"Cameron Highlands" a Cameron Highlands Travel Page by wufei

Low temperatures all year round allow terraced flower gardens, strawberry farms, tea plantations, orchards and vegetable gardens. Cabbages, tomatoes, carrots, green peppers and lettuce supplied by the plantations in Cameron have earned it the title "Green Bowl of Malaysia".

Nestling amid the lofty peaks of Banjaran Titiwangsa, the various outposts of the CAMERON HIGHLANDS (1524m) from Malaysia's most extensive hill station. It took its name from William Cameron, a government surveyor who stumbled across the plateau in 1885 during a mapping expedition but he failed to mark his find on a map. In 1920s, the location of the plateau was finally confirmed by a consensus of reports from subsequent expeditions. In 1925, Sir George Maxwell, a senior civil servant, saw the same potential here and conceived the idea of developing a hill station. The Early tea planter were soon followed by Chinese vegetable farmers and wealthy landowners in search of a weekend retreat. Families of those Britishers stationed in Malaya at the time also took to hills in a respite from the hot, humid tin mines and rubber plantations.

As the fame of Cameron Highlands grew during the colonial era, much of the character of the Cameron Highlands has remained unchanged since colonial times, and in many ways it is at hill stations like the Cameron Highlands that British residents most determinedly recreated an idyllic English environment. Some of the Tudor-style hotels and retreats with rose garden s are still maintained at Cameron Highlands, that's why it is also named as 'Little Corner Of England in Asia'.
Cameron Highlands today becomes the largest and most genteel of the hill resorts in Malaysia. It is also the premier hill top holiday spot at Pahang. Weekenders flock here in their thousands lured by the cool climate.
The vast plateau and surrounding hills and forests are ideal for walking and even the most slothful are cajoled by the cooler climate into indulging in some moderately rigorous hiking.

Despite seventy years of tourism, the Cameron Highlands today can still be recognized in William Cameron's early, glowing descriptions which talked of the plateau's gentle slopes surrounded by dramatic peaks. The cool, frost free climate on the highlands offers an attractive retreat for city dwellers who want to retreat temporarily from the noise and pollution in the city

The Cameron Highlands encompasses three small towns lying just within the western corner of the state of Pahang, 219km from Kuala Lumpur. As you make your way up the winding mountain road from Tapah, you first encounter RINGLET, 45km to the north, a rich agricultural area and site of the famous tea plantations. Another 300m up, and 13km away is TANAH RATA, the principal settlement, where the drop in temperature heralds a change in scenery to streams, waterfalls and mountains, making it an ideal walking base. About 3km further north, BRINCHANG is a newer town, also renowned for its farms, most of which are located to the north towards the kampungs of Tringkap and Raja.
With its varied attractions and amenities, Cameron Highlands has a lot to offer visitors. The primary activities in the Cameron Highlands are all emphatically relaxing: touring, dining, shopping, and golfing.

Among the most popular sights are the area's tea plantations and strawberry farms, its lovely rose gardens and waterfalls, and the busy market square at Brinchang.

The highland's 18-hole, par-71 golf course is open to the public. Driving up to Cameron Highlands is a pleasure in itself, as many interesting stops along the way can be made.

From Tapah take Route 59. At Batu 7, you can turn off right to take a short break at the Kuala Woh Forest Recreation Park. There are picnic areas and a hot spring. Further along Route 59, there is the majestic Lata Iskandar waterfall. Refreshments are available at the waterfall, making it a fine place to stretch your legs before completing the journey to the peak.

RINGLET

Ringlet is the first settlement in the Cameron Highlands, the area to the north of town dominated by the immense Sultan Abu Bakar Dam, a huge expanse of glittering blue water contrasting with the deep green of its forest cloak. There's a deluxe hotel here and a best known tea plantation - BOH Tea Estate.

TANAH RATA

Since Tanah Rata is the highlands' main development, it comprises little more than one street, which is where you'll find most of the hotels, banks and other services as well as some of the best restaurants in the Cameron Highlands, all lined up in a half-kilometre stretch. It's a genteel, neat looking place festooned with flowers, parks and building with white balustrades.

BRINCHANG

Located 3km further north after Tanah Rata. You will find lots of greenhouse or small sheds by the roadside, selling cabbages, leeks etc. Visit those famous places like butterfly farm, Fruit & vegetable farm, Rose Garden etc, Sam Poh Temple and the Palas Tea Estate.Or, a more challenging option - hike to the summit of Gunung Brinchang (2032m), the highest peak in Malaysia.