Find out why Fraser’s Hill should be on your itinerary in Malaysia!
Whenever my family and I are looking for a quick getaway from Kuala Lumpur, we always consider going to Fraser’s Hill in Pahang. It’s only a 2-hour drive away from our home, so the short but scenic road trip helps to calm my mind, not to mention the destination that awaits.
Throughout our many visits to this mountain village, we’ve managed to create a mini-itinerary of our own. This consists of restaurants to check out, possible places to stay in, things to do and more—and I’m glad to share them here with you!
If you’re planning on escaping your problems from your daily hustle and bustle, consider this guide as a sign to visit Fraser’s Hill soon!
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Fraser’s Hill depends on what you want to get out of your experience in the mountain village. For instance, if you want pleasant weather with fewer chances of rain, we recommend visiting from May to June so that you can enjoy all the outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, if you want to escape the heat and enjoy the coolest weather it has to offer, we recommend visiting from November to February. During these months, the temperature can drop to as low as 15°C upon sundown so be sure to layer as much as possible!
Lastly, if you don’t want to encounter crowds during your visit, you may want to schedule your visit around July to September and March to April. However, keep in mind that it’s more likely to rain during these months.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: Fraser’s Hill, Pahang Malaysia
How to Get There
Train: Riding the train is a great way to get to Fraser’s Hill without breaking the bank. To do this, you have to take the KTM Komuter North Line from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Kuala Kubu Bharu.
From the town of Kuala Kubu Bharu, you can either ride a taxi or a bus going to the entrance of Fraser’s Hill.
Car: Driving a car rental is our most recommended way of getting to Fraser’s Hill, as it offers the most scenic road trip for you and your group. Plus, it provides you with the utmost comfort and privacy while giving you the decision to take any route you want.
If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, however, we recommend taking the Karak Highway to get to Raub. From there, you’ll find signs leading to Fraser’s Hill!
Taxi/Grab: You can also take a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Fraser’s Hill, just be sure that you and your driver can settle the fare amount before the trip. Usually, drivers won’t use their cab’s metres, which can be a problem.
If you want a more transparent and seamless way of getting to Fraser’s Hill, you can also book a ride through the Grab app.
Where to Stay near Fraser’s Hill
Shahzan Inn Fraser’s Hill
Address: Shahzan Inn Fraser’s Hill, Jalan Lady Guillemard, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 9-362 2300
Pricing: $
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Shahzan Inn is one of the best value-for-money lodging options in Fraser’s Hill. It doesn’t have the fanciest rooms and the most varied facilities and amenities, but it does a great job of giving its guests a comfortable and homey place to stay.
The biggest highlight of staying here, however, is the location, as it’s located in the heart of Fraser’s Hill. For instance, must-see attractions in the village like The Paddock and the clocktower are both minutes away!
We also have to highlight their customer service, as everyone from the receptionist down to the kitchen staff is super respectful and accommodating. Speaking of the kitchen, you won’t be disappointed with what they have to offer from their restaurant as well!
Puncak Inn
Address: Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill
Phone: +60 9-362 2007
Pricing: $
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Puncak Inn is another cheap but reliable option we always consider when going to Fraser’s Hill. Its rooms won’t burn a hole in your pocket, but they don’t cut corners in quality.
What we absolutely love about their rooms is that they guarantee you a world-class view of Fraser’s Hill! This is of course, on top of the other pros of staying in one of these rooms like their cleanliness, huge soft beds, free Wi-Fi connection, etc.
Lastly, we highly recommend Puncak Inn for its prime location, as it’s located smack-dab in the middle of Fraser’s Hill. This means that several points of interest like restaurants, cafes, stores and other attractions can be easily accessed from here.
The Pines at Fraser’s Hill
Address: Jalan Pecah Batu, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 9-362 2122
Pricing: $$
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If you’re looking for a charming place to stay in Fraser’s Hill that’s located near the village’s attractions, then you should check out The Pines! This old-timey spot transformed its retro apartments into modern suites that can act as your second home during your visit here.
Booking one of their rooms also means that you’re punching a first-class ticket to admiring the quaint village of Fraser’s Hill.
You’ll also appreciate the apartment’s location, as it’s within walking distance to nearby attractions, cafes and restaurants—talk about convenience!
The Smokehouse Hotel & Restaurant Fraser’s Hill
Address: Jalan Jeriau, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 9-362 2226
Pricing: $-$$
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The Smokehouse Hotel & Restaurant is one of the most beautiful places you can choose to stay in when you’re in Fraser’s Hill. It’s akin to those village houses you’ll find in the Netherlands, which is why we immediately turned our heads towards it the first time we saw it.
