There are plenty of options here for families with children. The beach provides some of the most popular activities from snorkelling to jet-skiing, but there are lots of other options too. The Deer Farm in Maderang is great for younger children, as is the Perak State Library, while some hotels have skate-boarding ramps for guests.

Beach Activities
The beach provides some of the best child-friendly activities here, with a great range of fun things to do. From sailing small dinghies to cruising the ocean on a big yacht, there is plenty of fun for all the family. Even the youngest children can get involved with the correct safety equipment; just don’t forget to apply the sunscreen as what might feel like a pleasant ocean breeze as you sail along could leave you red-faced.

For more gentle pursuits you could of course spend hours digging in the sand and building sandcastles, or simply snorkelling. For an adrenalin rush for older kids, there is jet-skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing to be enjoyed at the beach. You’ll find that most of the beach resorts have decent equipment that you can rent.

Deer Farm
The Deer Farm, located in Maderang, Sungkai is a popular place to visit, especially for younger children. Having opened in 1978, it is the only such facility in the country, located just 50 miles (80kms) outside Ipoh. There are usually around 100 deer on the 100-hectare site that are free to roam. The farm is a conservation and breeding project and you will also find an interesting sanctuary for exotic birds close by.

Perak State Library
A visit to the library might not sound especially exciting for kids, but this library has a lot more beyond walls of books. Younger children are encouraged to play various indoor games and use the multi-media facilities, alongside reading books and magazines. They also have regular special events here for children, with drawing and colouring competitions, story telling and puppet shows being among the most popular. On a rainy day this is a good place to head to. Phone: +60 5 253 7590.

Skateboarding
If your children are keen skateboarders it might be an idea to pack their skate board and gear. Skateboarding is very popular here and there are a number of skateboarding clubs in the area. You’ll also find that some of the main hotels have skateboarding ramps set up.

Wave Pool Thrills
If it’s thrills you’re after, then the Wave Pool at the Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh Swimming Complex is a good place to head. Adults and children alike will enjoy the thrill of the surf without having to go into real waves.

There are some good places of cultural interest to visit in Perak. The Perak Museum is an excellent starting point, providing some comprehensive information about the history of the state. There are some fascinating caves and cave temples and the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is a pleasant place to spend some time.

Gua Tempurung
This vast cave is the biggest natural limestone cave in the country, thought to date to 8,000 BC. The cave has five large domes and spans nearly one mile (1.5kms). Each of the domes has its own unique features, with different water levels and temperatures and a host of stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is located just over 12 miles (20kms) from Ipoh and is well worth a visit.

Ipoh Cave Temples
The area around Ipoh is scattered with limestone outcroppings and within them you can find interesting cave temples. A lot of these temples are relatively modern, but there are some gems. Notably at one site cave paintings have been found that date back 2,000 years. The most famous of these temples include Perak Tong, which was built by Chinese monks when they emigrated to Perak at the turn of the century. The Sam Poh Tong cave temple is a fascinating place to visit, with a variety of Buddha statues among the stalactites and stalagmites. This is a working temple with a community of Buddhist monks and nuns living here. It’s an excellent place to visit, not only for its general interest but also for the tasty vegetarian food served up in the restaurant. Sam Poh Tong is situated just three miles south of Ipoh.

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary
The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is especially worth visiting between August and December; the migratory season. You’ll typically see a wide range of exotic birds among the many hundreds of species that have been spotted here. It’s not only birds here though, there are also some interesting mammals including the ridgeback dolphin, smooth otter and dusky leaf monkey. For further information about visiting, contact the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Museum
Perak’s Geological Museum is an interesting place to spend some time. Some of the most impressive exhibits here are the range of thematic maps including geochemical, hydro geological, geophysical, geological and mineral resource maps. Perhaps the main attractions here however are the gemstones and tin ores, which have played a key role in the history of Perak. There is also a fascinating geological time-scale that displays the history of life on earth. Phone: +60 5 5406000.

Perak Museum
The Perak Museum (Muzium Perak) was the first ever museum to open on the peninsula, with the initial phase completed in 1886 and further additions made at the start of the 20th century. For anyone with an interest in the history of Perak, this is a place you should visit. There are four galleries here spread across three themes; local history, anthropology and zoology. From time to time there are temporary special exhibitions. There are over 3,000 exhibits here including charts and photographs.
Website: www.museumperak.gov.my/.

