Davide Sbrana,26 (in blue) and Simone Sbrana,19 (middle)tourists from Italy.mingling with the board and card game operator at Concubine Lane,Ipoh..(3rd September 2025)--RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH’s tourism appeal is growing, and its people are a key reason why.
While the city’s celebrated food and historical architecture, including colonial-era and pre-war buildings, draw visitors in, it is the genuine warmth and friendliness of its residents that keep them coming back.
This unique blend of heritage and hospitality is not only enhancing the visitor experience but is also positioning the Silver State capital as a major player in the country’s tourism landscape ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
The Sam Poh Tong temple in Ipoh is one of many cave temples that attract tourists to the city. — Filepic
Paul Hsu, a 52-year-old businessman from Taiwan, said he cherished his recent visit to the former tin-mining town.
“We came here mainly for the food, especially the famous white coffee, and it did not disappoint.
“But what struck me most was the friendliness of the people. Everywhere we went, we felt genuinely welcomed,” he said.
Hsu also appreciated the harmonious coexistence of diverse races, a unique experience compared to the monocultural society he is used to back home.
Foreign tourists enjoying the peaceful atmosphere at Concubine Lane.
“The diversity here is refreshing and beautiful to witness,” he noted.
“The service is commendable. From hotels to local eateries, we felt welcomed at every step.”
However, Hsu pointed out the need for better maintenance of older buildings, suggesting that with some care, these structures could attract even more tourists.
“A few of the buildings looked quite worn down, but with proper upkeep, they could become attractions themselves,” he remarked.
Culinary delights, such as Ipoh chicken rice with beansprouts, are a must-try for tourists to the city. Italian tourists Davide (right) and Simone Sbrana (middle) checking out the offerings at a board and card game vendor in Concubine Lane, Ipoh. Visitors say they are impressed with the hospitality of the city’s residents. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
He also noted that many local restaurants closed earlier than expected.
“Quite a number of eateries shut down by 3pm, which can be inconvenient for those seeking a late lunch,” Hsu told StarMetro.
These sentiments were echoed by a UK tourist in a viral video who praised the friendliness of Malaysians, especially after her trip to Ipoh.
She lauded the city’s “good vibes” and its late-night coffee culture, which she contrasted with the nightlife in her own country often dominated by inebriated crowds.
Colonial-era buildings like Arlene House, built in 1905 with neo-classical Victorian-Palladian architecture, are part of Ipoh’s charm.
“In Ipoh, I felt safe and relaxed even late at night.
“In the UK, you would often encounter rowdy behaviour, but here, the atmosphere is peaceful,” she commented.
Nature and nostalgia
Alexandra Kostareva, a Russian student based in Kuala Lumpur, said she found a sense of peace in Ipoh.
“Life in KL is fast-paced, but Ipoh is calm.
“Ipoh’s nature spots made me feel connected to the environment, especially Tasik Cermin,” she said, describing the beauty of Ipoh’s limestone hills reflected in the water.
“Walking through the greenery and seeing the reflection of the limestone hills on the water was a beautiful experience. It’s a sight I will never forget,” said Kostareva.
Engineer Cedric Pinto from France also enjoyed his stay, citing the ease of communication and the city’s aesthetic appeal.
“The colonial buildings are beautiful, almost like stepping back in time.
Loh: Ipoh needs more nightlife activities.
“It is a rare blend of history and hospitality,” he said.
Pinto said that in addition to the friendly smiles, he and his companion had no problems communicating with locals whenever they needed directions or information, which made their visit even more pleasant.
Similarly, German engineer Stefan Reinelt, 28, found Ipoh’s charm captivating.
“The churches and cave temples are beautiful, and the colonial architecture adds to the city’s allure,” he said.
“Ipoh feels so peaceful and charming and not chaotic at all.
“I can easily walk from one attraction to another in the old town, from Concubine Lane to the museums and the railway station.
“Everything is nearby, which makes it really enjoyable,” he said.