To our surprise, this beauty is evident in the hotel’s interior as well, boasting colonial-style rooms and lobbies. Its looks aren’t the only thing it has going on too, as the rooms here feature all the amenities you may need for a comfortable stay.
This is also a great choice if you’re foodies like us, as it doubles as one of the best restaurants in the village! If you’re looking for roast beef, sandwiches and other savoury goodies, this is the best place to be!
Fraser’s Silverpark Resort
Address: 143, 422, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill
Phone: +60 19 388 4860
Pricing: $$
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Fraser’s Hill Silverpark Resort is one of our favourite places to stay in Fraser’s Hill because of two reasons: value for money and spectacular views. These two factors are showcased by their rooms, as they’re reasonably priced and provide balconies with views overlooking the city.
We also recommend this place for families, as it offers spacious suites that can fit large groups of people. Plus, these rooms come complete with amenities like en-suite toilet and bath, free Wi-Fi, TVs and more.
Where to Eat near Fraser’s Hill
GlassHouse Fraser’s
Address: Lot 1494, Jalan Lady Guillemard, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 12 207-9455
Pricing: $$
Website
If you’re looking for a spot that doesn’t only serve delicious meals but also provides spectacular views, then GlassHouse Fraser’s is your place! This charming cafe features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing its diners to admire Fraser’s Hill while enjoying their food!
Though it features limited seating, what we love about this place is that you’ll enjoy a serene dining experience, especially when it rains! This peaceful ambience makes for a great spot to wind down during one of those slow afternoons in the village.
Their menu is quite impressive as well, boasting delicious cakes and pastries that can satisfy both your hunger and sweet tooth. These light snacks are perfectly paired with one of their homebrewed coffee.
Scott’s Pub & Restaurant
Address: Jalan Gap, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 9-362 2118
Pricing: $$
Website
Scott’s Pub & Restaurant is a great option for those times when you’re craving the UK’s best dishes. It offers a wide array of amazing food, but one dish that we particularly love is the fish and chips.
We personally think that they’ve nailed this recipe to a tee, from the crispness of the batter down to the texture of the fries. We also love their homemade tartare sauce, which perfectly complements the fish and chips.
This spot provides an authentic pub experience akin to those you’ll find across England, complete with huge TVs playing Football games from the Premier League. If you really want to feel like you’re in a London pub, you can also try their delicious tap beer!
Cendol Pak Samat
Address: 89, 55, Kampung Kelapa, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru
Phone: +60 16-280 7247
Pricing: $
Website
When we’re coming from Kuala Kubu Baru, it’s almost a tradition to stop by Cendol Pak Samat before making the climb to Fraser’s Hill. It’s here where you’ll find the best ice cendol in town and they offer them in different variations!
Ice cendol is one of the best traditional Malay sweets, so you have to try it at least once during your trip to the country. It mainly consists of shaved ice topped with palm syrups, coconut milk and several other sweet ingredients that turn this otherwise simple dish into a fiesta of flavours.
Cendol Pak Samat’s version of this dish can be perfectly described as homemade. We say this because the ingredients they use aren’t the generic ones you’ll usually find in grocery stores but are made in-house!
98 Seafood Restaurant
Address: 33 & 34, Jalan Dato Balai, Kampung Tun Abdul Razak, 44000 Kuala Kubu Baru
Phone: +60 3-6064 1198
Pricing: $$
Website
Seafood cravings are inevitable when you’re in Malaysia because of how many restaurants offer them here. With that being said if you get the seafood munchies before or after your trip to Fraser’s Hill, you must stop by 98 Seafood Restaurant!
This Chinese restaurant offers a boatload of seafood delicacies from steamed fish to crab porridges, prawns and more! Meanwhile, if you’re not big into seafood, you can also order their pork knuckle and vegetables.
Speaking of non-seafood dishes, we have to highlight their smoked duck, as it’s the most tender and juiciest version we’ve ever tried. You can even request to have them deboned so that you’ll be left with huge chunks of meat!
Resipi Opah
Address: Jalan Gamelan 2, Taman Gamelan, 44000 Kuala Kubu Bharu
Phone: +60 12-228 3759
Pricing: $
Website
Meanwhile, if you’re craving local delicacies, Resipi Opah should be right on your radar! This restaurant serves a wide variety of Malay favourites, but the one we recommend the most is nasi lemak, which coincidentally is also the country’s national dish.
