Genting Highland (云顶高原)

Genting Highlands is Malaysia’s vibrant mountain resort, less than an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Located on the 1,800m Gunung Ulu Kali mountain, Genting Highlands is surrounded by rugged terrain and dense tropical rainforest. But nowadays, the resort has become a major international entertainment hub, featuring everything from a theme park and casino to a huge shopping centre and accommodation.

Plans for the construction of the resort were drawn up in the 1960s, before which the area was a largely undeveloped tropical wilderness. Malaysian-Chinese businessman Lim Goh Tong came up with the idea after paying a visit to the Cameron Highlands – situated north of Genting resort in Pahang – and was won over by the beautiful views and crisp air.

Three theme parks have been built at Genting Highlands – the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, First World Indoor Theme Park and the aptly named Water Park. These are home to more than 20 signature attractions, including the white-knuckle Corkscrew – a double-loop rollercoaster that reaches speeds of up to 45mph and loops at heights of 90ft above the ground.

After dark, venues such as the Arena of Stars and Genting International Showroom play host to performances from some of the biggest names in comedy, theatre, music and more. Bargain-hunters won’t be disappointed by the First World Plaza, described by the resort as Malaysia’s coolest shopping destination.

Today, Genting Highlands remains one of Malaysia’s top holiday destinations and is especially popular with families, children and school trips.

The cable car ride is one of Genting Highland’s most popular tourist attractions, providing a quick method of travel to the peak that overlooks rainforest valleys stretching all the way to KL on a good day. Awana Skyway is the primary cable car line that begins from Awana Bus Station near Gohtong Jaya town that ends at SkyAvenue on the summit, able to ferry 3,000 people every hour at full capacity.

The 2.8km ride takes ten minutes with gondolas that accommodate ten passengers; a premium glass-bottomed type seats six visitors with a view of ground below. Visitors can park at Awana Car Park where 4,500 bays are available; rides occur daily from 7am till midnight. When Awana Skyway is closed for maintenance, the older Genting Skyway provides an alternative cable car route.

Chin Swee Cave Temple is a popular tourist attraction perched a few km before the peak of Genting Highlands on a sharp, rocky slope. Originally a cave temple, years of development have produced an expansive physical complex beyond the original altar chamber, rooted in traditional Chinese architecture expressed by ornate prayer halls, colourful statues, opulent archways and its iconic pagoda.

The temple was built by the founder of Genting (Lim Goh Tong) to venerate Buddhist figure Chin Swee, a year after he constructed the first resort and casino in 1975. The site was chosen as it reminded him of his birth village’s landscape in Fujian, China. Constructed over 18 years with a foundation dug from solid bedrock, modern machinery was eschewed because of harsh terrain.

The Genting Highlands Strawberry Leisure Farm is a popular tourist attraction in Gohtong Jaya, nestled directly at town opposite the Mawar and Bunga Raya Apartments. The farm can easily be reached by taking left from the roundabout past Hotel Seri Malaysia (if coming from Karak Highway), and following the road all the way to its end.

Strawberries are not the only cultivations – mushrooms, herbs, flowers and hydroponic vegetables are also grown here commercialy in adjoining nurseries. Besides the farm’s marketplace, visitors can also purchase strawberries by plucking them directly and paying by weight from 100gm onwards – this is a very popular family activity.

Happy Bee Farm and Insect World is located along the main road a short distance before Gohtong Jaya town – where visitors can look at local honey production and even sample some of this sweet delight. The admission ticket provides for a guided tour across the premises, including honey tasting, viewing a gallery of live and mounted insects, and complimentary honey-based drink at the cafe.

A boutique shop retails local handicrafts, souvenirs and picture frames with mounted insects, but also live beetles that visitors can purchase as pets. Meanwhile, the adjoining section showcases various honey products including balm, soap and sweets also for sale.

Genting Highlands Premium Outlets officially debuted on June 15th! There are a total of 150 shops in the store to make you stroll! After that, I want to buy a brand name and have another place!

Genting Highland Premium Outlet is the first famous brand city in Southeast Asia. It is the second famous brand mall under Yunding Simon Private Limited after the opening of the Johor brand city in 2011. Genting Highlands Premium Outlets has a total of 150 stores, including designer clothes, bags, shoes, and of course food ！

SkyCasino Genting is known as the largest casino in Genting Highlands, spanning two floors with eight dining venues, a massive LED screen on the ceilings, and a variety of gaming tables and slot machines. It’s located within SkyAvenue Shopping Mall and operates 24 hours a day, making it a popular entertainment centre among adult visitors. This forest-themed casino is fitted with plenty of earth-toned furnishings and wooden fixtures, while its state-of-the-art ceiling, which is 16 metres in height, offers a digitalised image of the sky and towering trees. The gaming tables and machines are spaciously spread out throughout both levels, along with seven LED screens that display ongoing competitive gaming tournaments. You can easily find self-service kiosks, Genting ATMs and bank teller machines here, as well as casino personnel on hand if you’re in need of assistance. For added convenience, treasury counters are also available for transactions at SkyCasino Genting.