Genting Highland Map

Map Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands was founded by Lim Goh Tong, who arrived at the shores of Malaysia from Fujian, in 1937. Born in 1918, Lim was a young man, only a lowly carpenter while he picked up the local Malay language. For the next few years, he dabbled in vegetable farming and petty trading, but eventually involved himself in the scrap metal and heavy machinery business. It was through this industry that Lim finally made it rich. The end of World War II signalled rapid development in Malaysia, fueling the demand for Lim's stock of second hand equipment for tin mining and rubber plantations. From there, he ventured into iron mining and then, construction.

One day, while having a meal in the Cameron Highlands, it struck upon Lim the idea of a highland resort near Kuala Lumpur. The nearest hill station then, Cameron Highlands, was about 200 km away from KL, which made it less than a convenient journey for a quick highland holiday. He scouted the highlands within the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur, and found an ideal spot on the peak of Gunung Ulu Kali, one of the highest mountains on the Pahang-Selangor border. After studying its topography and mapping out its development, Lim pooled all his resources and energy into creating a highland resort with accessible roads, proper infrastructure, clean water and supply of electricity. In the middle of 1971, Genting Highlands opened for business, Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman having granted him the first and only casino license in the country. Over the next 30 years, Genting Highlands continued to grow from a simple resort with a small casino to a modern holiday destination, with theme parks, numerous hotels, large roads and a cable car system. Today, Genting Highlands is one of the most popular highland tourist destinations in Malaysia, attracting visitors from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and all over the world. It is still the only legal gambling den in Malaysia, having several world class casinos, which can be attributed to its immense popularity with locals.

Best Time to Go and Weather

Genting Highlands has a cooling climate between 20°C to 25°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 resist 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. Finally, low peak seasons are the best time for cheaper accommodation rates and smaller crowds.

Chin Swee Cave Temple
		Chin Swee Cave Temple is a popular tourist attraction located on a rocky slope before the peak of Genting Highlands. As typical of Chinese religious sites, the Chin Swee Temple employs frilly architecture with generous use of curving arches, meticulous sculpting, bright landscapes and opulent paintwork, but occassionally reeks of gaudy design. For example, a random procession of life-sized camel, elephant and horse statues greets visitors as they walk along the entrance pathway. Still, the temple is a fine structural display personifing many Chinese tradition and beliefs; complemented with the incredible landscape views, makes this destination worthwhile for sightseeing.
Chin Swee Temple was built by the founder of Genting Highlands, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, a year after he constructed the first resort and casino on the peak in 1975. Born in Fujian, China, Lim Goh Tong spotted a lush rocky outcrop that reminded of his village landscape back home. Inspired, he decided to build a temple here to venerate Buddhist figure Chin Swee. The temple's foundation was dug from solid bedrock using manual labour and tediously constructed over 18 years. Modern machinery was eschewed because of steep risky terrain, resulting in a lengthy build process. In 1994, Chin Swee Temple was finally open to public, but additonal layers were added over ensuing years to create the sprawling complex visitors see today. Evolved heavily from its roots, the temple no longer pays sole homage to Chin Swee, but is a pastiche of Buddhism, Taoism, Shamanism, Confucianism and, as one writer pointed out - A host of other 'isms'.Various deities linked to those beliefs litter the compound in the form of stone statues, sculptures, shrines, altars and paintings. The main temple hall that houses the black-faced Chin Swee altar lies below the complex; the building extends from a mountain slope, which is why you'll notice the back walls are all solid rockface. The most prominent structures are; a nine-storey pagoda lit by lamps; Sky Terrace, a massive square with an amazing view of rainforest valleys below and Kuala Lumpur; 'Ten Chambers of Hell', a sloping hilltop walk past story-telling statues built into small cave recesses; and a giant 15-meter high Buddha statue. Lim Goh Tong Hall provides temple accommodation for visitors while a vegetarian restaurant serves meals. Genting Skyway has a cable car station in Chin Swee at MYR3 per trip from Gohtong Jaya, but most visitors will drive directly to the temple as it lies along the main road 2km before the peak.

