The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill stations. It covers an area of 712km², about the size of Singapore, At an elevation from 1135m to 1829m above sea level, it is also the highest point in Malaysia accessible by road with Gunung Brinchang 2031m above the sea. During the day, the temperature seldom rises above 25°C; at night, it can drop to as low as 12°C.
A tea plantation at the Cameron Highlands
There are four main roads into the area: two to the west, to Ipoh and to Tapah; and two to the east, to Gua Musang and Kuala Lumpur.
What to see:
- Gunung (Mount) Brinchang. At 6,666 feet above sea level, this is the highest point in Malaysia which is accessible by car. At the top of the mountain is a radio and television station. Close to the installation is a 15 m high “Observation Tower”. This is the best place to get a good view of the Cameron Highlands and the neighbouring state of Perak. The taxi fare to the summit and back can amount to as much as RM100. Before heading this way, it would be wise to negotiate with the taxi driver to see if the trip could include a visit to the nearby Mossy Forest and the Boh Tea plantation which is located at Sungei Palas. You can also walk up the road, or up trail nr 1 (see below)
- Mossy Forest. There is a boardwalk at the top of Gunung (Mount) Brinchang which takes you through the Mossy Forest. This reserve is unlike any other in peninsular Malaysia: its base is covered with a thick carpet of moss. Most of the trees here have remained untouched for centuries. Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time exploring this place.
- Parit Waterfall. There are two ways to get to the waterfall: you could either start from the Forestry Department or take Track 4 which is at the side of the Century Pines Resort. If you opt for the former, you should reach the falls in less than an hour. For the latter, the journey is about 15 min. There is one more way to reach the waterfall without tracking, from the highway from Tanah Rata towards Brinchang, take the downward road to Taman Sedia village. Signboard of entrance to parit waterfall car park is located 50m down the road.
- Rafflesia Flower. The largest flower in the world (actually an external parasitic plant, lacking leaves, stem or roots). The only way to see this plant is to join guided tour which comes with 4WD transport as it is located in Blue Valley are which is around 1 hr drive from Cameron Highlands town. edit
Robinson Rose Garden, Rose Centre & Rose Valley. All three estates are worth a visit. Here you can see how roses are grown. - Robinson Waterfall, The falls are a short distance from Tanah Rata. It could be reach via Path 9.
- Butterfly Garden/Butterfly Farm, (3 km northwards of Brinchang on the main road). Open until 6PM. Located next to each other with similar exhibitions of many butterfly and insect species to see. Very interesting is insect garden, where a friendly staff takes the insect off and you can take photos with the leaf insect, stick insect and other creatures on your hand. There are no restrictions to photography. The entrance fee is RM5 for adults and RM2 for children.
- Lavender Garden, Tringkap (Take a bus to Tringkap and alight at the entrance.). Walk into self pluck daisy garden, strawberry farm and nice lavender garden. 5RM.
- Sam Poh Temple, Brinchang (15 minute walk from Brinchang town). Sam Poh Temple is a Chinese Buddhist temple. Tack 2 starts here.
What to do:
- Boh Tea Centre and Sg Palas Plantation, (follow the main road from Brinchang towards Kg Raja. After the Equatorial Hotel, look for signs and then turn left into the narrow hill road. The junction faces a row of stalls selling fruits and vegetables from the Kea Farm and can be easily missed.). CLOSED ON MONDAYS. Operated by Malaysia’s largest tea company. Tours available of tea factory. Interactive educational studio, a retail outlet, and a nice cafe. Stunning vistas of rolling hills amidst a carefully tendered tea plantation. The drive up the hill can be very narrow at stages, so caution should be shown when driving up. The view from the top of nearby hill at the plantation is well worth the effort of climbing up. Free tours.
- Bharat Tea plantation, Tanah Rata, towards Ringlet (Take a taxi/bus to the entrance of the tea plantation). There is a cafe from where you can have a breathtaking view of the tea plantation. Walk around the plantation using many paths.
Where to Eat:
Food is not a problem at the Cameron Highlands. There are many Malay, Western, Indian and Chinese restaurants to pick and choose from. While you are here, do try the steamboat, a pot of boiling soup where you can cook your own meat and vegetables.
Where to shop:
You can strawberry and fresh vegetable from many places on the way to and from Kuala Lumpur. If you want to buy tea of cameron highland, buy it from Tea Garden sales center. They will have many varieties of tea.
