Fraser's Hill
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Fraser's Hill or Bukit Fraser is a hill resort located on the Titiwangsa Ridge in the state of Pahang in Malaysia.
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[edit] History
Fraser's Hill derives its name from Louis James Fraser[1], a solitary Scottish pioneer[2], who set up a tin-ore trading post in the 1890s. Years ago, when the hills and mountains on the Titiwangsa Range looked too daunting to even contemplate climbing even by the British army, Scotsman Fraser was already recruiting a handful of guides and coolies to take him on his expedition to explore the upper ridges for gold and other precious metals. After hacking his way up the last 300m (height) to the top, he came upon an enchanting forest in the clouds. The moist environment creates a sublime forest of moss-draped trees and filmy ferns. The forest looks prehistoric, feels prehistoric and even smells prehistoric.
He found rich tin deposits and stayed on to open a mine in the 1890's and employed Chinese miners to work the area. The tin ore was then transported down a perilous route on mules, winding down the side of the range to the nearest town, Raub. To lift the spirits of his Chinese workers, Fraser operated an opium and gambling den at the camp. This shrewd method of retaining his wealth certainly worked well.The wages paid out to the coolies would more often than not find their way back into the Fraser's ledgers through these dens.
Despite his newfound wealth and status Fraser mysteriously disappeared without a trace some 25 years later. He left behind everything he had worked hard for over the years. A search party was sent by the C.J Ferguson-Davie, Bishop of Singapore to look for him. The camp and mine were found deserted. They never found Fraser. Instead they discovered the perfect place for a hill station- a retreat from the heat of the lowlands. In 1919, work started on the access road to the hillstation from the Gap and by 1922, the hillstation named Fraser's Hill was opened to visitors.The hill station covered 140 hectares of land and had over 50km of jungle paths. In a 1927 'Handbook to British Malaya', it mentioned that there were 9 government bungalows for the use of government officials, 4 houses built with the help of Red Cross for ex-servicemen and women, 3 private homes, a 'country club' , a golf course, and water supply was complete and of course a post office.[3]
Fraser's Hill is measured at 1,260 meters above sea level. Year round temperatures are between 17°C~25°C / 63°F~77°F. This resort is situated approximately 64.6 miles / 104 kilometers from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
[edit] Golfing
One of Malaysia's earliest golf courses was constructed on Fraser's Hill in 1925. Cool and invigorating throughout the year, Fraser's Hill remains a popular site with the Malaysians and Singaporeans for company retreats and weekend get-aways.
[edit] Accommodation
Accommodation at Fraser's consists of (colonial era) bungalows for rent, as well as apartments, inns and other small hotels.[4]
[edit] List of accommodations
- Shahzan Inn (formerly Merlin Inn)
- Silverpark Hill Resort
- The Smokehouse
[edit] Bird watching
Fraser's Hill is becoming a center for bird watching aficionados. The hill station has over 270 species of local and migratory birds flocking here together. The annual International Bird Race organized by the Fraser's Hill Development Corporation in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society oversees participants throughout the world converging to the hill station to determine which team can sight, identify and record the most number of species of birds as stated in the official checklist. The 2006 Fraser's Hill International Bird Race was held on 24-25 June 2006.
[edit] Recreational activities
There are a few hiking trails available scattered around the hill; their entrance is usually marked by signboards. Also, there exists an accessible waterfall (but the facilities there are extremely dilapidated).
[edit] External links
- Fraser's Hill on JourneyMalaysia
- Highlands of Pahang - Fraser's Hill
- Fraser's Hill travel guide from Wikitravel
- Fraser's Hill Tours
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