LOCATION:
The city of Ipoh is located about 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur. Journey through the North South Expressway (NSE or PLUS Highway) takes a breezy 2 1/2 hours through scenic rolling valleys, palm oil plantations and limestone hills of Peninsula Malaysia. Distances from other major cities: Penang (2 hours), Johor Bharu (6 hours), Singapore (6 1/2 hours) and Kuantan (5 hours).

Ipoh's Dataran Bandaraya is located in front of the MBI office complex within the Greentown area (ie: the New Town).

DESCRIPTION:
Dataran Bandaraya is pretty much the focal point of the Ipoh New Town precinct. What was a large tract of empty land was eventually developed into a new city zone called Greentown. The buildings around the city square are mostly new, with high-end shopping malls, commercial outlets, restaurants and hotels made their presence.

A featured clock tower in an open green square is quite the landmark of this area, along with the business-class Syuen Hotel, Ipoh Parade shopping mall, fancy Butler's Restaurant, as well as the MBI office complex itself. At night, Dataran Bandaraya does come alive with affordable food stalls being put up along the street where locals congregate for a decent and hearty meal.

MY VERDICT:
Some nice buildings. Cheap food.