Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is a highland region located about 121 km east of Ipoh and about 214 km north of Kuala Lumpur, in Pahang, Malaysia. At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25 °C and rarely falls below 12°C year-round. Cameron Highlands is actually a district in the state of Pahang Darul Makmur although the road entrance is via Tapah and Simpang Pulai in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. The size of the whole Cameron Highlands district is roughly two and a quarter times the size of Singapore.

Background

The Highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. The fame of Cameron Highlands then grew during the colonial era when British planters realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity. Cameron Highlands is still home to many tea plantations, being Malaysia's largest tea-producing region. With its many farms the area is also known as a major supplier of legumes and vegetables to both Malaysia and Singapore, and is one of Malaysia's prime tourist destinations.

Key Attractions

Apart from the cool weather, key attractions in Cameron Highlands include a butterfly farm, strawberry farms, rose gardens and vegetable gardens. There are also the Brinchang Hindu Temples and the Sam Poh Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Temple. Other features include Cactus Point, Cactus Valley and the BOH Tea Plantation. 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.

Townships

There are eight towns in the Cameron Highlands: Brinchang, Tringkap, Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Bertam Valley, Kuala Terla, Kampung Raja and Blue Valley.

Access

From North-South Expressway, exit the expressway at Tapah Interchange and then proceed via Federal route 59 JKR|59 straight along the way to the highlands. It is estimated the first town of south End Ringlet is within one and a half hours.

Alternatively, exit the expressway at Simpang Pulai Interchange, Ipoh and proceed via a new Second East-West Highway JKR|145 to Cameron Highlands along the way to the top. The first town at the northern end, Kampung Raja, is approximately one hour away.

There is also an express bus from Penang or Kuala Lumpur.

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External links