Fraser’s Hill is one of three hill stations within driving distance from Kuala Lumpur that draw locals and expats alike looking for a place to cool down. Despite windy, steep roads, Fraser’s Hill is only 2 hours north of Kuala Lumpur, making it ideal for a weekend getaway from the city.
What is Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hill is an old British highlands hill station. It was built in the 1920’s as a retreat destination for British officers who wanted to get away from the hot and humid temperatures found elsewhere in Malaysia.
Fraser’s Hill is one of the three main British Highlands in Malaysia. There is the Genting Highlands, which has now been built up and marketed as an entertainment ‘funland’. Then there is the Cameron Highlands, which has grown into an agritourism destination. We enjoyed our visit to the Cameron Highlands for very different reasons.
Then there is Fraser’s Hill, which has managed to preserve its quaint British ‘sleepy town’ feel.
Fraser’s Hill has slowly been drawing people from all over Malaysia, and internationally, as one of the top bird watching destinations around. Since the birds are drawn to the nature and greenery at Fraser’s Hill, great care has been taken to preserve the forests for the birds.
How to Get to Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hills is about 2.5 hours away from Kuala Lumpur by car.
The best way to get to Fraser’s Hill is to drive. The road up to Fraser’s Hill is very steep and full of amazing twists and turns. The last few kilometers the road narrows into a one lane road. It is so narrow that it becomes completely one way going up. You must dive a different one way road to come down. While the road is narrow, it does not feel unsafe.
Another popular way to get to Fraser’s Hill is to ride a bicycle up it. Since we went with kids, this was not our preferred method at all! It would have taken us years to bike up with our kids. However, as we drove up, we saw many amazing people huffing up the hill. Way to go!
Landslides are very common on the road up to Fraser’s Hill, especially during the rainy season. Take precaution while driving to be careful. Workers do a good job coming along and fixing up the road after the landslides. We saw the remains of many landslides on our drive up and down. Along the way up there are a number of great viewpoints to stop at, and you will pass by a nice waterfall along the road also.
How to Get Around
The town is small enough to walk everywhere you need to go. However, the roads are narrow and there is not a good shoulder to walk on. As a family we really do enjoy walking around, and here we felt better using our vehicle to go from place to place.
If you are up for walking around the town then we recommend using normal precautions as you will hae to be walking down the roads. You do have the option to utilize some of the hiking trails. They were originally created to connect the different parts of town in a nice and scenic way.
Walking all over town is not recommended with kids. It only takes about two or three minutes to reach the next spot. Parking was free at each spot around town, and we never had issues finding a place to park. There are actually not a lot of parking spaces dedicated at each location, and often cars are simply parked on the side of the road.
Why Go to Fraser’s Hill
People go to Fraser’s Hill for a few reasons. The most well known reason is for bird watching. The town has welcomed many other attractions to give visitors activities while they enjoy relaxing in the cool weather. Just like the British Created the hill station as a retreat center, locals still come up for the same reason. To escape the heat. It is always much cooler on the hill than down in the plains!
What Our Family Likes Most About Visiting
One of the things that really stands out to us and that we like about it is the number of benches and gazebos scattered around that are free to use. The whole town is designed for people to move about and enjoy it, and it is just wonderful.
Our family enjoys the cool weather and the lovely hikes. One of our boys is a birder and he very much enjoyed meeting other people who enjoy the same things.
Having afternoon tea here is also something our family really enjoys.
When is the Best Time to Visit Fraser’s Hill
Any time is a good time to visit Fraser’s Hill. As people often go to Fraser’s Hill for the cool weather, going when it is the coldest is a very popular time to go. This will be from December through January. The temperatures can get down to 10C at night during these months.
The temperature never gets above 28C during the year. This means you will always experience nice weather.
October and November are the wettest months at Fraser’s Hill. This can lead to landslides on the road, which is not ideal for traveling up and down the hill. Watch the weather forecast and pay attention to winds and rains to decide if it is safe to go to Fraser’s Hill.
Summer months of May through July are ideal for birdwatching at Fraser’s Hill. This is when the most migratory birds come through. The local birds are always around and not dependent on seasons.
Best Activities to Do in Fraser’s Hill
Bird Watching
The number one thing Fraser’s Hill is known for is for bird watching. Even though it is a small town, it is known around the world as a bird watching haven. There are over 350 species of local birds that call Fraser’s Hill area home. On top of that there are many migratory birds that pass through the area each year.
A local hotel owner informed us that the summer months of May, June, and July were some of the best for migratory birds. Entire birding tour groups come through Fraser’s Hill during these peak months.
Bird watching was the reason our family made the trek up to Fraser’s Hill. One of our kids is a budding ‘birder’. Let’s just say that this town exceeded our expectations when it came to birds! Within the first few minutes of being there a large hornbill swooped by!
