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Conquer The Best Of Ipoh & Penang With This 4D3N Road Trip Itinerary

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Winnie Chong •  Aug 07, 2019

Ahhhh road trips – don’t we all love them ?With the right company and the perfect playlist, any road trip is going to be a fun one. Whether you’re a Malaysian or not, a road trip to the north of the country is always a good idea.

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Couple that with good food and great activities, it is going to be an enjoyable ride for sure! We have put together an itinerary for your next 4D3N road trip to Ipoh and Penang – something you can definitely do with your loved ones soon ? Time to buckle up and enjoy your road trip (and get ready to fill your tummy too!).

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P.S. If you do not have the luxury of time to visit both cities during your trip, here’s a 3D2N itinerary that covers only Ipoh ?

Getting There

While this itinerary is catered towards road-trippers, we understand that sometimes it is economically impractical to drive all the way to the north. If you are travelling solo or in a pair, it makes financial sense to depend on public transportation instead of choosing to drive. Don’t worry, this itinerary is still very much usable even if you do not drive (although you will not be able to do detours along your way to maximize your trip) ?

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The most straightforward way to get to Ipoh and Penang is to board the ETS (Electric Train Service). With the service connecting most of the major cities in Peninsular Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, it is the ideal no-fuss way to travel north.

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You can also choose to take the bus to reach both cities. When you reach the mainland of Penang, hop on the iconic Penang ferry to get to the island!

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If you are pressed for time, you can always choose to fly to both cities. Or better yet, mix and match your modes of transportation by taking one mode to Ipoh, another from Ipoh to Penang and a different one from Penang back to Kuala Lumpur. That way, you get the best of all worlds!

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Getting around Ipoh and Penang is fairly easy even if you do not have your own car with you. Your best bet is to use e-hailing services like Grab which offers rides at affordable prices. No need to worry about finding parking ?

Day 1: Head north towards Ipoh

Make a pit stop at Kellie's Castle

To make the most out of your trip, we recommend you make your way up north early in the morning. Make a quick detour at Gopeng on your way to Ipoh to visit the famous Kellie’s Castle ?

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Located at Batu Gajah (15 minutes away from Exit 135 – Gopeng on the North-South Expressway), this unfinished Scottish mansion is a popular tourist attraction. Legend has it that William Kellie Smith had the mansion built for his beloved wife. However, the construction of the building was halted when many of his workers contracted an illness and died. The occurrence of World War I further slowed down the construction process and in the end, Kellie’s Castle was never completed.

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Get your cameras clicking to the beautiful backdrop of the mansion. Time to up your OOTD game!

P.S. If you are traveling on public transportation towards Ipoh, you have no choice but to give this place a miss. No worries though, as you can always visit again another day!

Have brunch at Nelli's Deli

After a quick pitstop at Kellie’s Castle, hit the road again and make your way towards Ipoh. Your stomach must be growling, so head to Nelli’s Deli first thing for brunch as soon as you reach Ipoh!

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Do give the famous Nasi Ulam at the restaurant a try. Topped with bean sprouts, spicy sambal and fried chicken alongside a generous serving of white rice, this dish also comes with traditional salad (or “ulam” in Malay). This is definitely something you don’t get to eat every day, so it’s worth the try!

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: No. 99 Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 6.00pm; Saturday – Sunday, 10.00am – 9.00pm (closed on Tuesday)

Price range: Approximately RM50 for 2 people

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Stroll along Concubine Lane

There is no time to waste when you’re on holiday, so head to Concubine Lane next! Better known as “Yee Lai Hong” by the Cantonese-speaking locals, the lane comes to life during weekends and holidays where it is lined with many pop-up stores.

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Take in the colourful sights as you stroll along the lane and be transported back in time!

Take pictures with murals as your backdrop

For more photo opportunities, keep a lookout for murals drawn by Lithuanian street artist Earnest Zacharevic. Do refer to Google Maps to accurately pinpoint the exact locations of all the eight murals in Ipoh old town!

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P.S. For more Instagrammable spots to feel your social media feeds, we’ve got you covered with this trusty guide!

