Malaysia’s largest hill station, the cool-climate Cameron Highlands feature mist-covered swathes of tea plantations and lush tracts of forest. It’s one of the country’s oldest tourist destinations, created during British colonial rule for officers to escape the heat of the lowlands, and today draws visitors for its colonial architecture and waterfalls.
Things to do in Cameron Highlands
Many colonial-era buildings still stand today, including the Agricultural Experiment Station which was established to determine suitable crops for the region, as well as All Souls’ Church. Admire the mock-Tudor mansions and bungalows once belonging to British soldiers and silk merchants, then indulge in a British high tea overlooking the hills.
If you’re interested in the Cameron Highlands’history, then the Time Tunnel is packed with memorabilia and collectables detailing life here prior to the Japanese occupation of World War II.
Nature lovers can hit the trails of the Mossy Forest or go bird watching in the early morning hours, with the hike to beautiful Parit Falls as one of the most popular. Ever wanted to witness the famous “corpse flower”? Then join a rainforest adventure to see the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world that blooms seasonally in the highlands.
You can sample locally-grown tea on a tour of the Sg Palas Plantation and its Boh Tea Centre, with magnificent views across the rolling hills. Afterwards, take in the sweeping panoramas from the observation tower of Gunung Brinchang which rises just over 2,000 metres.
Getting around Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands are around three hours’drive north of Kuala Lumpur and almost four hours from George Town to the north. It’s organised into eight different neighbourhoods, with public buses accessing most of the tourist sights, although motorbikes can be rented for those wanting more flexibility.