Clock Tower
The iconic clock tower can be found in the center of town just outside the Bird Interpretive Center. Located in the middle of a roundabout, it makes for a really cute photo spot. However, as it is in the middle of the road, please be mindful when taking pictures with your kids. There was not much traffic when we were there, but we can imagine that trying to take a picture with the clock tower when there are lots of cars could be more dangerous.
The clock tower has a bunch of plants growing up and around it, which really adds to the charm and goes well with the theme of the town.
Bird Interpretive Center
To go along with the bird watching, the city has a dedicated interpretive center. You can find it next to the clock tower. The Bird Interpretive Center is located on the 2nd floor of the sports complex. Once you go inside the building you will need to make your way up a small staircase. The staircase is not obvious at first glance but once you make your way to the 2nd floor it is impossible to miss.
The 2nd floor is dedicated to learning about the different species of birds in the area. While they do not go into all 350+ different birds, they do highlight some of the most common. This proved to be helpful information that we used to help us identify the different birds we saw.
There are a few other displays about how eggs hatch and some on insects. The insect displays were rather dilapidated.
Hours
Daily
10:00am - 5:00pm
(Except first Monday of each month)
Lunch break 1:00pm - 2:00pm
A small sign by the door states that if the doors are closed you can proceed to the Reception Counter at the Puncak Inn Receptionist.
Inside the Bird Interpretive Center there was a large map of Fraser’s Hill with all the roads, trails, and buildings. This map helped us tremendously in figuring out where we wanted to go next and what we should see.
The Paddock
Our family decided that the Paddock is designed to represent the old English charm. At the Paddock you can do both horseback riding and archery.
Hours
Daily
8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday
8:30am - 12:00am, 2:45pm - 6:30pm
Horseback Riding
The horses they had available to ride were beautiful and obviously well taken care of. The riding itself was reasonably priced, however, you do only get to ride for a few minutes around a small track. It is perfect for beginners who have never ridden a horse before
Price
Child: RM 8
Adult: RM 10
1 Adult/Child Combo: RM 15
Archery
Our boys were very excited about trying archery at The Paddock. The archery was only for children ages 13 and over, so we were not able to do it.
You get 10 arrows and can shoot at a target that is approximately 50 feet away. The guys operating it don’t do much in the way of teaching you how to shoot. They just give you the equipment and let you practice.
Price
1 Person (10 arrows): RM 10
The Paddock is also a wonderful place to get some nice photos. There is a super cute small watermill set up. Our kids enjoyed watching the worker raise the water level in order to flood the system and get the wheel moving. Very interesting to watch how it all works. There is also a small hobbit house set up that is super adorable and makes for a fun photo spot and adds charm to the place.
Edible Garden
The edible garden is located just next to the paddock. It grows different edible vegetables. When we were there in November, they were selling small containers of strawberries for RM15. Our kids were hoping it was a pick your own sort of garden, but that is not what it ended up being. They were happy to get some yummy strawberries. If you want to pick your own strawberries in Malaysia, we recommend going to Cameron Highlands.
Allan’s Water
Allan’s Water is a fun little spot on Fraser’s Hill. The river has been dammed up and was created as a possible hydro-electric source for the town. For a small fee, you can rent paddleboats and you can ride around on the lake. They also have a lot of fish and ducks on the lake that you can feed. The entrance to the lake is free to enter, and there is a nice small path that goes around a section of the lake. Our kids enjoyed walking around the lake and getting up and close with the ducks.
Taman Awan Park
This little park is a great location to head to with little kids. There is a nice playground in the park that is free to play on. Some of the equipment is a bit dated when we went, one swing set was missing the swings. However, the other swing set was great. The kids enjoyed spending some time running around the park and going down some of the slides.
Taman Awan Park also is the location of a small mini-golf course. Even though it was small, for only RM 8 per person to play for 30 minutes, it’s a fun activity!
Mini Golf Hours
Daily
8:30am - 1:00pm / 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Friday
8:30am - 12:00pm / 2:45pm - 4:30pm
It is here that you can also find the Fraser’s Hill Food Court. This is a great option to get a bite to eat. There are nice tables around the park available to eat at. There is also a nice viewpoint just a few meters down the road from the park.
Hiking
Another great thing to do at Fraser’s Hill is to go hiking. There are actually quite a number of excellent trails available around the town offering some great hikes. You can read all about the different trails at the Bird Interpretive Center, but we will give a few of our favorites and why they might be good for you.
Many of the hikes were originally created as a means of getting between the different buildings and houses around Fraser’s Hill before good roads were created.
Rompin Trail
The Rompin Trail is a short 500 meter trail that is excellent for those who are interested in bird watching. While 500 meters may seem like a short walk, this trail is extremely steep. The steepness makes it perfect for those more hardcore birdwatchers because it allows you to look down at the leaves of the trees below you and thus be on eye-level with the birds.
