April 16, 2025
🚪 Malaysia Arrival Entry Form
This Aidilfitri, my husband and I opted for a cool-weather retreat in the charming Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s beloved hill station known for its tea plantations, strawberry fields, and fresh mountain air. We flew in from Singapore to Ipoh Airport—a seemingly smooth journey until we landed. Just as the plane was taxiing, we were reminded to complete the mandatory online arrival form.
Unfortunately, our mobile data wasn’t working, and inside the immigration area, the signal was weak. It took quite some time to fill out the form, with immigration officers already waiting by the time we were done. When we finally cleared immigration, our checked bag was already outside the belt.
🚗 Car Rental Delays
Outside, another delay awaited us. We had pre-booked a rental car, but it took over an hour for it to arrive. It felt like the rental company was still sourcing a vehicle. We suspect not many visitors rent cars in Ipoh for the drive up to Cameron Highlands—most likely drive from Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Still, we were grateful to get a car in the end. Driving gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace.
🏨 Staying at The Zenith – Signature King Room
We checked into The Zenith Hotel Cameron in a Signature King Room. The room came with a private balcony—not the most picturesque view, but still a relaxing spot to unwind and soak in the fresh highland breeze. Sometimes it’s not about the view, but the vibe, and this one felt just right.
Nasi lemak is one of Malaysia’s most beloved dishes and is often called the national dish. The name means “rich rice”, because the rice is cooked in coconut milk, giving it a creamy and fragrant taste.
It’s usually served with spicy sambal, crispy fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, cucumber slices, and a boiled or fried egg. You can also add extras like fried chicken, beef rendang, or sambal squid to make it more filling.
Though it’s traditionally eaten for breakfast, many people enjoy it at any time of day. The mix of flavors—spicy, creamy, salty, and crunchy—makes it a comforting and satisfying meal.
🍽️ First Meal: A Tasty Aidilfitri Eve Lunch
For lunch, we headed to the hotel’s restaurant and enjoyed a delightful meal. I went with my all-time favorite Nasi Lemak, while my husband ordered a seafood steamboat. Both dishes were excellent—the rice was fragrant, the sambal hit just the right note of spicy and sweet, and the steamboat broth was rich and comforting. We were impressed. The hotel clearly has a talented chef who knows how to satisfy both local and international palates. And the service was warm and efficient.
Steamboat, also known as hotpot, is very popular in Cameron Highlands and throughout Malaysia. In Cameron Highlands, the cooler climate makes it especially enjoyable. After spending time in the misty hills, sitting around a steaming pot of soup is the perfect way to warm up. It’s comforting, satisfying, and ideal for the highland weather.
Another reason for its popularity in Cameron is the fresh local produce. The region is known for its crisp vegetables, mushrooms, and farm-fresh ingredients. Steamboat meals here often feature these freshly harvested items, along with homemade fish balls and locally sourced meats. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the natural bounty of the highlands.
Steamboat is also a very social meal, which suits the Malaysian love for sharing food with family and friends. Everyone cooks their own ingredients in the shared pot, making it a fun and interactive dining experience.
Lastly, it’s versatile and customizable. You can choose your soup base—mild, spicy, herbal, or tom yum—and add whatever you like, from seafood to tofu to vegetables. Whether you're a meat lover or vegetarian, there’s something for everyone in a steamboat meal.
We headed out for a bit of exploring, starting with the classic tourist stop: the I ❤️ Cameron Highlands signage—because, of course, no trip is complete without a photo there!
Next stop: the Big Red Strawberry Farm. Nestled into a hillside, it's a favorite for tourists with easy access and charming photo ops.
Although we didn’t join the strawberry-picking activity, we happily bought some fresh, juicy strawberries. At the entrance, we snapped a few fun photos — one with the large cart filled with strawberries.
Inside, we were surprised by more than just berries. The farm also features a hydroponic vegetable garden, where rows of leafy greens grow in neat formations. We spotted: 🥬 Lettuce varieties like coral and romaine.
Everything looked so lush and fresh under the greenhouse structure — it’s easy to see why visitors enjoy wandering around just to take in the sights (and maybe grab a salad after). It was a charming little escape, especially enjoyable after a hearty lunch and some light exploring.
