"Cameron Highlands is absolutely breathtaking!" Cameron Highlands by sahlenare

Cameron Highlands Travel Guide: 566 reviews and 1,700 photos

The view over Cameron Highlands tea plantation - Cameron Highlands
The view over Cameron Highlands tea plantation

Cameron Highlands, a land of breathtaking scenery with cool lush mountains peaks, waterfalls, tea plantations, terraces of vegetable, fruit and flower gardens. This magical place is tucked away at 1829 metre's above sea-level among the peaks of the main range of Peninsular Malaysia. Temperature here hovers between 16 to 26o C.One of the wonders of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is the largest most famous hill resort in the country. Discovered by a British surveyor, William Cameron in 1885, this highland paradise still retains much of the charm of an English villageCameron Highlands is the smallest district in the state of Pahang which is located in the north-western corner of the state. It is made up of 3 main townships at different altitudes. The lowest is Ringlet, 1,200 metres above sea-level situated near Bertam Valley where the soil is rich thus making this area the main agricultural center of the highlands.Further up is Tanah Rata which is the principal township where most of the main banks and government offices are situated. The bus terminal and taxi station are located here too.Next is Brinchang which is about 15 minutes drive from Tanah Rata. This is where most of the hotels are located. The night market which is open every Saturday night features all kinds of vegetables, flowers, fruits and other products of the highlands.Beyond Brinchang, the road leads to Kea Farm, Sungai Palas, Tringkap, Kuala Terla, Kampung Raja and the Blue Valley Tea Plantation..
Cameron Highlands is the only place where tea is grown in Malaysia. Perhaps due to increased commercialism, nowadays tea leaves are not plucked, instead the top layer of the tea tree is pruned straight into a sack using a specialised machine.

Tea leaves are brought to a nearby factory to be processed. There are different grades and flavours for everyone's taste and budget. Some of the tea are packaged elsewhere and that explains why you won't find the tea in Cameron Highlands a lot cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur.

The Lakehouse
The Lakehouse - Cameron Highlands

The sign read, ‘No dogs, no children, no Asians’. Colonel Stanley Jack Forster joined the British Army when he was a mere lad for a bit of adventure - going to far off lands in Asia and beyond. Unlike many of his fellowmen who left for home when their call of duty ended, the Colonel stayed on in Malaya after the war .
Indeed, he had his eccentricities. Colonel Forster was most remembered for carrying a cane or whip with which he used to chase away Asians who came within distance of his property. But of course, that didn’t apply to his choice of bed partners! The colonel is most remembered for building the Lakehouse in Ringlet, of which he proudly carved, etched, hammered and moulded into his dream motel. His passion to build this picture-perfect motel led him to Kuala Lumpur where he salvaged roof tiles from an old derelict hospital. He even had a hand in designing and building certain woodwork items such as a few easy chairs and the chandelier in the foyer.

His eccentricity was tolerated by the locals and even by his guests - who thought it befitting of his character.. Screening of guests was based on whether he liked them or not. If he did, one could ask almost anything from him and if he didn’t, there wouldn’t be a room available at his motel anytime of the year even if he was paid a large sum of money! Colonel Forster passed away in 1984 and the Lakehouse has been passed under the management of the Concorde group of hotels. Much of the motel has been left as it were and hopefully will continue in the legacy of the colonel - a beautiful motel, a dreamy holiday and the comforts of a cosy cottage.
The Lakehouse is one of few remaining colonial houses that cater to the public and is a most pleasant place to stay where just stepping into the foyer can transport one to an era of scandalous pomposity, chivalry, pride, passion and honour, ….the era of the ‘Burmese Days’ . A truly, wondrous eccentric display of the British colonial masters…. The sign read, ‘No dogs, no children, no asians’. Intolerable? Amusing?

The view from Lakehouse garden
The view from Lakehouse garden - Cameron Highlands

  • Last visit to Cameron Highlands: May 2003
  • Intro Updated Oct 8, 2003
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Reviews (5)

The packing.. have a light packing.. - Cameron Highlands The packing.. have a light packing.. What to Pack (1)

I only had one small bag and that was more than enough. But remember it can get quite chilly at night so bring a thick... more travel advice

Even though they are impossible to miss.. - Cameron Highlands Even though they are impossible to... Things to Do (1)

Don't miss the tea plantations, they are amazing! If you have the time stop by and have a cup of tea and enjoy being... more travel advice

A nice hotel - Cameron Highlands A nice hotel Hotels (1)

We only spent one night here at this nice hotel, the rooms were clean, nice and the bed - lovely! The food and wine did... more travel advice

A car.. - Cameron Highlands A car.. Transportation (1)

if you have the possibility to go by car then do so, as it is Cameron highlands it can be quite chilly at night.. And... more travel advice

Comments (5)

  • Reply
    israelsson2007's Profile Photo
    Nov 24, 2007 at 5:15 AM

    Hi, nice page. Hälsning Eva

  • Reply
    husain's Profile Photo
    May 10, 2007 at 11:46 PM

    will certainly check out the lakehouse when i visit next month. thx:)

  • Reply
    frankcanfly's Profile Photo
    Aug 10, 2004 at 3:13 PM

    I bypassed this area last time... but the next time, I will stop for Tea!

  • Reply
    dragontml's Profile Photo
    Mar 8, 2004 at 11:18 PM

    apa khabar, amina ? yeah, cameron highlands the getaway place for the city ppl ! ;-) u like Boh tea ?

  • Reply
    city_guy's Profile Photo
    Nov 13, 2003 at 11:20 PM

    Cameron Highlands... ahhh.. the Perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Did you manage to see Tulips grown there? ☺

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