Check-in to your hotel at Sekeping Kong Heng

All the driving and photo-taking must be tiring, so head to your hotel room to freshen up and perhaps catch forty winks before you continue to explore Ipoh. We recommend you stay at Sekeping Kong Heng, a one-of-a-kind lodging in the city.

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The hotel boasts an industrial minimalistic design (think brick walls, cement flooring and metal rails ?) while preserving the charms and character of the old town.

Address: 74 Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

Contact: +6012-2227 2745

Nightly rate: From RM220 on Agoda

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P.S. We recommend you book a room at the Annex, which is not in the same building as the rest of the rooms in Sekeping Kong Heng. This ensures a quieter stay away from the neighbouring restaurant. If you need more hotel recommendations in Ipoh, this guide is your answer!

Have desserts at Bits & Bobs

Staying at Sekeping Kong Heng means you are only a few steps away from Bits & Bobs located in Kong Heng Square.

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It serves the nostalgic ais kepal (ice balls) – balls of shaved ice flavoured with syrup, your childhood treat! What better way to combat the heat outside than to treat yourself to the cooling dessert?

Halal status: Uses vegetarian ingredients free from pork, alcohol and lard. However, please note that the stall is not halal-certified, hence we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Address: Kong Heng Square, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 11.00am – 4.00pm; Saturday – Sunday, 10.00am – 5.30pm (closed on Tuesday)

Price range: Approximately RM10 for 2 people

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Dim sum, lose some at Greentown Dim Sum Café

Time for a late lunch! When in Ipoh, it is truly a sin not to indulge in dim sum ? Head to Greentown Dim Sum Café, the only halal-certified dim sum restaurant in the city. Here you get to savour the usual steamed Chinese dumplings, from siew mai (meat and shrimp dumpling) and har gao (shrimp dumpling) to barbecued chicken buns. Are you salivating yet?

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Don’t forget to try their lo mai kai (chicken glutinous rice) and lor bak gou (fried raddish cake) too!

Halal status: Halal-certified

Address: 10 Persiaran Greentown 4, Pusat Perdagangan Greentown, 30450 Menglembu, Perak

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 9.00am – 9.00pm (closed on Tuesday)

Price range: Approximately RM50 for 2 people

Take in the beauty of nature at Gunung Lang Recreation Park

Next up, head to the Gunung Lang Recreation Park for a stroll. It is a well-maintained 30.35-hectare park with a man-made cascading waterfall greeting you at the entrance.

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Marvel at the greenery surrounding you as you take a stroll at the park. Best of all, you can take a boat ride across the lake to the other side of the park. Sit back and relax as you take in the beauty of nature, truly soothing to your eyes ?

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Quench your thirst with tau fu fah at Funny Mountain Soya Bean

Want to quench your thirst after all that strolling? Get to Funny Mountain Soya Bean for a delicious bowl of tau fu fah (soya bean curd). Access to a good water source with the hilly landscape in the city is said to be the contributing factor to the popular appetizing dessert!

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The soft and silky texture of the tau fu fah is complemented with lightly sweetened syrup made from ginger and sugar – perfect for a sweet treat in Ipoh!

Halal status: Uses vegetarian ingredients free from pork, lard, alcohol and animal-based derivatives. However, please note that the stall is not halal-certified, hence we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Address: 50 Jalan Mustapa Al-bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 7.30pm (closed on Tuesday)

Price range: Approximately RM5 for 2 people

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Have dinner at Ipoh Hainan Chicken Rice

For dinner, it is time to have that one dish that is synonymous with Ipoh – taugeh (bean sprouts) chicken rice. At Ipoh Hainan Chicken Rice, you get to have halal chicken rice. You will love the flavoursome poached chicken served with light soy sauce!

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The dish is best eaten with a serving of boiled bean sprouts together with a bowl of smooth and fragrant rice. The icing on the cake? The delicious chilli sauce to dip your chicken in!

Halal status: Halal-certified

Address: 107 Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 10.30am – 10.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM50 for 2 people

With that, head back to your hotel room for a well-deserved rest after all that eating and exploring for the day ?

