Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s prime tourist destinations, which is a highland region located in Pahang state about 121km east of Ipoh and about 214km north of Kuala Lumpur. It is 1500 metres (or 5000 feet) above sea-level and has temperatures of as low as 12?C to a high of 25°C. Cameron Highlands is one of the most popular highlands in Malaysia. Being a main agricultural land, it is the Malaysia’s largest tea-producing region. With its many greenery vegetables farms and fruits farms, the area is also known as a major supplier of legumes and vegetables to both Malaysia and Singapore. Cameron Highlands is also famous with its romantic Roses plantation. Visitors can see how roses are grown inRose Center and Rose Valley.

Cameron Highlands may be accessed by two major roads. From North-South Expressway, exit the expressway at Tapah Interchange and then proceed via Federal route 59 straight along the way to the highlands. It is about one and a half hours to reach the first town of south end, Ringlet. Alternatively, exit the expressway at Simpang Pulai Interchange, Ipoh and proceed via a new Second East-West Highway to Cameron Highlands along the way to the top. It is about one hour to reach the the first town at the northern end, Kampung Raja.

There are eight towns in the Cameron Highlands. Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet are the three main townships among others such as Tringkap, Bertam Valley, Kuala Terla, Kampung Raja and Blue Valley. Tourist spots and shopping places are concentrated mostly in Brinchang and Tanah Rata.

If you use the Tapah way, you will first reach Ringlet. Ringlet is a typical residential town with few rows of shops. Ringlet has its attractions but is very much limited. Normally, tourists do not stay long around this area other than taking a short driving rest or short break. It is more peaceful compared to Tanah Rata and Brinchang, which activities congregate.

A further drive up the highlands is Tanah Rata, where most tourists and visitors are more likely to stay here because there is variety of accommodation options available. Tanah Rata is the main public transport station of Cameron Highlands. Whether you are boarding or arriving by bus or taxi, it will stop here.

Tanah Rata can be considered as the second hot spot tourist town area in Cameron Highlands. Here, visitors will find rows of shops that sell souvenirs, eateries and local agricultural products. In addition, hotels, budget accommodations, travel agencies, banks, money changers are abundantly scattered here catering tourists’ needs.

At Tanah Rata, tourists can start to visit Cameron Highlands’ attractions by visiting to the nearby strawberry, tea plantations and flower farms. Also, tourists can go for jungle tracking to reach the Robinson Waterfalls.

The next drive up about 3kms will be Brinchang town. Brinchang is the biggest town among others and the main attraction in Cameron Highlands. To a certain extent, food might cost slightly more as the town is known for its eateries. Brinchang is busier and exudes a more commercial atmosphere most probably because it is the connection point to the nearby farms and plantations. .Brinchang too has a lot of accommodations options like hotels, chalets and apartments.

Tourists can find variety of dining restaurants here at Brinchang such as typical coffee shops that serve all type of cuisine, seafood, steamboat, and other fast food chains. Every Friday and Saturday night about 5pm, Brinchang town is very happening with its Brinchang Night Market (or locally Brinchang Pasar Malam). Traders will start setting up their stalls in the early evening and business becomes brisk during the night. Visitors can find all sorts of Cameron greens such as fresh strawberries, corns, vegetables and flowers produce from the plantations in Cameron Highlands. Apart from that, other items ranging from electronic gadgets and delicious snacks such as cakes, fried food and local delicacies to bootleg, clothing, shoes and bags, are also available here.

Apart from the mentioned attractions, other attractions in Cameron Highlands include theButterfly Farm, Rose Gardens, Bee Farm, andVegetable Farms. There are also theBrinchang Hindu Temples and the Sam Poh Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Temple. Other features include Cactus Point, and Cactus Valley. There is Market Square, the Cameron Highlands Time Tunnel Galeria (at nearby Kea Farm) and accommodation at the Kampung Taman Sedia Homestay, Tanah Rata and The Smokehouse Hotel.

Accommodation in Cameron Highlands is wide and varied, but during peak seasons, the price can shoot up to two times as normal while finding an empty room can be hard! Always remember to book your room, apartment or chalet early to avoid sleeping under the stars when you make your way here. Visitors can choose to stay in Luxury Hotels such asCENTURY PINE RESORT, CASA DE LA ROSA HOTEL, EQUATORIAL HOTEL, CAMERON HIGHLANDS RESORT, ROSA PASADENA, STRAWBERRYPARK, THE LAKE HOUSE, YE OLDE SMOKE HOUSE.

Or, Chalet or Budget Hotels such as ANNEX BUNK, BALA HOLIDAY CHALET, B.B INN, BRINCHANG HOTEL, CAMERONIAN HOLIDAY INN, CAMLODGE, COOL POINT HOTEL, COUNTRY LODGE, DANIEL TRAVELLERS LODGE, HERITAGE HOTEL, HIGHLAND HOTEL, IRIS HOUSE HOTEL, KAVY LODGE, LIDO HOTEL, PARKLAND HOTEL, PINES & ROSES HOTEL, ROSELEANE HOTEL, RAINBOW HOTEL, SILVER STAR HOTEL, SRI JULIANA HOTEL, STAR REGENCY APARTMENTS, SHAHZANINN, THE ORIENT HOUSE, TWIN PINE CHALET.

source: Vacation in Malaysia