In Ipoh Old Town, the infamous 27 Concubine Lane (or Panglima Lima, “二奶巷”, “Er Nai Xiang”) has a history dating back to 1892.
After the great fire in the same year, mining tycoon Yao Tet Shin built the Concubine Lanes.
The houses on the lanes were given to his three wives.
The locals named the lanes Wife Lane, Concubine Lane, and First Concubine Lane.
The locals whisper another common folklore.
Apparently, on the houses on the narrow, uneven path is where rich Chinese magnate and British officers kept their concubines and mistresses!
The infamous Concubine Lanes story was that of a notorious area for opium dens, gambling shops, and prostitution in the 1900s.
Ipoh Heritage Quarter
Concubine Lane is the most famous and beautifully transformed lane among all three.
Today we visit no. 27, Concubine Lane, which is the first house restored to its original state.
As they say, the rest is history.
Big John
Big John is from Wigan, a town west-northwest of Manchester, England.
John has a terrific sense of humor typical of the “Northerners.”
I was aghast in Ipoh’s old quarters when Big John showed me the original No. 27 Concubine Lane!
The roof had missing tiles where you could look up and see the sky above.
It was just a house shell—no water, electricity or floorboards on the first floor.
Only the ground floor was intact with the original walls, doors, and window frames.
The floor was uneven, sloping to one side, where a narrow, shallow drain ran from the back of the house to the front.
Location of Ipoh Heritage Quarter
It was located on the infamous Concubine Lane, close to all the famous food courts, murals, museums, and heritage buildings.
It is a mere fifteen minutes’ walk from the Ipoh railway station.
This Englishman from Wigan looked around and said,
“I will turn this into my home!”
Amazingly, John and his wife did just that in about six to seven months.
They worked with contractors and had the place up and running with the legendary English pub Big Johns Music Shack on No. 24.
When Big John started the business, the old quarters in Ipoh were quiet and almost dead at night after the local office workers headed home.
Big John’s Music Shack
Big John’s Music Shack was the happening place to hang out in the evenings.
The rustic English pub had a good live band, a great selection of beers, and good old English pub food.
It was sad when the pub closed. I missed my chance to get a beer and chill out.
The famous Concubine Lane is now crammed with small souvenir stalls on small low tables. You will need steely focus to walk down this short lane without succumbing to buying cheap costume jewelry or a childhood favorite treat.
Yi Lai Hong
The 120-year-old infamous heritage row is a small narrow lane called “Yi Lai Hong” or Concubine Lane.
Lorong Panglima is believed to have been established in 1908.
This is a narrow, uneven path. In Old Town Ipoh, a residential area where concubines and mistresses were kept in townhouses.
Rich Chinese magnate and even British officers kept their women here.
This notorious area was also infamous for its opium dens, gambling and betting shops, and prostitution.
The houses left abandoned over the years fell into an advanced stage of disrepair.
Many houses had plants and even small trees growing in them.
New Owners Injecting Life in Ipoh Heritage Quarter
It started with a private effort with the new owners renovating the heritage row on Concubine Lane. Now the entire area is revived.
This area opposite Sekeping Khong Heng is a tourist haven in Ipoh Old Town.
Over the long weekend, I found the place very busy with crowds of outstation cars and visitors.
Most make a beeline for the delicious Ipoh food. Some prefer to check out the murals popping up.
The area is close to the tea and tin museums.
Heritage Homestay in Ipoh
Big John is now stationed at No. 27, Concubine Lane, a “Heritage Stay”.
The 108-year-old house is a restored Chinese family house, brought back to its original status as a HOME.
Staying at No. 27 is a great way to experience Chinese old culture.
There are creature comforts, such as air-conditioned rooms and instantaneous water heaters for showers. The bedrooms and the toilet are clean.
There are three private rooms available for couples or single travelers.
The furnishing, in keeping with the heritage character of the house, is simple.
Loads of Character
The original shophouses are remarkably charming and even nostalgic, with heaps of character.
They keep the wooden front door and wooden grille intact. It was like staying in someone’s house with free WiFi!
The heritage trail in Ipoh was chock-a-block full of tourists.
It may be a little overcrowded out in front of the homestay. Big John has a sign that says, “Private Residence.
Strictly no photo-taking” to provide privacy to the houseguest.
So it is quite a deterrent to keep asking tourists to wander in, stand around, and whip out their cameras, not to take photos.
I was there listening in as Big John welcomed a family of seven.
He gave suggestions on where to eat, recommended places, and had lots of information on what to do in the area.
I remember reading a review on TripAdvisor that said, “Tell your need to Mr John. He will settle for you.”
The house is charming, with three cat guards on duty.
At the loft, there is a dorm-style sharing space for group travelers. The location is perfect for backpackers.
The cool interior of the house is inviting!
Big John has very charming recycle tables made from sewing machine legs with a glass top!
Ian Anderson writes Ipoh My Home Town.
27 Concubine Lane Ipoh Heritage Quarter Homestay
Concubine Lane is no longer dodgy.
The well-preserved conservation efforts by the individual building owners are bearing fruit. More and more tourists are drawing close to Concubine Lane to enjoy the culinary delights and other attractions.
It sets Concubine Lane as the next major tourist attraction in Ipoh.
27 concubine lane is permanently closed.
I stayed there for 2 nights, and it was really an amazing experience for a girl like me who lives in the city to finally have a touch of the heritage and smell the antiques that 27 Concubine Lane guest house offers. While many other tourists took the troubles to come to “Yi Lai Hong” to check out the venue, taste some local food and take as many photos as possible to flaunt it all over the net, I just casually walk out and stroll around as long as I want without worrying about the parking and the traffic. The lane is filled with souvenir shops, eateries such as Tau Foo Fa, Thai food, chicken rice, egg custard and etc that is a must try. As the stardust appears, the city is yet asleep, there are suppers just beside the guest house and snow beer is available too! It is really a great hang out spot. If you are looking for a rested vacation, no hustle, no rushing, stay here at the 27 Concubine Lane, where everything is just right at your doorstep. Ginger, the cat will be there to greet you!
Your description of Concubine Lane is spot on right down to Ginger the cat. So pleased that you had a wonderful stay at 27 Concubine Lane, Annie Wong. Thanks for reading.