A Famous Malaysian City Has Just Been Named Asia’s Top Destination... And It's NOT Penang!
Guess which city made it to Lonely Planet's Best In Asia 2016 list?
By Tang Ruxyn — 14 Jul 2016, 11:23 AM
Ipoh has been named as one of the top 10 cities in Lonely Planet's first-ever Best in Asia list
The world’s leading travel media company's writers were dispatched to explore the world's biggest and most populous continent, trekking through natural and urban jungles and swimming in bountiful seas to seek out for the ultimate destination you simply cannot afford to miss.
"The result is a varied hit list of classic destinations offering a fresh twist for travellers, regions packed full of action and edge-of-the-map places you may never (have) heard of," Lonely Planet's Asia-Pacific spokesperson Chris Zeiher said.
The capital of Perak took the 6th spot, and it is the only city in Malaysia to make it into the book’s first-ever list of Asia’s top 10 best destinations.
Lonely Planet has noted that Ipoh is the "lesser-known food capital" in Malaysia but it has become more vibrant thanks to the boutique cafes that have cropped up in the historic district
It was stated on the Lonely Planet website that visitors to Ipoh can have a unique taste of Ipoh at urban art-cafes or at old favourites such as traditional coffee shops.
Besides that, visitors can complete the experience by searching for the contemporary street art and colonial masterpieces in the town.
"Wild escapes are close, like birdwatching by bicycle through Kinta Nature Park or whitewater rafting near Gopeng; and with clifftop temples and fragrant Gaharu Tea Valley nearby, Ipoh’s revival seems sure to tempt new crowds."
The complete Lonely Planet's Best in Asia 2016 list is as follows:
2. Shanghai, China
3. Jeonju, South Korea
4. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
5. Hong Kong
6. Ipoh, Malaysia
7. Pemuteran, Indonesia
8. Trang Islands, Thailand
9. Meghalaya, India
10. Taitung, Taiwan
Meanwhile, Perak MB Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that Ipoh was recognised as one of the best places in Asia as a result of the 'Hipster Town' image that the state government was trying to promote
He said the approach had, among other things, revived some of the city’s old buildings like shophouses into quaint cafes which had drawn a certain kind of crowd.
"Places or spaces regarded as having historical value are given a facelift so as to have their own identity to attract visitors."
"Besides that, emphasis on highlighting culture and heritage can also bring more tourists to Ipoh," he told reporters yesterday, 13 July.
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