Perak Royal Museum
This museum is not as old as the Perak Museum, having only opened in 1986, but it does display some items of interest. The main objective of the museum is to educate people about the history of the Perak Sultanate and also to instil feelings of pride among its people to preserve the history for future generations. The museum is located in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. Phone: +60 3 551 90050.

Royal Malaysian Navy Museum
Situated within the Navy Complex at Lumut, this museum has a few interesting displays that are specifically be of value to those keen on naval history. The exhibits include various photographs and documents alongside naval equipment. The museum is 60 miles (96kms) from Ipoh and admission is free. Phone: +60 282 6526.

Food is one of the delights of a visit to Perak. There are a great range of restaurants in all the major towns, and Malaysian food reflects the cultural make up of the country with Chinese, Indian and of course Malay influences all noticeable in the cuisine.

Malay cuisine utilises the spices and herbs native to the land. A typical Malay dish will have a combination of chilli, lemongrass, coconut, turmeric, and lime leaves. A main dish is usually accompanied by fresh greens (Ulam), which are traditionally handpicked by the chef. If you like your food with a spicy kick, then you’ll enjoy sambal, which is an important chilli sauce in Malay cuisine.

Chicken of beef satay make for a popular snack or starter, and consist of barbecued skewers of meat eaten with spicy peanut sauce and cucumber. Nasi lemak is a typical Malay breakfast and is curried beef, chicken or squid served with coconut rice, fried anchovies and sambal, which is then wrapped in a banana leaf.

Malay food is usually eaten with your fingers, which is worth trying; locals say that the food tastes better when eaten in this way. Another tradition of Malaysian cuisine to be enjoyed is eating off a banana leaf instead of a plate.

Chinese food in Malaysia reflects the Chinese communities here with Cantonese, Hainanese, Hokkiens and Foochows the dominant groups, each with their own unique delicacies. Perhaps the most famous is Hainanese chicken rice, a delicious meal at any time. Foochow cuisine is good if you’re feeling hungry, as it tends to focus on large portions of home cooked food. Cantonese and Hokkien food is generally considered to be a little more delicate.

Indian food in Malaysia has a number of different varieties, with North Indian, South Indian and Muslim Indian food all readily available and equally delicious. Generally, North Indian food is slightly more subtle and uses plenty of yoghurt.

Delicious as Malay food is, there are still plenty of options for those visitors who miss western food. There are a number of international restaurants in major towns and most big hotels cater for tourists. You’ll also find the ubiquitous range of fast food outlets with KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut all represented here.

There are a good mix of shopping options, with shopping centres, markets and other small shops. Night markets are especially popular and great for picking up local handicrafts, Chinese medicines, and clothes at bargain prices. Night markets usually have plenty of stalls selling colourful fruits and other foodstuffs.

Traditional handicrafts are particularly popular in Perak, especially in the Kuala Kangsar. Items to look out for include gold embroidery (tekat benang emas), earthenware (labu sayong), seashells and bamboo carvings.

There are a good range of outdoor activities here ranging from common sports like tennis and golf, to caving and horseback riding, which are both popular in Perak. In the Cameron Highlands hiking is especially popular, with dozens of mountain trails taking you past waterfalls and through the mountain peaks.

Caving (Spelunking)
With so many interesting caves in the area, it is no surprise to find that caving is a common activity here. There are plenty of different options. Your best bet is to ask in your hotel whether they can either arrange a trip for you or suggest the best caves near where you are staying.

Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a popular activity here and there are a good number of riding schools around the state. Riding on horseback is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside and is an activity for all the family. Riding venues in Perak can usually cater for beginners and young children, while a number of hotels can also arrange horseback riding trips.

Other Sports
Sporty types will be happy in Perak as there are plenty of sporting options. Aside from the beaches, you’ll find some excellent swimming pools including Malaysia’s first ever wave pool in Ipoh. Many of the best hotels here have golf, tennis and other sporting facilities. If your hotel doesn’t have these facilities, you should find the nearest course or court isn’t far away.