Whether you’re visiting in the morning, the afternoon or the evening, this is a great option to try, as it contains all the nutrition you need! It consists of fluffy fragrant rice, spicy sambal, anchovies, boiled eggs and fried chicken, creating the ultimate heavy meal for champions.
Furthermore, they also offer delicious pastries that are perfect for afternoon tea time like cakes, toast, scones and more!
What to Do in Fraser’s Hill
Ride majestic horses at The Paddock
Address: Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill
Phone: +60 9-362 2195
Cost: $
The Paddock is one of the highlights in Fraser’s Hill, as it offers the best views, a serene ambience and best of all, horseback riding lessons! It’s here where you’ll get to make your dreams of becoming an equestrian come true with the help of professionals!
It doesn’t matter whether you have zero horseback riding experience or if you’re an expert because there’ll be a lesson that will suit your needs. The area where you can ride these majestic manes isn’t bad as well, as it’s spacious enough for beginners!
As for the horses themselves, they’re all former racehorses, so you can expect them to be quite disciplined. Of course, we still recommend lending your ear to the professional to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride at Allan’s Water
Address: Jln High Pines, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 9-362 2195
Cost: $
Although Fraser’s Hill in general is considered an Insta-worthy place in Malaysia, the prettiest spot of this village is Allan’s Water. This place houses a beautiful and calm lake where you and your loved ones can go paddleboarding!
We’ve gotta say, there’s no other activity in the area that quite captures the overall peaceful vibe of rowing your own boat in the middle of a serene lake. Furthermore, the lake is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery as well, so you won’t run out of things to admire while you’re here!
Also, just a fun fact, this “lake” was once a water dam that was originally built during the British time in the country. You can also look at the board just in front of the gate of this attraction to learn more about its background.
Spot some beautiful birds
For bird lovers in Malaysia, Fraser’s Hill is almost synonymous with birdwatching because of the variety of species it houses. In fact, this mountain village is considered an important bird and biodiversity area, as it aims to protect and conserve these creatures.
You can spot these peaceful birds mostly while you’re hiking in its many trekking spots so be sure to stop and observe your surroundings! Two of the prettiest birds we’ve seen thus far include the red-bearded bee-eater and the sultan tit, but there are tons more to discover.
They’re quite visible throughout the year but if you want our advice, we recommend visiting from March to June, as this is the migration and breeding season of these species. This means that there’s a higher likelihood that you’ll get to see these birds during your trip.
Admire beautiful flowers at the Edible Garden
Address: 2, Jln High Pines, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Bukit Fraser
Phone: +60 12-201 9259
Cost: $
Whether you’re fond of growing plants or not, it will be impossible not to find the Edible Garden interesting. For starters, it teaches its visitors fascinating ways and practices on how to create a sustainable garden.
Furthermore, you can also find some fresh crops around the garden. One of the most notable things you’ll find here is fresh strawberries, though we’re not sure if they’re grown here, as we didn’t see any strawberry plants during our visit.
Lastly, you can also take part in a gardening workshop so you can come home with a new green thumb!
Conquer various hiking trails
From its pleasant cool weather to the absence of mosquitoes (sort of), Fraser’s Hill’s high altitude makes it a hiker’s paradise. The main factor that makes it a great hiking spot, however, is its abundance of trails.
These hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs. Regardless of which one you choose, however, you’ll still be treated to spectacular nature views and beautiful wildlife.
The hiking trails you’ll find here include:
Bishop Trail
Address: 422, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill
Length: 3.5 kilometres
Route type: Loop
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 15 minutes
The Bishop Trail will treat you to beautiful views of the forest along with all its beautiful and interesting wildlife. You’ll mostly find birds and some people have reported sightings of exotic species that you can’t find anywhere else—pretty cool!
It starts at Jasmin Road 3 and passes through the other hiking trails in the mountain before circling back to the starting point.
Just a quick side note, the trail can be very slippery and blood-sucking leeches are more common during the rainy season. Be sure to wear extra layers of clothing to cover your entire body and durable hiking shoes.
Hemnant Trail
Address: Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill
Length: 1.3 kilometres
Route type: Out & back
Estimated time to complete: 27 minutes
The Hemnant Trail is the easiest route out of the bunch, as it will only take you around half an hour to complete. However, we still recommend stopping from time to time to admire the different flora species scattered across the trail.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Fraser’s Hill
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
iOs | Android
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
iOs | Android
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
iOs | Android
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
iOs | Android
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
iOs | Android
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app
iOs