Cameron Highlands is the largest hill resort in Malaysia. Straddling on the border of Pahang and Perak, Cameron Highlands is known for its temperate climate. The place is also dotted with many attractions such as tea plantations, vegetable farms, flower nurseries and more.
From the North-South Expressway (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan), there are 2 possible routes to Cameron Highlands. Although the Tapah route is shorter, the Simpang Pulai route is faster if you are traveling from Penang. The mountain road between Simpang Pulai and Cameron Highlands is also noticeably less winding. This travel guide introduces Cameron Highlands as journeyed on the Simpang Pulai route.
Green View Garden 绿景园
Blue Valley is the first settlement after crossing the Perak-Pahang border. Green View Garden is one of several ecotourism attractions here. Visitors may visit the flower patches at their own leisure. There is also a petting zoo that requires admission tickets.
Read more about Green View Garden ↗
Cameron Lavender Garden
Further reading: Cameron Lavender Garden – Foodveler
Cameron Lavender Garden is a ticketed attraction between Kuala Terla and Tringkap. Perched on the hill is a fairy tale castle. The attraction is suitable for families with young children. You can easily spend an hour or two here.
As the name implies, Cameron Lavender Garden features large patches of lavender from many countries. In addition, other flowers like begonia and coreopsis are grown here too. The place provides a scenic backdrop for photographs.
Be sure to visit the plant nurseries too. There are attractive flowers like daisies and red hot cat’s tail (ekor kucing). As for picking strawberries, it is not necessary to do so here since there are many such opportunities in Cameron Highlands.
Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm 金马仑直冷甲蜜蜂园
Further reading: Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm
Continuing our journey along the main road, we arrive at Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm. Operated by Giant B, this minor attraction has a small museum that gives an overview of beekeeping. There are several beehives and insect specimens on display.
Cameron Highlands Bee Farm 金马仑蜜蜂园
Further reading: Cameron Highlands Bee Farm
Cameron Highlands Bee Farm, also known as Ee Feng Gu Apiary (玉峰谷蜜蜂园), is another attraction near Kea Farm. A dirt path allows visitors to get closer to the beehives. Cameron Highlands Bee Farm also has the largest indoor maze in Malaysia. The maze is open during school holidays only.
BOH Tea Centre
Further reading: BOH Tea Centre
The largest tea producer in Malaysia, BOH, has a huge plantation in Sungei Palas. The community is approximately 15 minutes from the main road. BOH Tea Centre affords idyllic views of the tea plantation on rolling hills. The visitor area also has a café that serves tea and scones.
BOH conducts factory tours every 15 minutes from 8:30am to 5:00pm. No fees nor prior appointment is needed. After visiting BOH Tea Centre, you may also visit Mossy Forest around 20 minutes deeper into the mountains.
Orchid & Rose Garden
Further reading: O&R Garden
O&R (Orchid & Rose) Garden is another ecotourism attraction in Cameron Highlands. The place features large varieties of orchids and roses. Each species comes in a myriad of colors.
Besides orchids and roses, O&R Garden boasts a large collection of daisies, hibiscus and other flowering plants. Keep a lookout for peculiar plants like balloonplant and jade vine too!
Jungle Walk allows visitors to enjoy lovely views of the countryside. There are several watchtower along the 30-minute hiking trail.
Butterfly Farm
Further reading: Butterfly Farm
Butterfly Farm should not be confused with Butterfly Garden next door. According to locals, both attractions are somewhat similar, so you only need to visit either.
Butterfly Farm features free-flying butterflies in an outdoor enclosure. There are over 40 species of butterflies here. In addition, Butterfly Farm has a collection of exotic insects like bush crickets and leaf insects.
Read more about Butterfly Farm ↗
Raaju’s Hill
Further reading: Raaju’s Hill
Raaju’s Hill is one of the numerous strawberry farms in Cameron Highlands. While admission is free, visitors may pick their own strawberries for a fee. Raaju’s Hill has a small café that sells desserts like strawberry ice cream.
Rose Centre 玫瑰山庄
Further reading: Rose Centre
Rose Centre is approximately 700 meters from the main road. The attraction sits on a small hill near Kea Farm. Visitors can hike to the hilltop to enjoy panoramic views of the countryside.
Roses are not the only flowering plants grown here. Rose Centre also has daisies, petunias, geraniums and euryops on display.
Time Tunnel 金马仑时光隧道
Further reading: Time Tunnel
The next town after Kea Farm is Brinchang. One of the first attractions is Time Tunnel. The museum immortalizes the history of Cameron Highlands through a large collection of memorabilia.
UncSam Farm 君子兰花园
Further reading: UncSam Farm
Shortly after Time Tunnel is a plant nursery called UncSam Farm. There are lots of colorful houseplants on sale. UncSam Farm also grows strawberries, vegetables and cacti.
Cactus Valley 仙人掌花园
Further reading: Cactus Valley
Brinchang is one of the larger towns in Cameron Highlands. There are a number of Chinese and steamboat restaurants at the town center. While visiting Brinchang, I highly recommend that you visit Cactus Valley.
Cactus Valley has a mesmerizing collection of cacti of various shapes and sizes. Some are even taller than adults! Cactus flowers range from red to yellow.
Cactus Valley has other flowering plants on display too. The plants are mostly grown in hedges on a terraced hill.
