Ipoh, Perak: Temple Treasures Explored

Our next day began with a return to Ipoh town (PERAK DISCOVERIES) for breakfast. With numerous eateries to choose from, we opted for Paris Restaurant, Famous Mee Hakka, a place I had previously discovered as a must-try. And indeed, it was true. The noodles, a pride of Ipoh, offered in both dry and soupy styles, paired with fish or pork, were delightful. But the highlight? The sambal/chili dip. A powerhouse of flavor, it packed a punch that elevated the entire meal. Oh, how my taste buds rejoiced with this homemade, authentic Chinese spicy dip!

 

After breakfast, it was time to continue our Ipoh sightseeing adventure. Our first stop was the Kallumalai Murugan Temple (Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple). Nestled against the scenic limestone hills (VEDASITIKANDA HILL TEMPLE SRI LANKA), this temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. Its origins trace back to the early 19th century, evolving from a humble shrine into a magnificent structure with striking architecture and a serene ambiance. Although it wasn’t my first visit - I had been there during my teenage years - the temple had undergone a noticeable facelift, both exterior and interior. For your information, this is the temple where Thaipusam is faithfully celebrated each year with great devotion and enthusiasm.

After saying our prayers and spending a tranquil ten minutes sitting in silence, we departed from the Kallumalai Murugan Temple and headed to Sam Poh Thong Temple. This captivating cave temple, established in 1912, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual serenity. Nestled within the stunning limestone hills of Gunung Rapat, the temple features an intricate network of caves adorned with statues of Buddha, Chinese calligraphy, and beautiful murals (YOGYAKARTA TEMPLES).

The grounds also include a serene Japanese-style garden, a koi pond, and a tortoise pond symbolizing longevity. Although I had visited this temple 45 years ago, my memories were faint, making this return visit feel like discovering it anew. We explored the entire temple, taking in its significance, though we missed saying our prayers this time (SULTAN AHMAD SHAH MOSQUE KUANTAN).

Next, we walked about ten minutes to Nam Thean Tong Temple, one of Ipoh's oldest and most enchanting cave temples. Set amidst the limestone hills of Gunung Rapat and established over a century ago, this Taoist temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin. For some reason, we chose not to explore this temple further, opting instead to view its exterior for a brief five minutes.

Next on our itinerary was the Perak Cave Temple, also known as Perak Tong Temple, just a 20-minute drive away. Founded in 1926 by Chong Sen Yee and his wife, this temple is renowned for its awe-inspiring setting within a vast limestone cave. Upon entering, we were greeted by an impressive 40-foot golden Buddha statue, surrounded by intricately painted murals depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures and Chinese mythology. The temple's winding paths lead to various prayer halls and meditation spaces, culminating in a steep staircase that offers a panoramic view of the city and the lush landscape beyond. Amazing. Truly and really, I can vouch that this temple is a major standout.

We climbed the steep staircase, ascending higher and higher until we reached a point that offered an incredible helicopter view of the unspoiled mountains and nature. However, our experience was slightly marred by an unpleasant encounter with a lady seated at the corner of the staircase, who stared angrily and pressured us to drop some money in the donation box. This was in stark contrast to the friendliness of those manning the entrance, who welcomed us warmly.