Sam Poh Tong

Sam Poh Tong Temple or Cave of triple gem is built within the limestone hill at the southern edge of Gunung Rapat, Ipoh. It is the largest cave temple in Malaysia. The current facade of the temple dates back to the 1950s and a steep staircase with 249 steps leads to an open cave with fantastic views of Ipoh and its surroundings.

The main altar of the temple is filled with statues of Buddha and deities. There is a staircase that leads up to an upper level where there are a few more statues in display cases. Beyond the altar is a passage way leading out to a secluded garden containing the ‘tortoise pond’ and an ornate pagoda building with red roof tiles.The temple also has a crematorium and a columbarium. The temple’s columbarium looks like a 4-storey blue colored apartment block.

There is a very attractive landscaped garden designed around a pond filled with countless Japanese carp and turtles located in front of the temple. The islands at the middle of the pond are embellished with artificial rock formations that resemble the Huang Shan mountains of China. There are also Japanese stone lanterns and pagodas to add to the beauty of the garden. The temple also offers visitors the opportunity to release turtles into its turtle pond as a means of balancing one’s karma.

Image by: Tourism Malaysia

Operation Hours

Daily: 9.00 a.m – 6.00 p.m

Admission

There is no entrance fee. However, donation is encouraged.

Location

Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

View map.

Hear From Others

It was not a huge area but the temple operator managed to turn it into a beautiful place that attracted more visitors to take photographs outside rather than inside the temple.

CavinTeo

I loved the colourful temple compounds which provided plenty of opportunities for picture taking. The crowds were thin when I visited which I was happy to roam about on my own.

Budokan
TravelBlog

The main attraction for the children was the tortoise pond. Armed with their vegetables they leaned over and tried to attract some of the animals towards them.

ErsatzExpat

Nearby Attractions

Kek Lok Tong

The Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple is translated as Cave of Ultimate Bliss. The temple cave is situated in the natural and picturesque area of Gunung Rapat, Ipoh. It sits on a 12 acre site and was used as a place of worship since early 1920’s. But it was only open to visitors in the 1970’s.

Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple

Set among the limestone hills in Ipoh, The Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar is not something to be missed. The temple was founded in 1930. It is a place for Hindu devotees to worship its main deity, Lord Murugan.

Darul Ridzuan Museum

The Darul Ridzuan Museum is a museum located in Ipoh, Perak. The museum building was originally constructed as a house for a wealthy tin miner named Foo Choong Kit in 1926.