Travel Paradise: Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands(About 1850m above sea level) is a mountain peak within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor of Malaysia. Genting Highlands enjoys a spring-like climate,with temperatures no higher than 25°C and rarely falling below 14°C yearly. The temperature in Genting Highlands ranges from 16°C to 24°C all year around.

A self-proclaimed City of Entertainment, Genting Highlands is Malaysia’s low-budget, family-friendly, attempt at Las Vegas. The primary draw is that Genting Highlands is the only place where you can gamble legally in Malaysia, but there’s also a theme park to keep the kids amused. As a plus, being located up in the highlands means it’s cooler than the steamy lowlands.
WHAT IN GENTING HIGHLANDS

First World Plaza

First World Plaza is perhaps the coolest shopping mall in Malaysia – quite literally! Housing over 90 retail outlets, this shopping mall also contains a bowling arena, a cineplex, an indoor theme park, a man-made winter wonderland and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! This shopping-mall-with-a-difference also has plenty of dining options within it, from fast-food joints to gourmet restaurants, where patrons can fuel up after a long day trawling the shops and visiting all the featured attractions.

Casinos

There are two casinos open to the general public, both of which are open 24 hours and are limited to non-Muslims over 21.(Non-Malaysian Muslims are welcome.)
Table games of choice are roulette, baccarat and Chinese games such as tai sai and pai gow, with poker barely registering. There are also countless slot machines, but many if most require signing up with Genting’s WorldCard system if you want to withdraw any winnings.
A notional dress code applies, prohibiting T-shirts, shorts and sandals, and while there are theoretical non-smoking zones here and there, all casinos are wreathed in dense smoke. One final difference to Vegas: not only are there no cocktail waitresses, but you can’t even buy a drink inside.
a. Casino de Genting, Genting Hotel. Located in the and connected by walkway to the neighboring Monte Carlo Casino, this is easily the largest of the casinos and you’ll probably find your vice of choice in here somewhere – they even have a few video poker machines. Visitors with foreign passports are allowed to enter the “International Room” VIP zone if they agreee to sign up to WorldCard.
b. StarWorld, First World Hotel. A smaller-size replica of the Casino de Genting.

Arena of Stars

An impressive entertainment venue in a class of its own, Arena of Stars has played host to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry over the years. Jim Brickman, Richard Clayderman, Kitaro and The Black-Eyed Peas are just some of the international acts who have graced its halls. Hosts concerts and shows most weekends, but most feature B-grade Chinese pop stars or Western artists well past their prime.

Theme Parks

For families with children visiting Genting Highlands can be lots of fun. There is a wide selection of outdoor and indoor theme parks. For water lovers,there is a choice between an indoor splash pool with warm water, or an outdoor water park.
The outdoor theme park features more than 20 classic rides suitable for the entire family,such as the double loop Corkscrew, Rolling Thunder Mine Train, Cyclone and Flying Dragon. Other more gentle rides such as the monorail,mini train, Tea Cup and Flyong Jumbo are suitable for small children.
The sparking, new First World Plaza indoor theme park is the home for six theme areas from around the world each featuring unique rides France, England, Italy, America, Switzerland and Malaysia.
The First world Plaza also boasts the Genting Sky Venture, the only free fall skydiving simulator in Asia.
Opening Hours
Outdoor Park: Weekdays 10am to 6pm, Weekends 8am to 8pm
Indoor Park and First World Plaza rides: Daily 8am to 12midnight
More information about ticketing can be found at the Genting Highlands websites, there are often discount promotions for purchasing the Theme Park passes online.

WHERE TO STAY

With 10 00 rooms to chosen from, there are usually plenty of beds at Genting. On weekdays in the off-season, rooms can be very cheap indeed(under RM20), but demand is highly seasonal and the hotels fill up fast in November and December.
All hotels are run by Genting and share the same reservation center, reachable online or by phone at +60-3-27181118.
Top-Rated Hotels
1. Genting Hotel(5 star)
2. Highlands Hotel(5 star)
3. Resort Hotel Genting Highlands(4 star)
4. Theme Park Hotel(3 star)
5. First World Hotel(3 star)
6. Awana Genting Highlands
7. Twin Pines Chalet
8. Ria Apartments
9. Seri Malaysia Genting Highlands

HOW TO GET THERE

By bus

There are frequent buses from various points in Kuala Lumpur, including the Puduraya bus terminal(every 30min) and KL Sentral train station(hourly).
There are also buses from Pekeliling Bus Station to Genting Highlands(every 30 min). booking in advance is advisable as services can sell out, especially on weekends.
All buses take around one hour and cost RM8.30-RM8.50 one way, with most terminating at the Skyway cable car station, from where it’s an 11 min ride up to Genting Highlands(included in bus ticket price). Buses departing after 8pm head directly to the resort.

By car

It will take approximately 45 minutes to reach Genting Highlands if you start your journey from Kuala Lumpur Karak Highway. You can drive up either along Kurak Highway or the Batang Kali Road.

By Genting Skyway

Genting Skyway connects Genting Highlands with the kyway station in GohTong Jaya town. Covering a distance of 3.8km, it is South East Asia longest skyway system and also the world’s fastest skyway(at the maximum speed of 6 metres per second, the 3.38kilometres journey up the mountain peak takes only 11 min).Passengers will disembark at the smart and impressive Genting Skyway Station at GohTong Jaya. Bus and car parking facilities are readily available. The ultra-efficient station will allow hotel and luggage check-in procedures to be completed at the station itself. Visitors need only sit back and enjoy a leisurely ride up to the holiday resort without having to go through further hassles of checking-in formalities while at hotels.
Fare:RM4.00 one way, RM7.00 return

Genting Highlands Map