Neptren Travels Malaysia : FRASER HILL

ABOUT Fraser’s Hill

Fraser’s Hill is a highland resort destination nestled among the mountains of Pahang, about two hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Locally known as Bukit Fraser, this cooling holiday retreat is popular for its nature activities and cooling climate, attracting not just locals escaping the city heat, but visitors from Singapore and other international locations. It is also one of the last hill stations of Malaysia, an imprint left behind by former British colonial masters. Fraser’s Hill has its roots in the 1890s, when the tin ore trade was bustling. After a failed gold mining venture in Australia, Scottish prospector Louis James Fraser arrived to explore the remote Titiwangsa mountains of Pahang.

Bird Watching

Wildlife

Bird watching is one of Fraser's Hill's most popular tourist and visitor activities. Over 250 species of birds have been recorded here, including magnificent hornbills, rare doves, colourful pheasants, sleek eagles and endemic species. During certain seasons, migratory birds from Russia, Japan and China visit Fraser's Hill to escape freezing winters and find pasture. They sojourn for a few months, and then soar south towards Australia and New Zealand for warmer regions, before returning to their native lands much later. A similar migratory route involving people takes place from from Singapore and Thailand, as avid birdwatchers from both destinations travel overland to Fraser's.

Large numbers of bird watching visitors also come from Australia, UK, Europe and other locations in Southeast Asia. Popular bird watching spots include secluded roads, such as those running around Jalan Girdle, along the Gap, towards Jeriau and High Pines, as well as jungle walks like Hemmant and Bishop trails.Many birdwatchers also make the journey to participate in Fraser's Hill International Bird Race. Held annually, the bird race was a tradition that began in 1988, jointly-organised by Tourism Pahang, Fraser's Hill Development Corporation and Malaysia Nature Society. Teams from around the world compete with locals to sight, identify and record as many bird species as possible.

Cash and gift prizes are awarded to the top teams at the end of the two day event, which takes place over a weekend. Seminars, workshops and exhibitions on nature, wildlife and photography are also held to educate the public, along with activities and competitions for families and children. Other times, bird watchers often travel in large groups as part of specialised tour packages. While travelling around Fraser's Hill, you're likely to bump into some, huddled together closely and silenty, with oversized cameras and binoculars pointed towards seemingly 'invisible' objects among the trees.

Golf

Sports Complex

The Royal Fraser's Hill Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in the country, situated right in the center of this highland resort destination. This 9-hole walking course may be small, but it offers several challenging sections along with beautiful surrounding forest scenery. Fraser's Hill Development Corporation operates the public course; the reception counter is located within the sports and recreation complex opposite the clock tower. Look for a small booth along the wall near the complex's entrance. Green fees are MYR 40 on weekends while weekdays are MYR 30; look for the counter housed in a squarish zinc cabin next to the course to book and pay.

Golf trolleys and sets can be rented from the sports and recreation complex at reasonable prices. Meanwhile, the recently refurbished complex also offers sports and fitness activities for visitors, including squash/tennis courts, gymnasium, sauna and heated swimming pool. Finally, the Fraser's Hill Nature Education Center (re-branded as the Bird Interactive Center) can be found on the second floor, offering public information about the area's flora and fauna. At the ground floor facing the golf course in an open air gazebo is a small cafe that serves snacks and coffee. The Pines Resort, which offers apartment accommodation, has a similar set of sports facilities to the complex.

Jeriau Waterfall

River, Camping, Golf

Jeriau waterfall is a popular nature attraction about 4 km away from Bukit Fraser's town center, connected by Jalan Semantan through a steep, narrow road that descends sharply after Smokehouse Hotel. As traffic is two-way but the road really fits only a single lane, visitors need to keep a close watch as they traverse down the slopes, though there are breaks at some corners to allow an exchange of vehicles. Eventually, the road ends at the car park and entrance gate. A small river that feeds into a multi-tiered waterfall, years of soil erosion and tourist development have marred the natural landscape, now an ugly mess of drains, structures and walls along parts of the stream.

The waters are usually silted and muddy, though the recent construction of a dyke upstream has mitigated this problem a little. The trail to Jeriau Waterfall is a spacious and well-paved footpath, following the river's edge with gazebos, benches and even small playgrounds for children. After a five to eight minute walk, the path breaks into a series of staircases with guard railings to the main falls. At this point, the stream becomes inaccessible as it abruptly cascades down several smooth rock-faces creating a few tiers of small pools. Because of the dense foliage and steep terrain, only the last fall is visible through the greenery. At the bottom, the main falls may come off as a disappointment in exchange for the jungle trek, having lost its former beauty to pollution and development.

Resembling a gushing torrent from a rain sewer, the waters cascade like a drain pipe into a large pool below, damned entirely by concrete to hold the ever receding banks. Meanwhile, pair of gazebos sits at right to shade visitors on a hot day. After the waterfall, the river flows in stacks over a few more concrete pools, before eventually losing itself into the rain-forest. If the waterfall trip has turned out to be less than inspiring, then consider visiting the abandoned golf club house 1.5 km away for some (mis)adventure. Next to the entrance gate to Jeriau lies a rickety bridge that leads on to another paved road; follow this route hemmed in slightly by undergrowth until it reaches a derelict mansion-like structure on top a plateau.

Allan's Water

Allan's Water is a small lake that sits in a little nook before Jelai Highland Resort. It was turned into a park for recreational activities from a reservoir that fell into disuse over the years. Originally, it was used to collect and supply mountain water for British residents, back in the early days when Fraser's Hill was a colonial hill station. FH Allan, assistant to chief infrastructure engineer FW Mager, designed and constructed the catchment lake named after him today. Surrounding the lake are lush trees and dense shrubs that provide a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. Birds fluttering among the tree tops are common sights, with the occasional squirrel or monkey.

The left side of the entrance leads to a short walkway with two large shelters that extend slightly out into the lake. From these huts, visitors can relax under the shade and feed the colorful fishes which congregate below. Another paved path leads from the right of the entrance to a small bridge which crosses over part of the lake. From here, there is a cemented trail that follows the water's edge for a moderate distance, coming to a stop at the furthest end of the lake. Other than walking around or relaxing, you can rent few small paddle boats from the park attendant stationed at the en-trace Each boat fits a small family - the waters of the lake are calm and you can float about safely, taking in the serenity and scenery before paddling back onshore. If you're looking a nice break from crowded areas on your holiday here, then Allan's Water is the perfect place for small families to enjoy.

Paddock Archery & Horse Riding

The Paddock offers more fun activities for friends and family. From the town square, follow Valley road past Shahzan Inn resort till you see the entrance on the right (just before Glen Bungalow). Follow the paved road till you see the horse stables and track. This small equestrian course has several retired racing horses for visitors to ride at MYR 4 per round for children and MYR 5 for adults. After paying, one of the staff will lead the horse (with you riding) around the pebble track. It's a rather boring pursuit as the horse saunters rather slowly. Other than horse riding, there's an archery range at the bottom of the slope near the entrance.

For MYR 8, you're provided a bow and ten arrows to fire at target boards about 10 meters away. Archery isn't as easy as it looks - it takes a sharp eye and good hand coordination to hit the board. A slight change in angle or finger slip may cause your arrow to end up flying into the trees. If you're a novice but hit the bulls-eye at least once, consider taking up archery as a hobby! The Paddock opens from 9 am till 4 pm daily, except for Saturdays and public holidays where it closes at 5 pm. In the afternoon, expect the Paddock to be closed between 12.30 pm to 2 pm as the staff go out for lunch.