Perak Cave Temple, Ipoh
This unique temple that’s built into a limestone hill is a popular tourist attraction in Ipoh, Perak.
THE Perak Cave Temple temple, located at the foothills of Gunung Tasek in Ipoh, Perak, was constructed in 1926. It was built into a limestone hill, so it is quite a unique Buddhist temple to visit.
In front of the temple is a garden with a pavilion, pond and a statue of Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy. Inside, there are many statues of Buddhist deities and wall paintings.
Why you should go
Even if you’re not a Buddhist or Taoist, and do not worship any of the deities there, you might still be fascinated by the architecture of the temple. The structure is built into a limestone hill after all, and has a huge cave as its main “hall”.
If you fancy a bit of exercise, then all that walking and climbing up the stairs would be great for you.
The place may be a bit crowded during weekends, so you may want to try and visit on weekdays when there are fewer people.
What to do
Besides those who visit for religious reasons, the Perak Cave Temple is a good spot for some exercise. Just behind the altar are steps that lead deeper into the cave and out to the side of the hill. Climb up these steps as they wind up the hill. There are pavilions and gazebos where you can rest along the way.
From the hill, you can get a good view of the surrounding scenery. When you reach the highest pavilion, there are even more stairs leading to the summit. At the summit is a double-storey pavilion which offers a panoramic view of the city and surrounding hills.
There is also a shop selling snacks and drinks, and a gift shop in the temple grounds.
Who will like it
If you are a religious devotee, you would enjoy your pilgrimage to this place. There are more than 40 statues of Buddha here, including a 12.8m one of a “sitting Buddha”. But even if you’re not, you might like exploring the unique place.
Photography enthusiasts would also find many photo opportunities here.
Getting there
The temple is located north of Ipoh, on Jalan Kuala Kangsar. It is about a 20-minute drive from Ipoh town. If you don’t drive, you can take the bus or the Electronic Train Service to Ipoh, then book a Grab from there.
Perak Cave Temple
Address: Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Kawasan Perindustrian Tasek, 31400 Ipoh, Perak GPS: 4.644619, 101.099299 Tel: 011-2358 4126