Ipoh and Cameron Highlands Eats and Buys Part 1

I have previously done a detailed post on Ipoh and Cameron Highlands; those interested in a suggested itinerary can check out the post. For this post, I will be doing a summary of what to do, eat and buy in Ipoh and Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands – What to do, buy and eat?

• Visit the Boh Tea Plantation. You can get panoramic views of the plantations and the surrounding mountains against the blue skies for great photos. There is also a Tea factory tour every 30 minutes to show the different stages of processing the tea from farm to the packaged tea we are familiar with in the supermarkets. For those feeling peckish, you can get simple bites at the cafe while enjoying the gorgeous view but it is quite difficult to get a table. You can also bring home your favourite tea from their tea shop which sells the full variety of teas produced by BOH
• Google Link

• Visit the Lavender Garden ( Cameron Lavender). This is basically a huge garden with loads of flowers planted up slopes. There are many angles for nice pictures if you manage to find a spot without the crowd. In my past visits, there was a small cafe with lavender cake and drinks but on my recent visit, I can’t seem to find it anymore instead they have other items like Lavender ice cream as well as a strawberry picking section. You can buy strawberry products or lavender products like room spray, biscuits and tea as well as other souvenirs here. There is nothing too extraordinary about this place but if you like looking at flowers and taking pictures, it is a nice stop to chill in the cooling weather amidst a picturesque background
• Google Link

• Enjoy a hot charcoal steamboat meal. With temperatures like 18 degrees all year round, it is perfect to warm your body with a charcoal steamboat. Unlike the modern hotpot, we are so familiar with now, many restaurants still serve the old-school charcoal steamboat with only 1 basic soup base and fresh ingredients from around the farms in Cameron Highlands. You can find steamboat offerings from almost every restaurant in Cameron but I recently discovered Watercress Valley which is a hidden gem for me. You can also buy their special soup pouches. You can read the reviews here
• Google Link

• Enjoy a slow-paced afternoon tea in an old English Inn setting. Pretend you are in the United Kingdom having your English tea with scones at any one of these old medieval buildings. You can check out The Lakehouse or Smokehouse Hotel which will immediately transport you to a traditional English village setting. You can also settle for the famous high tea at Jim Thompson Tea Room at Cameron Highlands Resort
• Google Link for Jim Thompson

• Visit the morning market to buy some local produce. There are multiple farms and markets all over Cameron Highlands but one of the biggest is the Kea Farm market. You can get to buy white corn which is extremely sweet at a fraction of the cost in Singapore as well as loads of pre-packed strawberries and fruits. There are also shops selling toys, plushies, souvenirs, food, plants and items which appeal more to children. Most of the shops are selling repetitive items but with either different packaging or different price tags. There are also many food stores selling fried food items and desserts like this ice cream popsicle which is surprisingly very milky and nice. There is also an Alpaca and sheep farm which allows you to feed the animals with an entry charge
• Google Link

• Visit the popular night market at Golden Hills. Lovingly known as the Pasar Malam, it is open every Friday to Sunday from 4pm to 11pm or later depending on the weather conditions. Similar to the Kea Farm market, the stores here sell just about anything from clothes, local produce, food, honey, toys, and plants. The atmosphere is nostalgic for those familiar with Pasar Malam and it is great to grab a bite and walk down the long stretch of stores while each vendor peddling their wares. Some of the prices here can be much cheaper than the Kea Farm. If you have a strong stomach, do try out some of the cooked food here which was really fragrant when I was passing the food stalls. I only got a grilled corn which was delicious as I was too full
• Google Link

BONUS:

• Hike through the Mossy Forest and discover nature. Those who love getting a workout while on vacation can hike through the Mossy Forest and discover some of the local plants and ecosystems. You can opt to visit with an operator who can explain the key things to see in the forest while you hike

Look out for part 2 for what to see, eat and buy in Ipoh