Over the years, the list of things to do in Cameron Highlands has expanded so widely that even the main tourist attractions can take at least two days to cover. They are spread beyond the main town of Tanah Rata, extending further into Brinchang and Ringlet.
Situated about 1,500 meters above sea level and covering roughly 71,000 hectares, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, maintains a cool, temperate climate throughout the year. The crisp air, chilly breeze, and misty setting define the region’s atmosphere.
Its fertile soil supports extensive
agriculture, especially tea plantations, vegetable farming, and flower
cultivation, which are among the sightseeing spots in Cameron Highlands,
extending to other attractions as well (SEKINCHAN SELANGOR DAY TRIP).
Top Things to Do in Cameron Highlands
Tea Plantations in Cameron Highlands
The classic thing to do in Cameron
Highlands is visiting the tea plantations. Among the main ones are BOH Tea
Plantation, Cameron Valley Tea, and Fairlie Tea Garden. The most prominent, and
regarded as a landmark of Cameron Highlands, is BOH Tea Plantation, established
in 1929. It covers several estates, including the main one near Ringlet and
others in Habu and Sungai Palas, spreading across the lush green highlands.
The Sungai Palas BOH Tea Plantation is the key tourist attraction in Cameron Highlands. Its hilltop location provides wide views of tea-covered valleys. A factory tour shows how tea leaves are processed and separated into different grades and flavours.
Over the years, tea plucking has largely moved to machinery, unlike in the past when women carried large baskets on their backs to collect the leaves, a sight once synonymous with Cameron Highlands.
Additional features include a café
overlooking the plantation and a glass-walled viewing deck that has become a
well-known photo spot. Cemented walking paths make it convenient to move around
the area.
A visit to BOH Tea Plantation may take about two hours for an overview or half a day for those with more time. The plantation’s beginnings trace back to the late 1920s, when J.A. Russell, a British businessman, started commercial tea production in Cameron Highlands, marking the foundation of the region’s tea industry.
Lavender Garden (Cameron Lavender)
Lavender Garden, also known as Cameron
Lavender, has become one of the main tourist spots in Cameron Highlands, Pahang,
since around 2013. It is among the most visited attractions in Cameron
Highlands, known for its lavender fields, flowers, and scenic photo spots. The
color purple defines the place, with lavender plants and flowers as its main
feature.
After paying the entrance fee, the walkway leads to rows of lavender varieties planted at the center and along the slope going upwards, overlooking the lower sections. The garden features lavender imported from Japan, Holland, and England, including English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French lavender (Lavandula dentata), and Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), all growing well in the misty highland climate.
Besides lavender, the garden includes strawberry plants, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and other flowers. With its plants and open-air setting, butterflies are often seen fluttering around, adding to the natural scene along with butterfly decorations and preserved insect exhibits.
Lavender Garden is also known for its
photo spots, such as decorative cars, heart-shaped arches, and white-and-purple
themed displays. Stalls sell lavender-based products like essential oils,
perfumes, soaps, and souvenirs. A must-try is the lavender ice cream, smooth
and aromatic with a light lavender scent and pastel purple color.
Lavender Garden remains one of the
signature attractions in Cameron Highlands, combining nature, color, and scent
in one hillside setting.
Strawberry farms have long been landmarks in Cameron Highlands. In the early days, they operated like small cottage industries, but over the years, they have grown into major tourist attractions. Most of the strawberry farms are located in Brinchang, Kea Farm, and Tanah Rata, with roughly 10 to 15 operating farms across these areas.
There is more than one variety of
strawberry grown in Cameron Highlands. The common type is the Japanese strain
(Nyoho or Akihime), known for its sweetness and bright red color. Other
varieties include American breeds such as Camarosa and Chandler, which are
slightly larger and firmer, as well as Korean and local hybrids developed to
suit the local soil and temperature. The mix of red fruits and green leaves
adds to the vibrant setting of the highlands.
