Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
330 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
132
Average
104
Poor
27
Terrible
6
Natalie P
Bucharest, Romania261 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
After visiting the Kek Lok Tong we had fairly high expectations of this place. Sadly we were disappointed. Small road leads to temple, we’re many men sit on the side of the road begging. Parked in a muddy and dirty car park. Ventured inside (free of charge). There is a small pond which is kinda funky but next to a garage. Temple is built into the cave wall but place seemed dirty, slippery and with hoses running across the floor. Outside is tortoise pond, a good 50 or more animals penned in on concrete with a small bit of water. Looked like battery farm for tortoises, poor creatures. You can pay to buy food for them. Wouldn’t recommend, wouldn’t go back.
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smenne
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia173 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
If you have time for online one temple this one has to be. As you enter you are firstly struck by the beauty of the garden pond. When you enter the first chamber you wonder what you see doing there but at the back you follow the path yo the behind the Cave Temple. Majestic. On the opposite side there is a turtle pond. Not so nice but a n important chinese symbol for long life.
The temple is soon photogenic.
The fountain in European style is out of place but it is still beautiful.
All in all , don't miss it!
The temple is soon photogenic.
The fountain in European style is out of place but it is still beautiful.
All in all , don't miss it!
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leong Chee Sheng
Singapore, Singapore117 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
We were told it is one of the oldest cave temples here so we had to come take a look. Note that they close quite early at 230pm.
Beautiful temple but the locals told us it has not been well-maintained. Much overgrown vegetation and dim at some point, but it still has its charm here.
Grab a bowl of chopped tomatoes to feed the tortoises at the other outlet of the cave temple. We spent /497'd 30-45 minutes here. Best to see other caves in the area to make your trip worthwhile.
Beautiful temple but the locals told us it has not been well-maintained. Much overgrown vegetation and dim at some point, but it still has its charm here.
Grab a bowl of chopped tomatoes to feed the tortoises at the other outlet of the cave temple. We spent /497'd 30-45 minutes here. Best to see other caves in the area to make your trip worthwhile.
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leong Choi Ling
Ipoh, Malaysia147 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
One of the initial tourist place for those visiting Ipoh.
Inside the cave, there is turtles for feeding by kids.
Latest update : visitors can also feeding the fishes at the outside of the cave.
They created a pond few years back for people to feed the fishes.
Before the entrance, also have local hawker who sell coconut drink.
Inside the cave, there is turtles for feeding by kids.
Latest update : visitors can also feeding the fishes at the outside of the cave.
They created a pond few years back for people to feed the fishes.
Before the entrance, also have local hawker who sell coconut drink.
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,910 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple is one of the oldest ones in Ipoh. The outside is beautifully landscaped with a garden with bonsai trees and a large pond full of fishes.It is a cool place in a hot day. We saw a turtle and monkeys.
It is an authentic and old Chinese temple built within a cave. If you like Buddhist culture, this is the place you should visit. Chinese architectural designs too is an attraction along with feeding of tortoises in the pond.
Traditional cremation chambers using firewood are clearly visible too.It is a typical Chinese temple built under a hill. Definitely it is worth to see and gives you some taste of Chinese culture. No entrance fee is charged. It is definitely a nice place.
There is a vegetarian restaurant in the temple too. They have a beautiful Chinese garden in front of the temple. A turtle pond is found at the back of temple.
You can buy some cucumbo at the entry of the temple to feed the turtles. They said, that will bring you good luck.
The Buddha statue found inside the temple is very serene and peaceful.Once you enter the temple you will get a peace of mind. Here there are many small temples, all in a row (about 4). Sam Poh Tong is the most beautiful of them. Some are very colourful, Some have beautiful ponds, some have majestic views of the cave.
We paid a taxi hire of 20 MR from Ipoh to get here. We enjoyed the overall scenery and the calmness , of the surrounding area. It is surprising as to how it is built with pond and lakes, hills and mini-mountains with miniature figures. Roaming macaque monkeys appeared within the temple compound in search of food.
In the inner sanctum of the temple is a lathe tank / pond saw a old and young tortoises. One could buy their favourite vegetable to feed them.
The only restaurant found here is serve vegetarian type.
I recommend you to visit Sam Poh Temple.
If you wish to come to Sri Lanka, I (top 10 contributor) can help you if you inform me through the message box, found in the pop up, got by clicking my profile photo or “Level 6 Contributor” displayed with this review.
