Matt Munro

Cameron Highlands

Emerald tea plantations unfurl across Malaysia's largest hill-station area. Temperatures in these 1300m to 1829m heights rarely top 30°C, inspiring convoys of weekenders to enjoy tea and strawberries in the restorative climate. Though technically in Pahang, the highlands are accessed from Perak.

The Cameron Highlands encompass a string of townships, including (north to south) Kampung Raja, Tringkap, Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet. Named after explorer Sir William Cameron, who mapped the area in 1885, the highlands were developed during the British colonial period. Gardens, bungalows and a golf course sprang up during the 1930s, cementing the highlands' reputation as a refuge for heat-addled Brits to mop their brows.

Tourism is big business, so views are occasionally blighted by building sites for yet another megaresort; Brinchang in particular felt like a construction site when we last visited. But between trekking and genteel tea culture, there is serenity amid the touristic hubbub.

Explore Cameron Highlands

B
Boh Sungei Palas Tea Estate
If there's time for only one tea-themed experience in the highlands, make it this spectacularly situated plantation, with its own tea interpretation…
S
Sam Poh Temple
This scarlet-and-yellow temple complex, just south of Brinchang, about 1km off the main road, is stacked high with gleaming golden statues of Chinese…
E
Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm
One of the better honey-themed attractions in the highlands, this working apiary has landscaped flower gardens where you can watch bees buzzing around…
R
Raaju’s Hill Strawberry Farm
Locals believe that the way the evening mist hits this valley-tucked berry farm is the reason its fruit tastes so sweet. If berry picking (RM30 for two…
B
Boh Tea Garden
Velvety green views are glorious from this out-of-the-way tea plantation, though it's a long drive to get here (allow 40 minutes from Tanah Rata and use…
L
Lata Iskandar
A picturesque, thoroughly refreshing stop if you're driving route 59 up to the Cameron Highlands, this cascade tumbling over granite boulders is popular…
M
Mossy Forest
This dense area of tangled, moss-choked forest near Brinchang is the most atmospheric hiking destination in the highlands. A jungle boardwalk starts near…
T
Time Tunnel
Not hiking today? Explore a warren of regional miscellany instead. There are displays on wartime history and the 1962 landslide, but this is less a museum…
C
Cameron Butterfly Farm
One of the highlands' most popular attractions is this large greenhouse filled with tropical plants, attended by fluttering hordes of butterflies. Close…

B
Boh Sungei Palas Tea Estate
If there's time for only one tea-themed experience in the highlands, make it this spectacularly situated plantation, with its own tea interpretation…
S
Sam Poh Temple
This scarlet-and-yellow temple complex, just south of Brinchang, about 1km off the main road, is stacked high with gleaming golden statues of Chinese…
E
Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm
One of the better honey-themed attractions in the highlands, this working apiary has landscaped flower gardens where you can watch bees buzzing around…
R
Raaju’s Hill Strawberry Farm
Locals believe that the way the evening mist hits this valley-tucked berry farm is the reason its fruit tastes so sweet. If berry picking (RM30 for two…
B
Boh Tea Garden
Velvety green views are glorious from this out-of-the-way tea plantation, though it's a long drive to get here (allow 40 minutes from Tanah Rata and use…
L
Lata Iskandar
A picturesque, thoroughly refreshing stop if you're driving route 59 up to the Cameron Highlands, this cascade tumbling over granite boulders is popular…
M
Mossy Forest
This dense area of tangled, moss-choked forest near Brinchang is the most atmospheric hiking destination in the highlands. A jungle boardwalk starts near…
T
Time Tunnel
Not hiking today? Explore a warren of regional miscellany instead. There are displays on wartime history and the 1962 landslide, but this is less a museum…
C
Cameron Butterfly Farm
One of the highlands' most popular attractions is this large greenhouse filled with tropical plants, attended by fluttering hordes of butterflies. Close…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Cameron Highlands.

See
Boh Sungei Palas Tea Estate
If there's time for only one tea-themed experience in the highlands, make it this spectacularly situated plantation, with its own tea interpretation…
See
Sam Poh Temple
This scarlet-and-yellow temple complex, just south of Brinchang, about 1km off the main road, is stacked high with gleaming golden statues of Chinese…
See
Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm
One of the better honey-themed attractions in the highlands, this working apiary has landscaped flower gardens where you can watch bees buzzing around…
See
Raaju’s Hill Strawberry Farm
Locals believe that the way the evening mist hits this valley-tucked berry farm is the reason its fruit tastes so sweet. If berry picking (RM30 for two…
See
Boh Tea Garden
Velvety green views are glorious from this out-of-the-way tea plantation, though it's a long drive to get here (allow 40 minutes from Tanah Rata and use…
See
Lata Iskandar
A picturesque, thoroughly refreshing stop if you're driving route 59 up to the Cameron Highlands, this cascade tumbling over granite boulders is popular…
See
Mossy Forest
This dense area of tangled, moss-choked forest near Brinchang is the most atmospheric hiking destination in the highlands. A jungle boardwalk starts near…
See
Time Tunnel
Not hiking today? Explore a warren of regional miscellany instead. There are displays on wartime history and the 1962 landslide, but this is less a museum…
See
Cameron Butterfly Farm
One of the highlands' most popular attractions is this large greenhouse filled with tropical plants, attended by fluttering hordes of butterflies. Close…

Guidebooks

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