Gopeng, Perak (Malaysia) - White Water Rafting, Camping

Gopeng, Ipoh Overview

Seated amidst lofty limestone cliffs, rivers, and some captivating historical caves, Gopeng is a serene town in the Kampar district of Perak. It lies approximately 30 minutes south of Ipoh and 2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur by car. It is known for its lush green rainforests that houses the subgroup of Orang Asli called the Semai tribe. The main draw of Gopeng is thrashing around in rivers and waterfalls.

Guided activites at Gopeng include river boarding and white water rafting, caving, wet abseiling, and guided walks to rafflesia blooming site. Most of the activities and accommodation go hand in hand at Gopeng and available as packages. Other prominent sites to visit include Gua Tempurung cave, Kinta Nature Park and Gaharu Tea Valley.

1. Gua Tempurung

A place gladly welcoming spelunkers or cave enthusiasts, Gua Tempurung is one of the oldest caves in Peninsular Malaysia. It is further segregated into 5 different caverns that are stacked wit (Read More)h stalagmites and stalactites. It is popularly known as the "Coconut Cave" because of its dome-like structure. Golden Flowstone cavern rises to about 90 metres in height and displays a smoothed stone cascade that dazzles in gold when the river flows. Gergasi or Giant Cavern displays a massive 15m high column whereas the Universe Cavern massively rises to a height of 72 metres. Another cavern is the Battlefield Cavern where fallen stalactites and rock formations are littered on the ground.

Entry fees: Adult: RM20, Child: RM 10
Guided Tour: Adult: RM40, Child: RM20
Timings: Saturday - Thursday: 9AM - 5PM, Friday: 9AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 5PM

2. Kinta Nature Park

The nature park is known for its 1381 aquatic birds in the wetland here which comprise stork-billed kingfishers, baya weavers, otters, and butterfly lizards. Clouded leopards and foxes are also s (Read More)heltered in this park. Lake Pucung expanding over 41 hectares is the largest pond in this aviary and serves as a visitor’s area. There’s an observation tower here where bird enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of herons and egrets that wander above the clear waters.
Timings: 8:00 AM - 6:00P M Daily
Entry fee: Free

3. Gaharu Tea Valley

Gaharu tea valley is a 300-acre agarwood plantation in Gopeng. Agarwood (Gaharu in Malay) is an aromatic resinous wood that forms within aquilaria trees. Blessed with medicinal and healing properties, (Read More) the agarwood tree plantation in Gaharu tea valley is cultivated to preserve 200,000 aquilaria trees. The tea valley is also home to many other small attractions like The Great Wall of Gopeng, Hilltop Viewing Stage, Lover’s Park, and Tree Hugging Park. The Great Wall of Gopeng in the valley allows sightseers to take amazing snaps. Hilltop Viewing Stage offers a sight of tourists to view the lush green gaharu trees and the hilly region in Titiwangsa range.
Entry fee: RM10
Timings: 9:00AM - 6:00PM

4. Gopeng White Water Rafting

Nestled amidst the most picturesque views of Gopeng, Kampar River is a white water rafting site in Malaysia. It has some 22 rapids ranging from grade1 to grade 3. Here, the rafting activity lasts (Read More) for about 3 hours and is guided by experts. During the rafting activity, sight seekers are accompanied by breathtaking natural beauty and Rajah Brooke Butterflies. There are many companies offering this river rafting package out of which some allow visitors for an overnight stay followed by a fun activity.
Rafting Timings: Morning trip - 9:00 PM, Afternoon trip - 2:00 PM

5. Gopeng Museum

Located along with Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng, the Gopeng museum narrates the history of Gopeng by displaying some 300 antiques. Major exhibits here include some vintage objects like old-school sewing ma (Read More)chines, watches, clocks, radios, gas lamps, typewriters, cameras, and gramophone records. Visitors can also peep into the lives of the initial natives in Gopeng by just glancing at the information boards here. There’s an entire wall in the museum that is covered with beautiful but old black and white repertoire pictures.
Timings: Saturday - Sunday - 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entry fees: Free

6. Gopeng Heritage House

Serving as the annexe of the Gopeng museum, Gopeng Heritage House is stacked with numerous artefacts, antiques, old furniture, and calligraphy paintings that very gives an insight into the lives of (Read More) local natives who resided in Gopeng some 125 years ago. It has dedicated 2 floors to all the unique and traditional exhibits here. The ground floor is filled with Chinese furniture, ornaments, and ceramics. The exhibits arranged upstairs include old fur stole, hat, Old radios, clocks, suitcases, beer bottles, vintage cigarette packets, musical instruments, and gramophone records.
Timings: Saturday - Sunday - 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Entry fee: Free

How to Reach Gopeng

Gopeng is located roughly 30 minutes south of Ipoh. Since Ipoh airport is the closest to Gopeng, you can alight at this airport and leave for Gopeng by buses, taxis, town cars or personal vehicles.
You can get into Perak Transit bus no.T34 which has an hourly frequency from Jalan Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah bus stop which is at the distance of 2.7 kilometres from the airport. This bus journey might cost you RM2 - RM4. Taxis might cost you RM40 - RM50 whereas town cars will cost you RM95 - RM140.
Like the airport, Ipoh station is also the closest station to Gopeng. To reach Gopeng from Ipoh station, you have 3 options - Line 66 bus, taxi, personal car. If you are planning for a bus journey then, you will have to walk for a couple of minutes from the station to reach Medan Kidd bus stop, from where you can get into Perak Transit bus no. 66 and disembark at Gopeng. Taxi or personal car is another option to reach Gopeng. The taxi journey might cost you around RM75 - RM90.