It is an authentic and old Chinese temple built within a cave. If you like Buddhist culture, this is the place you should visit. Chinese architectural designs too is an attraction along with feeding of tortoises in the pond.
Traditional cremation chambers using firewood are clearly visible too.It is a typical Chinese temple built under a hill. Definitely it is worth to see and gives you some taste of Chinese culture. No entrance fee is charged. It is definitely a nice place.
There is a vegetarian restaurant in the temple too. They have a beautiful Chinese garden in front of the temple. A turtle pond is found at the back of temple.
You can buy some cucumbo at the entry of the temple to feed the turtles. They said, that will bring you good luck.
The Buddha statue found inside the temple is very serene and peaceful.Once you enter the temple you will get a peace of mind. Here there are many small temples, all in a row (about 4). Sam Poh Tong is the most beautiful of them. Some are very colourful, Some have beautiful ponds, some have majestic views of the cave.
We paid a taxi hire of 20 MR from Ipoh to get here. We enjoyed the overall scenery and the calmness , of the surrounding area. It is surprising as to how it is built with pond and lakes, hills and mini-mountains with miniature figures. Roaming macaque monkeys appeared within the temple compound in search of food.
In the inner sanctum of the temple is a lathe tank / pond saw a old and young tortoises. One could buy their favourite vegetable to feed them.
The only restaurant found here is serve vegetarian type.
I recommend you to visit Sam Poh Temple.
If you wish to come to Sri Lanka, I (top 10 contributor) can help you if you inform me through the message box, found in the pop up, got by clicking my profile photo or “Level 6 Contributor” displayed with this review.
Written May 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray
Malaysia220 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
Its become too staid and dated, with more temples opening up nearby, SPT has lost its lustre. Still, its free to enter and the limestone caves are worth looking at. There are less than half the tortoises left from before. Either they died or someone ate them
Written October 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LLTan
Singapore, Singapore200 contributions
Dec 2019
This used to be the most 'popular' Temple but is a little run-down now due to lack of funding.
The pleasant surprise was finding an opening at the back of the cave. After passing through a long passageway, the path leads up to an opening (with glorious sunlight streaming through) that houses a garden, a huge, lovely temple structure (now closed to visitors) & a tortoise sanctuary.
Worth a Visit!
The pleasant surprise was finding an opening at the back of the cave. After passing through a long passageway, the path leads up to an opening (with glorious sunlight streaming through) that houses a garden, a huge, lovely temple structure (now closed to visitors) & a tortoise sanctuary.
Worth a Visit!
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie K
24 contributions
Sep 2019 • Family
This a well worth the stop, it has such amazing views, and amazing buildings, statues and temple.
We probably had 1/2 hour there, great little stop.
We probably had 1/2 hour there, great little stop.
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice J
Kuala Lumpur2 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
It is overwhelming and i am definitely impressed that such a gem is available at a small town in Ipoh. Enjoyed the sightseeing and the limestone caves are just magnificent. There are also a row of shops selling local delicacies just outside the temple. Great place for travelers to get all the souvenirs needed.
Written November 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manish
Singapore, Singapore681 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
The Sam Poh Tong Temple is the most famous of three temples that stand adjacent to each other. Each of the temples have their own characteristic and uniqueness, so all are worth a visit. However the Sam Poh Tong Temple has a hidden tortoise sanctuary inside it. As you enter the temple which is nested inside a cave, you go further inside and it leads out to an opening on the other end. It opens up to a beautiful garden with a fountain and a temple with the tortoise sanctuary just beside it. One can feed them with tomatoes if interested.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Regina P
Bandung, Indonesia116 contributions
Are there many stairs to get to the attraction? I'm planning to visit this place with my parents but they can't climb too many stairs. Is that okay to bring them here? Thank you.
Gary C
Bangkok, Thailand971 contributions
Not many compare to others cave near mountain. Just less then 20 steps to enter the temple main hall then another few more steps to cross a tunnels to reach turtle pool.
Again, senior citizens always can take a rest or along the walk way stone chair....another option is to enjoy the garden scene n landscape while waiting the rest walk around...hope this help
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
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- Attractions near Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple:
- (0.16 mi) Munisvaran Temple
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- (0.89 mi) Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens
- (0.45 mi) Tasik Cermin
- (0.57 mi) Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village
Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple Information
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