Tea Plantations

Cameron Highlands

Where to Go ~ Tea Plantations

The Cameron Highland tea plantations are its hallmark of fame and one of the reasons why this place is so popular as a holiday destination among locals even. Tea plantations carpet the surrounding valleys in a fine layer of yellow green tea leaves, and most of them are open to tourists and visitors who can purchase their own tea bags, watch workers pluck tea as well as enjoy a simmering hot cup of tea with scones. Tea was the reason William Cameron saw potential and founded this valley, which eventually became Malaysia's top highland holiday destination. The cooling climate, rich soil and moderate sunshine proved to be conducive for growing tea and other continental crops.

Today, the Cameron Highlands is one of the major producers of this drink as well as a major green bowl in the Southeast Asian region, especially for Singapore. Tourists and visitors have a wide choice of tea plantations, with entrances and signboards jostling for attention all the way from Ringlet to the Blue Valley. Almost all of these tea plantations are either owned by Cameron Valley (Bharat Tea) or Boh Tea, the two main tea producers in Malaysia. Near Ringlet, Boh Tea and Cameron Valley have small tea estates with cafes if you fancy a quick drink. If you go further up, an even better tea plantation awaits; the main Bharat Tea Plantation by Cameron Valley owns the whole stretch of tea fields, contained in a valley, seen from the main road heading uphill towards Tanah Rata after Habu.

The tea fields are magnificent and span vast acres across the green valley, providing a picturesque view of the landscape. Convenient parking spots are available along the side of the road with access to the tea fields below provided by small roads or staircases. Bharat Tea has two cafes almost next to each other, one situated at a lower elevation and the other further up the road. Why this puzzling arrangement exists is probably due to business and space considerations. The first cafe has a beautiful verandah where you can look out to the tea fields and enjoy a wide variety of cakes, pastries, scones and tea; the second cafe has a less striking view but has more shops retailing tea and handicrafts.

However, in Brinchang, most will agree that Boh Tea Plantation rules over all. This magnificent and vast tea plantation is located in Sungai Palas Estate, accessed by a narrow road that forks from the main road right after the Butterfly Garden. An even more immense valley can be seen as you travel along this road, filled with nothing but bright carpets of tea. When you reach Boh Tea Plantation, situated on a hill top, you can visit the factory which is open to the public. Tea leaves are churned and ground into fine powders daily by machines and rollers, all viewable via plexiglass walls.

Boh Tea also has an alley situated in the main complex with pictures and posters depicting the history of Boh in Cameron Highlands, as well as an audio visual room that plays a corporate video. The cafe is the pinnable of Boh Tea; a balcony extends directly over the side of the hill top, providing an awesome view of the valley of tea. At this balcony, one can enjoy a hot cup of tea with scones while being mesmerised by the scenic view. As usual, the cafe carries an assortment of English favourites such as brownies, cakes, scones and different tea blends. Finally, you can head to the main shop to pick up some tea bags or sample some of the different flavours produced by Boh.