I was back in Ipoh visiting my parents, and I happened to come across photos of Meow Garden online. It looked like one of those places that could make for a fun little evening out, especially if you enjoy taking photos and exploring somewhere a little different.
Since Meow Garden wasn’t too far from my parents’ house, I figured I might as well go and have a look for myself. I wasn’t particularly interested in having dinner there, so I wasn’t planning to stay for long. My plan was simple: stop by, walk around the garden, see what the place was like and take a few photos.
In the end, I spent about 40 minutes there.
It wasn’t a long visit, but it was enough time for me to walk around the outdoor area, look at the different light installations and get a feel for what Meow Garden was all about. Some parts were quite pretty, while others were a little less impressive than I had expected from the photos I had seen online.
So, if you’re curious about this little spot, here’s what I thought of Meow Garden Ipoh.
✅ What Is Meow Garden Ipoh?
Located in Tambun, Meow Garden Ipoh is a dining and leisure spot with food outlets, an outdoor area and, most notably, a colourful LED garden.
The lights were what caught my attention in the first place. Once the sun goes down, the outdoor area comes alive with colourful installations in different shapes and designs, giving the place a completely different atmosphere at night. It is the kind of setting where you can easily spend some time taking photos and exploring the area.
There is also a cat-themed element to Meow Garden, including a cat house. I didn’t actually come across any cats during my visit, though, so the light garden was definitely the main attraction for me.
The dining side is another part of the experience. There are food outlets around the area, making it possible to have dinner and then spend some time outside enjoying the lights afterwards. From what I saw, Meow Garden feels more like a casual evening hangout than a dedicated light attraction.
I didn’t eat here during my visit, so I can’t comment on the food or recommend any particular dishes. I did notice banners advertising steamboat, Asam Pedas clay pot and ikan bakar, among other options.
That combination makes Meow Garden quite an easy place to visit. You can have dinner, take a stroll around the garden, take a few photos and then continue with the rest of your evening.
✅ The LED Light Garden
The outdoor area was filled with different light installations, and there was something to look at in almost every direction. Some were simple, while others were more playful and colourful. I found myself walking around slowly, stopping whenever I came across a display that looked interesting enough for a photo.
It was also one of those places where the experience depended quite a bit on the condition of the installations.
During my visit, I noticed that some of the lights were no longer working. A few of the displays also looked like they had been tampered with or were missing parts. It was a little disappointing, especially because I had seen older photos of Meow Garden online and the place looked much more vibrant back then.
I think the garden would have made a much stronger impression if all the displays had been working and properly maintained. When the lights are the main attraction, those little details do make a difference.
Still, I enjoyed walking around and seeing what was around each corner. There were plenty of little spots where I could stop for photos, and I thought the garden was still pleasant to explore during my visit.
It wasn’t a huge attraction that needed hours of your time, but I didn’t mind that. I was happy to spend some time looking around, taking photos and seeing the place for myself.
✅ When Is the Best Time to Visit?
If you’re planning to visit Meow Garden for the lights, come after sunset.
There’s not much point rushing here in the middle of the afternoon. The installations are still there, of course, but the whole idea is to see them lit up. Once the surroundings get darker, the colours become much more noticeable and the garden starts to feel quite different from how it looks during the day.
I’d recommend arriving around dusk if you want to see both sides of the place. You can have a look around while there’s still some daylight, then stay as the lights gradually come on. This also gives you a chance to take a few photos before it gets completely dark.
For me, the evening worked perfectly. I wasn’t there for dinner or planning to spend the whole night, so I simply took my time walking around and left once I’d seen enough.
If you’re already in Ipoh and looking for a simple evening stop, Meow Garden is the kind of place you can fit into your plans without having to set aside several hours.
✅ Free Entry and Parking
One thing I liked about Meow Garden was that there was no entrance fee during my visit.
