Neolithic rock paintings are the definite attractions in Gua Tambun (Tambun Caves) situated at Tambun, outside Ipoh. The 5, 000-year old paintings were first discovered in 1959 by more recent rock artists speaks of early dwellers in the Malay Peninsular.

As written by J.M Matthews, in the magazine Malaya in History – Magazine of the Malayan Historical Society in November 1959, “The paintings are monochrome  and indistinct. In some groups, the paint is dark purple, in others, dull red. Some of the figures are obviously men, rather crudely drawn. Some of the animals are easily identified, others are rather vague and imagination is needed for their representation”.

But most of the paintings are quite clear and among the pictures wild boar and a dugong, a tapir and several deer. The deers are particularly interesting as they all have the appearance of pregnant doe, and one even has a small infant drawn inside its swollen belly!

At one time, this gallery of pictures extended for more than a hundred feet, but time and the weather have obliterated a great number. Enough remain to demonstrate that at some time men living in Lembah Kinta, although unsophisticated were able to paint and draw vividly and realistically. Perched high among hill peaks, visitors to these caves can also enjoy a panoramic sunset view of Ipoh City.