During the Chinese New Year of 2008, I traveled to Cameron Highlands. It reminded me of Mae Salong where I visited in January 2007.
Cameron Highlands of Malaysia and Mae Salong in Northern Thailand share many similarities: both are hill resorts; both are famous for tea production; Cameron Highlands is known for its flowers while Mae Salong is dotted with sakura in late December or January. But there is one aspect they differ significantly: Cameron Highlands is big; Mae Salong remains small, for now.
Cherry blossom in Mae Salong
Cameron Highlands actually consists of several towns. They are, from north to south, Kampung Raja, Kuala Terla, Tringkap, Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet. Tanah Rata and Ringlet used to be the more developed towns. However, since the opening of a new access road in early 2000s, the other towns to the north are fast catching up. During my trip, I saw lots of constructions going on.
I believe Cameron Highlands is over-developed. Clearing up of forests for development has already caused the mercury to rise. Not to mention the dreaded gridlock during peak tourist season.
Mae Salong, on the other hand, still maintains a small town charm. Now I hope it will not make the same mistake as Cameron Highlands did.
Related posts:
Mae Salong
Wat Santikiri, Mae Salong
Cherry Blossom, Mae Salong
Shinsane Guesthouse, Mae Salong
Hilltribes of Northern Thailand
Camelia
Mmmmm......I miss Cameron highlands.
ReplyDeleteI recall spending about a month there working on the hydro project many moons ago.
cocka,
ReplyDeleteYou should go there again before it is ruined by over-development.
是啊...Mae Salong 很美很自然。有机会要去住个几天。
ReplyDelete我同意你写的，自己旅行也许会错过一些景点，只要自己了解这趟旅行的目的，并得到想要的，那意义已经超出错过的遗憾了。
我喜欢不受约束的旅行。
I hope I can go to cameron this year.. hopefully..
ReplyDeletesinji
ReplyDeleteHmm... you also have been to Mae Salong. Guess you must have traveled to many places.
keeyit
No need to hope. Just go. Cameron is near.
Over developing causes landslides once in a while. They should try to preserve the trees.
ReplyDeleteOver-development is the right term to use in this case. I was told that the weather is no longer as cool as it used to be. So sad.
ReplyDeleteCherry blossoms in Mae Salong - so sweet! Thanks for sharing that.
happy
ReplyDeleteYes, Cameron Highlands is no longer as cool as it was 20 years ago, but this is also true for lowland in Malaysia.
jam
ReplyDeleteI think landslide occurs mostly near the old road, i.e. from Tapah to Ringlet. The new one from Simpang Pulai is better.