Day 2: Spend the morning in Ipoh, then off to Penang!

Have breakfast like a champion at New Hollywood

Rise and shine! It is time to eat like a champion for breakfast at New Hollywood in Canning Garden. This restaurant serves local Chinese food that is halal.

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Sample the best local hawker food like chee cheong fun with prawn or chicken filling, char kuey teow with juicy prawns and fluffy cakoi at the restaurant. Best of all, you get to down all that food with a rich cup of white coffee ? Now that is life!

Halal status: Uses ingredients sourced from halal-certified suppliers

Price range: Approximately RM20 for 2 people

Address: Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 7.00am – 4.00pm (closed on Monday)

Hit the road to Penang

Next, check out of your hotel and hit the road to begin your journey to Penang. It is a 2-hour leisurely drive from Ipoh. Be greeted with the beautiful sight of the majestic Penang Bridge as you make your way towards the island from the mainland ?

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Have lunch at Restoran Kapitan

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Start off your foodie adventure in Penang with lunch at a popular local institution: Restoran Kapitan! Famous for its chicken tandoori, each piece of chicken is deeply marinated in a special sauce giving it a lovely taste of spices! Don’t forget to pair your chicken up with an awesome plate of biryani or some warm, soft naan.

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 93, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: 24 hours

Contact: 04-250 4316

Slurp cendol at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

After lunch, it's time to go eat the perfect dessert - cendol! The best place to have it is at the Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul shop. As its name suggests, it is really famous so do expect a queue at the stall.

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We assure you that all that waiting in line will be so worth it when you slurp that delicious concoction that is your bowl of cendol. Nothing beats that cool sensation you get from every sip of the famous dessert on a hot day! Yes, it’s that tasty!

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Halal status: Cendol is made using ingredients free from pork, lard and alcohol. However, please note that the stall is not halal-certified, hence we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Address: Jalan Penang, 27 & 29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, 10450 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 10.30am – 7.00pm; Saturday – Sunday, 10.00am – 7.30pm

Price range: Approximately RM20 for 2 people

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Check-in to your hotel at Muntri Mews

Next, time to check-in to your hotel before you continue your journey of exploration in the Pearl of the Orient (that is what Penang Island is widely known as!). We recommend you stay at Muntri Mews, a stylish boutique accommodation in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town in Penang.

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You’d be surprised to learn that the hotel is formerly a communal parking for horses (for the unfamiliar, mews are a row of houses converted from stables) ?

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The hotel is beautifully restored with Malay, Chinese and European influences as is evidenced by the eclectic mix of antiques and artwork in the property. If you are an architecture junkie, you will for sure love this hotel!

Address: No. 77, Muntri Street, 10200 George Town, Penang

Contact: +604-263 5125

Nightly rate: From RM400 on Agoda

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P.S. Here’s a guide to hotel recommendations in Penang should you want to be spoiled for choice!

Continue your foodie journey at Bee Hwa Café

After a short rest in your room, head to Bee Hwa Café to continue your foodie journey in Penang. It is only a 5-minute drive from Muntri Mews, so you don’t have to go too far to look for good food!

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Bee Hwa Café serves halal local Penang delicacies, from Hokkien mee (prawn noodles) to char kuey teow and white curry mee. Upon entering the old-school Chinese coffee shop, you will be greeted with the heavenly aroma of prawns sizzling in the wok and bread toasting from the kitchen ?

Status: Uses ingredient from halal-certified suppliers

Address: 10 Lebuh Dickens, 10050 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 7.00am – 3.00pm (closed on Sunday)

Price range: Approximately RM20 for 2 people

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Be on top of the world at Komtar

A hearty meal warrants a sightseeing session after, so you don’t fall asleep from being too full ? Where to go next? The landmark of Penang (after the iconic Penang Bridge, of course) – Komtar!

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This prominent 68-storey high rise tower in central George Town recently underwent a makeover with interesting new features! If you’re one brave soul and are not afraid of heights, head to the Rainbow Skywalk – a glass observatory walkway on the top floor of the tower. You will truly feel like you’re on top of the world as you take in the panoramic view of Penang from the walkway.

