Our recent trip to Fraser’s Hill was a mesmerizing experience. Having visited the place over 30 years ago, we were eager to see what had changed. During our two-night stay, we explored every nook and cranny of this quaint town, taking in the breathtaking scenery and misty environment. The serenity of the trails was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and every breath we took was refreshing.
While some places met our expectations, we also faced a few disappointments.
If you’re interested in our real experience and every place we visited, keep reading to discover more.
1. Drive to Fraser’s Hill from Kuala Lumpur
We started our journey from Kuala Lumpur via Kuala Kubu Bharu and arrived at the Gap, a mountain pass serving as the gateway to the narrow, winding road leading up to Fraser’s Hill. This journey was similar to our last trip many years ago.
More than thirty years ago, we visited Fraser’s Hill, where the Gap was the point at which the two-way road became a one-way road. Traffic went up on even hours and came down on odd hours. You had to wait at the Gap Resthouse if you missed the gate time. However, the Gap Resthouse is no longer in operation as a second road from Fraser’s Hill to the Gap was constructed in 2001.
The old road from the Gap to Fraser’s Hill is now permanently open to traffic heading up, while the new road is the one-way route down. This backyard exit takes you back on the trunk route just about a minute driving distance away from the road going up to Fraser’s Hill.
We traveled along the narrow, winding road flanked by lush rainforests and majestic mountain ridges, which made us feel close to nature.
This journey from Kuala Lumpur takes approximately two hours and forty-five minutes, but we took much more time than that because we took a break at the Lookout Point Sungai Selangor Dam and the Chiling Waterfalls.
Note: No public transport is available going up to Fraser Hill, so the best way is to rent a car if you are coming from abroad.
2. Attractions at Fraser’s Hill that we have visited
Below is a list of the places we have visited, and we truly enjoy visiting them.
a. Town Centre
Fraser’s Hill is a picturesque English village surrounded by lush rainforest. During our entire trip, it was often covered in a thick mist and frequent drizzles, adding a touch of mystery to this quaint township.
The charming clock tower is a unique landmark that is the starting point for all explorations in Bukit Fraser. It branches out in different directions across the valley from a small roundabout.
We found that the township has remained frozen in time, precisely the same as when we first visited years ago. The post office, the library, and the police station are all old English-style houses and bungalows.
b. The Sports Complex
The Sports Complex is a well-known indoor recreation center opposite the town’s roundabout and clock tower in Bukit Fraser. The building’s contemporary architecture facade is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the town. It houses the reception counter for golfing activities and the Bird Center. It is a popular spot for photographs.
c. Bird Interpretive Center
The Bird Interpretive Center is a place that exhibits a wide range of local and migratory bird species in the area. It is situated on the first floor of the Sports Complex, opposite Puncak Inn Hotel, at the town roundabout. The entry is free of charge between 10 am and 7 pm.
Fraser’s Hill is a haven for bird watchers, with the best bird watching season being around June to July when migrating birds are present. However, bird watching activities are available throughout the year. During our visit in January, there were still a few groups of bird watchers, but they may have been disappointed with the thick mist hindering their effort to capture stunning photographs of the birds.
Note: Fraser’s Hill is a well-known destination for bird-watching enthusiasts, with over 250 species of birds recorded in the area, including hornbills, doves, pheasants, eagles, and other endemic species. During certain seasons, migratory birds from Russia, Japan, and China visit Fraser’s Hill to escape the harsh winter weather and find food. These birds stay for a few months before continuing their journey south towards warmer regions like Australia and New Zealand before eventually returning to their native lands.
Watch the video we shot at Fraser’s Hill at the end of this article 👇👇.
d. Bungalow to take photographs:
Fraser’s Hill is a place that has a lot of English bungalows that date back to the colonial era. Many of these bungalows have been renovated and transformed into tourist accommodations. Some have been turned into boutique hotels, while others are privately owned.
These bungalows have a unique design and name, with most of them using rough stone slabs to create patchy grey frames, interiors, and sharp triangular roofs typical of English countryside cottages. It is an ideal location to take photographs that remind you of the old times during the colonial era.
The Cottage. A charming colonial-era Tudor bungalow called The Cottage, also known as Banglo Bentong, is located near the Fraser’s Hill town center. It is situated behind Kedai Makan Hamzah, close to the mosque. Puncak Inn Hotel manages the bungalow and is an ideal boutique family accommodation for up to 8 people. It features a living hall, kitchen, dining room, and comfortable bedrooms with attached bathrooms and hot water shower facilities.
Abu Suradi. Abu Suradi is a charming colonial bungalow known as Banglo Tioman. It is situated on the main road near the mosque and PKBF building. The unique bungalow has two spacious bedrooms next to each other from the entrance. The bungalow is near the town, and guests can easily access the Food Garden and Kedai Makan Hamzah.
Hollebeke. Located on a hill near the town, Hollebeke, also known as Banglo Cini, is a beautiful colonial-era bungalow that features Tudor architecture. The bungalow offers a stunning backdrop of apartment buildings at Fraser’s Silverpark Resort, and it can be reached via a steep road that begins from the right of the roundabout after the Tourist Information Centre.
Ye Olde Smokehouse. The Smokehouse Inn is a bungalow mansion on the Heritage Trail. We stayed there for a night and will write a separate article about our experience.
e. The Jungle Trails
Fraser’s Hill offers a variety of jungle trails for hikers to explore. We took on a few trails during our visit.
The Hemmant Trail is a popular hiking trail from a grassy clearing behind the mosque along Genting Road. The trail ends at a paved road just before it forks towards Muar Cottage on the left and Glen Bungalow on the right.
Abu Suradi Trail: A 500m trail that is suitable for beginners and offers a relatively easy hike.
