The pool
According to the 2011 post on the Homestay4u D'Ipoh blog, the pool measures roughly 8 by 10 feet and is fed by four to five hot springs rising from gaps in the rocks. The village development committee (JKKK) built it with state government money after Kampung Ulu Kuang won a village improvement competition.
No water temperature has been published. The spring is plotted as no. 14, "Ulu Kuang", on Mohd Hariri Arifin's 2017 map of Peninsular Malaysia's hot springs, republished in Warta Geologi in 2022, but it does not appear in the older survey table that gives temperatures for other Perak springs.
The water
The same blog says the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) studied the sulphur around the vents, judged it high-risk, and that the water is therefore not suitable for drinking. The writer added that they were not sure of the details, and we found no JMG report or water analysis online, so we list the water type as unknown. Don't drink it.
Setting and crowds
The pool lies inside Hutan Simpan Korbu, which the blog places in Kuala Kangsar district, although you reach it through Kampung Ulu Kuang in Kinta district. Because it is on forest reserve land, the blog notes it is not privately owned. A calm, stony river with a few low waterfalls runs nearby. In 2011 it drew picnickers from Chemor, Sungai Siput and Ipoh, mostly on weekends and some public holidays.
The spring is on Google Maps as "Kolam Air Panas Jalan Kg Pelantok", with a handful of reviews. A June 2025 reviewer described a clean river and a very pretty hot pool, and a May 2026 visitor simply called it the best spot around. In July 2026, though, a reviewer said it was closed and never maintained and told people not to go. Nobody has said whether a permit is now needed to enter the reserve.
Getting there
From Chemor, north of Ipoh, it is about 10 km to Kampung Ulu Kuang, then about 3 km more from the village into the forest to the pool, roughly 13 km in all (2011 blog figures). Head for the village's main road, then ask residents for the way in. Our map pin follows the Google Maps listing "Kolam Air Panas Jalan Kg Pelantok" (plus code Q5M5+M8, Chemor). It was added by users, not an operator, so treat it as close rather than exact. No public transport reaches the village.
Before you go
- Don't drink the water. The 2011 blog relays a JMG finding that the sulphur at the vents is high-risk.
- Go on a weekday if you want the small pool to yourself; weekends and public holidays drew picnic crowds in 2011.
- Go with company rather than alone: a July 2026 reviewer found the site unkept and eerie.
- Ask in Kampung Ulu Kuang whether the forest track is open and passable before driving in.
- Bring water, insect repellent and a rubbish bag. No facilities are described at the pool.
- Watch the river beside the pool after heavy rain if you plan to wade or sit by the waterfalls.
Questions people ask
Where is Ulu Kuang Hot Spring?
In the Korbu forest reserve above Kampung Ulu Kuang, about 13 km from Chemor town north of Ipoh: 10 km to the village and 3 km into the forest.
How big is the pool at Ulu Kuang Hot Spring?
The 2011 description puts it at about 8 by 10 feet, fed by four or five vents between rocks. It is a small soak, not a swimming pool.
Can you drink the water at Ulu Kuang Hot Spring?
No. The 2011 blog cites a JMG finding that the sulphur here is high-risk and the water unsuitable for drinking. No water analysis has been published.
Is Ulu Kuang Hot Spring still open?
We could not confirm. A May 2026 visitor on Google Maps praised it, but a July 2026 reviewer said it was closed and unmaintained, so ask in Kampung Ulu Kuang before you go.
Other springs within 150 km
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources. Prices and hours change; confirm with the operator before a long drive.
- Homestay4u D'Ipoh Perak: Kolam Air Panas (Hot Spring) Kampung Ulu Kuang (30 November 2011)
- Nurul Afiqah R. et al. (2022) What makes a hot spring, hot? Warta Geologi 48(1), Figure 4 distribution map, spring no. 14 Ulu Kuang (after Arifin 2017)
- Mohd Hariri Arifin (2017) Hot springs characterisation and geothermal potential study in Peninsula Malaysia from geosciences perspectives, PhD thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Table 2.2)
- OpenStreetMap: Chemor (node 1762368280)
- Google Maps: Kolam Air Panas Jalan Kg Pelantok
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