Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is a self-proclaimed 'City of Entertainment' in Pahang, Malaysia, famous for being the only place in the country with legal casinos. It also offers theme parks, shopping malls, hotels, and a cooler climate at 1,800 m altitude. With 28.7 million visitors in 2019, it's a major tourist hub offering a mix of gambling, amusement, and natural attractions like Chin Swee Temple.

All hotels and attractions (except Awana Resort, Gohtong Jaya, Genting View Resort) are connected by sheltered walkways, lifts, and escalators. Two gondola lifts operate: Awana Skyway (RM10 one-way, RM18 return, 7AM-10PM) and Genting Skyway (currently not in operation). Taxis and ride-hailing services are available.

Temperatures range from 15-25°C year-round, rarely below 14°C; lowest recorded was 8.4°C. Rain and fog can reduce visibility. Weekdays in off-season offer cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds. Hotel rooms are unheated.

All hotels are run by Resorts World Genting, with 10,500 rooms total. Options range from budget First World Hotel (from RM170) to luxury Crockfords Hotel (from RM1,100). Other hotels include Genting Grand, Highlands Hotel, Resort Hotel, Genting SkyWorlds Hotel, and several independent options like Grand Ion Delemen and Goh Tong Hall Residence (from RM50 off-peak). Booking online or calling +60 327181118 is recommended, especially during festive seasons.

Dining options range from local food courts (e.g., Jom Makan Street Food, Malaysian Food Street) to international restaurants like Din Tai Fung, Palsaik Korean BBQ, and Paradise Dynasty. Prices are higher than elsewhere in Malaysia, but cheaper options exist. Nightlife is concentrated along the High Line rooftop level and Zouk Atrium of SkyAvenue, with pubs, live music, and the Zouk nightclub.

Top attractions include the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park (RM151, 11AM-6PM), Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park (RM62, 2-9PM), two casinos (Genting Casino and SkyCasino), Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Adventureland (RM86 for combined ticket), and the Awana Bio Park for jungle trekking. Cultural sites include Chin Swee Caves Temple and Arulmigu Shree Maha Kaliamman Temple. The SkySymphony show is a free visual display at SkyAvenue.

Casinos are generally very safe with extensive camera coverage and security patrols. There are two police stations: one at the hilltop near Genting SkyWorlds Hotel and one at the bottom hill in Gohtong Jaya.

All hotel rooms at Resorts World Genting have Wi-Fi. First World Plaza and Genting Grand Complex have cyberworld internet cafés. SkyAvenue has mobile phone shops selling temporary SIM cards for international visitors. A post office is located on the lower level of Genting Grand Hotel.

Genting Highlands is strategically located near several destinations: Kuala Lumpur (45 minutes away), Fraser's Hill (nearby hill resort), Bukit Tinggi (European architecture), Kuala Gandah (elephant sanctuary), and Kuantan (three hours away).

From Genting Highlands, travel onward to Kuala Lumpur (45 min), Fraser's Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Kuala Gandah, or Kuantan (3 hours).