CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Cameron Highlands in Pahang Darul Makmur still has the magic to lure local and foreign visitors despite a two degree Celsius increase in the temperature over the last 10 years.

Many will point out that Cameron Highlands is not as cold as it used to be but the holiday and farming district received 692,746 visitors in 2008 compared with 298,284 in 2005.

Tourism Malaysia Pahang's Director Amran Ariffin notes that the temperature between 18 and 24 degrees at present in the highland district failed to discourage visitors with 282,693 coming here from January to June 2009.

Located 1,524 metres above sea level, it takes a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur through through Tapah in Perak.

Its cool atmosphere, colonial buildings and greeneries offer captivating panorama and the friendly locals offer remarkable hospitality.

Galeria Time Tunnel

Visitors who have been to Cameron Highlands are probably familiar with the highland's main offerings that include tea plantations, strawberry farms, butterfly parks, vegetable farms, shopping areas, temples and the natural surroundings.

However, not many are familiar with Galeria Time Tunnel that showcases old items and antiques, despite being strategically located at Jalan Sungai Burung in Brinchang.

The private gallery that was opened in 2007 is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and it houses a collection of more than 1,000 items with many monochrome pictures of Cameron Highland's development since the early days.

There are many interesting artifacts and mock-ups of hair saloons and kitchens that brings visitors back to circa 1910.

The gallery that shares the same premise with a strawberry farm is owned by See Kok Shan, 46, who is also the gallery's curator.

Began as a hobby

According to See, he has been collecting old items and antiques for the last decade and it has been his hobby.

"My initial plan was to open a cafe and showcase my collection. Unfortunately I could not find a suitable location.

"After meeting a friend, we both decided to open a gallery in Cameron Highlands," said See who was born in Ipoh, Perak and brought up in the highlands.

The Galeria Time Tunnel with a floor space of 7,000 square feet literally lives up to its name as it is actually situated inside a tunnel underneath the strawberry farm.

See plans to extend the gallery by another 50 feet, and wants to produce video clips especially on the history of Cameron Highlands to provide an interactive historical account for the visitors.

The Boh Tea Estate

Visitors to Cameron Highlands will not miss the sight of the vast verdant tea plantations covering the undulating terrain. And what more, a visit to Cameron Highlands is incomplete without a stop at the Sungei Palas tea factory to see how tea is processed.

The 234 hectares Sungei Palas tea plantation is also where the oldest tea factory in the country is located, which started operations in 1935. Visitors are most welcomed to the exhibition and tea centre that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. except on Mondays.

Boh Plantations Sdn Bhd has four tea plantations covering an area of 1,200 hectares. The plantations on the highlands are Boh, Fairlie and Sungei Palas while the company's only lowland tea plantation is in Bukit Cheeding.

Mossy Forest

Meanwhile, for those who are keen to have a peek from the highest peak, the 2032-metre Gunung Irau, at the north of Brinchang, serves as the best spot.

Gunung Irau that is also known as the "Mossy Forest" due to the trees and grounds covered by moss, resembles the Fangorn Forest depicted in the Lord of The Rings movie.

MARDI's Agrotechnology Park

The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute's (MARDI) park, is located 1,400 metres above sea level.

It was initially opened by the British in 1925 but was handed over to MARDI in 1971.

The 42 hectare park is divided into English Garden, Herbal Garden, Orchid Garden, Rose Garden, Research Centre, Vegetable Park and others.

Now there are also pear, apple and grape trees specially planted for visitors to get a closer look.

At the English Garden there are two British cottages that can be rented by visitors.

Meanwhile, more than 50 local and foreign herbs have been planted in the Herbal Park for research purpose and for the visitors to get to know them.

MARDI's Agrotechnology Park is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including on Saturdays and Sundays with an entrance fee of RM1.50 for students and RM3 for adults. By GEETHA GANESAN/Bernama)