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Ringlet - Ringlet is the first township that one approaches on the route up the highlands. It has often been bypassed by visitors in their hurry to get to the summit. It is a small township with access to flower nurseries, farms and tea plantations. Nearby is the Sultan Abu Bakar Lake, an artificial lake that was formed by the damming of the Bertam River.
Just after the township, about a kilometre away, and perched atop the hill on the left is The Lakehouse Hotel. Overlooking the Sultan Abu Bakar Lake, the Tudor-style country house is an ideal place to savour English tea and scones, or strawberry and cream.
Built in 1972, the 25 rooms hotel is exquisitely furnished with antique decor, poster-beds in the suites and has a cosy fireplace for relaxation. The hotel is also well-known for its Continental fare. |
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Tanah Rata - Approximately 13 km away from Ringlet is Tanah Rata, the main town of Cameron Highlands. The heart of the beguiling little town centres around Jalan Besar, the main street. Flanked a row of quaint shophouses on one side, the town has a sense of warm communal atmosphere normally found in mountain hamlets.
This is the main township and has many hotels, some good Indian and Chinese restaurants and a variety of English-style tearooms serving the local Cameronian brew, together with cakes and locally grown strawberries with cream. Nearby are local tea plantations and a fine 18-hole golf course. Visit Ye Olde Smokehouse to sample the traditional 'cream tea' or English roast lunch or dinner, and to view the ivy-covered mock Tudor resort. It is very easy to feel comfortable and at peace with oneself in this tranquil environment. |
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| Flower Nurseries - Ringlet to Kampung Raja - Fresh flowers are cultivated in the highlands and is a leading export product. Most of the flowers are grown in Brinchang. Flower nurseries can be found located on the hilly inclines bordering the main road in Brinchang. Blooms like roses, chrysanthemum, carnations, dalia, geranium, fuschia, gladioli and 'everlasting flowers' are grown at the nurseries. No visit to the highlands is complete without purchasing some of these fresh colourful cuts to take back home. |
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| Ye Olde Smokehouse - Adjacent to the Cameron Highlands Golf Course is The Smokehouse Hotel, an enchanting Tudor-style building built in 1937. The pretty boutique hotel with latticed windows, wooden beams and furnished with interesting antique artifacts has 13 lovely suites. English cuisine, including cream teas are served. Its English country garden is especially a treat to its guests. Afternoon tea and scones and an original red British phone box standing opposite the hotel completes the picture. |
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Sungai Palas Boh Tea Estate - One of the bigger tea plantations , guided tours are offered around the factory to enable visitors an insight into the processing of tea. After the tour, visitors can sit out at the tea shop, overlooking the hills, and enjoy tea and shortbread. A variety of tea, from Pekoe to Cinnamon-flavoured ones are on sale.
Trinkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja are little settlements populated by the local population who work various sectors in the highlands. They, however, offer a glimpse into the daily lifestyle of the highland village folk as they go about their activities. |
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| Vegetable Farms - There are many vegetable farms located throughout Cameron Highlands. The most interesting ones to view can be found along the Boh Tea Estate road at Habu and in the area surrounding the Equatorial Hotel after Brinchang. |
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| Golf Course, Brinchang - Brinchang boasts the only golf course in the highlands. The 18-hole, par-71 Cameron Highlands Golf Course is quite challenging with tricky greens, undulating fairways, thick rough, meandering streams and fine sand bunkers. As rains are quite common in the afternoon, it is advisable to play early in the morning. The Golf Course is open to public. Green Fees are about RM40 on weekdays and RM60 on weekends or public holidays. Caddy Fee is about RM18. |
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Jungle Trekking - Tanah Rata and Brinchan - One of the main reasons for coming to Cameron Highlands is to enjoy the cool mountain air, and one of the best ways to do that is to take a walk in the lush highland forests which still cover some parts of Cameron.
There are many interesting jungle walks in Cameron Highlands. Some are just a short gentle stroll and others a half-day stiff track for the very fit. All are enjoyable and worth venturing on. If you need help to choose the walks best suited to your needs, most hotels and guest houses are very knowledgeable and helpful on the subject. |
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| Robinson's Waterfall - This rather charming waterfall is a popular recreational spot for most locals, being one of the highest altitude falls most people in the country will ever visit. |
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| Stawberry Farm - Malaysia's only source of fresh strawberries year-round - the fertile soil allows the farm to put out four crops a year! Visitors are welcome to wander the fields and pluck their own juicy strawberries (for a fee of course), though January is usually the best time for picking. |
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| Brinchang Mountain Road - For lovely views of the Highlands and the surrounding lowlands, take the winding Sungai Palas Estate road that leads up Gunung Brinchang, which at over 6000 feet is the highest road in the country. |
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