Time Tunnel Museum in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands is a stark contrast from all the farms and tea plantations.
What can you see here and since entry is not free, is it worth a visit? What exactly are you missing out on if you skip this gallery?
Find out more about the Time Tunnel Museum in this post!
Table of contents:
- History
- Attractions
- Location
- Entrance Fee
- Parking
- Summary
- Attractions Nearby
- Getting To Time Tunnel Museum From Ipoh
History Of The Time Tunnel Museum
The Time Tunnel Museum is under the radar for many visitors who go up to Cameron Highlands! Even though it’s been around for more than a decade.
Started in February, 2007 by passionate antique collector, See Kok Shan:
The Time Tunnel Museum was one of the first museums in Malaysia to have the memorabilia concept that can now be found in other states like Malacca, Penang and Ipoh!
See himself grew up in Cameron Highlands. And there’s a great deal of old photographs that show how Cameron Highlands has changed throughout the years!
Time Tunnel Museum was the result of a partnership between Kok Lim Strawberry Farm (presently Time Tunnel Strawberry Farm) and See so that he could share his private collection of old treasures with the world!
The indoor gallery is by the road, between the Farmers Arcade Cameron Highlands and the new Agro Market.
While dark and narrow, the gallery goes on for much longer than it appears to from the outside.
There is no need for air-conditioning inside the enclosed gallery as there are extractor fans that pull in cool air from the outside.
Attractions At The Time Tunnel Museum – What Is On Display Here?
The main highlight of Cameron Highlands is the greenery outside! That means farms, tea plantations and gardens!
Meanwhile:
History and nostalgia is the main theme at Time Tunnel Musuem as you will surely notice from their exhibits!
While dark and narrow, the gallery goes on for much longer than it appears to from the outside.
There is no need for air-conditioning inside the enclosed gallery as there are extractor fans that pull in cool air from the outside.
There is clear order to how the items are arranged in the gallery. We’ll break them up to 4 parts for easier reading.
First Section
To start with, you might see an antique car to the side of the entrance. This is followed by a small exhibit on the orang asli as well as a display of their crafts.
There are old photographs of the indigenous Malay tribes that were living in Cameron Highlands long before the British came to Melaya.
Further on, there are heavily aged bicycles, stoves, and seemingly random junk. These accompany documents on the wall. Some detail what life was like in Malaysia during World War 2 – evidence of the Emergency Period.
Second Section
The next section in the museum is dedicated to memorabilia from the past. If you’re from the 80s, you will find many of them nostalgic.
There are different exhibits made to resemble typical daily scenes back in the old days. For example, a mahjong set up or hair salon.
If you look at the walls, there are many posters, logos, and signs that showcase the evolution of different household brands – some are familiar and some no longer exist.
Third Section
There’s one corner dedicated to Merdeka memorabilia. And another corner with articles on Jim Thompson’s mysterious disappearance in Cameron Highlands back in 1967.
The gallery follows a historical timeline of Cameron Highlands from when it was first discovered by William Cameron in 1885. And how it gradually became a hill resort during the 1920s.
You can see how Cameron Highlands has developed over the years as well as the current issues it faces from rapid development. You can see what Cameron Highlands was like before the Habu Dam was built.
One of the collector’s most prized possessions in his collection is an old photograph of Tanah Rata that dates to 1930s.
Fourth Section
The last bit of the museum touches on how the Chinese migrated to Malaysia.
There is an old bicycle and wooden shop cart as well as a detailed kopitiam scene at the very back.
From here on, you can exit the museum into Time Tunnel Strawberry Farm (previously Kok Lim Strawberry Farm).
Note: The rabbits they keep at the strawberry farm are pitiful. We couldn’t help but buy some leaves for them to make their day.
Location Of Time Tunnel Museum
If you don’t drive too fast:
The indoor gallery is by the road, between the Farmers Arcade Cameron Highlands and the new Agro Market.
The museum is housed in a warehouse next to the strawberry farm.
- Location: Cameron Highland, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm
Time Tunnel Museum Entrance Fee
It doesn’t cost much to enter the museum so you can bring your whole family! There is no time limit to how long you can stay either!
Adults pay RM8 each to enter the museum.
The counter is right in front of the museum. And you enter the museum through a small gate that is behind the counter.
Parking At The Time Tunnel Museum
Time Tunnel Museum is in the same rows as other little shops. So, the free parking in front of this row may be full on busier days (i.e. weekends and public holidays).
