What are the most popular things to do in Gopeng with kids?
Gopeng is a quaint and adventurous town in Kampar District, Perak, Malaysia. It’s located about two hours away from Kuala Lumpur and thirty minutes from the South of Ipoh.
If you’re looking to take your young child or relative with you, there are lots of super fun things to do here.
For instance, you can raft with them on the mighty Kampar River, jungle trek to see wonderful native trees and birds in the tranquil Gopeng Rainforest, or eat delicious frozen yoghurt at the Heritage Town Cafe.
Read on to see our full list of the most popular things to do in Gopeng with children:
1) Enjoy white water rafting at Kampar River
White water rafting in Kampar River is by far one of the most popular activities in Gopeng you can do with your child.
Kampar River is pretty large with 14 river rapids. Speaking of the river rapids, the watercourse here is class 1 to 3, meaning it’s perfectly suitable for rookies.
Don’t worry, as you’ll be briefed by the instructor on paddling commands and safety in rafting, be given a helmet and life jacket, and tested before you head on for a thrilling water adventure.
On your raft, you and your kid will power through the wild and swift currents along scenic rainforest views, see a swarm of Rajah Brooke butterflies, and continue downriver to see the old ruins of a British dam built in the 19th century and more impressive nature views.
2) Explore the Gua Tempurung or Gua Kandu cave
Another activity you can enjoy with your kid is spelunking. There are two remarkable ones in town: one is in Gua Tempurung and the other in Gua Kandu.
First, the Gua Tempurung, is the largest cave in the Malaysian Peninsula. Its extraordinary cavern measures 1.9 kilometres from east to west, which visitors can access.
Another fun fact is it is roughly 400 million years old, so it can be interesting to visit. What’s more, Communists were known to have used the cave as an emergency station between 1948 and 1960, but to this day, you can still see their messages and drawings on the wall.
On the other hand, Gua Kandu is the seventh longest limestone cave in Malaysia. As it is multi-levelled, people have to rappel to reach a higher section of the cave.
There are also incredible stalagmites and stalactites in this cave. You will find amazing, glowing stalactites and those giving evidence of ancient life.
Also, one stalagmite was shaped strangely like a boy, named Kandu, who was believed to have disappeared here a long time ago.
Exiting the cave should be one of the highlights. It involves a flying fox zipline to navigate through the lofty cave terrain and a “via ferrata” to climb down toward the exit.
3) Visit the Gopeng Museum
Travel back in time by visiting the Gopeng Museum and its extension, the Heritage House. They house over 1,000 artefacts and pictures from the tin mining era, dating from the mid-19th century.
Until it stopped, tin mining had been one of the country’s largest sources of income, thereby supporting the townsfolks and their families.
There are also vintage chairs, tables, radios, sewing machines, gas lamps, typewriters, gramophone records, cigarette boxes, factory machines, and so on.
All of these had been used by people before, lending them all the more a fascinating and mystic aura.
Gopeng Museum doesn’t charge an admission fee, though they accept donations to keep the place well-maintained. You can visit it on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
4) Stroll by the historical High, Market, and Eu Kong streets
After you come out of Gopeng Museum, it’s immediately great to stroll by Market Street, Eu Kong Street, and High Street. The three are adjacent to each other.
These three together were the site of many shophouses and theatres back then.
Sadly, many of these buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1186. However, you can still see some shophouses and pre-war buildings with your kid.
They can learn a lot here. You can tell them what transpired in these places, that the town flourished then in the tin mining glory days, what the people did for leisure and work, and the like.
5) Drink coffee at Gopeng Antique Kopitiam
One great convivial place where people can dine and drink coffee is Gopeng Antique Kopitiam.
In the days preceding the war, the place was full of shops that people frequently visited to buy what they wanted or needed.
Now, it’s turned into a vintage coffee shop with matching decor, furniture, and classic flooring. Inside the cafe are wooden chairs with decorative cushions and classy, round marble-top tables.
