Cameron Highland

Cameron Highlands History

Cameron Highlands was named after William Cameron, a British government surveyor who stumbled across a plateau in 1885 during a mapping expedition on the Titiwangsa Range. Failing to mark his discovery on the map, the location of the plateau was a finally confirmed by subsequent expeditions after which Sir Hugh Low suggested that this would be an ideal location for a retreat and farmland. A narrow path to the highlands was then cut through the dense jungles of the highlands.

Nothing much happened after that until 1925 when Sir George Maxwell visited the highlands and decided to develop it as a hill station. A development committee was then formed which functioned until 1931. Cameron Highlands was a haven for the British who were station in Malaya as it provided relief from the hot and humid tropical climate of the lowlands.Once the road was constructed, wealthy residents and British government officials started building retreats on the slopes of the highlands. Later some settled here permanently and a business community developed. Farming was the main activity here at that time. In 1929, John Archibald Russell, who was the son of a British administrative officer started a tea plantation which is now the famous Boh Tea Plantation.

The highlands developed successfully until the outbreak of World War II where the Japanese invasion in 1941 forced the British troops and civilians out of the highlands. The Japanese continued to administer the area since they saw the highlands farms as a vital food source for their troops. When the Japanese troops retreated from Malaya in 1945, the British gradually returned to the highlands until the independence of Malaya from the British in 1957.

Getting To Cameron Highlands

The only way to get to Cameron Highlands is by road. Many years back, you could only get to Cameron Highlands from the south via Tapah but since the opening the new roads from Ipoh (Perak), Gua Musang (Kelantan) and Raub (Pahang), travelling to the highlands has become much more easier. The Simpang Pulai Road is the most popular road taken by most tourists coming from Kuala Lumpur or Penang although some people still prefer the old Tapah Road.

Self drive

From the South via Tapah (Old Road)

Cameron Highlands is about 300km from Kuala Lumpur and it takes about 3 hours to get here via the North-South Expressway (NSE). If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, find your way to the NSE by following the signs to Ipoh. Once you’re on the expressway, keep on driving north for about 1.5 hours until you reach Tapah.Take Exit 132 and you will be at the Tapah toll booth. Once you have paid the toll, turn left at the traffic lights and from here onwards you will be on the long winding road to Cameron Highlands which is about 60 km’s away.

If you’re driving from the north just take Exit 132 at Tapah and follow the same direction. It takes an average of 1.5 hours to reach Tanah Rata from Tapah. Please note that there are no petrol stations this point forward until you reach Ringlet so if you need to fill up, the Tapah rest area (before you exit the express way) would be your best choice.

Driving Tips : The toll rate from Kuala Lumpur (Jalan Duta Toll) to Tapah is RM19.40. The last rest area along the expresswy is the Tapah Rest Area which is about 3 km from Exit 132. If you miss this, you can still take a restroom break at the tol exit on your left. The road from Tapah to Cameron Highlands is narrow and has a lot of sharp bends. If you have passengers who get motion sickness, its time to get those plastic bags out (just in case) There will be lots of heavy vehicles going up and down this road so be careful especially when you are overtaking. Most local heavy vehicles will give you the signal to overtake when its safe so be patient. Its also common courtesy to let the vehicle behind you overtake you if you’re driving slower that vehicle. During the rainy season, watch out for fallen rocks and branches on the road. For first timers, driving at night is not recommended especially it its raining. There are a few spots along this road where you can get Maxis and Celcom signals. Watch out for the signs indicating these areas. From the north via Simpang Pulai / Ipoh Since the road from Simpang Pulai was open, more people are using this route to get to the highlands as its wider and less windy. It only takes about 45 minutes to get to Kampung Raja from Simpang Pulai and this is the fastest way to get to the highlands if you are travelling from the north (Penang or Ipoh). Take Exit 137 (Simpang Pulai) and turn right at the traffic light right after the toll booth and drive for about 200 metres before you reach a traffic light.. Turn right again and your’re on you’re way to Cameron Highlands.You will get some magnificent views of the mountain ranges along this road. After about an hour, you will reach the Kampung Raja junction where you will have to turn right from the new road into Kampung Raja town. You’re now in Cameron Highlands and you can just follow the main road to your destination. Brinchang & Tanah Rata is about 25-30kms from here. Driving Tips : If you are driving from the south (Kuala Lumpur), this route would be longer if your destination is Tanah Rata or Brinchang. Driving up this road is a pleasant experience as it gives you some great views of mountains. Since the roads are less winding, people tend to speed here but watch out for the sharp bends at some stretches. There is limited mobile coverage along this road.

Accomodation (click on the picture to view)

     

   

   

Attraction Of Cameron Highlands

 1. Mossy Forest

Location: Sungai Palas Estate Road
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Entrance Tickets: FreeRead More: Click Here

2. Boh Tea Centre 

Location: Sungai Palas Estate Road / Habu

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Entrance Tickets: Free

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Website: www.boh.com.my

3.  Cameron Valley or Bharat Tea Estate

Location: Ringlet to Tanah Rata Road or Kuala Terlah
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Entrance Tickets: Free
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Website: bharattea.com.my

4. Rafflesia Tour

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Entrance Tickets: Admissoin (Tour Needed)
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5. Flower Nurseries 
Location: Ringlet to Kampung Raja
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Entrance Tickets: Admissoin 
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6. Gunung Brinchang

Location: Sungai Palas Estate Road
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Entrance Tickets: Free
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7. Rose Garden

Location: Sungai Palas Estate Road

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Entrance Tickets: Free

Rose Centre

Location: Kea Farm

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Entrance Tickets: Wanted

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Rose Valley

Location: Tringkap

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Entrance Tickets: Wanted

8. ORANG ASLI VILLAGE (Aborigine's Village)

Location: Tapah Road / Tanah Rata
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Entrance Tickets: FreeRead More: Click Here

9. Strawberry Farm

Location: Cameron Highlands

- Big Red Strawberry Farm
- EQ Strawberry Farm
- Healthy Strawberry Farm
- Kasimani's Strawberry Farm
- KHM Strawberry Farm
- Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm
- Rich Flora Strawberry Centre
- Har's Strawberry
- Taman Agro Al-Mashoor
- YZ Strawberry Farm

ThAnKz FoR CoMMeNtS At My PoSt...