At an altitude of roughly 1,500m (5,000ft) in the Titiwangsa Mountains, Fraser’s Hill lies only a couple of hours’ drive north-east of KL, but the contrast in climate and atmosphere is total. Refreshingly cool air envelops the dense, moist, moss-covered forests and peaks where, in the 1890s, the Scottish tin prospector, Louis James Fraser, established a mining camp. A network of paths and scattering of bungalows followed in later years, along with a Country Club and golf course to which British officials would retreat when the heat got too much for them at sea level.

Today, the hill station is of particular interest to birdwatchers as its beautiful woodland hosts around 270 species, including hornbills. The annual Bird Race, in which participants compete to sight and identify as many species as possible from the official list, attracts ornithologists from all over the world.