Genting Highlands — pronounced ghen-ting with a hard "G" — is a resort in Pahang, Malaysia.
Officially known as Resorts World Genting and a self-proclaimed City of Entertainment, Genting is Malaysia's low-budget, family-friendly, sanitized attempt at Las Vegas. The primary draw is that Genting is the only place where you can gamble legally in Malaysia, but there's also a theme park to keep the kids amused. The resort offers six hotels with 10,000 rooms, over 50 fun rides, 170 dining and shopping outlets, shows, business convention facilities and entertainment options. As a plus, being located up in the highlands means it's cooler than the steamy lowlands. Genting attracted 19.2 million visitors in 2008.
But before you get too excited, tone down your expectations a bit. Genting is cheap and tacky, and not in a good way: nearly everything is overpriced and a bit run-down and since 2010 it is also facing competition from neighbouring Singapore's two new integrated resorts with casinos at Resort World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands. Those of an environmentally conscious disposition may want to skip the Genting Highlands altogether, as the sight of vast concrete structures and day-glo coloured theme park rides set in the forested highlands could be positively traumatic.
Orienting yourself in Genting is simultaneously easy and difficult. There are no "streets" of any kind; instead, all the gigantic buildings are connected with a vast warren of linkways, underground tunnels and escalators, all filled with enough signage to stop you from getting lost. Figuring out the fastest route from A to B is not always easy though, because the signage is designed to lead you into the hotels and their casinos!
Located at an altitude of 1,800 m (5,900 ft), temperatures in Genting are a good 5-10°C lower than in Kuala Lumpur, generally staying in the 15-25°C range, and rarely falling below 14°C. On a clear day, there are stunning views down into the valley — but when it's raining in Kuala Lumpur, Genting is swathed in rolling clouds and visibility drops to zero. Thanks to the walkway system, you almost never need to venture outside, but hotel rooms are unheated and can get chilly at night.
Let's face it: if you aren't into theme park rides, the only thing to do in Genting is gamble. All casinos are open 24 hrs, although you must be over 21 and, if Malaysian, not Muslim to enter. A notional but widely ignored 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.
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 they all require signing up with Genting's WorldCard system if you want to withdraw any winnings.
- Monte Carlo Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel. 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 agree to sign up to WorldCard.
- Hollywood Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel.
- StarWorld Casino, First World Hotel.
No bags are allowed inside, but lockers are available (RM 3), as well as a manned deposit point for more valuable goods like laptops. Photography inside the casinos is strictly prohibited.
Monte Carlo Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel. 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 agree to sign up to WorldCard.
Hollywood Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel.
StarWorld Casino, First World Hotel.
- Arena of Stars, . Hosts concerts and shows most weekends, but most feature B-grade Chinese pop stars or Western artists well past their prime.
- First World Plaza, Malaysia's self-proclaimed highest shopping mall, this is an ungainly mix of indoor theme park and low-rent shopping mall with replicas of random landmarks from around the world, all covered with a giant metal roof that makes the entire place seem dark and dingy.
- First World Cineplex, Times Square, First World Plaza. Two small cinemas.
- Genting International Convention Centre (GICC). Convention center with various halls capable of hosting events, concerts and performances for up to 2,000 people.
Arena of Stars, . Hosts concerts and shows most weekends, but most feature B-grade Chinese pop stars or Western artists well past their prime.
First World Plaza, Malaysia's self-proclaimed highest shopping mall, this is an ungainly mix of indoor theme park and low-rent shopping mall with replicas of random landmarks from around the world, all covered with a giant metal roof that makes the entire place seem dark and dingy.
First World Cineplex, Times Square, First World Plaza. Two small cinemas.
Genting International Convention Centre (GICC). Convention center with various halls capable of hosting events, concerts and performances for up to 2,000 people.
- Genting Outdoor Theme Park, . Features numerous rides typical of an amusement park, mostly suitable for families. Daily Unlimited Ride Pass priced at RM50 for adults and RM35 for children below 12 years old, while the Express Lane Pass for each age range valued at RM86 and RM56, respectively. You may also use the Go Genting Golden Package (see above 'Get in by bus') to obtain a Day Pass. The Outdoor Theme Park Passes includes Flying Coaster.