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First World Plaza Indoor Theme Park
		First World Plaza is a shopping mall on the peak of Genting Highlands, housing the indoor theme park and First World Hotel complex above. Glamourous and kitsch, the First World Plaza is as bright inside as its multi-coloured facade, with cartoonish statues, neon lights and overhanging numerous replicas of international landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and Petronas Twin Towers scattered randomly throughout the mall. An integral attraction of Genting Resort, the Indoor Theme Park provides lighter versions of its outdoor rides, such as carousels, roller coasters and a slow-moving ferris wheel with an emphasis on families and children.
The plaza is divided into several wings that depict famous tourist destinations with interactive rides, including Paris, Venice, Times Square, Universal Walk, Swiss Alps, Champs-Élysées and their very own Genting Walk. For example, the Venice section offers an artifical gondola ride (complete with motionless paddler) that circles round a short water channel hemmed in by Italian streets and bridges. Champs-Élysées pays tribute to the luxurious avenue in France, with elegant cafes, fashion boutiques and a minicar ride for children around the Eiffel Tower (Ride de Paris). Universal Walk is all things Hollywood, including a Moulin Rouge inspired stage lit by dazzling lights, cineplex offering the lates box office movies and a Ripley's Belive it or Not! Museum. First World Plaza also offers recreational indoor activities for visitors; Vision City Games Park is a huge gaming arcade; Genting Cyberworld is a collection of virtual entertainment centers mostly for 24-hour online gaming; Genting Bowl, a 28-lane alley for bowlers; Ohmega Forces, a virtual game utilising realistic looking guns; X-pedition Wall on the top floor is a rock climbing studio; Topsy Turvy, a playground for children; and two small snooker centers. Occassionally, concerts, entertainment shows and public events are held from time to time in First World Plaza - The Pavilion Hall is a convention center that hosts these functions. Meanwhile, the signature rides and attractions in First World Plaza are; SnowWorld, a freezing snow house with toboggan slide, benches and log cabin; 4D Motion Master theatrical ride; Genting Sky Venture, a wind tunnel to simulate sky diving; Haunted Adventure, a funicular train ride into a horror house; and Rainforest Splash Pool, a heated indoor water park. Finally, shoppers can browse from a range of goods that include fashion apparel, electronics, jewelry, souvenirs, bags, shoes and leather from over 90 retail outlets. If hungry, there are many restaurants to sate your appetite, but most offer mediocre dining at best. Food here is also much more expensive that Gohtong Jaya, and even fast food chains charge higher prices rather than following standard prices elsewhere.

Accommodation Attractions & Facilities One Day Unlimited Ride Pass; MYR30 (adult), MYR28 (child) One Day Express Lane Pass; MYR54 (adult), MYR50 (child) One Day All Park Unlimited Ride Pass (includes Outdoor Theme Park & Rainforest Splash Pool); MYR66 (adult), MYR45 (child) All Year Unlimited Ride Pass (includes Outdoor Theme Park & Rainforest Splash Pool); MYR228 (adult), MYR150 (child) - Discounts for MyKad & WorldCard holders * Children are those below 90cm not exceeding 12 years of age. Senior citizens are charged child ticket prices. All ticket prices do not include Sky Venture (MYR38-50 per person) Opening hours; Mon-Fri, Sun & public holidays 9am-12am (9am-1am on weekends & school holidays). Thrill rides; Euro Express, Adult Bumper Car, 4D Motion Master Family rides; Ferris Wheel, Reindeer Cruiser, Monorail, Venice Gondola, Rio Float, Mini Train Children Rides; Carouse, Ride de Paris, Junior Bumper Car First World Cineplex Genting Bowl Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum Haunted Adventure Funtasy World (Video Games Park) Genting Sky Venture Snow World Rainforest Splash Pool.
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