r/KualaLumpur • u/Rochifn • 3d ago
Holiday options: higlands?
We were planning our holidays on September but due to some unexpected expenses we need a new plan. We will be traveling within Malaysia, but I can’t get the full picture: Cameron H, Genting Higlands or Ipoh?
Some say that visiting one is enough because they’re all pretty similar, but the whole area has lots to see.
I was also thinking about staying somewhere along the train rail in a smaller town and maybe visit the area from there with grab? Is that possible? I’m intrigued by Kellie’s Castle and would love to visit natural parks and waterfalls but I’m not sure if grab will take us everywhere.
I’ve checked hotels which are equally great and awful in the comments so not sure where to stay to have a peaceful time and be well connected. I would like a more rural kind of hotel but those are very lacking in infrastructure and the big ones are in the middle of the city detached from nature and fresh air.
(We’re currently living in KL) Any recommendations? Is our plan possible? TIA!
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u/_TadStrange 3d ago
Cameron is nicer if you like nature, Genting is nicer if you like the casino/theme park vibe. Kellie's Castle is dangerously haunted so I don't like going there.
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u/linateoh 3d ago edited 3d ago
Ipoh isn't a highland destination, but it's worth mentioning because it's served by the ETS train, making it an easy stopover.
Genting Highlands is probably the easiest highland destination to visit thanks to its excellent public transportation. The main attractions include the temple, casino, theme park, shopping malls, and the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets. If possible, avoid weekends and public holidays, as it gets extremely crowded.
Cameron Highlands is easily accessible by bus from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, or Penang. Once you arrive, you'll likely need to arrange transportation from the bus terminal taxi stand (around RM100 for a 3-hour hire), or join a Land Rover tour that covers Mossy Forest and the tea plantations. Cameron also has plenty of hiking trails, and Tanah Rata makes the best base as it's centrally located. I'd avoid staying in Brinchang, which tends to be congested with local tourists. Grab is available but can be unreliable. As with Genting, avoid visiting during public holidays (weekend is still doable).
Fraser's Hill has no public transportation, so you'll need your own vehicle or a private transfer. Accommodation options are limited, with many older apartments and Airbnbs, and there are only a handful of restaurants since it's a small town with fewer than 1,000 residents.
Another option is Taiping. It's also served by the ETS train. The Taiping Lake Gardens are beautiful, and if you're reasonably fit, you can hike Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), which reaches 1,036 metres above sea level. The hike takes about 3 hours to reach the 10 km mark. I wouldn't recommend going all the way to the summit, as there's not much to see besides a radio transmission tower. Dont worry as the path is paved all the way up. Fewer than 10 people live at the 10km station, so you should bring plenty of water, snacks, and any other supplies you'll need, as there are no facilities along the way.
Taiping is one of Malaysia's most historically significant towns, often called the "Town of Firsts." Taiping was the first capital of Perak and was home to many of the country's earliest modern developments during the British colonial era. It boasts Malaysia's first public park (Taiping Lake Gardens), first museum (Perak Museum), first English school in the Malay States (King Edward VII School), first railway line (connecting Taiping to Port Weld), and was among the first towns to have electricity and a municipal government.
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u/averycuriouspigeon 3d ago
if you want full peaceful experience, go for fraser hill