Anyone up for smoothie? I got a cart of strawberries 😄
🛍️ Exploring Billion Shopping Centre & Centrum Night Market
Later in the day, we dropped by Billion Shopping Centre, which has some unique British-inspired decor like a 📞 red telephone box and a 🕰️ clock tower reminiscent of Big Ben. Inside, several eateries were offering buffet spreads—likely for those breaking their fast during Ramadan. Outside, food trucks lined the area, selling local delicacies. I was on the hunt for more nasi lemak, however, I cannot find.
We walked over to the adjacent Centrum Night Market, where the atmosphere came alive. They had super affordable strawberries and all sorts of local snacks. I spotted a nasi lemak stall, but it had already closed for the night. Luckily, McDonald's was open and to my surprise, they had their own version of nasi lemak! The chicken was flavorful, but I missed the peanuts and anchovies—what's nasi lemak without those?
It was on the eve of Hari Raya, that night, the skies lit up with 🧨 fireworks and 🎆 firecrackers for Hari Raya. From our hotel balcony, it felt like a village celebration with echoes bouncing off the hills—cozy, festive, and joyful.
🌄 Morning Walks
The next morning, the buffet breakfast at the hotel was a true feast. There was even a dedicated nasi lemak corner—yes! I was so full afterward that I decided to explore on foot. The hotel is conveniently located in Tanah Rata, the town center, so everything is walkable. I strolled over to the Majlis Daerah building, — the district council building — where a 🕰️ clock tower stands watch over a bustling street lined with shops, cafes, and cheerful roadside eateries Across the street stood yet another "I ❤️ CH" sign and 📞 red phone box—clearly, someone in town has a fondness for them! I took a few pictures and continued walking.
The streets around the Majlis area are lined with souvenir shops, open-air cafes, steamboat restaurants, and local eateries. Some restaurants had open seating facing the road, giving them a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There were both locals and tourists dining—families enjoying steamboat dinners, couples sharing sweet corn from a street cart, and backpackers sipping coffee.
These eateries are affordable, serving familiar Malaysian comfort food—think mee goreng, fried rice, satay, and yes, 🌶️ nasi lemak—along with some Western options. The menus are often posted outside, and the vibe is casual. It's easy to just walk up, browse, and pick a spot that feels right.
You'll spot the iconic 📞 red London phone booth at the town center of Tanah Rata—the main town in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. It’s a peaceful place with a cool climate, perfect for relaxing and escaping the city heat. The town offers plenty of small hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shops, all within easy walking distance.
It’s also the main stop for buses coming into the highlands, making it a good base for exploring the area. From here, you can go hiking, visit tea plantations, or check out nearby waterfalls like Parit Falls and Robinson Falls.
With its green scenery, fresh air, and calm vibe, Tanah Rata is a great spot for nature lovers and anyone looking for a quiet getaway.
🚗 The driveway and walkway that lead to our hotel.
🌿 A garden along the driveway and walkway from the hotel, as seen from our balcony.
Later that day, I went for a swim in the hotel pool, and I had the entire pool to myself. The weather was perfect—no rain, no drizzle, just the cool mountain breeze. I felt like I had a private pool, a rare luxury. In my experience, swimming in Malaysia is all about timing—early morning or just after breakfast tends to be quiet, while afternoons and evenings can get busy, especially on weekends or holidays.
On our final morning, we had another delicious breakfast before checking out. Before leaving the highlands, we made one last stop: BOH Tea Plantation.
We drove up to the famous BOH Tea Plantation. The road leading up was narrow and winding — at times, one car had to pull aside to let another pass. But it was totally worth it.
The view along the way was already beautiful, but the real gem was the BOH Viewing Platform. Perched on the edge of the hillside, it offers a stunning panoramic view of endless rows of tea bushes blanketing the rolling hills. The cool breeze, fresh air, and peaceful vibe made it one of the most memorable stops of our trip.
Just before the platform, there’s a coffee shop known for its homemade cakes and fresh brews. There was already a queue when we got there — people eagerly lining up for a taste. We didn’t join them this time, still full from our hearty breakfast at the hotel, but it definitely looked inviting.
The whole experience — from the scenic drive to the peaceful view at the top — was the perfect way to end our Cameron Highlands trip.
🌼 A Perfect Aidilfitri Getaway
Cameron Highlands during Aidilfitri was both festive and peaceful. The mix of natural beauty, good food, and cool weather made it the perfect escape from city life. Whether you’re picking strawberries, taking scenic drives, or enjoying quiet hotel moments, Cameron has a gentle magic all its own.
From BOH Tea Plantation, we drove back down to Ipoh, ending our breezy highland escapades.
Login to add comment
Views: 7698