Fraser’s Hill Revisited
A few of us just went up to Fraser’s Hill over the Good Friday weekend. While its still very fresh in the mind, let me try to put up an updated post.
Getting To Fraser’s Hill From Singapore
The best way I reckon going up, would be by car. You can hire a taxi from KL, but it would be rather costly, and there’s no means of public transport while up on the hills. Hence self-mode of transport would be the best option.
The route is pretty easy and direct. It should take you not more than 7hours to reach, including 1-2 short pit-stops.
From Tuas Checkpoint (Singapore) just keep on going straight to Malaysia and onto the North-South Highway. Keep going till just before reaching KL, the highway will split to 2 directions. 1) KL, 2) Ipoh Follow the direction to Ipoh, so you’ll by-pass the KL traffic jam.
Rawang Exit
You should pass by KLIA, Sepang, etc… Keep going till you see Rawang, then exit the highway.
Follow directions to Rawang town (should be a right turn after the toll). Once you reach the town, look for signs to bring you to Kuala Kubu Baru or KKB for short. KKB is actually the foot of Fraser’s Hill.
Scenic View
Its a pretty scenic drive from here. There’s a vantage point which overseas the entire forest, with benches around. Its already pretty cool at this point as you’re already substantially above sea-level.
Huge Dam just after BKK
About 10mins from here, you’ll pass by a huge picturesque dam. Nice place to stop, chill and take some photos.
Moving along, the roads will start to get a little windy, steeper and narrower. Hence its advisable to drive slow, especially around the bends.
Approximately another 20-25mins drive, you should reach “The Gap”. This is the final stretch that goes up to Fraser’s Hill. Point to note here is that it only allows one-way traffic. (i.e. Odd hours for traffic going up, even hours for traffic coming down)
Traffic Directions at the foot of the Gap
So say if you arrive at 2pm, you’ll have to wait till 3pm before proceeding up. There’s a small guard-post at the foot as well as one at the top of The Gap. The route up is about 8km, which takes you about 15mins to reach.
Accommodation in Fraser’s Hill
There’s a few options up in Fraser’s. For a full list, please view the other post. Personally I’d recommend either Puncak Inn, or Shahzan Inn.
Family Suite slightly more expensive at RM165 per night
Puncak Inn goes at a rate of RM110 – RM130 per night for standard rooms. Rooms are very basic, nothing luxurious but pretty clean. I heard that they just renovated the entire place sometime in 2009. Point to note though, there’s no lift, and its a long walk up to your room by stairs. Quite tiring with all the luggage after a long drive.
Not all rooms are identical. Some rooms have a very very confined toilet. Trust me, when I say confined, its really really small. Imagine toilet bowl and shower inside the same cramp cubicle. But nevertheless its very clean and well kept.
Shahzan Inn
Shahzan Inn is slightly better. There’s carpet furnishings, and the TVs come with Astro (Malaysia’s version of cable tv). Toilets are more spacious, like normal hotels, and there’s a lift as well. However these slight luxuries come at a slightly higher price from RM185 per night.
We noticed the room had a slight stench as well, probably because its been enclosed for awhile. Leave it to air for a few hours and it should be fine.
Puncak Inn Breakfast
Most hotels come with breakfast. Very simple local food, from mee goreng to nasi lemak, baked beans to sausages, tea and coffee. Food tasted pretty decent, but don’t expect it to be piping hot.
Dining At Fraser’s Hill
The must go place would probably be the Olde Smokehouse, but prepare to spend a little. The main course can go up to RM65 for the roast beef. Soups are about RM16. The food really isn’t great. It tasted like a simple highway stopover joint.
Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding at Smokehouse Fraser's Hill - RM65
But ultimately, its the ambiance that you’re paying for. The cottage setting gives a very rustic English feel. There’s old wooden plates hanging around, with a real fireplace as well. Its the kind of scene you’ll see in those very old English flicks.
Just beside Puncak Inn, there’s another small little house serving western and local flavours. We didn’t get to try this, but the menu looks very reasonable. Main course are priced well under RM20.
Chinese Coffee Shop Fraser's Hill
Then there’s the Food Court, which opens till about 10pm, and a little Chinese cooked food coffee shop. The Chinese shop can be found on your left once you enter Fraser’s Hill, just before you reach the clock tower.
Things To Do At Fraser’s Hill
For starters there is NO nightlife. So be prepared to bring along a few games or a pack of cards if you intend to sleep late. Provision shops and food joints close by 10pm at latest.
Some Singaporeans taking photos of birds
While we were there, we saw a number of Singaporeans (2-3 different groups in fact) taking photos of the wildlife there. From birdwatching, to marco shots like insects.
Paddock Fraser's Hill
There’s a Paddock, where a horse ride around the stables cost you only RM5. The caretakers there told us the horses were retired race horses.
There’s an Archery just beside the Paddock, and huge lake (Allan’s Water) where you can rent a paddle boat and roam about. Pricing should be very affordable. We didn’t try them though.
Paddle Boat at Allan's Water - Fraser's Hill
There’s a few run-down nursery where you can purchase some potted plants. Nothing much to see, with limited variety, but the flowers are very vibrant. Probably because of the cold weather.
Nursery Fraser's Hill
For a full list of activities, do take a look here
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