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Stepping on a see-through glass platform is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you’re not as adventurous though, there is also an indoor observation deck that you can get a bird’s eye view of Penang (minus the adrenaline!).

Address: Penang Road, 10000 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 9.00am – 10.00pm

Note: Tickets are priced at RM48 for citizens and RM68 for non-citizens for entry to the Rainbow Skywalk. Do refer to the website for more information on the attractions you can find in Komtar.

Have murtabak for dinner at Hameediyah Restaurant

Next up, dinner! Known to serve the best murtabak (meat-stuffed pan-fried bread) in Penang, Hameediyah Restaurant is a must-visit whenever you’re in town. It was established in 1907, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Penang!

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The delicious Tamil-Muslim pancake-like dish is savoury with generous portions of meat-filling enough to satisfy your palate. Served with fresh sliced onions and rich lamb curry, the murtabak boasts of a heavenly complement of taste and texture.

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You won’t want to give this fluffy meaty murtabak a miss, do you? We assure you it’s the best of the best! ?

Halal status: Muslim-owned 

Address: 164 Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10.00am – 10.00pm (closed from 12.30pm – 3.00pm on Friday for prayers)

Price range: Approximately RM15 for 2 people

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Devour nasi kandar for supper at Nasi Kandar Beratur

Get some rest in your hotel room after dinner, as you will need to stay awake for your next foodie adventure – having nasi kandar at midnight! The go-to restaurant for nasi kandar in Penang is none other than Nasi Kandar Beratur. You know it serves good food when you see the insane queue forming in front of the restaurant ?.

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They say good things come to those who wait, so keep calm and stay in the line until it’s your turn to order. Situated right next to Masjid Kapitan Keling, Nasi Kandar Beratur has been pulling the hungry crowd since 1943!

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With an extensive selection of dishes, you can fill your plates to your heart’s desire. Devour the fried chicken, beef kurma, fish or squid curry and taste the delicious balance of sweet and sour of the dish. The robust flavours will leave you wanting more (but bear in mind it’s midnight so don’t overstuff yourself with nasi kandar ?).

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 98 Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10300 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: 10.00pm – 9.00am

Price range: Approximately RM20 for 2 people

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What a way to end your day – with a hearty plate of nasi kandar. Get a good night’s sleep before continuing your epic food trip in Penang!

Day 3: Penang

Have fluffy roti canai for breakfast at Roti Canai Transfer Road

Good morning! To kickstart your brand new day in Penang, head to Roti Canai Transfer Road for breakfast. It is a short 10-minute drive from your hotel – perfect when you’re already so hungry ?

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Situated in the Muslim enclave that is Transfer Road, Roti Canai Transfer Road is a popular roadside stall selling roti canai. Savour the freshly pan-fried roti canai dipped in piping hot aromatic curry as you sit on the school canteen-like bench and at the same time people-watching. Truly a Malaysian-style breakfast experience!

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 114 Jalan Transfer, 10050 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 7.00am – 12.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM10 for 2 people

Take a breath of fresh air at Penang Hill

After breakfast, it is now time to go sightseeing. Take a breather atop Penang Hill, standing tall at 833 meters above sea level. It is also known by its Malay name “Bukit Bendera”, which loosely translates to Flagstaff Hill. To reach the top of the hill, hop on the Swiss-designed funicular that will bring you up on a crawling 30-minute 2-kilometer scenic journey up the picturesque hill.

Fun fact: The Penang Hill funicular track is the longest in Asia (with a total distance of 1,996 meters) and the funicular tunnel is the steepest in the world (at 27.9°)!

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Enjoy the cool breeze at the hilltop and be rewarded with the views of lush greenery overlooking the busy George Town. Do you know that on a clear day you can even see the mountains of Langkawi? Take a leisurely stroll along the trails to discover exotic plants and see what mother nature has to offer!

