Ipoh featured on Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations in Asia 

IPOH — The capital of Perak has been named one of the best destinations in Asia this year by the world’s largest travel guide book publisher, the Lonely Planet.

Ipoh is the only city in Malaysia to make it into the book’s first-ever list of Asia’s top 10 best destinations.

Thanks to its fast-paced restoration of period houses, century-old and historic buildings, the city is now ranked sixth in the list.

Ipoh mayor Zamri Man said he was glad to learn about the news.

“We believe Ipoh is one of the best places to be visited in Asia. We are glad it is now known to the world, that the city has potential for tourism,” he said.

Mr Zamri said the tourists were attracted to the city by its improved infrastructure which featured classic and modern twists.

On the Lonely Planet website, it was mentioned visitors to Ipoh can experience contemporary street art, traditional coffee shops, art cafes and colonial masterpieces in the space of a single street.

“At the heart of Ipoh’s renaissance is otherworldly concept hotel Sekeping Kong Heng, replete with glass attic rooms and wall-free rooftop quarters,” it read.

“Boutique cafes such as Burps & Giggles and Everyday Lifeshop have appeared nearby, among creaky kedai kopi (coffee shop) and elegant colonial buildings.

“But food pilgrims still clamour for Ipoh’s old favourites: Lou Wong’s chicken with crisp beansprouts and tau fu fah (tofu pudding) at Funny Mountain,” it read.

The website also suggested visitors enjoy wild escapes like bird-watching in Kinta Nature Park and whitewater rafting near Gopeng.

Colourful mural arts around the city and traditional coffee shops, such as Lim Ko Pi cafe-restaurant, which serve the city’s signature white coffee, are a treat for tourists, while cliff-top temples and fragrant Gaharu Tea Valley nearby are sure to tempt new crowds.

Mr Zamri said the city council had been doing their best to provide comfort and safety to visitors.

The city’s crime rate, he said, also dropped compared to last year.

“We believe we could reach greater heights in coming years. We aim to keep providing a comfortable environment for tourists,” he said.

“The gerbang malam (night market) has been moved to a different place, where the environment is more relaxed and has good lighting.

“We have also planted trees around the city which could last for more than 70 years. The council will work to improve the city’s infrastructure from time to time,” he said.

State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi said she was surprised to see Ipoh on the list.

“Usually, other cities will surpass us, so this is a pleasant surprise,” she said.

She said her committee would be meeting tourism agencies next week to discuss promotion and business opportunities.

“Hopefully, Ipoh being on that list will bring good fortune for our tourism industry,” she said.

Ms Nolee said many investors were coming to the city to build eclectic cafes and boutique hotels as they saw the city’s bright future.

She said the opening of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) would boost and change Ipoh’s tourism landscape. MALAY MAIL ONLINE