Bukit Tinggi Resort, French-style village

Fancy going to a quaint French-style village without having to leave Malaysia? Head for Colmar Tropicale at the Bukit Tinggi Resort, a new hill destination in Pahang with a variety of unique theme attractions.

As the car goes up the mountain road to about 2,600 feet, you can get the first glimpse of Colmar Tropicale nestling among the green pine trees. It looks like a castle from a storybook. Actually, Colmar Tropicale is a charming reproduction of a French village dating back to the 16th century in the Alsace region of France. In the cool mountain air, colourful flowers in the garden add to the European touch of the attraction.

Visitors walk across a wooden drawbridge to the entrance of Colmar Tropicale, just like going into a castle in the olden days. Look up and you can see a tower designed after the Riquewihr Tower in Alsace, with a cuckoo clock at the top. Kids just love to see the wooden cuckoo come out as the clock chimes every 15 minutes and on the hour.

Inside Colmar Tropicale is a cobblestone street with colourful Colmar-style buildings on either side housing a hotel and food outlets. Further up the village street, Colmar Square features a fountain, a wishing well, and a viewing tower. You can walk up to the top of the tower and get a scenic view of the surrounding hills. Afterwards, relax on a park bench before enjoying a meal in the hotel coffeehouse or at the sidewalk deli. Later, you can browse around in the shops that offer a variety of products such as gift items, handicraft, pewter, wines and batik, and watch a candle and soap-making demonstration at La Livande. You can also make your own candles or soap at the workshop. Visitors can also enjoy various activities, including karaoke, board games, swimming, treasure hunt and telematch. Don’t forget to take lots of souvenir photos at the picturesque Colmar Tropicale.

Another attraction is the Rabbit Park, a firm favourite with kids who just love to cuddle the rabbits. Even adults will be charmed by the sight of dozens of white, brown and grey rabbits hopping about in the park. Donkey rides and children’s archery are also available here.

Higher tip Bukit Tinggi at about 3,500 feet above sea level is the authentic wooden Japanese Tea House, the first in a tropical rainforest. It is a pleasure to take a leisurely stroll in the serene landscaped Japanese Garden, where colourful koi swim around in the fish pond set amongst lush mountain plants. For tea lovers, a Japanese Tea Ceremony can be conducted, and kimonos can be rented. The Tatami Spa offers a range of Japanese spa treatments.

Nearby is the Botanical Garden, where the colourful temperate flowers and the exotic tropical plants will surely attract much interest. Night adventure activity, night walk and jungle trekking can be conducted at the Botanical Garden.

At night, there is even a ‘volcano eruption’ at Bukit Tinggi! This eruption happens once at 9pm from Sunday to Thursday, and twice at 9pm and 10:15pm on Fridays, Saturdays, eve of public holidays and on public holidays.

Besides visiting these attractions, there are plenty of sports activities to enjoy such as horse-riding at the Stable. The Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club offers an 18-hole international standard golf course, a driving range, a bowling alley, tennis, badminton, squash, snooker, table tennis, a gym, archery and paintball tag.

Bukit Tinggi has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Hotel accommodation is available at Colmar Tropicale, the Bukit Tinggi Golf & Country Club, Meranti Park Suites, and the upscale Japanese-style Sakura and Ume Tatami Suites in the Japanese Garden, which afford fantastic views of the surrounding peaks.

GETTING THERE:

About 60 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur via the Karak Highway

Open: Daily

Charges:   Visit Colmar Tropicale. Rabbit Park, Japanese Tea House and Botanical Garden for RM16 nett (per adult)

RM8 nett (per child aged 4-12 years)

Charges / rentals apply for activities.

Some activities are arranged upon request and are subject to group size.

Please confirm details and all latest charges with Colmar Tropicale.

Supporting facilities: Food outlets, accommodation, car park

Information / Hotel reservations:   Colmar Tropicale Kuala Lumpur Sales Office

Tel: 603-2141 0088

Fax: 603-2142 7388

or Colmar Tropicale Bukit Tinggi

Tel: 609-288 8888

Fax: 603-288 3333

E-mail: colmartropicale©po.jaring.my