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Address: Jalan Stesen, Bukit Bendera, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 6.30am – 11.00pm

Note: A one-way ticket for the funicular ride up to the top of the hill is priced at RM15 per adult. We recommend you get to the lower station early in the morning (before 9.00am) to qualify for the early bird price of RM6 one-way – that’s a whole load of savings!

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Join the queue for mee sotong at Hameed Pata

Next on the itinerary – lunch at Hameed Pata! Located at the Esplanade Park Food Court near Padang Kota Lama, this humble stall serves superb mee sotong (fried squid noodles). The lunchtime queue of at least 20-persons strong is testament to the delicious noodles at Hameed Pata, so put your patience to test and join the queue! ?

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Devour your plate of tasty noodles topped with squid drenched in tomato sauce – that hue of red and orange on the plate is enticing for sure! As the delicacy can be spicy for some, it is nothing the coconut shake from the stall next door can’t fix. Do grab the concoction that is the ice-blended coconut with a scoop of ice-cream on top; it’s the perfect complement to your mee sotong!

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 19 Lebuh Pantai, 10300 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 11.00am – 8.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM20 for 2 people

Snap pics at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

A hearty meal almost always warrants a sightseeing activity after. Head to the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion next. If you’re a fan of the recent history-making rom-com Crazy Rich Asians, you will notice instantly that this mansion is where the movie’s mahjong scene was filmed! ?

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While there is no mahjong table for you to relive the memorable scene from the movie, there is no harm in pretending you’re crazy rich while touring the mansion. Also known as the Blue Mansion, the iconic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is also a boutique hotel that exudes opulence in the midst of the elegant Chinese architecture of the building.

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You can choose to stay in the mansion, one of the most immaculately restored UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world (the nightly rate is from RM400 onwards). It is totally fine if you’re not though because you can still join the daily guided heritage tour to learn more about the architecture and history of the iconic building. The vibrant indigo blue walls and intricate décor are surely every photographer’s dream!

Address: 14 Leith Street, 10200 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 11.00am – 12.00pm, 2.00pm – 3.00pm, 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Note: You will need to pay the entrance fee of RM18 if you are not a guest of the mansion. The fee includes the daily tour (at the specified times stated above) which takes approximately 1 hour.

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P.S. Need more photos to beautify your Instagram feed? We’ve got you covered with this list of picture-perfect spots in Penang!

Visit the very tall statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy at Kek Lok Si Temple

Next in the must-visit list in Penang is the Kek Lok Si Temple. Built in 1891, it is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia! Also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, Kek Lok Si holds the record for the tallest temple pavilion in the world – a 7-storey, 30-meter tall pagoda holding the bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

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The temple houses a series of monasteries, prayer halls and beautifully-landscaped gardens. It also features millions of magnificent images of Buddha as well as carvings and sculptures depicting Chinese culture and Buddhist teachings. Marvel at the majestic grandeur of the temple as it is truly a sight to see!

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Note: Although you do not need to pay to enter the temple grounds, there is an entrance fee of RM2 if you would like to visit the pagoda and another RM2 one-way to use the inclined lift to the top of the hill where the temple sits.

Cool off with some ais kacang at Jalil Special Ais Kacang & Coconut Shake

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After exploring Kek Lok Si, head back to town and have a cold sweet treat in the form of refreshing ais kacang and coconut shakes! Jalil Special Ais Kacang is located near Fort Cornwallis and serves up these delicious desserts that are perfect for quenching your thirst and cooling you off on a hot day.

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 1, Light St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: 11am – 8pm daily

Contact: 016-402 9216

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P.S. For café-hoppers and avid coffee drinkers, here’s a list of cafes you have got to visit in Penang!

Have dinner at Lagenda Café

Time and tide wait for no man. After getting some rest and freshening up at your hotel, it is now time to head out again for dinner! Make your way to Lagenda Café for authentic Malay-Indonesian food that will satiate your taste buds.

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The simple but cosily-decorated café serves traditional Malay-Indonesian food cooked with the freshest ingredients. The wait may be long, but once you get your hands on the delicious food served you will definitely taste the herbs and spices used in the dishes.