Self-picking strawberries remains one of the popular things to do in Cameron Highlands, along with sampling strawberry-based products and relaxing at cafés overlooking the farms, where everything revolves around strawberries.
Attractions in Cameron Highlands
Rose Gardens in Cameron Highlands
A trip to Cameron Highlands is not
complete without visiting the rose gardens. Roses are the signature blooms of
Cameron Highlands and among the most prized flowers in Malaysia. In fact, roses
grown here are supplied to other parts of the country and sold in florists and
nurseries.
While small nurseries and flower gardens are scattered throughout the highlands, the two main rose gardens are Rose Valley in Tringkap, between Brinchang and Kea Farm, and Rose Centre in Kea Farm, near Brinchang. Rose Valley is larger, featuring a wide range of roses along with other flowers and plants, while Rose Centre is set on a hillside with terraces of roses and scenic views of the surrounding farms.
The gardens showcase not only red roses but also Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda Roses, Grandiflora Roses, Miniature Roses, Climbing Roses, and Old Garden Roses. The colors range from deep red, pink, orange, yellow, white, to purple, reflecting both imported and locally cultivated varieties.
Roses remain the main highlight, but the gardens also feature water elements, and butterflies and insects can often be seen among the blooms. Entrance fees are affordable, making the rose gardens one of the popular attractions in Cameron Highlands.
Butterfly Farms in Cameron Highlands
Butterflies can often be seen fluttering
around gardens, farms, and even accommodations in Cameron Highlands, though it
is not a rare sight. The Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, Malaysia’s national
butterfly, remains the highlight with its large size and striking
black-and-green wings.
Other species include Common Mormon (Papilio polytes), Great Mormon (Papilio memnon), Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus), Blue Triangle (Graphium sarpedon), and Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus).
While some species appear naturally around the highlands, rarer butterflies like the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing are mostly seen in the butterfly farms. In the farms, all species are taken care of and fed, often appearing in clusters in large numbers.
The two main butterfly farms are Butterfly
Garden (formerly Butterfly Farm) in Kea Farm and Cameron Highland Butterfly
Farm, also near Kea Farm. Hours can easily be spent admiring these nature
beauties in both locations.
Bee Farm in Cameron Highlands
Bees are naturally drawn to Cameron
Highlands, thanks to the abundance of flowers in places like Rose Valley and
the flower gardens. While smaller bee farms exist as cottage industries and are
not set up for visiting, the Cameron Highlands Bee Farm is the main well-known
bee farm open to tourists.
Located near Ringlet, the farm is a
commercial and tourist-oriented attraction. There is no entrance fee, and
visitors can walk through the garden setting where the bees swarm or are kept
in boxes, keeping a safe distance from the colonies.
Towards the end of the visit, a variety of honey-based products are available for purchase. The pure honey comes in white, light brown, and dark brown varieties, each known for different health benefits. Other products include candles, soaps, and skincare items, all made from authentic Cameron Highlands honey.
Other Things to
Do in Cameron Highlands
Beyond the main
attractions, there are several spots worth including in a trip to Cameron
Highlands, especially for nature and local experiences.
Mossy Forest
A high-altitude cloud forest near Gunung Brinchang with unique moss-covered
trees and cool misty trails. Mossy Forest is suited for time in nature, whether
taking an adventurous hike or a simple stroll for fresh air and sunlight.
Water Streams
and Small Waterfalls
Scenic spots are found near tea plantations and forest trails, such as Parit
Falls. Some areas allow swimming in the cool streams, while others are suitable
for a short hike.
Cactus Valley
Located in Brinchang, Cactus Valley is a landscaped garden featuring hundreds
of cactus varieties, flowers, and small plant nurseries. It is suited for
cactus enthusiasts or for purchasing plants for a personal collection.
Sam Poh Temple
A Buddhist temple near Brinchang with panoramic views and colorful
architecture.
Cameron
Highlands Night Market (Pasar Malam Brinchang)
The weekend night market is a spot for fresh produce, local vegetables,
souvenirs, and street food.
