A limestone cave
Ipoh's oldest cave temple, since 1890.
Miss Prema Darshini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arne Müseler — CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Arne Müseler — CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Miss Prema Darshini — CC BY-SA 4.0
The oldest and best known of Ipoh's cave temples, inside a natural cave in the limestone hills about five kilometres south-east of the city. Its story began in 1890, when a monk from China made this cave his home and retreat for meditation until the end of his life; other monks and nuns followed, and the present temple was built in the 1950s. You enter a wide cave hung with limestone, holding Buddhist statues, and emerge into an open hollow between the rock walls. In front of the temple is a neat garden with a pond of colourful fish, and a tortoise pond where people release tortoises for good fortune according to their beliefs. Other, smaller cave temples line the same hills. Entry is free; it is a place of worship, so dress modestly and keep quiet. It is visited in daytime, and half an hour to an hour is enough. For Arab visitors it is more a natural sight than a religious destination: the limestone cave and the garden are the draw. Combine it with Perak Tong north of the city if you want to compare the two cave temples.
Ipoh's oldest cave temple, since 1890.
Colourful fish and a neat garden.
Sky between the rock walls.
South-east Ipoh, about 5 km from the city centre
Sam Poh Tong is older and prettier with its garden and pond; Perak Tong is larger, with murals and a long stair to a high viewpoint. If you only see one, Sam Poh Tong is closer and easier.