book to read or a striking piece of architecture to explore, visit BookXcess in Kong Heng Square. The building, which was once a bank, plays on its past and artfully showcases books amongst the old vaults and cash deposit boxes. Kong Heng Square is also home to artisan markets, the legendary Yasmin Ahmad Museum, and trendy other cafes.
Eat your way through Ipoh’s food culture
It’s no wonder that Ipoh is a spot for foodies, with Malaysian favourites originating from the city, such as Ipoh white coffee, as well as its long-standing kopitiam (coffee shop) culture.
One spot that I absolutely adore is Nifayyi @ Warung Theatre. This halal restaurant, like seemingly many places in Ipoh’s Old Town, is a converted and repurposed old building. Now a former cinema has become a warm and chic eating spot with robot waiters, serving hearty Western and Malaysian meals and delicious desserts. The restaurant pays homage to the building’s past by keeping features of the cinema on display. With large halls to dine in, Nifayyi is a great place to throw a celebration as well.
Another hip restaurant in a restored cinema, which I crave after leaving Ipoh, is Mohd Chan. Despite this place being a chain around Malaysia, its Ipoh branch has a fun decor and dining experience. The restaurant serves halal dim sum and Chinese food, which are among my favourite meals in the city.
Hike into Perak Cave Temple
If you’re looking for an experience that integrates Ipoh’s culture and outdoors, Perak Cave Temple is a stunning place to visit. The temple is built into the cave and cliffside, and you can explore the site by climbing its long flights of stairs. It truly is an amazing experience.
For me, that combination of wandering, eating, stumbling across unexpected finds, and exploring places I had not planned on seeing is what keeps bringing me back to Ipoh. It is close enough to Kuala Lumpur for a short break, but has more than enough character to make two days feel like a proper getaway.
All photos are by and courtesy of the writer, Sofia Shamsunahar, unless otherwise stated.
