Fraser's Hill

Fraser's Hill (18 July 2004)


Fraser's Hill (GPS: 3.71186, 101.73655) is one of the quieter hill retreats in Malaysia. It is located in Pahang, just across the border from Selangor, along the main range. It has one thing in common with two other Malaysian hill stations, namely Maxwell Hill and Cameron Highlands. Like Maxwell Hill of Taiping, it was named after a Mat Salleh, but unlike W.E. Maxwell, it was not named after a government officer. Instead it was named after a missing person!

Tim at the landmark clocktower of Fraser's Hill (17 July 2004)

360° Views of Fraser's Hill on Google Maps Street View

Scotsman Louis James Fraser, having travelled down to Australia at the height of the gold rush, arrived in Malaya at the tail end of the 19th century, hoping to prospect for gold in Ulu Tras. Gold he did not find much, but tin ore he found in rich abundance. So he brought in Chinese miners up into the hills to extract the tin and bring it down to the town of Raub. To keep them entertained, he built the prototype of Genting Highlands in the hills - a gambling den.

Similar to Jim Thompson in Cameron Highlands, Fraser one day mysteriously went missing, some time around 1910. When the British noticed that there was strangely no activity coming from Fraser, they sent C.J. Ferguson-Davie, the Bishop of Singapore, up the hills to look for him. Ferguson-Davie never found Fraser.

Fraser's mining camp was deserted. However, Ferguson-Davie realised that the abandoned camp site was located in a very appealing spot for a hill retreat. The air was cool and inviting, and provided much comfort from the stickiness of the lowlands. Moreover, with World War I raging in Europe, the colonial officers were unable to return to their homeland, and yearned for a place that they can put together to resemble home.

The restaurant at The Smokehouse Tavern, Fraser's Hill (17 July 2004)


Upon his return, Ferguson-Davie submitted a report to the government, naming the hill an ideal location to build a highland retreat. Work started in 1919 to build a road linking it to the Gap, and three years later, the new hillstation by the name of Fraser's Hill was opened.

Fraser's Hill was designed to resemble an English village, complete with dainty cottages and Tudor-style homes. It was a place to sip tea by the fireplace. By 1927, there were 9 government bungalows for the British offers, 4 houses built by the Red Cross for ex-servicemen, 3 private homes, a country club, a golf course, and a post office. The Red Cross also set up a convalescent home from injured soldiers here. This home is now converted into the luxurious Ye Olde Smokehouse.

Forest canopy, Fraser's Hill (18 July, 2004)


Today, Fraser's Hill is a popular retreat from company outings. Throngs of visitors invade its public parks to enjoy the cool air, away from the bustle of the city, and away from the noisier Genting Highlands. Of late it is also becoming a popular haven for bird watchers. Over 270 species of local and migratory birds have been recorded seen here. The Malaysian Nature Society, in conjunction with the Fraser's Hill Development Corporation, organises an annual International Bird Race, where individual teams race against time to sight, identify and record the most number of birds. For those looking for a serene getaway, Fraser's Hill continues to exudes its simple charm.

Giant fern, Fraser's Hill (17 July, 2004)

Fraser's Hill Tourist Attraction

Getting there

Fraser's Hill is located in the state of Pahang, and like Cameron Highlands, is approached from the west, in this case from Selangor. Visitors from north approaching on the North South Expressway (E1) should take Exit 121 at Tanjung Malim, and continue south along the Old Trunk Road (aka Highway 1) to Kuala Kubu Bahru. Visitors from Kuala Lumpur should take the Old Trunk Road north to Kuala Kubu Bahru. From Kuala Kubu Bahru, take Route 55 for 40 km, passing the Sungai Selangor Dam, until reaching the town of Gap. From there, the route has a controlled single-way traffic flow between 7am and 7pm daily.

Fraser's Hill is on the map of Pahang

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