And so it’s going to be an excellent place to take your kid to as well as your parents and siblings.
You and them can enjoy great American and Malaysian dishes, including the Yam and Pork Dish, Mixed Meat Platter, and Black Pepper Lamb Chop, amongst others.
Gopeng Antique Kopitiam is situated at No. 3 Jalan Pasar, Gopeng, Malaysia. And it’s open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
6) See the rafflesia flower in Perak
Rafflesia is known for being the world’s largest bloom. And, fortunately, those who live in Gopeng or plan to come here can hike and snap a picture of it.
But the Rafflesia flower is quite rare. It takes nine months for it to grow to its large, mature size, and only less than a week after that, it dies.
And you would need the help of the indigenous Semai tribe to find the rafflesia flower haven or habitat farther in the jungle.
After all, they have been using rafflesia for medicinal purposes. In particular, the flower is used to treat fever, stop internal bleeding, and shrink the womb after childbirth.
7) Relax and sip tea at Gaharu Tea Valley
Gaharu Tea Valley is the largest plantation of Agarwood trees in Malaysia. Here they have around 200,000 Agarwood trees that are specially bred from the Gaharu plant.
Every part of the tree yields its product to be formed into oil or powder. This then has been used in medicine and food given its many incredible benefits.
So, in the Gaharu Tea Valley, you can board the train with your kid to see and know about the lush plantation with a narration by the driver.
You can also get to visit the Tree Hugging Park where you can get snapshots taken while—as the park’s name says—hugging a tree. These trees’ trunks have animal paintings for you and your kid to admire too.
Besides that, you get to view the majestic and tall Lovers’ Trees and buy Gaharu products in the store, like soothing tea and tasty snacks and ice cream.
On top of that, the entrance to the Gaharu Tea Valley is free, and it’s open all week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Having said that, if you sign up for a minivan tour around the estate, there’s a charge of RM10 per adult and RM5 per child.
8) Have lunch at Heritage Town Cafe
Are you and your kid starving? A lunch or dinner at Heritage Town Cafe can quell your hunger pangs. This is conveniently located at 104 Jalan High, Gopeng, Malaysia.
The small, charming cafe has inside and outside seats for its guests. They have great views, air-conditioning, and TV.
They serve a wide variety of Asian and Western dishes here such as Asam Laksa, Thailand Pork Barbecue, Roasted Fish with Banana Leaf, Fish n’ Chips, and Lamb Cutlets. Yes, they have heavenly desserts like ice cream, yoghurt, and Guilinggao (tortoise jelly) as well.
The cafe is open daily from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. And their prices are also affordable for the pocket!
9) Explore the herb gardens at the Perak State Herb Club
On a Sunday, it’s wonderful to explore the beautiful gardens of Malaysia. One excellent place to take your kid along for this is the Perak State Herb Club, better known as the Taman Herba Negeri Perak.
It’s a vast land that measures roughly 50 acres. It stands on an abandoned tin quarry site from the 19th century, which today is occupied by eight herb gardens and a nursery.
Their colourful herb gardens are grouped into medicinal, heritage, aromatic, cosmetic, and salad. Furthermore, it’s very pleasant to smell the gentle enveloping scent of the various herbs.
There are a campsite, hall, toilet, and prayer room in Perak Herb Club. Also, you can easily drive here and park your car in their parking area.
10) Visit Hup Teck Soy Sauce Factory
You can get an idea of how this Asian staple condiment is made at the Hup Teck Soy Sauce Factory.
It’s a humble yet successful family business that goes back to pre-war times. Their soy sauce has been one of the base ingredients that make Malaysian food flavoursome and enjoyable.
One of the things they do is to keep soya beans in large earthenware pots while fermenting them. And worry not, the Lau family can explain to you the entire process to you and your child.
But as thanks, you can buy two or three bottles of soy sauce for yourself and your friends afterwards. Each one just costs less than RM10—certainly a lot cheaper than those sold in the market.
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