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Fraser's Hill is one of 6 major Hill Stations in Malaysia. The other 5 are Genting Highlands (1,800m), Bukit Tinggi and Cameron Highlands (1,000m) in Pahang state; Penang Hill (833m) in Penang and Maxwell Hill aka Bukit Larut (1,250m) in Perak state. Fraser's Hill actually comprises 7 hills along the Titiwangsa (Main) Range of mountains in Peninsular Malaysia and it straddles on the Selangor-Pahang border. The summit of Fraser's Hill at 1,500m (5,000ft) above sea level falls within Pahang state while access to Fraser's Hill is only possible via The Gap which is part of Selangor.
A hill station as defined by Wikipedia is "a town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley. The term was used mostly in colonial Asia (particularly India), but also in Africa (albeit rarely), for towns founded by European colonial rulers as refuges from the summer heat, up where temperatures are cooler".
The temperature at Fraser's Hill hovers between 16-24C which is about 10 degrees lower than our warm and humid Kuala Lumpur. The land of cool morning mists and gentle afternoon breezes, this dainty little hamlet is populated by only about a thousand people.
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This is a picture of the famous Clock Tower of Fraser's Hill which has been here for ages! The wall is covered with creeping fig (Ficus pumila) plants and in the circle down below, there are New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) flowers blooming in a variety of colours .
Here's a place where time stands still. Staring at the present scene is like a travel back in time to almost a century ago during our British colonial days. I could almost hear the clatter of hooves of horse-drawn carriages of days gone by.
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History:
Fraser's Hill is named after a Scotsman, Louis James Fraser who came to Raub town in Pahang state of Malaysia in search of gold in the late 19th century. But instead he found tin ore near the upper ridges of the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. He built a home and operated a tin trading business on this hill for many years. One fine day in the late 1880s, he mysteriously disappeared. Even the tin mine was deserted.
Later in 1917 when CJ Ferguson-Davis, the Bishop of Singapore and Rev. AB Champion went to the Gap for a short holiday, they discovered that Fraser's Hill which was within 5 miles (8 km) of the Gap was very suitable as a hill station for government servants to go to for retreat and relaxation. So the hill was developed into a resort with bungalows, holiday and private homes. The place became even more popular during the days of World War II (1939-1945) when many expatriates were unable to go back home to England. The Tudor architecture of the buildings, the streets and the landscaped gardens were designed and maintained to look like those of the English countryside in their British homeland.
This old English charm has remained until today.
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This is Puncak Inn, a budget hotel which is located right in the town centre. The information center for tourist information is located at the reception counter here. There are other alternative accomodation choices:
1. Silverpark Hill Resort
2. Fraser's Pine Resort
3. Ye Olde Smokehouse
4. Shahzan Inn (formerly Merlin Inn)
5. Puncak Inn Bungalows rented out by various corporations
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This is Pos Malaysia, the town's post office, a stone walled building with a small garden beside it. Notice the cobblestone walkway in front and the entrance pillars covered with creeping ivy plants.
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The Police Station is housed in a Mock-Tudor style building constructed in 1919. During the same year, an access road was built from the Gap to Fraser's Hill.
By 1922, the hill station was opened to visitors. There was 140 hectares of land over 50km of jungle paths.
In 1927, according to the "Handbook to British Malaya", Fraser's Hill was equipped with the following amenities: 9 government bungalows for government officials, 4 houses for ex-serviceman, 3 private homes, a country club and golf course, water supply and post office.
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The FHGC - Fraser's Hill Golf and Country Club is formerly a tin mine.
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Fraser's Hill attracts expatriates and nature enthusiasts who go there for nature walks, jungle-tracking, hiking, camping, golfing, horseback riding, bird watching, butterfly hunting or just pure relaxation.
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Old English country styled homes with stone walls and white windows. Lovely Hippeastrum hybrid lilies bloom in stone planter boxes.
In the old days, mock-Tudor style houses and bungalows were built with timber frames and local limestones blocks. Roses, chrysanthemums and strawberries grew in well-tended gardens. Local eateries like The Tavern and Ye Olde Smokehouse served Devonshire tea. It was so reminiscent of rural England.
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A Yphthima pandocus (Common Three Ring) butterfly resting on some cuphea groundcovers by the roadside.
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A blooming Glory Princess (Tibouchina urvileana) bush.
“Fraser's Hill Town Centre - Part 2”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on April 13th, 2013.
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Scientific name: Justicia brandegeeana
Synonym: Beloperone guttata
Common Name: Mexican Shrimp Plant, Shrimpbush, False Hop, Brazilian Shower Plant
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
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During my visit in March 2013, the Parks and Garden Project Team from Tourism Malaysia was doing upgrading works to spruce up the town. Flowering plants and shrubs that bloom in bright colours were planted. The street structures, signages and lightings were repaired or replaced. The theme is "Little England of the East" . The beautification work is being done along a 3km Y shape that starts from the town entrance to the Clock Tower, along the Clock Tower to the Fraser's Hill Development Corporation Office and also from the Clock Tower to Shahzan Inn.
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There are more than 260 species of birds here.
The signage reads:
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites of international importance for conserving birds and other biodiversity. All wildlife and plants are protected.
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There are a number of established Nature Trails, some historical for guided jungle trekking.
Fraser's Hill is a protected Forest Research and Wildlife Sanctuary. It is surrounded by Lower Montane Forest, commonly called Oak-Laurel Forest. The virgin forests here are rich in biodiversity, a fact recognised by HN Ridley since 1897. Subsequent sustainable development by the Malaysian and Pahang state governments had helped preserved the natural and pristine condition of the place.
There are 31 species of endemic plants here.
Endemic species are found only in a particular place and nowhere else in the world.
