Silver state’s impressive tourism finds

Lost World of Tambun provided a preview of its Crazy Rich Chinese New Year celebration to the media during their visit.

THERE are many reasons to visit Ipoh and one of its hidden charms lies in the tropical rainforest nearby.

To explore a slice of Perak’s tourism appeal, Sunway Property organised a special media tour for a group of 50 reporters and influencers from Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Singapore to visit Sunway City Ipoh (SCI).

The trip began with a visit to Sunway’s award winning retreat – The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat.

Surrounded by lush tropical forests, the 8.7ha valley houses 45 luxurious villas, a spa and wellness centre.

The Banjaran is also attractive for its geothermal hot spring dipping pool, crystal cave, meditation cave and jungle walk. Jeff’s Cellar is another famed attraction as well, known as a bar carved within a natural cave.

SCI is the largest integrated township encompassing 546ha in Perak. It was first conceived in 1996.

SCI senior general manager Wong Wan Wooi said the development in SCI was 70% completed to date with the remaining areas scheduled for completion by 2025.

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a hidden gem within Perak’s lush tropical rainforest.

He also revealed that Sunway would be unveiling Sunway Onsen Suites, scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2019. 

“The highlight of the development is a magnificent courtyard within its podium level surrounded by a full suite of facilities including a natural hot spring pool (Japanese hot spring or onsen).

“Sunway Property will also invest another RM4bil in Perak in the next 15 to 30 years. We will continue to support the state’s tourism ambition through the development of tourist products,” said Wong.

Guiding the tour was Banjaran’s general manager Alex Castaldi, who took media members to visit Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah’s wine cellar that has more than 2,000 bottles of wine.

“The story began about 15 years ago when Cheah had the idea to turn an ordinary cave into a bar. Jeff’s Cellar started as a bar, but we have since expanded it into a fine dining restaurant,” he said to the media who were impressed by the beauty and imagination put into conceptualising the restaurant.

In 2018, CNN Greece listed Jeff’s Cellar as one of the top five unique wine bars in the world.

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat gives visitors a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Named after its founder, the bar is surrounded by stalactites, shining rock minerals and rows of wine bottles lining the walls.

Shortly after completing the tour in Banjaran, including a look at the Thermal Steam Cave, the trip continued to the Lost World of Tambun (LWOT).

The theme park is currently the only one in South-East Asia with a natural hot spring, coupled with attractions and rides.

The media members visited LWOT’s amusement park, Tiger Valley, Luminous Forest, Petting Zoo and the Hippo Kingdom.

In conjunction with Chinese New Year, LWOT also held its special media preview Crazy Rich Chinese New Year celebration that will start from Feb 5 to Feb 19.

LWOT general manager Nurul Nuzairi Mohd Azahari said LWOT had prepared a line of profusion activities and performances such as Crazy Fortune Teller, Golden Dragon, Sweetest Stack and meet-and-greet session with the God of Prosperity.

Castaldi explaining to media members how Jeff’s Cellar was conceptualised.

“To complete the Chinese New Year experience, we will have a traditional lion dance with acrobatic moves and LED dragon dance on Feb 5 and 6.

“Guest can also register online for the lou sang session for a prosperous toss and better luck with loved ones throughout the year,” he added.

The two-day one-night trip ended with a visit to Cheah’s Captain Cabin that is located in SCI and a tour around Ipoh city.