The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill stations. The size of Singapore, it occupies an area of 712 square kilometres in the Titiwangsa Mountains. To the north, its boundary touches that of Kelantan; to the west, it shares part of its border with Perak. Situated at the northwestern tip of Pahang, the “Camerons” is approximately 90 kilometres from Ipoh or about 200 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.
Discovered in 1885, it consists of three districts, namely Ringlet (12,760 acres), Tanah Rata (5,140 acres) and Ulu Telom (158,100 acres). Its eight sub-districts are Ringlet, Tanah Rata (the administrative centre), Brinchang, the Bertam Valley, Kea Farm, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. All are nestled at different altitudes ranging from 1,200 metres to 1,500 metres.
The mean annual temperature of the resort is about 18 °C. During the day, the temperature seldom rises above 25 °C; at night, it can sometimes drop to as low as 9 °C. The retreat has a diverse population of more than 38,000 people. The only way to the Highlands is by road. The accesses are via Tapah, Simpang Pulai, Gua Musang or Sungai Koyan. Tapah and Simpang Pulai are the approaches from Perak. Gua Musang and Sungai Koyan are the entryways from Kelantan and Pahang, respectively. |