Reinelt, who had initially planned to skip Ipoh after visiting Cameron Highlands, decided to stay longer after discovering the city’s appeal.
“Once my girlfriend and I came back down from Cameron, we decided to stop by Ipoh for a visit. We liked it so much we decided to extend our stay,” he admitted.
He also highlighted his positive experience in Cameron Highlands.
“We had such a nice tourist guide with excellent service. The whole experience was calm and peaceful,” he added.
For Amir Shahmi Akhiruddin, 32, a manager from Kuala Lumpur, visiting Ipoh felt like stepping back in time.
“It is very peaceful here. The old town reminds one of the past, unlike KL where everything is modern, from the buildings to the hipster cafes.
“Here, it feels more connected and nostalgic,” he said.
He noted that while he enjoyed the city’s charm, there was still room for improvement.
“Parking can be a real challenge, especially around tourist hotspots.
“If there were more parking spaces and better sidewalks or walkways, it would make the experience even better,” Amir Shahmi suggested.
Hsu: We felt welcomed at every step.
Growing tourism destination
Local tour guide K. Rajasegaran, 78, believes the friendliness of Ipoh’s residents is a key attraction.
“Our hospitality draws tourists,” he stated proudly.
Having witnessed Ipoh’s growth over the years, Rajasegaran noted that the city has become a much stronger tourism destination.
“In the past, we did not receive visitors from places like Morocco, but now even Moroccans are coming here.
“It shows how Ipoh’s appeal has grown,” he observed.
While some tourists worry about finding food late at night, certain restaurants do operate until late, Rajasegaran said.
“We just need to continue nurturing our culture of friendliness and keep up our good hospitality. That is what will keep tourists coming,” he opined.
Reinelt: Ipoh feels so peaceful and charming.
Perak Tourism Association president Datuk Mohammad Odzman Abdul Kadir agreed that the people of Ipoh were generally friendly, and emphasised the importance of having more friendly faces to serve tourists.
“With the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign starting next year, everyone has a part to play to make it a success,” he said.
“Authorities can promote it through campaigns and online competitions, but when we get everyone involved, people are encouraged and they will do it naturally.”
Mohammad Odzman also stressed the need for community involvement.
“VM2026 must be made known to the community, so that everyone can play their part to ensure the campaign is visible and generates interest.
“There needs to be more engagement between the relevant government agencies and the tourism players.”
He also said that hotels, restaurants and tourism outlets should display posters and banners of VM2026 at their premises.
“New tourism destinations should also be updated with fresh information on their developments,” Mohammad Odzman said, highlighting the role of Ipoh City Council (MBI) in collaborating with non-governmental organisations to initiate these efforts.
Lack of night scene
Perak tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee acknowledged that Ipoh was still not a city with many nightlife activities and that there was a need to create more.
“The ability to get visitors to stay overnight is closely related to them staying here for another day.
“At present, we are working with relevant industry players to hold more activities and bring in more international tourists,” he said.
He noted that longer business hours and the volume of tourists are dependant on each other.
“We cannot have a large number of shops opening without the tourists, and neither will we have a large number of tourists without shops opening.
“Therefore, it needs to be developed together,” he said.
Loh said negotiations with various stakeholders were ongoing to properly expand current tourism hotspots in Ipoh’s Old Town and New Town.
“Redesigning the traffic for both pedestrians and vehicles is also crucial to the experience while travelling in Ipoh.”
He also said MBI would soon introduce electric buses in and around the city to ease travel and further its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.
“This is in addition to the trishaws found around Ipoh for rental by tourists.
“At the same time, a new multi-storey carpark is being planned for Old Town.
“In our anticipation of VM2026, we expect both positive effects and pressures from it,” said Loh.
“On one hand, the national tourism campaign is projected to bring more tourists to Malaysia, so more travellers will be distributed to the states.
“The campaign is also expected to increase competition among the states vying for tourists,” he said.