This trail is not great for little kids.
Mager Trail
This trail is perfect for little kids. This trail is 1000m long and is much more level and enjoyable for beginner hikers. It was on this trail that we were able to spot a number of super cute monkeys swinging in the trees above us!
Abu Suradi Trail
The Abu Suradi Trail is a shorter 500 meter trail that originally was created by a tin miner, Abu Suradi, that connected his house to his tin mine. While not known as a great bird-watching hike, we were able to see a number of great birds. We actually spent a good long time at the head of this trail watching and taking pictures of different birds.
A few other great trails to check out around the town are the Pine Tree Trail, Hemmant Trail, and the Bishop Trail. All of the trails are a great place to see birds, but the Pine Tree Trail is known as especially good.
Community Library
In the same building as the Bird Interpretive Center, you will find a small community library. If you happen to have some extra free time to stop in and have a look around, you will be pleased to find a nice little collection of books to explore.
Yes, they do have English language books.
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm / 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday, Thursday, holidays
Closed
Food Guide to Fraser’s Hill
While we are not including food as something to do in Fraser’s Hill, let’s face it, most people are most excited about getting to eat some delicious food when they come! There are a few great places to eat in Fraser’s Hill. But keep in mind that the town is not that big, and you will not be able to find any of your standard chain restaurants here.
Street Food
There are a few small stalls situated in the center of town that offer street food. Located along the road next to the golf course and across from the Bird Interpretive Center, you will find a few street vendors frying up some Malaysian food. We were able to grab a few mee goreng (fried noodles) for just a few RM. They only offered stools to sit on and no tables, so it was eating on our laps.
Food Court
You can also explore the food court that can be found at Taman Awan Park. This is great to be able to also load up on some Malaysian food and have some nice tables to sit at.
Restaurants
Fraser’s Hill also has a few fancier restaurants. Fraser’s Hill was once a British highlands retreat location, there is a strong tradition of having afternoon tea. If you are after an afternoon British style tea then you are in luck. You will want to check out the Aida Daniya Restaurant and English Teahouse or Ye Olde Smokehouse. Ye Olde Smokehouse was built in the 1920’s.
Scott’s Pub and Restaurant is another great option to get some good British food. Kheng Yuan Lee Eating Shop is your local Chinese restaurant.
Is Fraser’s Hill Worth Visiting with Kids
We thoroughly enjoyed our time exploring Fraser’s Hill. It makes for an excellent day trip from Kuala Lumpur, but spending the night is recommended as there is enough to do.
Yes, Fraser’s Hill is worth it. It is our favorite Highlands we have been to so far in Malaysia. The town was beautiful and felt very authentic. The hikes were just the right size, and the focus on nature was amazing.
Our little budding birder loved every minute of it!
Accommodations
Ye Olde Smokehouse
Ye Olde Smokehouse is an old colonial bungalow that has been turned into a rustic hotel and restaurant. You can enjoy cute rooms complete with 4-post beds and can enjoy authentic English food. They have one larger room that can accommodate a family of 5. This place books up well in advance, especially during the cooler winter months.
Puncak Inn
Puncak Inn is located along the main circle in the center of town. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the Bird Interpretive Center and the golf course. This is a popular place for bird enthusiasts to stay in because of its central location and for being the budget place in town. The rooms are small, but if you are just looking for a place to crash in the middle of town, this is your place.
The reception of the Puncak Inn serves as the tourist information center of town. Check out the reception for any question you may have.
Colonie
This homestay is great for larger groups. It can hold up to 8 people. The location is still great and many of the places in town are easily walkable from the location of this homestay.
Silverpark Resort
This resort offers family units. Silverpark has a studio, two bedroom, and even some three bedroom units available. The units come with a small kitchen which is always a great option and perk for families. They also have balconies, small living space, and a bathtub.
Wyndham Garden Shahzah Fraser’s Hill
Shahzah Fraser’s Hill is another hotel located a few minutes from the center of town by foot. It sits on a sloped hillside overlooking the golf course. Every room has a private balcony. The Junior Suite rooms are good for families as they offer a small, attached room that has a coffee table and chairs.
Colonial Bungalows
There are a few colonial bungalows available to rent out scattered around the hills that work great for large family groups. They are more spacious than hotel rooms as you are able to rent out the entire bungalows. These bungalows are very charming and cute. The bungalows are managed by the Puncak Inn, so you will need to check with them on availability.
Final Thoughts
There are many fun things to do in Malaysia with kids. We’ve enjoyed spending time having fun in the south at Legoland, enjoying kid friendly beaches on the east coast, and learning amazing history in Melaka.
Fraser’s Hill is a great addition to the many fun things to do in Malaysia. We highly recommend coming here and enjoying the weather and the nature. It makes for a nice easy getaway from Kuala Lumpur as it is not very far away.