Religious & Sacred · Buddhist cave temple
Perak Tong
In short: Perak Tong, the Perak Cave Temple, is a Buddhist cave temple at the foot of Gunung Tasek, on Jalan Kuala Kangsar north of Ipoh's centre. Its main deity is Shakyamuni Buddha. Its plaque says the cave was discovered in 1926 and the temple built by lay devotees; it is known for the paintings and poems on its walls.
A temple founded by lay devotees
Perak Tong is a Buddhist temple with Shakyamuni Buddha as its main deity. Unlike Sam Poh Tong, researchers say, it was founded by lay devotees rather than monks. The plaque outside, as it has been quoted, says Chong Sen Yee and his wife Choong Chan Yoke, from China, discovered the cave in 1926 and built the temple with state approval.
Paintings and poems
It is said that the philosopher Hu Shi wrote the temple’s name, and that the painter Zhang Daqian left a mural. The poems written on its walls have been studied by researchers. Researchers also note that the temple kept no relics from before the war; the earliest evidence of its pre-war existence is a 1941 painting by Zhong Bai Mu.
Visiting respectfully
Perak Tong is a working place of worship. Read the signs at the entrance, dress modestly and ask before photographing anyone. Our guide to five Ipoh cave temples has more.
Questions
When was Perak Tong founded?
The plaque outside, as it has been quoted, says Chong Sen Yee and his wife Choong Chan Yoke discovered the cave in 1926 and built the temple with state approval. Researchers note that the earliest evidence of its pre-war existence is a 1941 painting.
Who founded Perak Tong?
Researchers say it was founded by lay devotees rather than monks, unlike Sam Poh Tong.
Facts on this page come from Aevum's researched stories, which list their sources. Details can change, so check before you travel. Sources: Tan Ai Boay, International Journal of Heritage, Art and Multimedia (2021); Toh Teong Chuan, Malaysiakini columns (2017); Malay Mail (2018); NUS Libraries (2022); Sojourn (ISEAS); Sin Chew Daily (2019, 2022); Oriental Daily (2017); The Star (2020); Tourism Perak; The Buddhist Channel; malaysia-traveller.com; showcaves.com; nowseeing.com; Ipoh City Council (MBI), "Info Ipoh"; Ipoh World; Malay Mail (2014, 2015, 2018, 2023); Ipoh Echo (2014, 2023); Free Malaysia Today (2020); britishmalaya.home.blog (2019); Zakaria et al., Planning Malaysia (2022); SISMIM mosque registry (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia); UiTM Perak symposium paper (2012); Bernama; J. M. Pladdet, Wageningen University (2019); Utusan Malaysia (2023); Toh Teong Chuan, Malaysiakini column (2017); kaumaram.com (temple history); Marketing-Interactive (2014); New Straits Times (2022).
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Read the full story
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