Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands or 'City of Entertainment' is a perfect getaway destination for many Malaysians. The highlands are very popular with people that want to escape the hot and humid weather in Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures vary often around 16/24 degrees, which is quite cold for people from KL. There are a couple of massive hotels in Genting Highlands, where you can book a room for a very affordable price. Prices are this low because the only (legal land-based) casinos are located in Genting Highlands. You can compare it with a small version of Las Vegas. Apart from the casinos, you also have a huge theme park, which makes it a perfect destination for families with kids. The highlands are at about 1760 meters above sea level, from the top there is a gorgeous view of the valley in which Kuala Lumpur is situated.

Travel Information

Since 1971, Genting Highlands has remained the only legal gambling outfit in Malaysia - its very own mini Las Vegas on a mountain top. While the casinos are central to Genting Highlands, a theme park provides fun rides and activities for adults and children alike, while SkyAvenue and First World Plaza are colourful shopping complexes with restaurants, entertainment and boutique outlets.

On the peak, First World Hotel - the largest hotel in Asia with over 6,000 budget rooms - provides much of the budget accommodation along with family-oriented Theme Park Hotel. Genting Grand (formerly Genting Hotel) and Maxims (formerly Highlands Hotel) are classy five star establishments while Resort Hotel bridges the gap between budget and luxury accommodation.

Genting Highlands has a cooling climate between 20°C to 26°C during the day and 15°C to 20°C during the night. Misty weather is a prevalent element and thunder storms are frequent towards the year end. However, you can visit Genting Highlands anytime, as the roads up are made of sturdy construction that resists most landslides.

If you prefer a dry holiday, the best time to come here would lie between March and September when the rainfall is generally least. Be sure to wear some thick clothing at night if you're susceptible to cold. The mist around the peak can obscure panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur city and the landscape below, so the best time for a view is usually the early morning or late evenings.

Attractions

On the peak of Genting Highlands, visitors may enjoy a wide range of Las Vegas-styled entertainment, including glitzy shopping malls, colourful theme parks and a cable car ride. An upcoming outdoor theme park (formerly the 20th Century Fox World theme park, but has been cancelled due to legal disputes) will feature an exciting new theme and attractions set on 25 acres of land.

First World Plaza, Premium Outlets and SkyAvenue offer upmarket shopping and delicious international cuisine from renowned names such as Burger & Lobster, Motorino and Cafes Richard. Finally, don't miss out on the cable car ride from Gohtong Jaya to the summit, catching a magnificent view of the rainforest landscape and Kuala Lumpur City in the horizon.

Places to Visit

At the foothills of Genting at Gohtong Jaya lie several popular tourist attractions including farms and markets. Beyond Genting, several places of interest lie in the outskirts along Karak Highway. Janda Baik is a lush nature valley lined with traditional villages and eco resorts, a popular getaway for the weekend among families and even team building retreats.

Ulu Yam is a small town along one of the trunk routes to Genting from Rawang, which is famous for its 'Loh Mee', a type of noodle dish from Chinese cuisine. Similarly, Gohtong Jaya is a satellite town 5km before the peak that's famous for its Chinese eateries. Finally, there's Bukit Tinggi, a countryside escape among the hills along the Karak Highway that also features Colmar Tropicale.

Getting There

Most travellers will start their journey from Kuala Lumpur, the nearest city which is linked by a highway and two major trunk roads. Visitors from Singapore will first travel to Kuala Lumpur (3 hours) via the North-South Highway. From Kuala Lumpur, the most popular route is the Karak Highway which is accessed from the end of the MRR2 Freeway in Ampang/Gombak.