Cameron Highlands is a highland region located about 20 km east of Ipoh and about 150km north of Kuala Lumpur in Pahang, Malaysia. At around 5000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, and enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25°C and rarely falling below 10°C year round.
The Highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. The fame of Cameron Highlands then grew during the colonial era when British planters realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity. The Cameron Highlands are still home to many tea plantations, being Malaysia’s largest tea-producing region. The area is also known as a major supplier of fruits and vegetables.
On the way up, do stop by Tanah Rata, which is located between the other two major towns (being Brinchang and Ringlet). Located on the top floor of a shoplot just right on the main road, T-Cafe promised good home cooked food, the highlights being their superb scones and delicious apple pie. You can’t get anything better than this for a highlands experience – oven fresh scones with home made cream and strawberry jam, butter and a pot of freshly brewed tea from the highlands.
The apple pie is a different story with rich apple chunks, crispy pastry and a cold scoop of vanilla ice-cream. This is just the answer to weary travellers after a winding road up the highlands. This two highlights are just a small portion of T-Cafe’s plethora of choices. Don’t forget to try their vegetarian curry and their mango lassi too.
T-Cafe (opens from 11am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday)
No.4, 1st Floor, Main Road,
39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.
05 – 4914018
