Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands (Malay: Tanah Tinggi Genting, otherwise known as Resorts World Genting, is a hill resort in Malaysia developed by Genting Group.

The hill resort is at an average elevation of 1,740 metres (5,710 ft) within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor of Malaysia. Resorts World Genting is operated by Genting Malaysia Berhad (formerly known as Resorts World Bhd), which also operates Awana chain of resorts & hotels. It is accessible by car from Kuala Lumpur in one hour, or also accessible by a cable car called Genting Skyway (3.38 kilometres (2.10 mi) which at its opening was the world's fastest and South East Asia's longest gondola lift.

History

The idea of a hill resort located near Kuala Lumpur occurred to the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong during a business trip to the Cameron Highlands in 1964. He mooted this idea while enjoying the fresh and crisp air from the balcony of his hotel room. A private company called Genting Highlands Berhad was set up on 27 April 1965, with the late Tan Sri Haji Mohammed Noah bin Omar, Tan Sri Lim successfully obtained approval for the alienation of 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) and 2,800 acres (1,100 ha) of land from the Pahang and Selangor State Government respectively between the years 1965 and 1970. An anomaly happened during the obtaining of the land approvals. While the Pahang state government swiftly approved a freehold lease, the Selangor state reluctantly approved a 99-year lease. As a result, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong met the then Menteri Besar of Selangor, Dato Harun Idris and told him that a freehold lease would be more feasible than a 99-year lease. Finally, the Selangor state government agreed to grant a freehold lease.

On 18 August 1965, a technical and construction team began the four-year task to complete the access road from Genting Sempah to the peak of Gunung Ulu Kali. On 31 March 1969, the late YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the company’s pioneer hotel, marking the completion of the access road to Genting Highlands Resort. The Prime Minister was impressed that the private sector, without the assistance of the Government, could develop a mountain resort for the enjoyment of all Malaysians; subsequently a gaming licence was suggested to help accelerate the development of this remote area.

In 1971, the first hotel at Genting Highlands was successfully completed and was named Highlands Hotel (now renamed Theme Park Hotel). The Genting Highlands Resort continued to expand since the opening of the first hotel in 1971. Development of the area continued with care taken to ensure the maintenance of the natural beauty of the rainforest of the region. In 1997, Genting Highlands Resort added the Genting Skyway cable car system that provides a 3.38 kilometres (2.10 mi) transport to the hilltop. Genting Skyway is also recognised as the "World's Fastest Mono Cable Car System" with a maximum speed of 21.6 kilometres per hour (13.4 mph) and the "Longest Cable Car in Malaysia and Southeast Asia maybe".

In 2013, Genting announced a new 1,300 room hotel expansion to the current First World Hotel, a new 10,000 seat arena and reconverting the current theme park to RM1 billion 20th Century Fox World theme park.

Attractions

The comprehensive indoor and outdoor theme-park was promoted as the destination for "Fun at The Peak". The entire resort was subsequently billed; "The City of Entertainment". Genting Highlands is the only legal land-based casino, Casino de Genting, in the country and is owned by Genting Malaysia Berhad, a subsidiary of Genting Group.

Accommodation

Resorts World Genting has five hotels. One of the five hotels, the First World Hotel, holds the Guinness World of Records as the largest hotel in the world from 2006 until 2013, with a total of 6,118 rooms.

• Genting Grand (formerly as Genting Hotel)
• Maxims (formerly known as Highlands Hotel)
• Resort Hotel
• Theme Park Hotel (the first hotel, formerly known as Highlands Hotel before Maxims)
• First World Hotel (the largest hotel in the world until 2008)

Nightlife

• The Patio Bar & Lounge

Genting Skyway

Genting Skyway, located at the Batang Kali, Selangor side of Genting, Malaysia, is a monocable gondola lift serving the Genting Highlands Resort. Its lower station is located near Gohtong Jaya, and its upper station is located at Highlands Hotel of Genting Highlands Resort.

Amenities

The resort has four performance venues.

