Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

The Cameron Highlands are the largest and most genteel of the hill resorts in Malaysia. It's located in Pahang's north-western corner, at an altitude of 1,829 meters. The Cameron Highlands were discovered by William Cameron in 1885. In these days the British planters realized that those mountains were very fertile. Because tea was prized commodity among the colonies, they decided to grow tea on the slopes of the Cameron Highlands. British families who were stationed in Malaysia at the time also took to hills in a respite from the hot, humid tin mines and rubber plantations. Some of the old bungalows, which they left behind are still being preserved for viewing by tourist, with a few facilities added for the conveniences of visitors. So, much of the character of the Cameron Highlands has remained unchanged since colonial times. Since that time the Cameron Highlands has developed into a favored getaway among honeymooning couples. The cool, fresh air on the highlands is also a retreat for city dwellers who want to retreat temporarily from the noise and pollution in the city. The drive time from Kuala Lumpur is about three and a half hours. It is a 295 km drive. The quickest route is by the North-South Expressway turning in near the town of Tapah. From Tapah you will hit the long winding road (about 60km) to Cameron Highlands. Driving up to Cameron Highlands is a pleasure in itself, as many interesting stops along the way can be made. You can take a short break at the Kuala Woh Forest Recreation Park. There are picnic areas and a hot spring. There are several tour companies along the main drag in Tanah Rata. Most have tours leaving around 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and include visits to a tea plantation, where you see the tea-making process; a strawberry farm; a butterfly farm; a rose garden; and the Sam Poh Chinese Buddhist temple. I think they all cost around the RM15 to 20. January is one of the main picking months for strawberries. They grow 4 crops a year! There are other more extensive tours of the region- including ones to an Orang Asli village. Cameron Activities List: • Jungle trakking in the tropical rain forest • Bird watching • Visit a tea plantation and factory • Visit strawberry and vegetable farms, cactus valley, rose centre and flower nurseries • Visit the butterfly farm • Visit honey bee farm • Play golf • Ride a mountain bike (rent in Tanah Rata) to the top of Gunung Brinchang • Visit aboriginal villages (Orang Asli) • Play sports at the Strawberry Resort : tennis, squash, swimming pool 1 ) All Souls Church 2 ) Bertam Valley 3 ) Bharat Tea Estate 4 ) Boh Teh Estate 5 ) Butterfly Garden 6 ) Cameron Highlands Golf Club 7 ) Cameron HighlandsGolf Course Inn 8 ) Equatorial Hotel 9 ) Father's Guest House 10 ) Lake House 11 ) Gold Dollar Tea Estate 12 ) Heritage Hotel 13 ) Kea Farm 14 ) Mardi 15 ) Merlin Hotel 16 ) Parit Waterfall 17 ) Police Station 18 ) Robinsons Waterfall 19 ) Rose Garden 20 ) Sg. Palas Tea Estate 21 )Strawberry Farm 22 )Ye Olde Smoke House 23 )Youland FlowerNursery