A Visitor’s Guide to the BOH Tea Plantation

There is a unique feeling that comes with seeing the BOH Tea Plantation in the Cameron Highlands for the first time. The endless green waves of tea bushes create a landscape that feels both immense and peaceful, making it one of Malaysia’s most iconic attractions.

Many travellers visit to see these famous hills, but soon discover there’s more than one location to explore, each offering a slightly different experience.

The main visitor hubs are the modern BOH Tea Centre at the Sungei Palas estate and the more traditional centre at the Habu estate.

To help you plan, we will walk through what makes each site special, what activities you can enjoy, and practical tips for making your trip a memorable one.

Highlights of the BOH Tea Plantation

When we visit the BOH Tea Plantation Cameron Highlands, we are met with incredible panoramic views of rolling hills covered in a sea of green. Established in 1929 by a British businessman named J.A. Russell, BOH is the largest and oldest tea producer in Malaysia.

The company manages four main plantations that cover around 1,200 hectares, producing about 4 million kilograms of tea each year. This accounts for roughly 70% of Malaysia’s total tea output.

For visitors, there are two primary destinations to experience this legacy: the Sungei Palas Tea Garden and the BOH Tea Centre near Habu.

What can I see at Sungei Palas Tea Garden?

The Sungei Palas Tea Garden is the more modern and popular of the two main visitor centres, known for its stunning architecture and sweeping scenic views. A key feature here is J.A.’s Balcony, a 20-foot overhanging platform that gives you an amazing, unobstructed view of the tea valley below. It is an incredible spot for photography.

Inside the visitor centre, you can learn about the history of BOH and the tea production process through informative displays. While full factory tours can be occasional, large glass panels allow you to see into parts of the processing plant where leaves are withered, rolled, and dried.

The centre also includes:

• A Modern Café: The café features floor-to-ceiling windows and serves a variety of BOH teas, including signature blends like Palas Afternoon, alongside cakes and scones.
• A Tea Shop: Here you can buy a wide range of BOH products, from classic black teas to flavoured infusions, to take home as souvenirs.
• Tea Tasting Sessions: For a small fee, you can join a guided tasting to sample different tea varieties and learn to distinguish their unique flavours.

The Sungei Palas centre is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, but is closed on Mondays unless it is a school or public holiday.

What is there to do at the BOH Tea Centre?

Often referred to as the Habu location, the original BOH Tea Centre offers a quieter and more historical experience. This was the first tea garden established by founder J.A. Russell, transforming virgin jungle into what would become Malaysia’s premier tea plantation.

This centre has a more classic, heritage feel. While here, we can enjoy many of the same core activities as at Sungei Palas, but often with fewer crowds. The main attractions include soaking in the panoramic views of the rolling hills from the café while sipping on a fresh cup of BOH tea. Many visitors enjoy trying local favourites like teh tarik, a creamy, frothy tea popular across Malaysia.

You can also join guided tours to learn about tea production, from the careful plucking of the leaves to the final packaging. The centre also has a viewing platform perfect for taking photos of the lush tea gardens. For those interested in souvenirs, a shop offers everything from premium teas to handmade goods that reflect the plantation’s spirit.

Activities for Visitors

A visit to the BOH Tea Plantation offers more than just beautiful landscapes. We can get a firsthand look at how tea is made through factory tours, and numerous walking paths provide perfect opportunities to capture the stunning panoramic views of the Cameron Highlands’ rolling hills.

How do BOH Tea factory tours work?

The factory tours at BOH offer a fascinating glimpse into the tea production process, which turns freshly plucked leaves into the final product. Entry is often free, and the tours provide a walk-through experience explaining the five main stages of black tea manufacturing.

The process includes:

1. Withering: Green leaves are spread in troughs where dry air is blown through them for 12 to 20 hours to reduce moisture content.
2. Rolling: The withered leaves are twisted and broken by machines, some of which date back to 1935, to release their natural juices.
3. Fermentation (Oxidation): The broken leaves are exposed to oxygen for about two to three hours, which develops their characteristic flavour, aroma, and coppery colour.
4. Drying: The leaves are passed through hot air nearing 100 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes to stop fermentation and reduce moisture to less than 3%.
5. Sorting: Finally, the dried tea is graded by particle size using vibrating sieves, with fibres and stalks removed.

Photography is often not permitted inside the factory itself, so it is always a good idea to check with the guides beforehand.

Where are the best scenic viewpoints for photography?

The Cameron Highlands, and specifically the BOH plantations, are a photographer’s paradise. The rolling hills and vibrant green tea gardens provide countless opportunities for stunning shots.

Here are some of the best spots to capture the beauty:

• J.A.’s Balcony at Sungei Palas: This iconic cantilevered viewing deck offers sweeping, unobstructed panoramic views of the tea valley, making it the most famous photo spot.
• The Café Terrace: Both the Sungei Palas and Habu centres have cafés with large windows or terraces that frame the tea fields perfectly, especially in the soft light of the early morning.
• Walking Trails: The paths that wind through the plantation allow you to get up close to the tea bushes, offering unique compositions with rows of green leading into the distance.
• Sunrise Spots: For the truly dedicated, arriving before opening hours can reward you with magical views of the sun rising over the misty hills, casting a golden glow on the landscape.

A pro-tip from photography enthusiasts is to visit during the “golden hour,” right after sunrise or before sunset, when the light is soft and adds a beautiful warmth to the green scenery.

Tips for Visiting

To make the most of our visit, a little planning goes a long way. It is wise to check the weather forecast and try to visit on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds. The Cameron Highlands are a popular destination, especially during school holidays and weekends. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the rolling hills, and the visitor centres are great places for a break.

When is the best time to visit the BOH Tea Plantation?

The best time to visit the BOH Tea Plantation is during the dry season, which typically runs from February to April. During these months, you will likely experience clearer skies and less rain, making it ideal for photography and exploring the grounds.

To avoid crowds, we recommend following these tips:

The early mornings in Cameron Highlands reveal the plantation’s magic, a dance of sun and mist over green waves.

What accessibility options and facilities are available?

Facilities like toilets and covered seating are readily available at both the Sungei Palas and Habu visitor centres. The main café and shop areas are generally easy to access.

However, the natural terrain of the Cameron Highlands presents some challenges for accessibility. While the Sungei Palas centre has paved walkways and boardwalks, visitors should be prepared for stairs and some steep paths, especially when heading to the viewing platforms or walking through the plantation.

For visitors with mobility concerns, it is a good idea to call ahead or speak with staff upon arrival. They can often provide guidance on the most accessible routes. It is also important to note that the narrow and winding roads leading to the plantations cannot accommodate large tour buses, so access is limited to cars and smaller vans.

Conclusion

A trip to the BOH Tea Plantation is an unforgettable experience, filled with stunning panoramic views and the rich aroma of fresh tea.

Whether you choose the modern elegance of the Sungei Palas Tea Garden or the quiet history of the original BOH Tea Centre, you are sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for Malaysia’s tea heritage.

With helpful guides, clear paths, and incredible scenery, exploring these famous tea fields in the Cameron Highlands is a true delight.