ABOUT CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Cameron Highlands in Pahang is one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations, a collection of peaceful townships perched 1500 meters high on a nest of serene mountains. Cooling resorts, tea plantations and strawberry farms sprawl lazily across lush valleys and meandering hillslopes, the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. The sea of tranquility, pleasant landscapes and cold climate impart a special experience upon the multitudes of visitors each year. Meanwhile, a different world lies hidden away among the natural surroundings - a rainforest ecosystem rich with the wonders of nature, long held with fascination by researchers and naturalists across the world.
Attractions in Cameron Highlands
The region is characterized by extensive tea plantations. People mostly come to Cameron Highlands to escape the heat and to do some beautiful walks. Besides the tea plantations there are also the following attractions: Mossy Forest, Rafflesia tour, strawberry farm, rose gardens, a Chinese temple, a cactus valley and vegetable gardens.
- Boh Tea Plantation
Sungai Palas BOH Tea Estate is a must-visit when you are at Cameron Highlands. The scenic area comes right out of a tea commercial. The massive tea plantation stretches as far as the eyes can see. Everywhere you see tea bushes, all beautifully green. If you take a tour there are a couple of points where you can enjoy the scenic views best. If you are going to visit the area by yourself (rental car or by taxi) then just go and stand right next to a tour group to hear the whole story of BOH tea plantation.
Sungai Palas BOH Tea Estate is located north of Tanah Rata (and Brinchang).The Equatorial Resort and the Butterfly Farm ; right opposite the fruit and vegetable stalls. From there you follow the road up until you reach the fantastic scenic viewpoints over the tea valleys. There is also a 2nd BOH Tea Estate south of Tanah Rata . Turn left at kampung Habu. Here too you will find a few great lookout points, and also a tea shop.
Another tea plantations Cameron Bharat Tea Estate, enjoy a nice cup of fresh tea at the Cameron Valley Tea House.
- Strawberry Farms
Strawberry farms are immensely popular attractions at Cameron Highlands, as visitors are fascinated with the idea of dainty fruits of temperate origin growing on local soil. The cold climate makes it suitable for cultivating strawberries all-year-round; some of the harvest ends up at supermarkets and grocers across Malaysia and Singapore, but much is snatched up by tourists. You can find many strawberry farms around Tanah Rata, Brinchang and Kea Farm, but a minimum purchase is often required (conveyed by self-plucking) to see the actual farm. Consequently, growing strawberries is one of Cameron highland's most important economic sources and activities.
Strawberries have even become a shopping fad among visitors (especially children), spinning a profitable industry of gaudy pink or red merchandise; key-chains toys, pillows, blankets, T-shirts, fashion accessories and lamps. At cafes and shops around Cameron Highlands, strawberries infuse cakes, pastries, ice cream, waffles and other snacks offered on the menu. Stock that goes unsold at farms and markets gets processed into jams, pickles and chocolates. While the cold weather enables the planting of strawberries, mature fruits are not necessarily sweet and succulent. Strawberries grow ideally under cold and dry conditions - the moisture-rich highland climate, courtesy of prevailing rains and mist, results in fruits that are soggy and sour.
Hence, the best season to enjoy strawberries is from April till June, the general months with least rainfall in Malaysia. While not a challenge to continental imports, the strawberries are at least decently acceptable. Once upon a time, strawberries were grown from the ground up in Cameron Highlands. Today, farmers use hydroponic methods, placing each plant inside individual bags filled with rich soil, and stacking them up on racks. This yields a larger harvest and faster rate of cultivation, but many old-timers attest that such modern-day strawberries have lost their 'ground' flavor When tourists visit strawberry farms, they're often 'invited' to make a minimum half-kilogram purchase. This allows them entry into the actual farm, where they can see the plants closely, while carefully choosing and plucking the best fruits to fill their quota.
- Tribal People
The Orang Asli are Malaysia's indigenous people, the aborigines and natives of the land. They are a diverse collection of tribes; each with a unique language, subtle nuances in physical appearance and occupying different localities across Peninsular Malaysia. What all share in common is a culture intrisically tied to the rainforest environment - Their livelihoods are sustained by its harvests; in hunting, fishing, collecting and farming. In the Cameron Highlands, most of the Orang Asli come from the Temiah tribe. These people live mostly in villages and settlement areas stretching from the foothills of Tapah all the way up to Brinchang.
