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Near Gunung Tasek, 6km north of Ipoh on the main trunk road there are some huge limestone caves which became a place of meditation for Buddhist monks. The Perak Tong Temple within one of the caves leads to caverns and grottoes with some statues and paintings of the Buddha set into nooks. The main attraction is a 12.8m-high sitting Buddha. A passage leads into the cave’s interior and after a steep climb of 385 steps, it opens onto a ledge which gives a view of the countryside.

Another famous cave temple is the Sam Poh Tong temple in Gunung Rapat, 5km south of Ipoh. The temple is an impressive work of art with various statues of Buddha set among the natural stalactites and stalagmites.

A pond in the outer courtyard contains tortoises (a Chinese symbol of longevity). Devotees release tortoises into the pond wishing for luck and a long life and the pond is invariably crowded. The tortoises can be fed with stalks of vegetables. There is also a wishing well for those seeking better fortunes. An ornamental garden in front of the temple is a favourite photography spot. There is a vegetarian restaurant within the temple grounds.

The Mekprasit Temple is a Thai Buddhist temple located about 3km north of Ipoh along Jalan Kuala Kangsar on the main trunk road to Taiping. Highlight of the temple is the 24m-long reclining Buddha, which is one of the largest in Malaysia.

Here vistors can also view the Tambun Caves which were discovered in 1959. There are 2,000- year old Neolithic paintings on the cave walls Tambun is also famous for its pomeloes, a round, slightly ovalish citrus fruit. Other hot springs in Perak are at Sungkai, Pengkalan Hulu, Kampung Ulu Slim in Slim River, Kampung Air Panas in Grik and Manong in Kuala Kangsar.

Located about 24km from Ipoh, these ancient caves stretch over a kilometre from Sungai Siput to Kuala Dipang. Gua Tempurung is made up of five domes with ceilings that resemble coconut shells with various formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The entrance to the cave is in Gopeng, which has a Visitors Centre (Tel: 05-545 8834) for registration as a permit is required to visit the caves.

Home to the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. Covering more than 40,000 hectares, it is recognised as one of the most well-managed expanses of mangrove swamps in the world. Rich in tree species, bird and aquatic life, the Matang Reserve is a heaven for eco tourists and nature lovers.

The Majestic Lata Kinjang waterfalls is visible from the north-south Expressway, after passing the Tapah exit. This majestic multi-tiered waterfall cascades 850 metres down the side of a mountain and proves a spectacular sight. The district is also home to several areas inhabited by the Orang Ash, the aborigines of the Peninsular. Villages exist near Lata Iskandar and Kuala Woh. The Orang Asli basically derive their income from the production and sale of fine handicrafts and the collection of jungle produce.