Big Red Strawberry Farm
Further reading: Big Red Strawberry Farm
Brinchang is one of the larger towns in Cameron Highlands. There are a number of Chinese and steamboat restaurants at the town center. While visiting Brinchang, I highly recommend that you visit Cactus Valley.
Visitors to Big Red Strawberry Farm are allowed to pick fresh strawberries from certain areas of the farm. Strawberries are charged by the bucket. There is also a café which sells strawberry-based snacks and drinks.
Sam Poh Temple 三宝万佛寺
Further reading: Sam Poh Temple
Sam Poh Temple is a large Buddhist temple overlooking Brinchang. The temple features two main buildings: Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) and Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿). Sam Poh Temple is open to people of all faiths. There is no admission fee.
All Souls’ Church
All Souls’ Church is an Anglican church between Brinchang and Tanah Rata. Built in 1958, the church was formerly known as Cameron Highlands Church. Sunday service starts at 10:30am.
Parit Fall
Taman Eko Rimba Parit Fall features a waterfall with a viewing bridge over it. The waterfall is easily accessible from the parking lot. If you feeling adventurous, you may also check out Robinson Falls on the other side of Tanah Rata.
Cameron Valley
Further reading: Cameron Valley
Cameron Valley is the second largest tea plantation after BOH. Cameron Valley has 3 tea shops in Cameron Highlands. The most prominent one is Tea Shop 2, which is located along the main road between Tanah Rata and Ringlet. Visitors may visit the tea plantation for a small fee.
If you are traveling from Simpang Pulai and do not plan to venture past Tanah Rata, Cameron Valley has another outlet at Kuala Terla. The view here is not as impressive as the one at Tea Shop 2, but this is not a big deal if you have visited BOH Tea Centre.
Further reading: Cameron Valley
Cameron Valley is the second largest tea plantation after BOH. Cameron Valley has 3 tea shops in Cameron Highlands. The most prominent one is Tea Shop 2, which is located along the main road between Tanah Rata and Ringlet. Visitors may visit the tea plantation for a small fee.
Copthorne Cameron Highlands
Further reading: Copthorne Cameron Highlands
Copthorne Cameron Highlands is one of the best choices of accommodation at Cameron Highlands. The 4-star resort at Kea Farm is strategically located near many tourist attractions.
The hotel offers several room types such as Superior Room, Deluxe Room and Executive Suite. We are staying in the Executive Suite, which has a separate living room and bedroom. The extra space is worthwhile.
Perched on a hill, Copthorne Cameron Highlands affords charming views of the surrounding countryside. Our room has a beautiful sunrise view. If possible, ask for a room at an upper floor.
A stay at Copthorne Cameron Highlands typically includes breakfast for two. Buffet breakfast is served at the Coffee House, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant.
18° Celsius Cafe provides a casual place for guests to relax. The eatery serves coffee and cakes. All cakes are baked in-house.
Millennium Garden is the hotel’s Chinese restaurant. The à la carte menu covers Cantonese, Teochew and Sichuan cuisines. Millennium Garden also serves steamboat in a semi-buffet setting.
After sunset, head to the Cricket Lounge for a round of drinks. The drinking establishment serves interesting cocktails like Rainbow and Long Beach Iced Tea.
Newlyweds can take advantage of Copthorne Cameron Highlands’ Honeymoon Package. The package includes a romantic Candlelight Set Dinner for two.
After an exhausting day exploring Cameron Highlands, indulge in a nice body massage at Teratak Spa. The in-house spa also has treatment packages that span for 3 hours.
During your stay at Copthorne Cameron Highlands, be sure to check out the giant thermometer in front of the hotel. Measuring 5 meters in height, it is the tallest thermometer replica in Malaysia.
Cameron Square
If you plan to drive around Cameron Highlands, be advised that parking coupons are required in Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Parking coupons can purchased from convenience stores around Cameron Highlands. The nearest one to the hotel is 7-Eleven at Cameron Square.
Water Cress Valley 西洋菜谷
Further reading: Water Cress Valley
Water Cress Valley is a farm between Kea Farm and Tringkap. Grown in terraced ponds, watercress has hollow stems that allow it to float on water.
Water Cress Valley also has a restaurant that overlooks the farm. The signature dish here is traditional charcoal steamboat. The soup is infused with watercress and Chinese herbs. Admission to the farm is free for restaurant customers.
The Lord’s Café
Further reading: The Lord’s Cafe
The Lord’s Cafe is a hidden restaurant in Tanah Rata. The eatery serves pastries such as scones, pies and cakes. The food here is surprisingly tasty and affordable.
Kea Farm Market
Further reading: Kea Farm Market
Cameron Highlands is known for its fresh produce, which is very cheap by city standards. If you are staying at Copthorne Cameron Highlands, Kea Farm Market is the best place to stock up on groceries before heading home. Visit early because some items may be sold out quickly.
Lata Iskandar
If you are leaving Cameron Highlands by the Tapah route, you will come across a scenic waterfall near the 14th mile post. Known as Lata Iskandar, the waterfall is very popular among passers-by. Be careful while walking or driving because the spot is at a hairpin turn.
Along the journey downhill, there are numerous Orang Asli (aborigines) stalls where you can buy local durians, wild honey and other jungle produce. If you are buying durians, it is advisable to eat on the spot. In case a durian is spoiled, the vendor will replace it for free!
Cameron Highlands is a popular weekend getaway for locals. As a result, the roads can become incredibly congested especially during school holidays. Therefore, it is advisable to visit Cameron Highlands during off-peak seasons.
