- Cameron Highlands
At about 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands – located only four hours away from Kuala Lumpur – is set along a mountain plateau high above the river valley. Temperatures on this hillside fluctuate between 22° and 25° Celsius during the day and between 15° and 22° Celsius at night, making it easier than in the lowlands to jungle trek, camp and picnic.
Named after William Cameron – a British government surveyor who ‘discovered’ the area in 1885 whilst on a mapping expedition – Cameron Highlands’ fame grew during the colonial occupation era as the British were attracted to this cool hill station due to its climate. As a direct result of their stay here, nostalgic reconstructions of English cottages and narrow village lanes are sprinkled across its landscape.
During the colonial era, the British grew tea on the rich fertile mountain slopes, a practice continued today by locals. Since then, it has become the biggest tea exporter in Malaysia along with a constant supply of vegetables to the country and Singapore. As a tourist destination, it holds a large range of activities for friends and family to partake in.
The Cameron Highlands span some 71,000 hectares of land, so there is a huge amount to do here, especially if you are a nature lover and fancy jungle trekking or scaling the most famous peak in the area called Mount Brinchang.
Let’s explore the best things to do in the Cameron Highlands:
-Boh Sungai Palas Tea Estate
Set in the hills north of Brinchang, this tea plantation is a sprawling scenic domain with a tea factory, a teashop and a visitors’ centre. When you’re here you can watch an educational video on the history of the estate as well as purchase tea products from the on-site souvenir store. Also don’t miss out on the chance to sip some tea and take in the sights of the plantation from the pleasant tearoom
Boh Tea Sungai Palas is a tea plantation located in Brinchang about 5km north from town or 2km away from Kea Farm. Owned and managed by Boh, it complements their estate at Ringlet, featuring a large visitor center complete with cafe, gallery and shopping boutique. Free guided tours to explore the factory are also available.
- Cactus Valley
Located close to Brinchang on a forested hill is the gorgeous Cactus Valley, which has a fairly self-explanatory name.
The valley is known for its many varieties of cacti and you can check out a plethora of colorful species as well as towering specimens and small, spiky plants.
This is a great place to see some of the more unusual flora in the Cameron Highlands and you can spend time taking pictures with the other-worldly plants, as well as admire other kinds of flora in the form of apple orchards and wild flowers.
- Cameron Higlands Butterflies Farm
Another one of the most famous farms in the Cameron Highlands is the Butterfly Farm which is also one of the oldest institutions in the area.
If you love butterflies then you will have certainly come to the right place as there is an array of colorful species here as well as some other attractions.
These include a tortoise section as well as an insect house, and all the butterflies are free flying so you will get to see them in their natural environment.
One of the best things about the butterfly farm is that you can take a guided tour of the facility and guides will explain all the different kinds of butterflies on show here and give you information on their habitats and life cycles
- Mrs Robertson's Rose Garden
The Cameron Highlands is famous for its flora and, as well as tea and strawberries, you will also find a huge number of species of roses here.
If you like flowers then one of the best ways to see the roses is on a trip to Mrs. Robertson’s Rose Garden which is located on a scenic hillside and will give you pretty views over the valleys below.
Some of the species that you can admire here include Pink Queen Victoria and Maid of Hearts and don’t be surprised by the large size of some of the flowers, as they thrive due to the higher elevation of the Cameron Highlands.
As with many attractions here there is also a pretty little cafe and gift shop attached
- Lavender Garden
Another one of the big natural highlights of the Cameron Highlands is the Lavender Gardens which is a wonderful place to come to take in the aromatic air and the pretty purple vistas.
On a trip here you will find gorgeous landscaped gardens that are bisected with walkways which means that you can walk through the lavender fields and check out their beauty up close.
As you would expect, the flowers attract a range of insects and there is a bee history gallery here as well as a cafe where you can relax with a drink and take in the views.
- Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm
When many people think of the Cameron Highlands they often think of the famous strawberry farms here, but if you are looking for something a little different then consider a trip to the Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm.
This is a traditional apiary which is still in operation and has some interesting attractions inside include an indoor maze.
This is a particularly good choice for families as younger visitors can enjoy admiring the colorful bees and there is a gift shop with a wide assortment of honey-related souvenirs.
- Big Red Strawberry Farm
One of the other famous strawberry farms in the Cameron Highlands is the Big Red Strawberry Farm.
It is one of the largest in the area and sits close to the Cactus Valley, so it makes sense to visit both locations at the same time.
The farm grows strawberries as well as other items like organic salads, but the big draw here is the cafe.
Once you have toured the farm, you can settle down in the cafe and enjoy a dish of delicious strawberry ice cream made on site with the juicy red gems that grow here.
- Mount Brinchang
One of the main peaks in the Cameron Highlands is Mount Brinchang and the main way to get to the top is to take a drive along a winding mountain road which is as hair-raising as it is exciting.
Once you get to the summit of the mountain you will find an observation tower where you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Some of the sights to look out for include the lush valleys covered in tea plantations as well as forest lands filled with wild flowers.
The mountain stands at a height of 6,666 feet above sea level and also has the claim to fame of being the highest parts of Malaysia that is accessed by cable car.
There is also the possibility of trekking to the summit through the forest if you are feeling active.
- Mossey Forest
As the name suggest, the Mossy Forest is an area known for its moss, lichen, and gorgeous ferns.
It is also one of the highest points of the Cameron Highlands and you can expect to see trees here that tower to a height of up to 10 meters.
The plants thrive here thanks to the low lying mist that blankets the area and you can observe lush green vistas as far as the eye can see.
To get to the forest you can walk along a handy boardwalk that stretches for two kilometers through the greenery and starts at the main road in the Cameron Highlands and takes you all the way up to the summit of Mount Brinchang.
- Pasar Pagi Cameron HIghlands
Pasar Pagi literally means Morning Market and this is the place to come if you are looking for a toothsome breakfast in the Cameron Highlands.
You will find the Morning Market in KEA Farm Town and as well as some delicious street food and other local breakfast bites you can also expect to find other items for sale like souvenirs and handicrafts.
- Thompson Falls
One of the jewels in the crown of the Cameron Highlands is the Thompson Falls which will take you out of the city center to the environs of Tanah Rata.
There is a short trek to get to the waterfall which will take your through lush forests and you can swim in a pool at the base of the falls, although bear in mind that due to the elevation it is likely to be extremely cold.
You can also climb up a staircase in the mountainside that will take you to a vantage point on top of the falls where you can look down at the rushing water from above.
No comments:
Post a Comment