Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hill is perhaps the prettiest hill resorts in Malaysia. It nestles at 1,524 metres above sea level in the state of Pahang, just one and a half hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur. Not unlike a quiet Scottish village, it enables visitors to enjoy cool refreshing climate where evenings bring down swirling mists and winds howling through pine trees. Granite-coloured mock-Tudor cottages dot the landcape. Some are private residences but some have been converted into visitors bungalows. Fraser’s Hill takes its name after a Scottish tin-ore trader, Louis James Fraser, who disappeared in the forested hills at the turn of the 19th century. A search failed to find Fraser but the potentials of the hills as a cool getaway was uncovered. The hills were surveyed and in 1919 developed into a hill resort named after missing Scotsman. The road to the hill resort winds for about 35 km after the Gap (Gate Controls).The last 8km from the ‘Gap’ to the top of Fraser’s Hill is a narrow road. It carries one-way traffic from lam to 7pm through a gate control time, with up going traffic limited to odd hours and down-going traffic limited to even hours. There is no control after 7.30pm and the gates remain open on both sides.
What to See and Do
The resort is best suited for quiet relaxation and gentle pursuits that are largely nature-based.
The Town
Life in the little town revolves around the market square dominated by a small clock tower. Picturesque little colonial-style buildings have found new use as the post office, police station, clinic, tourist information centre, inns, cafes and restaurants. There is also a Nature Education Centre and a WWF (Birdwatching) group. Fraser’s Hill has long been a top birdwatching destination for local and international birdwatchers. The relatively undisturbed jungle-clad mountain terrain and the cool climate attracts over 250 species of birds some of them migrants from countries. Species include the silver tailed mesia, chestnut capped laughing thrush, blue-winged minla, golden babblers, mountain bulbull, mountain fulvettta, bronze drongo and greater yellow-necked woodpecker The Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race attract local as well as foreign birdwatchers.
Nature Walks
Jungle trails are graded and marked for individuals’ level of fitness.
Picnicking
The Jeriau Waterfalls is about 5km from the town centre. Public visitor facilities include a picnic area, shower rooms and changing areas.
Golfing
A short and tricky 9-hole golf course at Royal Fraser’s Hill Golf Club which follows the contours of the narrow valley is available to the public.