35 years since the opening of the Genting Theme Park, the Genting Outdoor Theme Park is closed from 1st September 2013 for 3 years to make way for the world’s first Twentieth Century Fox Theme Park. Other rides and attractions located in First World Indoor Theme Park, SnowWorld, Sky Venture, Genting Bowl, Vision City and Fantasy World Video Games Park will remain opened as usual.
- First World Indoor Theme Park, (located in the First World Plaza). Features numerous rides. The Day Pass for adults is RM30 and RM28 for children. This Day Pass includes entrance to Rainforest Splash Pool but do not cover Signature Attractions such as Ripley's Museum at RM30, Snow World at RM17 and Genting Sky Venture (simulated sky diving) at RM50. One should try the First World Indoor Theme Park Express Lane Pass valued at RM54 (adult) and RM50 (child).
- All Park Daily Unlimited Pass for the combined Outdoor Theme Park and First World Indoor Theme Park costs RM66 for adult and RM45 for children. Express Lane Pass also available at RM114 and RM77, respectively.
Information on Express Lane - The Express Pass entitles guests to utilize the express lane only once for each of the selected rides. Any subsequent ride(s) will be on the normal queue line. Express lane is available for the following rides and parks:
At the First World Indoor Theme Park: 4D Motion Master, Adult Bumper Car, Carousel, Euro Express, Junior Bumper Car, Mini Train, Monorail, Reindeer Cruiser, Ride De Paris, Rio Float and Flying Dragon.
At the Outdoor Theme Park: Astro Fighter, Corkscrew, Double Deck Carousel, Flying Jumbo, Matahari, Mini Train, Monorail, Pirate Ship, Pirate Train, Spinner, Sungai Rejang Flume Ride, Tea Cup and Flying Coaster.
Genting Outdoor Theme Park, . Features numerous rides typical of an amusement park, mostly suitable for families. Daily Unlimited Ride Pass priced at RM50 for adults and RM35 for children below 12 years old, while the Express Lane Pass for each age range valued at RM86 and RM56, respectively. You may also use the Go Genting Golden Package (see above 'Get in by bus') to obtain a Day Pass. The Outdoor Theme Park Passes includes Flying Coaster.
First World Indoor Theme Park, (located in the First World Plaza). Features numerous rides. The Day Pass for adults is RM30 and RM28 for children. This Day Pass includes entrance to Rainforest Splash Pool but do not cover Signature Attractions such as Ripley's Museum at RM30, Snow World at RM17 and Genting Sky Venture (simulated sky diving) at RM50. One should try the First World Indoor Theme Park Express Lane Pass valued at RM54 (adult) and RM50 (child).
All Park Daily Unlimited Pass for the combined Outdoor Theme Park and First World Indoor Theme Park costs RM66 for adult and RM45 for children. Express Lane Pass also available at RM114 and RM77, respectively.
- Chin Swee Caves Temple
- Cradle Rock
- Genting Sempah Welcome Arch
- Genting Strawberry Farm
- Kilometre 7 Nursery
- Highlands Mushroom Farm
- Highlands Vegetable Farm
- Highlands Daylily Farm
- The Visitors' Galleria
- Genting Strawberry Leisure Farms (Mushroom Farm in the same location)
- First World Plaza. In First World Hotel. The First World Plaza has got to be the coolest, if not the highest shopping destination in Malaysia. It carries over 90 labels with F&B outlets and attractions for all ages!
First World Plaza. In First World Hotel. The First World Plaza has got to be the coolest, if not the highest shopping destination in Malaysia. It carries over 90 labels with F&B outlets and attractions for all ages!
Food in Genting is generally overpriced and mediocre. Local, Western and fast food are available, but prices are often twice or more what the same meal would cost in Kuala Lumpur. Most restaurants are halal to cater for the large number of Muslim visitors.
There are a number of fast food chains like McDonald, Burger King, KFC, and Marrybrown. All these restaurants charge about 50% higher than what they charge elsewhere in Malaysia. Try Marybrown's Nasi Lemak meal as breakfast: one piece of chicken, a hot tea/coffee, and other Nasi Lemak condiments for RM ~10.
