Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands Malaysia tea fields width=The Cameron Highlands is 214 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur and is the highest region in mainland Malaysia.  The regions are popular with locals and tourists keen to enjoy its cool temperature and lush green surroundings.  As the tea producing capital of the country, the Highlands are the perfect place to enjoy a nice cup of tea. There is a lot to do here, from jungle trekking to picking up a bargain at one of the night markets, the Cameron Highlands are the perfect combination of relaxation and sightseeing.

Typical Costs in Cameron Highlands

  • Hostel Prices: $2 USD per night will get you a bed in a dorm while a private room costs around 15MR.
  • Budget Hotel Prices: Single rooms cost from $6.50 USD per night.
  • Average Cost of Food: There are meals for less than $1.50 USD but expect to pay around $5 USD for a really good restaurant.
  • Transportation Costs: Taxis cost around $.25 USD per kilometer while buses from Tanah Rata to the tea plantations and most attractions cost $.50 USD.

Things to do in Cameron Highlands

  • Tour the tea plantations- The Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s tea producing capital due to the high altitude and cool climate.  By visiting one of the plantations you can watch the entire process of how tea is produced then enjoy tea and scones while looking over the tea fields. It’s possible to combine tours of the plantations with visits to a strawberry, bee or butterfly farm. This costs around $5 USD.
  • Tanah Rata – Tanah Rata is the largest and most developed of the Cameron Highlands although the town centre consists only of one street, Jalan Besar.  White buildings, parks and hotels make up this quaint town but it is also the centre of the Highland’s nightlife with locals and tourists descending on the Jalan Besar on a Saturday night.  Jalan Besar is where you’ll find some of the area’s best restaurants.
  • Bee farms – There are three bee farms in the Highlands with Tringkap Bee Farm being the best.  The farms are usually free to tour and it’s pretty cool just to watch the worker bees buzzing round collecting the honey.  The best part of the trip is the honey tasting at the end!  You’ll also have the opportunity to buy fresh honey.
  • Sam Poh Temple – Built in 1972, the Sam Poh Temple is the fourth largest in Malaysia and is quite an arresting site.  The temple sits in the hills overlooking Brinchang and offers a fantastic view over the town.  Inside you’ll find statues of Buddha, Zhenghe and other deities.
  • Gunung Brinchang – The road up to this hill is the highest in Peninsular Malaysia at 6666ft although the climb is not that tiring, presumably because the cool climate helps things along.  The panoramic views over Brinchang and all of the Cameron Highlands from up here are spectacular and consequently this one of the most popular walking tours in the region.
  • Jungle trekking – There are 14 trekking routes heading out from Tanah Rata, so you are sure to find a trail to suit your ability.  Trails are a great way to take in some of the local attractions as many of the trails pass by places of interest, for example trail 9 which includes the Robinson Waterfalls and Boh Estate tea plantation.
  • Robinson Waterfalls – By following jungle trail number 9 you’ll find yourself at the Robinson Waterfalls.  This place is really serene and is a great way to fill a relaxed afternoon, especially if you are there in the wet season (November to March), as the waterfalls are even more impressive.
  • Flower Festival – The Highlands are Malaysia’s leading producer of flowers and as such are a great location for an annual flower festival.  The festival takes place in August/September every year and aside from displaying the flowers and agriculture grown in the area, they also play host to parades, competitions and cultural shows.
  • Time Tunnel Museum – One of the most recent tourist attractions to hit the Highlands is the Time Tunnel Museum.  For $1.50 USD you’ll get to take a step back in time and view this large collection of memorabilia.  Since its opening in 2007, the Time Tunnel has established itself as one of the most popular attractions in the Cameron Highlands.
  • Eat strawberries until you burst – They are so delicious here. They grow everywhere and they are served a hundred different ways—which means they don’t cost a lot, for the most part. While most everything is a sweet treat, it is hard to say no. Try the strawberry lassi or strawberry coffee, for something more unique.
  • Cactus Valley – This is a nice outdoor sight, with beautiful flowers and plants everywhere you look. Walk along the various terraces and check out the different fruits and vegetables. There are some neat gifts for sale, as well as cacti and other potted plants.
  • Go golfing – The golf course here is beautiful and a promising challenge for beginners and advanced golfers alike. The course is 18 holes long with varying greens and terrain. Getting up early and starting your day off at Cameron Highlands Golf Course is relaxing and fun.
  • Rosedale Bistro – This is a popular little café, for locals and travelers alike. Aside from the pleasant atmosphere, the menu offers everything from local food to Chinese and European dishes. The prices are decent and the wi-fi is free.
  • Cameron Highlands Butterfly Farm and Garden – The garden itself features a huge variety of different bugs and butterflies. Entrance is cheap and it’s open all day long. Next door, there is a butterfly farm—perfect for getting some awesome photos.

Budget Tips for Cameron Highlands

  • Camping – Cameron Highlands are pretty safe and so this is a good place to save on accommodation. Sg Pauh campsite charges just $1 USD per night.
  • Cycle - For a few Ringgit a day you can rent a bike from most hotels.  This is an excellent way to see the area and will save you money on buses and taxis.