"Keeweechic's Cameron Highlands " a Cameron Highlands Travel Page by keeweechic

Tucked away serenely amidst the clouds and 1,829 metres above sea level is the Cameron Highlands. The Pahang state's premier hilltop holiday spot. The cool, fresh air on the highlands is a wonderful retreat for city dwellers who want to escape temporarily from the noise and pollution in the city as well, it is a favourite getaway for honeymooners as the beauty and tranquility is enchanting.

First discovered in 1885 by a British surveyor William Cameron, the fame of Cameron Highlands grew during the colonial era when British Planters realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity among the colonies. Their families also took to the hills to escape the hot and humid tin mines and rubber plantations. Some of the bungalows left hind are still preserved for tourists to view. The highlands now comprise 3 districts. The Ringlet (45 km from Tapah is the main agricultural centre. Tanah Rata which is the principal township, is like a painting of rural English countryside in Spring with streams, lakes, waterfalls, cottages and bungalows interspersed by colourful gardens. Further up the road is the small township of Brinchang. There is a 18 hole golf course, flower nurseries, vegetable and fruit gardens and tea plantations which in the cool frost free climate, is an ideal location for growing and cultivating what is some of Malaysia's best tea. If you are an early riser, a visit to a tea plantation early in the morning will give you a glimpse of young women buried in the rows of tea bushes, picking the tender young shoots and throwing them into baskets strapped on their backs.

If you get a few days to rest and relax in Malaysia, I would highly recommend a trip to the Cameron Highlands.

We flew from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur then hired a car and drove the 3.5 hr drive to the Highlands. There was some interesting countryside on the way north.