Mager Trail: A trail that begins at the end of the Abu Surad Trail, eventually leading us back to the border of Pahang and Selangor.
Rompin Trail is near Smokehouse Inn, where we were staying. Unfortunately, the trail is poorly maintained, with a broken path, and it appeared that no one had hiked it in a long time. At the beginning of the trail, there was a steep descent with no clear path. As a result, we decided to turn back after a few minutes and did not complete the trail.
After abandoning the Rompin Trail, we attempted to access Pine Tree Trail but found it prohibited from entering.
Fraser’s Hill has three additional trails: Bishop, Kindlesley, and Maxwell. We chose not to attempt these trails as we had other plans.
f. The Royal Fraser’s Hill Golf Club
Fraser’s Hill is a well-known spot for golf enthusiasts. We had a round of golf once before, but we don’t plan to play this time. We plan to enjoy Fraser’s Hill’s cool weather and the beautiful scenery.
It is one of the country’s oldest and most challenging golf courses. Although it is a 9-hole walking course, the hilly forest terrain is challenging. If you intend to play golf here, no buggies are available.
g. Taman Awam
Taman Awam is a lovely recreational park near the Food Garden. This park is a popular spot for families with young children on weekends, and there is no entrance fee. The park features a colorful playground situated on a mound, a small tarmac circuit, benches, and gazebos. It has a backdrop of exotic conifer trees.
3. Our disappointments
We had a great time exploring the places mentioned earlier. However, we encountered some disappointment as some places were closed. It could be because of the low season with fewer visitors, or it might have just been a matter of being closed on that particular day.
a. Jeriau Waterfall
The journey to Jeriau waterfall, located roughly 4km from the heart of Bukit Fraser, is an adventure. The steep, narrow road that descends sharply after the Smokehouse Inn adds a thrilling element to the visit, making the two-way traffic route, which accommodates only a single lane for most of its length, an exciting part of the experience.
Upon arrival at the parking area and entrance gate, we were greeted by a notice that it was closed due to the monsoon season 🙁
It also means that the best season to visit Fraser Hill is not during the monsoon season, from October until March.
Nonetheless, we enjoy riding on the narrow road leading to the waterfall. It was tranquil, with no pollution and no Internet. We were the only car throughout the journey.
b. Paddock
The Paddock is a popular destination for horse-riding enthusiasts. In addition to the horse-riding track, it has a small garden area with comfortable benches, providing a perfect spot to rest and enjoy the surrounding greenery, including majestic conifer trees. If you’re interested in archery, practice at the range at the bottom of the slope near the entrance.
We arrived there at about 10:00 am on a Thursday, but unfortunately, the gate was locked, and nobody was there. We tried to call the phone number on the signboard, but nobody answered. We’re not sure why it was closed, but since we weren’t mainly there for horse riding, we decided to continue to our next destination.
c. Allan’s Water
Allan’s Water is a small lake in a little nook before Jelai Highland Resort at Jalan Ampang Road, next to Edible Garden. It was turned into a park for recreational activities and paddle boating from a reservoir that fell into disuse over the years.
Open daily from 9 am till 4.30 pm (with a lunch break for staff, closes at 7 pm on weekends), the park is a popular tourist attraction that gets crowded during public holidays. We arrived too late in the afternoon, and the gate was already closed. However, we managed to take some photos of the lake from outside.
d. Edible Garden and Strawberry Garden
We decided not to visit the Edible Garden and the Strawberry Garden as we had been to Cameron Highlands before and had already seen several similar gardens. However, if you haven’t visited any strawberry gardens before, it’s worth making a trip.
4. Accommodation and eateries:
We will write a separate article about accommodations and eateries in Fraser’s Hill and include the link once done.
5. Conclusion: Is Fraser’s Hill worth visiting?
It’s a difficult question to answer because it depends on your preferences. If you love nature, it’s an excellent place to visit. However, there are a few downsides to be aware of. Some of the trails we visited were not well-maintained and had broken handrails. Other trails were overgrown with plants, making them hard to find. Despite these issues, exploring the forest is still worth it if you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind these obstacles.
On the other hand, if you enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of an old English village, you’ll love it here. The cozy ambiance, misty weather, cool breeze, and Tudor-style homes will transport you out of Malaysia. Take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, relish the natural surroundings, and you’ll find peace, tranquility, and serenity.
Watch the video we shot at Fraser’s Hill 👇👇.
A Brief History of Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hill is a picturesque hill station in Pahang state, Malaysia. The hill station is named after Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader and accountant who migrated to the Federated Malay States in 1890 after a failed gold mining venture in Australia. Fraser was looking for new opportunities in tin mining when he stumbled upon the hill that would later be named after him.
Fraser’s Hill was once a hub for mining activity, and it was during this time that Fraser decided to explore the upper ridges for valuable minerals such as gold. To aid him in his expedition, Fraser hired local guides and coolies to accompany him. It was during this exploration that Fraser discovered rich tin deposits on the hill. He then recruited Chinese miners to help him establish a mine, which would later become the present-day location of Fraser’s Hill golf course, known as Pamah Lebar.
However, the tin ore was depleted quickly by 1913, leading to a decline in mining activity. Many Chinese miners and farmers moved away from the town, leaving Fraser’s Hill abandoned.
It was not until C. J. Ferguson-Davie, the bishop of Singapore, discovered the place that it was deemed suitable for building a hill station to retreat from the hot climate. In 1919, F.W. Mager, the state engineer of Pahang, initiated the construction of Fraser’s Hill by surveying the area for building construction and clearing the land surrounding Fraser’s former bungalow. He also constructed a road from The Gap to access the hill station. The site was renamed Fraser’s Hill and was made available for visitors in 1922.
If you enjoy hill resorts, you might also love visiting Cameron Highlands. We’ve written some articles about it, and here’s the link.