Tasik Cermin
A hidden lake in an Ipoh limestone hill, reached through a tunnel cut in the rock, with cliffs closing it in.
Updated 29 August 2026
Tasik Cermin means mirror lake, and it sits in a bowl of limestone at Gunung Rapat on the southern edge of Ipoh, entirely enclosed by cliffs so that the only way in on foot is a short tunnel driven through the rock - you walk out of a dim passage and the water is in front of you with walls going straight up on every side. The stillness is the point: on a windless morning the cliffs and sky come back off the surface almost exactly, which is where the name comes from. It is small, takes minutes to see, and belongs to the same karst landscape as the Ipoh cave temples. Access has been on and off, since the land is privately held and quarrying operates in the area, and at times the tunnel has been closed or a charge levied.
Highlights
- A tunnel entrance - the only walking route in, cut through the limestone.
- Cliffs on every side - an enclosed bowl of karst around the water.
- A mirror surface - still water reflecting the walls on a windless morning.
- Ipoh karst - the same limestone hills as the city's cave temples.
When to go
Early morning, when the water is stillest. An hour.
Before you go
Access is not guaranteed - the land is private, quarrying is nearby, and the tunnel has been closed at times. It is very small and takes minutes. Wind ruins the reflection.
Nearby
Kek Look Tong and Sam Poh Tong cave temples are close; Ipoh is north.
What to pack for Tasik Cermin
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Head torch + spare batteries - Hands-free light is essential; caves are truly dark. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Tasik Cermin is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