• Arena of Stars
• Genting International Showroom
• Genting International Convention Centre
• First World Plaza

Food & Beverages

Dining

• Bakery: pastries, sandwiches & desserts
• Coffee Terrace: Asian and Western buffet
• Genting Palace Restaurant: Cantonese cuisine
• Hainan Kitchen: Hainanese cuisine
• Imperial Rama: Fine Dining Thai-Chinese cuisine
• Ming Ren Restaurant: Xinjiang cuisine
• The Olive: Fine Dining Western cuisine
• VIP Restaurant: Thai-Chinese cuisine
• Spice Garden: Indian cuisine

Snacks and Confectionery

Café and Restaurant

Fast Food

Canteen

First World Hotel & Plaza

Kopitiam Food Court Stalls

Shopping

Shoes / Bags / Leather Goods / Accessories

Jewellery / Timepieces

Fashion

Sports

Optical / Eyewear

Gift & Candies

Convenience Store

Kiosk

Books / Gifts / Souvenirs

Leisure & Entertainment

Leisure & Entertainment

Digital Lifestyle

Personal Care & Cosmetic

Theme Parks

The Genting Outdoor Theme Park have been closed since 1 September 2013 to make way for the world’s first 20th Century Fox World, due to be completed by 2016. Other rides and attractions except for some located in First World Indoor Theme Park, SnowWorld, Sky Venture, Genting Bowl, Vision City and Funtasy World Video Game Parks are opened as usual.

Currently, some of the rides in the First World Indoor Theme Park have been closed until further notice to facilitate the construction of the 20th Century Fox World. These rides have been stylised in bold and in italics.

Indoor Theme Park Rides

Children Rides

1. Carousel

2. Junior Bumper Car

3. Ride de Paris

4. Busy Bugs

5. Circus Ride

6. Funland

Family Rides

1. Mini Train

2. Reindeer Cruise

3. Monorail

4. Venice Gondola

5. Rio Float

Thrill Rides

1. Euro Express

2. Adult Bumper Car

3. 4D Motion Master

Signature Attractions

1. Genting Sky Venture

2. Snow World

3. Rainforest Splash Pool

Leisure

1. Snooker Centre

Video Games Park

1. Funtasy World

2. Vision City

Others

1. Ohmega Forces

2. Archery

3. The Haunted Adventure

4. Cyber World

Events

Awards ceremonies

The resort hosts several award ceremonies at the Arena of Stars, with a capacity of 6,000 people.

• IIFA Awards 2002â€"hosted by Amitabh Bachchan
• Zee Cine Awards 2007
• Lux Style Awards 2007
• MTV Asia Awards 2008â€"hosted by Jared Leto

Concerts

• X-Pax 'XLive Festival' 2008â€"music festival headlined by Missy Elliott

TV reality shows/competitions, awards showcase

Genting also plays host to a range of popular TV reality shows and award showcases being filmed on site including:

• My Astro Music Awards
• Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
• Malaysian Idol
• Anugerah Planet Muzik 2013 with Sarah Sechan
• X Factor Indonesia Season 1
• Indonesian Idol Season 7
• MasterChef Indonesia Season 3
• Star Idol Malaysia
• Project SuperStar
• MTV Asia Awards
• 2013 Panasonic Gobel Awards

Other attractions

• Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort
• Chin Swee Caves Temple - located 10-minutes drive from Resorts World Genting, the temple site is built 4,600 feet above sea level.
• Genting Strawberry Farm
• Highlands Mushroom Farm
• Highlands Vegetable Farm
• Highlands Daylily Farm

Climate

Genting Highlands enjoys a spring-like climate, with yearly temperatures no higher than 25 °C (77 °F) and rarely falling below 14 °C (57 °F) yearly. The lowest temperature of Genting Highlands is 8.4 °C (47.1 °F).

Gallery

See also

References

External links

• Genting Highlands Resort official website
• Tourism Malaysia - Genting Highlands
• Holiday in Genting Highlands
• Genting Highlands
• 20th Century Fox theme park in Asia