- Penang Food Village. would be unremarkable anywhere else in Malaysia, but in Genting it's a notch above the competition: prices are reasonable (most remain under RM10), there are no crowds or clouds of smoke, and the food is tasty. Try the lor mee (noodles in black gravy). The spicy prawn noodle soup and the Penang Fried Kway Teow are not to be missed.The prawn noodles are nice too.
Herbal soup near Genting Skyway- It's just a small shop selling herbal soup from RM8.80++. You can add rice for RM2++. Tasty soup and affordable price. One of the cheaper food options in Genting.
Penang Food Village. would be unremarkable anywhere else in Malaysia, but in Genting it's a notch above the competition: prices are reasonable (most remain under RM10), there are no crowds or clouds of smoke, and the food is tasty. Try the lor mee (noodles in black gravy). The spicy prawn noodle soup and the Penang Fried Kway Teow are not to be missed.The prawn noodles are nice too.
There are some decent Chinese restaurants like the Causeway Bay (FW Plaza Second floor) and Shanghai 10 (FW Plaza Main Atrium). They serve good food and a meal for 3 (1 main course, side dish and a drink per pax) should not cost you more than RM 60.
- Coffee Terrace, Genting Hotel. Newly renovated restaurant with an international buffet in plush settings, with many chefs cooking on-the-spot upon your orders. It serves 6 different cuisines - Local, Nonya, Chinese, Japanese, Western and Indian. Recommendations include Penang Fried Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Indian Naan, Japanese Sashimi (really fresh) and Medium-well beef steak. Breakfast (5:30AM-10:30AM) RM 35 nett, lunch (12noon-2:30PM) RM 55 nett, dinner (5PM-9:30PM) RM 65 nett. Children pay half price for all meals. The Go Genting Golden Package (see above, 'Get in by bus') may be used to cover the cost of a buffet lunch here.
Coffee Terrace, Genting Hotel. Newly renovated restaurant with an international buffet in plush settings, with many chefs cooking on-the-spot upon your orders. It serves 6 different cuisines - Local, Nonya, Chinese, Japanese, Western and Indian. Recommendations include Penang Fried Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Indian Naan, Japanese Sashimi (really fresh) and Medium-well beef steak. Breakfast (5:30AM-10:30AM) RM 35 nett, lunch (12noon-2:30PM) RM 55 nett, dinner (5PM-9:30PM) RM 65 nett. Children pay half price for all meals. The Go Genting Golden Package (see above, 'Get in by bus') may be used to cover the cost of a buffet lunch here.
- The Olive. Genting's signature award-winning restaurant, located in the hotel lobby, attractively done in a very modern style. Very expensive, but if you're going to splurge, you might as well go whole hog and try the Wagyu steak, flown in directly from Japan.
The Olive. Genting's signature award-winning restaurant, located in the hotel lobby, attractively done in a very modern style. Very expensive, but if you're going to splurge, you might as well go whole hog and try the Wagyu steak, flown in directly from Japan.
Nightlife in Genting is very limited. There are four (4) bars of any description in the entire complex, three of them (Safari, Cloud 9, All Sports) in the lower level of the Genting Hotel and one (Patio) on the second floor of the First World Hotel.
- Safari, Genting Hotel (lower level). Tropical jungle theme, spinning R&B.
- Cloud 9, Genting Hotel (lower level). A more relaxing lounge.
- All Sports Bar
- Patio Bar & Lounge
There are several cafes around such as Starbucks Coffee and Coffee Beans & Tea Leaf available in the First World Hotel.
Safari, Genting Hotel (lower level). Tropical jungle theme, spinning R&B.
Cloud 9, Genting Hotel (lower level). A more relaxing lounge.
All Sports Bar
Patio Bar & Lounge
Both Genting Hotel and First World Plaza have Internet cafes. There is also a post office on the lower level of Genting Hotel.
- Kuala Lumpur - the capital of Malaysia, just 45 minutes away
- Fraser's Hill - another nearby hill resort located on the same mountain range as Genting
- Kuala Gandah - home to a famous elephant sanctuary
- Bentong - a town in Pahang, just an hour's drive away
- Kuantan - seat of the state of Pahang, about three hours away