Day trip from Ipoh
Located in the northwestern tip of the state of Pahang, Cameron Highlands is known for its cool climate, tea plantations, scenic landscapes, and is one of Malaysia’s most popular hill stations. We went on a day trip from Ipoh, stopping at a few attractions along the way. The drive itself was beautiful, and the scenery throughout the highlands was absolutely stunning.
- Lata Iskandar WaterFalls
- Cameron Valley Tea
- Town of Tanah Rata
- Sam Poh Buddhist Temple
- Big Red Strawberry Farm
- Petai (Bitter Beans) in Cameron Highlands
Lata Iskandar Waterfalls – After checking the traffic conditions — which can often be heavy on the winding roads to the Cameron Highlands, our guide decided it was best to visit Lata Iskandar Waterfall first. It took us about 1.5 hours to drive from Ipoh to the falls. The scenic journey through forested hills made the drive enjoyable, and the waterfall was a refreshing first stop before heading further up to the highlands.
Cameron Valley Tea House – is one of the most scenic tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands. Set against rolling green hills, it offers breathtaking views of neatly terraced tea bushes stretching across the landscape.
In the Cameron Highlands, there are numerous tea gardens to explore. Since we had already toured several plantations in India and Sri Lanka, we chose to skip the estate tours and instead savored the scenic views while relaxing with a cup of freshly brewed tea at the café.
Sam Poh Buddhist Temple – this colorful four-tiered temple set on a hill, was built in 1972 and is one of the largest temples in the region. Dedicated to Admiral Zheng He, it combines Thai and Chinese architectural styles and offers a calm spiritual retreat in the cool highlands. Inside, visitors will find golden Buddha statues, a couple of prayer halls, and intricate decorations reflecting Chinese Buddhist traditions.
Chinese guardian lions (Shi) – are mythical statues placed in pairs at entrances to protect against evil. Originating in the Han Dynasty, the male on the right with a ball symbolizes power, while the female on the left with a cub represents nurturing. Made of stone or bronze and often adorned with red ribbons, they appear at temples, palaces, and important buildings as symbols of strength and cultural heritage.
Town of Tanah Rata – We stopped for lunch at this town. Tanah Rata is the largest town in the Cameron Highlands, located at an elevation of 1,440 m. Its name means flat ground in Malay, referring to the relatively level area on which the town sits amid the surrounding hills.
It serves as the administrative and commercial center of the highlands, and is well connected to other parts of the highlands, as well as to Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The town offers a wide range of accommodations, and has some good restaurants.
Big Red Strawberry Farm – is an agrotourism park growing hydroponic strawberries and organic vegetables. After entering the farm you will go past flower nursery, followed by rows of spinach. The pathway then leads through the strawberry terraces, where visitors can pick strawberries for purchase.
There is a café and shop at the end of Big Red Strawberry Farm selling fresh strawberries, strawberry-based desserts, and local products. The strawberries were sweet and juicy and the four of us happily polished off two whole boxes on the spot! 🍓
Petai (Bitter Beans) in Cameron Highlands – are a popular local legume sold along roadsides and markets in Cameron Highlands, especially near Lata Iskandar Waterfalls. Recognizable by their long, flat, twisted pods filled with bright green seeds, they have a strong, pungent aroma but are prized for their nutty, slightly bitter, and crunchy flavor.
Petai is often eaten stir-fried or cooked with chilli shrimp paste and is a sought-after delicacy in the region, particularly in season after durian harvests. Locals sometimes call them “stink beans” due to their distinctive smell.
