CAMERON HIGHLAND

Tuesday 29 November 2011


Cameron Highlands is Malaysia's lagest and best-known hill resort. Discovered by, and named after William Cameron, a goverment surveyor who, in 1885 explored the area by hacking a path up through dense jungle and came across, "A fine plateau shut in by mountains". At 1524m above sea level the area enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 20°C and rarely falling below 10°C, a welcome change to the generally oppressive heat and humisity at sea level.

Without doubt the most interesting aspect of a visit to the resort is its tea plantations, the first of which were established in 1929 by John Archibald Russell and belong to the most famous Malaysian tea producer, Boh Tea. The estates are wonderfully manicured and visitors are welcome to view the factory production process and enjoy a cuppa' at the tea shop. Other interesting places to visit include the numerous vegetable farms dotted all around the area. There are also strawberry farms, flower nurseries, butterfly farms, a challenging 18 hole golf course and for the more adventurious various jungle treks. The three main highlands towns are Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang with most visitors staying in and around the latter two. Accommodation varies from small inexpensive hotels and guest houses, to self-catering apartments and first class hotels. Any time of year is suitable for a visit, but try to avoid the main public and school holiday periods as the area can become very busy. It is also best to be prepared for the 2 hour journey from the entry point at Tapah to Tanah Rata, the drive is not steep and is extremely interesting, but the road is quite narrow and very winding, so drive carefully and try to stop occasionally to enjoy the various sights along the way. These include the impressive Lata Iskandar waterfall, amazing tropical vegetation and various Orang Asli (indigenous people) dwellings. Without doubt Cameron Highlands is the place to visit on Peninsular Malaysia.

Boh Tea Estate


Boh Road Habu, Ringlet
Beautiful Tea Estate located 6 klms along a winding road past vegetable farms. Visitors can view the factory and relax with a cup of Boh tea at the tea shop.

Sungai Palas Estate


Gunung Brinchang Road
Wonderfully scenic tea estate open for visitors to view the factory, tea shop and audio visual centre. Located along the Gunung Brinchang road. Turn left after the Butterfly Farm near the Equatorial Hill Resort.

Robinson Waterfall 

 
Walk Path 9 / 9A Tanah Rata
Start from the gardens on Persiaran Dayang Endah and continue to the end of the road. Cross a small bridge on your left to start the walk.

Flower Nurseries


Ringlet to Kampung Raja
A number of flower nurseries can be found alongside the main road from Ringlet all the way to Kampung Raja. Most nurseries allow visitors to view the various varieties

Strawberry Farms 


Tanah Rata to Brinchang
There are a number of strawberry farms in Cameron Highlands, the best know are probably Raju Hill and Haelthy Strawberry farm. Always worth a visit for their novelty value and the chance to taste starwberries and cream!

Golf Course 

Golf Course
The 18 hole Golf course allows visitors to play in comfort away from the heat and humidity at sea level. The course is quite challenging with tricky greens and undulating terrain. Best to play from early in the morning as heavy afternoon rains are quite common.

Vegetable Farms


Ringlet to Kampung Raja
There are many vegetable farms located throughout Cameron highlands. The most interesting ones to view can be found along the Boh Tea Estate road at Habu and in the Kea Farm area surrounding the Equatorial Hotel after Brinchang.

Gunung Brinchang

Sungai Palas Estate road
Panoramic views from the top of Gunung Brichang, the higest road in Peninsular Malaysia at 2000 metres. Turn left at the guard house on the Sungai Palas Estate road, then left again and drive carefully as the road is narrow and quite steep.

Castus Valley
Cactus Valley is one of the biggest and most popular tourist destination located at the cool mountains of Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.

Cactus Valley boast of having one of the most variety of cactus plants, some as old as 60 years. Hydroponics mehod of cultivating crops such as tomatoes, strawberry and others are being practiced. 


Cactus Valley also have the most comprehensive variety of plants and foliage including roses, calla lily impatiens, fuchsia, ananas/vriesea, camellia, hibiscus, rhododendron, bird of paradise, glory bush, clivia miniata, peaches, hippeastrum, geranium, coleus, gerbera, oncidium and many other. 8 varieties of apple trees, passion fruit plants are also cultivated in Cactus Valley. Cactus, fresh strawberry, potted plants, souvenir items and dried flowers are available for sale at Cactus Valley. Your visit to Cactus Valley will be one of the most wonderful experience in your life.
Butterfly Farms

Kea Farm, Brinchang
There are two butterfly farms in the highlands, Butterfly Farm and Butterfly Garden. Both have numerous butterflies and other insects including the well-known Raja Brooke butterfly.

How to get there

By Road
Cameron Highlands is only accessible via Tapah, in the State of Perak, from the North South Highway - 4 to 5 hours from Kuala Lumpur.
From Tapah take route 59. At Batu 7, turn off right if you want to take a short break at the Kuala Who Forest Recreation Park where there are picnic areas and a hot spring.

By Bus
There are 4 bus services from Pudu Raya Bus Terminal, Kuala Lumpur.From Tapah, the local bus leaves at hourly intervals for Tanah Rata.

By Taxi
From Pudu Raya in KL direct to Tanah Rata or from Tapah to Tanah Rata

By Rail
The rail stop is at Tapah. From here, take the taxi or bus to Tanah Rata.

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