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Remember to try the visually appealing rice set that is served in a congkak-like wooden boat-shaped box. The rice dish is complemented with condiments and side dishes alongside the home-made sambal, giving it a tinge of spiciness to the grilled chicken.

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 43 Campbell Street, 10200 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 11.00am – 11.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM50 for 2 people

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Take a relaxing stroll at Straits Quay

After a hearty meal, head to Straits Quay – a sea-fronting retail marina in Seri Tanjung Pinang. Take a relaxing stroll while enjoying the sea breeze at the marina with views of the docked yachts – perfect way to spend time before calling it a day!

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Day 4: Penang & back

Indulge in a packet (or two!) of delicious nasi lemak at Ali Nasi Lemak

Lo and behold, it is your last day in Penang. To kickstart your day, make your way to Sri Weld Food Court. Located directly at the entrance of the food court is Ali Nasi Lemak, serving what is said to be the best nasi lemak in Penang.

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Be lured by the aromatic whiff of nasi lemak permeating the street as you approach the stall. You will find pyramid-shaped banana leaf packets of nasi lemak lined in six sections and labelled to indicate the fillings – chicken, fried fish, salted fish, shrimp, cuttlefish and the most popular of the six, bilis telur. There truly is something for everyone!

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Enjoy the delightful taste of the simple coconut milk-infused rice doused with spicy sambal with a side of your chosen filling. The use of banana leaves makes the nasi lemak fragrant and keeps it fresh longer than conventional wrappers. Every spoonful of the fluffy rice leaves you wanting more, and with a reasonable price of only RM1.80 you are definitely allowed to have that extra packet or two of the delicious nasi lemak!

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: Sri Weld Food Court, Beach Street, 10300 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 7.00am – 4.00pm; Saturday, 7.00am – 2.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM8 for 2 people

Have pasembur for lunch at Kareem Pasembur Rojak

Time to head back to your hotel room to pack your luggage. Upon checking out of your hotel, set your GPS to your next destination for lunch – Kareem Pasembur Rojak. This little pasembur (Malaysian salad consisting of cucumber shreds, potatoes, bean curd and prawn fritters) stall has been operating since 1945!

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At the stall, there are many side ingredients you can choose from to include in your plate of pasembur – from fish balls and crabsticks to fish cakes and cuttlefish. Your chosen ingredients are then chopped into bite-sized pieces and topped with bean sprouts and crunchy cucumber strips. Lastly, they are drizzled with Kareem’s signature sweet and spicy homemade peanut sauce before the plate of goodness is served.

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You can definitely taste the freshness of the ingredients in every bite of your pasembur. Couple that with the addictive peanut sauce, you get an irresistible plate of goodness!

Halal status: Muslim-owned 

Address: 7 Union Street, 10200 George Town, Penang

Operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 11.00am – 6.00pm

Price range: Approximately RM15 for 2 people

Hit the road for your trip back home

With that, it is now time for you to start your journey home with a heavy heart ? When heading southbound on the North-South Expressway back to Kuala Lumpur, you can stop by the Bukit Gantang Rest & Relax (R&R) area. One of the most stunning R&Rs in Malaysia, this resort-like R&R is a local fruit haven. Be sure to grab a packet (or two) of fruits from one of the many stalls at the R&R! There are also many other fruits for you to choose from – all cultivated by locals and plucked from orchards around the rest area or along the highway.

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As you approach Selangor, don’t forget to make another pit stop at the Ulu Bernam R&R. Look for the stall with the prominent label “Tanjung Malim Pau”. You need to try the legendary Yik Mun pau that is originally from Tanjung Malim! The fluffy pau is stuffed with aromatic fillings, from kaya and red bean to chicken curry. If you cannot get enough of the pau you can always buy the frozen ones back to eat another day. Yik Mun pau is halal-certified by JAKIM ?

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There you have it, a comprehensive 4D3N itinerary that we hope will serve as a useful guide for your next road trip to Ipoh and Penang. These two cities are known as food havens for locals and tourists alike, and our wish is to show you just that! What are you waiting for, time to get planning for your road trip up north ?