Parking was also available at the venue, which made it easy to drop by without having to worry about paying for admission or parking. Since I was only there for a short while, I appreciated being able to come in, have a look around and leave without spending anything.
That also makes Meow Garden a pretty easy addition to an evening in Ipoh if you’re already in the area. You don’t have to commit to a full meal or spend a lot of money just to see what the place is like.
Just keep in mind that the information above is based on my visit in 2022. Meow Garden Ipoh is currently temporarily closed, so if it reopens, I’d recommend checking the latest information on admission and parking before making your way there.
✅ The “Meow” in Meow Garden
I’ll admit it, the name Meow Garden did make me wonder if I was walking into some kind of cat café.
It isn’t quite that.
There is a cat-themed element to the place, including a cat house, but cats aren’t exactly the main attraction here. During my visit, I didn’t come across any cats while walking around the garden, so if you’re arriving with the expectation of spending the evening surrounded by furry friends, you might be a little disappointed.
In my case, I wasn’t actually looking for cats in the first place. I had come because of all those colourful photos I had seen online, so I was perfectly happy wandering around the garden and checking out the different installations.
Still, I do think the name adds a little bit of mystery to the place. If you’re curious about the “meow” part, just don’t expect this to be a full-on cat café experience.
✅ Is Meow Garden Suitable for Families?
I think Meow Garden can be a nice little outing for families, especially if you have young children who enjoy colourful lights and exploring new places.
It isn’t the kind of attraction that requires a full day, which can actually be a good thing when you’re travelling with kids. You can stop by in the evening, spend some time looking around and then move on to something else without having to worry about keeping everyone entertained for hours.
The outdoor setting also gives it a more relaxed feel. Kids have plenty to look at as they walk around, while parents can take their time and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
For adults travelling without children, I’d say the appeal depends on what you’re looking for. If you enjoy taking photos or simply want somewhere different to spend a short evening, there is enough here to keep you occupied for a while. If you’re looking for a major attraction with lots of activities, though, Meow Garden probably won’t take up an entire evening.
For me, it worked best as a short and casual stop, rather than somewhere I’d plan a whole night around. It would fit quite easily into a family evening in Ipoh, especially if you’re already planning to have dinner in the area.
✅ So, Is Meow Garden Ipoh Worth Visiting?
So, after seeing it for myself, was Meow Garden worth the visit?
I’d say yes, but with the right expectations.
I wouldn’t make a special trip to Ipoh just to visit Meow Garden. It isn’t the kind of attraction that I would plan an entire day around, and I don’t think you need hours to see everything.
If you’re already in Ipoh, though, I think it’s worth stopping by for a little while, especially if you’re looking for something different to do in the evening. You can have dinner, walk around the garden, take some photos and then move on with the rest of your night.
For me, the best part was simply getting to see the place I’d been seeing in photos online. It wasn’t quite as impressive as those older pictures had made it look, particularly with some of the displays no longer in their best condition, but I still enjoyed my visit.
So, is Meow Garden a hidden gem? Maybe not quite.
Is it worth a quick stop if you’re already nearby? I’d say yes.
It was a simple little place, but that’s also what made it easy to enjoy. I spent about 40 minutes there, took plenty of photos and left feeling like the visit had been worth my time.
✅ Meow Garden Ipoh Is Currently Temporarily Closed
If you’ve come across this post while looking for places to visit in Ipoh, there’s one important thing to know.
Meow Garden Ipoh is currently closed, but the closure is temporary.
I visited Meow Garden in 2022, when the place was still open and its colourful LED garden was one of its main attractions. I’m keeping this post as a record of that visit, along with the photos I took at the time.
So, if you’ve come across older photos of Meow Garden online and are wondering if you can still visit, make sure to check its latest status before making your way there. Hopefully, the place will reopen and visitors will get to enjoy it again.
For now, keep in mind that the information in this post reflects my experience from 2022. Details such as opening hours, admission, parking and facilities may no longer be the same.
Love,
Auri Duham 🌻
