Ipoh, Malaysia
Day 1 (15 Jul) — Arrive Ipoh ETS station ~4pm. Drop luggage at hotel, then take a slow evening walk around the iconic Ipoh Railway Station (aka Taj Mahal of Ipoh) and snap photos of the colonial architecture. Dinner at FMS Bar & Restaurant on Jalan Sultan Yussuf — try the famous Ipoh white curry mee and bean sprout chicken. End the night with a stroll along Concubine Lane for street art and a cold soya milk from a nearby stall.
Day 2 (16 Jul) — Breakfast at Sin Yoon Loong or Nam Heong on Jalan Bandar Timah for legendary Ipoh white coffee and half-boiled eggs with kaya toast (arrive by 8am, it gets busy!). Mid-morning visit Kellie's Castle, a mysterious unfinished Scottish-colonial mansion about 15 mins drive from town — relaxed explore till ~11:30am. Lunch back in town at Thean Chun Coffee Shop (Old Town) for hor fun and salted chicken. Afternoon, stroll Old Town heritage murals and pop into the Ipoh World gallery on Jalan Bijeh Timah. Easy dinner at Yong Suan Restaurant for steamed fresh seafood and tofu — one of locals' favourites.
Day 3 (17 Jul) — After breakfast at Thong Kee Café (try the char koay teow and coffee), head to the cave temples area: Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple and Kek Look Tong — both are stunning, free/cheap entry, with lotus ponds and towering limestone hills. Very peaceful at a relaxed pace. Back by noon for lunch at Nasi Ganja (Restoran Yasmin) on Jalan Sultan Iskandar — legendary nasi kandar, locals queue here. Afternoon rest or café-hop in the New Town area (try Burps & Giggles or Plan B for desserts and coffee). Dinner at Kedai Kopi Thean Chun or try Lou Wong for bean sprout chicken rice — the dish Ipoh is most famous for.
Day 4 (18 Jul) — Last morning! Light breakfast at Old Town White Coffee or D.R. Cooperative (Jalan Sultan Yussuf) by 8:30am — pack in one last white coffee. Quick walk or last souvenir shopping along Jalan Sultan Yussuf or Concubine Lane before 9:30am. Check out hotel and head to Ipoh ETS station for 10:30am departure. Safe travels!