The Time Tunnel is a local museum dedicated to preserving the historical memory and cultural heritage of Cameron Highlands and Malaysia's hey days. Located in Brinchang, the museum occupies a basement within Kok Lim Strawberry Farm, perched next to the main road 2km after town or 3km before Kea Farm. The 1,000 odd exhibits are the private collection of See Kok Shan, a Cameron local with a penchant for vintage items and memorabilia. Having acummulated much junk over years of domestic travel, See partnered with the owner of Kok Lim Strawberry Farm to open Time Tunnel - a way of sharing his treasure trove and memories with visitors from all walks of life.
Since 2007, the Time Tunnel has been a steady tourist attraction, especially among seniors. Walking down the passageway, it is clear that meticulous care has gone into recreating past scenery and landscapes for visitors to explore. Most prominent are the snapshots of life during the colonial era and subsequent years after Independence; a classic pub house, Chinese coffee shop ('Kopitiam'), traditional hair saloon, Peranakan dressing room and even an old kitchen, complete with cans and utensils of extinct brands. Notable personalities are also highlighted, such as; legendary Thai silk trader Jim Thompson, who disappeared mysteriously from the Cameron Highlands in 1967; Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who spend some holidays in his youth here; and P. Ramlee, an ancient but influential musician.
Structurally, Time Tunnel is one long passageway that loops to the end, with exhibits along the sides or nested within recesses. Many of the 'artifacts' on display are simple (but ancient) items of popular culture; cigarette boxes, drink bottles, vinyl discs, cuckoo clocks and ceramic toys and other common stuff that have now become collectibles, due to their rarity and sentimental value. The museum even has sections on the agricultural activities, tourism development and aborigine lifestyles in Cameron Highlands. Meanwhile, soft evergreen tunes play from speakers, echoing through the basement to set visitors in the 'right' mood for a history lesson.