Cameron Highlands - Landmarks and Tourism

Landmarks and Tourism

The buildings (at the Cameron Highlands) were similar to those of Simla, the “Queen of British hill resorts” in India, and were an eclectic mixture from “railway Gothic of the most overpowering kind to publican’s Tudor".

During the colonial era, the “Camerons” was a haven for the home sick. At present, it is a stopover for the many who want to escape from the heat of the lowlands. Over the years, there have been many changes at the province. Here are some landmarks that have withstood the test of time.

All Souls' Church

Located at Lot 68, Jalan Pejabat Hutan, the outpost’s little Church of England was once known to the early members of its congregation as The Cameron Highlands Church.

The history of this establishment can be traced back to the 1950s when the Vicar of Ipoh and the other members of the expatriate clergy held their services at either the Cameron Highlands Hotel (now the Cameron Highlands Resort) or the Slim School (which is presently the home of the Malaysian Commando Unit).

In 1958, the church was extended an offer for a piece of land which used to adjoin the grounds of the former Slim School. The land, which was once owned by Miss Anne L.P. Griffith-Jones, was transferred to the Diocese on the understanding that a church would be built on it. To get things going, the members of the British army contributed a sum of US$1,220. Further to this, they also gave the church a dismantled “Nissen Hut”. It has since served as the building’s roof structure.

The construction of the church was completed in 1958. It was given the name “All Souls’ Church” during its consecration ceremony on April 30, 1959. The sanctification service was conducted by the Right Reverend Bishop H.W. Baines. Except for the addition of modern conveniences, the church has remained unchanged to this day.

Bala’s Holiday Chalet

The inn is one of the oldest buildings at the Cameron Highlands. Built in 1935, the main building was once a boarding school.

Cameron Highlands Golf Club

It began with a nine-hole golf course in 1935. Back then, it was common to find tiger paw prints in the bunkers!

Today, the club is a lot different from what it once used to be. Apart from its improved facilities, it has also undergone a change in name. It is presently known as the Kelab Golf Sultan Ahmad Shah (SAS) Cameron Highlands.

Foster’s Lakehouse

Now known as The Lakehouse, this establishment was previously owned by the late Colonel Stanley J .Foster. Situated at the 30th Mile of Ringlet, the inn is approximately nine kilometres from Tanah Rata. Built in 1972, the unit sits atop a hill overlooking the Sultan Abu Bakar Lake. A lush forest reserve serves as its backdrop. With the demise of Colonel Foster, the ownership of the holiday home has changed hands many times. The outfit is currently managed by the Concorde group of hotels.

HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad

Previously known as The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, HSBC Bank was the first financial institution to operate at the Cameron Highlands.

In 1945, its banking services were carried out at the Cameron Highlands Hotel (now the Cameron Highlands Resort). Later, it moved to the British Military Hospital (now S.K. Convent). In 1947, it relocated to Tanah Rata. It has remained here to this day.

Kamunting Road (Jalan Kamunting)

There are five houses located along the corridor of Kamunting Road (Malay: Jalan Kamunting). They are “Moonlight” bungalow (A47), “Sunlight” mansion (A46), “Unit A43”, the “Lee Villa” (A44) and the Lutheran Mission Home (A45).

The precinct was in the news when Jim Thompson disappeared from the Cameron Highlands on Sunday, March 26, 1967. More than 500 people came this way to look for him. They included the police, aborigines, tourists, residents, mediums, scouts, missionaries, American school students and British servicemen convalescing at the resort.

Except for the presence of a government-owned building (Rumah Istirahat Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Perkerja), nothing much has changed in this area since the time Thompson was declared as lost.

Lutheran Mission bungalow

The unit was constructed before the outbreak of the Second World War. It was featured in the news when Jim Thompson visited the place on Sunday, March 26, 1967. He was at the chalet for a short while. He left the premises after taking a look at the garden.

Moonlight bungalow

Jim Thompson came to the Cameron Highlands with Mrs. Constance (Connie) Mangskau on Friday, March 24, 1967. They stayed at "Moonlight" bungalow with Dr. Ling Tien Gi, a Singaporean-Chinese chemist and Mrs. Helen Ling, his white American-born wife. On Easter Sunday, March 26, they attended the morning services at All Souls' Church. Later that day, he went for a walk but failed to return.

Located at A47, Jalan Kamunting, the mock Tudor-styled dwelling is still a draw for the many who have had an interest in the mystery surrounding Jim Thompson’s disappearance from the Cameron Highlands. The pre-War unit was first built by a British company to accommodate its staff. After the Emergency, it was sold to the Lings. Later, it became the property of an Ipoh lawyer.

Before the present owners moved in, the premises belonged to a Chinese businessman followed by a resident from Kuala Lumpur. It was later taken over by a Caucasian who then sold it to a hotelier.

Today, the villa is worth more than a million US dollars.

Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) bungalow

The mansion was built in 1933. The former Chefoo School (1952–2001) is neither a guest house nor is it a business concern. It is actually an abode where Christians gather for their retreats.

S.K. Convent

S.K. Convent or Sekolah Kebangsaan (H.I.J.) Convent is sited on a hillside overlooking the township of Tanah Rata. In the past, it served as a British military hospital. It became a full-fledged Catholic school in late 1971.

Sunlight bungalow

The mansion was once used by a British company to house its staff. It was constructed at about the same time as “Moonlight” bungalow. It is located approximately three kilometres from Brinchang.

Tanah Rata Post Office

The post office was officially opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the then Chief Minister of Malaya on June 25, 1956. Situated on the main road of Jalan Besar, it is the only post office in the area that provides a “Poste restante” service.

Ye Olde Smokehouse

Built by William Warin in 1939, the mock Tudor-styled hotel is renowned for celebrating everything British. The inn is modeled on its namesake, the Smokehouse in Beck Row, Mildenhall, England, the United Kingdom.

The interior is reminiscent of an English country house with open fireplaces and wood-panelled walls. Outside, the landscape would pass for an authentic English garden.

The landmark overlooks the Sultan Ahmad Shah golf course on the Tanah Rata-Bringchang road junction. It is still a popular place for visitors to gather for their afternoon tea and scones.