Because this is a roadside location, you don’t have other options besides these parking lots.
Time Tunnel Museum Summary
For the price, it’s worth having a look!
However, if you don’t have much time up in Cameron Highlands, you might want to read this section carefully!
What You’ll Like:
- The older generation have an opportunity to relive their childhood to their children and grandchildren – Family bonding experience!
- Younger generations get to appreciate what everyday life was like in the past, without the modern conveniences of today!
- It’s interesting to see how well-known household brands evolved throughout the years!
- Attention to details is apparent in the setups and displays
- Learn about the journey to Malaysia’s independence besides the history of Cameron Highlands
- Well-organized gallery with interesting information and beautiful set-ups
- Affordable entry rates
- Rainproof activity (fully indoors)
- In between other main attractions
- Mostly flat – not too difficult for elderly or those with mobility issues to get around
What You Won’t Like:
- Clear exploitation of animals (rabbits) outside the museum
- Limited parking
Good To Know:
- Takes 30 minutes to 1 hour (or even up to 2 hours) to explore and take photos!
Attractions Near Time Tunnel Museum
Since you’re in the area, you might as well check out these attractions too!
All of which are just a short drive away!
1. Time Tunnel Strawberry Farm (Next Door)
If you haven’t had a chance to pick strawberries at a strawberry farm in Cameron Highlands yet, here’s an opportunity!
It’s not as frequented as the other strawberry farms so you might be able to find some nice strawberries here!
Rates for picking their strawberries: Every 500g costs RM30
Note: Quite steep in some places
2. Cactus Point (2 Minutes’ Drive)
This is the place to go if you want to see lots of cacti! It’s free to enter and some of the cacti here are older than 20 years!
There are cacti, succulents, gardening supplies and many types of other plants for sale!
Note: Can be quite crowded on weekends
Further reading:
- 4 Best Rose Gardens In Cameron Highlands That Flower Lovers Must Not Miss Out On!
- 3 Best Honey Bee Farm In Cameron Highlands
- Butterfly Farm Cameron Highlands: Everything About This Farm + Review
3. Gunung Brinchang Jungle Walk No. 1 (3 Minutes’ Drive)
There are guided tours for this trail that take you up to the Mossy Forest. But you can also do it on your own if you have sufficient experience hiking in a Malaysian jungle before!
You just need to use an offline map from the app, Maps.Me to locate the entrance and start your hike!
The boardwalk makes it easier to see the forest (protecting the fragile root system as well) but it can be slippery so move with caution!
If you go early in the morning, it’s pretty chilly! Do wear long pants and have a rainproof jacket!
Note: You won’t see anything from the top unless it’s a clear day!
4. Farmers Arcade Cameron Highlands (1 Minute Drive)
Gardening enthusiasts must stop here as the flowers and plants are sold at really good rates! There is a lot of variety to choose from!
The garden and displays are lovely too and they have a small café where you can get some coffee and treats! Strawberry ice cream, anyone?
Read more:
- 29 Must-See Cameron Highlands Attractions
- Lavender Garden – Must-see Lavender Farm In Cameron Highland
- Kea Farm Market At Cameron Highlands: All Covered Including Food & What To Buy
- Cameron Highlands Night Market: Brinchang Night Market One-stop Guide
Getting To Time Tunnel Museum From Ipoh
Combine this into your flexible Cameron Highlands trip itinerary with private tour service by RayTheTour!
- Comfortable transport from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands
- Cameron Highlands private tour from Ipoh by an experienced local guide
- Pick-up from anywhere in Ipoh (drop-off too if it’s the same day!)
- Drop-off at your hotel in Cameron Highlands on the same day
See TripAdvisor reviews for their tours!
WhatsApp RayTheTour to inquire more!
Further reading:
Conclusion
Time Tunnel Museum in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands is worth a visit if you have at least an hour to spare in your Cameron Highlands Trip!
Learn how Cameron Highlands got to the way it is today! And more!
We do highly recommend a visit here. In any case, it helps break up the monotony of all the gardens and farms in Cameron Highlands.
The museum houses numerous memorabilia from the 50s to 80s that will surely take older Malaysians into a sentimental trip down memory lane!
Other places of interest in Cameron Highlands that you can plan together with a visit to the Time Tunnel Museum are Cactus Point and Agro Market.
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