Strawberry farms are immensely popular attractions at Cameron Highlands, as visitors are fascinated with the idea of dainty fruits of temperate origin growing on local soil. The cold climate makes it suitable for cultivating strawberries all-year-round; some of the harvest ends up at supermarkets and grocers across Malaysia and Singapore, but much is snatched up by tourists. You can find many strawberry farms around Tanah Rata, Brinchang and Kea Farm, but a minimum purchase is often required (conveyed by self-plucking) to see the actual farm. Consequently, growing strawberries is one of Cameron highland's most important economic sources and activities.
Strawberries have even become a shopping fad among visitors (especially children), spinning a profitable industry of gaudy pink or red merchandise; key-chains toys, pillows, blankets, T-shirts, fashion accessories and lamps. At cafes and shops around Cameron Highlands, strawberries infuse cakes, pastries, ice cream, waffles and other snacks offered on the menu. Stock that goes unsold at farms and markets gets processed into jams, pickles and chocolates. While the cold weather enables the planting of strawberries, mature fruits are not necessarily sweet and succulent. Strawberries grow ideally under cold and dry conditions - the moisture-rich highland climate, courtesy of prevailing rains and mist, results in fruits that are soggy and sour.
Hence, the best season to enjoy strawberries is from April till June, the general months with least rainfall in Malaysia. While not a challenge to continental imports, the strawberries are at least decently acceptable. Once upon a time, strawberries were grown from the ground up in Cameron Highlands. Today, farmers use hydroponic methods, placing each plant inside individual bags filled with rich soil, and stacking them up on racks. This yields a larger harvest and faster rate of cultivation, but many old-timers attest that such modern-day strawberries have lost their 'ground' flavor When tourists visit strawberry farms, they're often 'invited' to make a minimum half-kilogram purchase. This allows them entry into the actual farm, where they can see the plants closely, while carefully choosing and plucking the best fruits to fill their quota.
The Orang Asli are Malaysia's indigenous people, the aborigines and natives of the land. They are a diverse collection of tribes; each with a unique language, subtle nuances in physical appearance and occupying different localities across Peninsular Malaysia. What all share in common is a culture intrisically tied to the rainforest environment - Their livelihoods are sustained by its harvests; in hunting, fishing, collecting and farming. In the Cameron Highlands, most of the Orang Asli come from the Temiah tribe. These people live mostly in villages and settlement areas stretching from the foothills of Tapah all the way up to Brinchang.
- Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is the largest township of Cameron Highlands, located along the main road 10 km up from Ringlet and 4 km before Brinchang. This tourist town is the most popular destination among international visitors, especially backpackers, resulting in a large collection of budget hotels, inns and lodges. Tanah Rata means 'flat land', a reference to its spacious setting within a vast valley. The relatively flat terrain and abundant land space is why there is much development, shop lots and buildings - but nowhere as dense as Brinchang. Much of the economic activity is centered around tours, accommodation and restaurants, with a few farms nestled among the hills.
The range of facilities and services available in Tanah Rata is impressive; banks, money changers, sundry shops, cyber cafes, bus station, hotels and even a Starbucks. Meanwhile, local restaurants, hawker stalls, fast food and continental cafes provide a balanced variety of cuisine. Off the main highway, smaller roads lead off to recreational parks, residential homes, apartment blocks and even luxury resorts. For nature lovers, jungle walks can be conveniently accessed from near town center that take you to waterfalls (Parit Falls and Robinson Falls) and mountain trails, including the peaks of Gunung Beremban (1812m), Gunung Mentigi (1535m), Gunung Perdah (1551m) and Gunung Jasar (1670m).
Tanah Rata is the largest township of Cameron Highlands, located along the main road 10 km up from Ringlet and 4 km before Brinchang. This tourist town is the most popular destination among international visitors, especially backpackers, resulting in a large collection of budget hotels, inns and lodges. Tanah Rata means 'flat land', a reference to its spacious setting within a vast valley. The relatively flat terrain and abundant land space is why there is much development, shop lots and buildings - but nowhere as dense as Brinchang. Much of the economic activity is centered around tours, accommodation and restaurants, with a few farms nestled among the hills.
The range of facilities and services available in Tanah Rata is impressive; banks, money changers, sundry shops, cyber cafes, bus station, hotels and even a Starbucks. Meanwhile, local restaurants, hawker stalls, fast food and continental cafes provide a balanced variety of cuisine. Off the main highway, smaller roads lead off to recreational parks, residential homes, apartment blocks and even luxury resorts. For nature lovers, jungle walks can be conveniently accessed from near town center that take you to waterfalls (Parit Falls and Robinson Falls) and mountain trails, including the peaks of Gunung Beremban (1812m), Gunung Mentigi (1535m), Gunung Perdah (1551m) and Gunung Jasar (1670m).
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment