10 Exciting Things to Do in Genting Highlands

(SPOT.ph) Think of it as Las Vegas in the mountains. Genting Highlands in Pahang, Malaysia is a hill station, or in tourism lingo—an integrated resort development that has something for every member of the family. 

Located on the peak of Mount Ulu Kali in the Titiwangsa Mountains of central Peninsular Malaysia, Genting Highlands is just a 45-minute drive from the city of Kuala Lumpur. At an elevation of 1,800 meters, expect chilly and foggy mornings whatever month of the year—more during the rainy season, so layer your clothes as needed. 

When visiting KL and you’re looking to fill your itinerary, don’t skip Genting Highlands. Whether you’re doing a day trip or extending a few days, there are so many attractions to choose from. We helped you narrow down the choices.

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Here’s a rundown of fun things to do in Genting Highlands:

Visit the new 20th Century Fox theme park

After years of civil suits, rebranding, and postponement, the Genting SkyWorlds outdoor theme park finally opened to the public in March 2022. There are nine worlds to explore around the 26-acre theme park, with 26 attractions based on selected 20th Century Fox film properties, such as Ice Age, Night at the Museum, and Rio.

The theme park is in soft opening mode, so expect some rides to still be under construction or maintenance. Discounted day pass tickets cost RM151 per adult and RM128 per child until December 15.

Genting Skyworlds is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Go on a scenic—and tummy churning—cable car ride

While the Awana Skyway is a gondola lift that serves as the fastest mode of transportation to and from the main spots around Genting Highlands, it’s an attraction on its own. Visitors can park at Awana Car Park where 4,500 bays are available, and go on the lift that ferries 3,000 people every hour at full capacity. A standard gondola can accommodate up to 10 passengers.

For the adventurous, there’s a premium glass-bottomed type that seats six people. Each 2.8-kilometer ride takes about 10 minutes, and costs RM10 one-way per person for the standard gondola or RM21 for the glass floor gondola. Tip: It gets super foggy in the daytime, but once it clears, you’ll see a breathtaking—and not to mention, stomach-churning—view of the rainforest valley. 

Awana Skyway is open daily from 7 a.m. until midnight.

Gamble responsibly

For your casino needs, Resorts World Genting is the only legal gambling venue in Malaysia. Explore several gaming spaces spread in different hotels around the area, such as SkyCasino, their latest and largest gaming space, and Genting Club, a members-only betting and dining space.

Just like the Las Vegas culture, there are plenty of shows, clubs, restaurants, and shops to entertain the non-gambling members of the family. 

Go outlet shopping

Genting Highlands Premium Outlets will remind you of the famous factory outlets in the U.S. Browse through more than 150 designer brands and stores, where everything is priced from 25%-65% off. You’ll be tempted to buy branded pasalubong for every member of your clan.

They also have a food court, snack stalls, cafés, and fast food outlets. Tip: Some apparel shops have long queues outside, so prep your battle plan. 

Genting Highlands Premium Outlets is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Go on a sky-high retail and food therapy

If you’re not into outlets and the mall culture is more of your thing, then visit the refurbished First World Complex, also called First World Plaza, which features 30 retail shops along with restaurants and cafés. For your gastronomic adventure, follow your nose to Asian restaurants and fast food chains.

Also, check out SkyAvenue, considered the highest shopping mall in Malaysia. It has over 100 retail outlets and restaurants and features SkySymphony, a dazzling light, sound, and motion display spread across its atrium, columns, and ceiling. 

For authentic local cuisine, head over to Malaysian Food Street at the fourth level of SkyAvenue. You’ll find 20 hawker stalls from different parts of the country, such as Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, Penang, Melaka, Ipoh, and Kuching. Get your fill of authentic Malay, Chinese, and Indian classics such as laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, and roti. 

First World Plaza and SkyAvenue are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Malaysian Food Street is located on the 4/F of SkyAvenue. It’s open daily from 9 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Get "plantita" inspiration

The Talking Garden is a small recreational park at the foot of Genting Skyworlds Hotel overlooking the valley. It’s free to enter and there are interactive areas to explore, including a fountain, gazebos, and a maze. There’s a small food and plant store, but it goes without saying that you cannot purchase the plants to bring home to the Philippines. Just Instagram to your heart’s content and for "plantita" inspiration. The place is called Talking Garden because you can scan the entrance QR code that lets you listen to an audio guide via your smartphone. 

The Talking Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Relive your childhood at the indoor theme park

There are plenty of kiddie attractions in Genting Highlands, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Adventureland, 4D Trick Eye Museum, and Snow World, which you may consider purchasing tickets to, but your inner child will thank you if you make a stop at Skytropolis Funland. A pumped-up version of the indoor theme parks of your childhood, Skytropolis is free to enter with 24 pay-per-ride classics such as the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, swinging ship, carousel, and bumper cars.

There are several souvenir kiosks and food and refreshment stalls within the venue. You may also buy a preview pass for unlimited rides. The theme park is conveniently adjacent to First World Plaza and SkyAvenue. 

Skytropolis Funland is at First World Plaza. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Stop by the temple

Perched on a 28-acre plot of rocky forested land, The Chin Swee Cave Temple is one of the most scenic sites in Genting Highlands. This Buddhist temple was originally a cave temple and can be reached via cable car ride or a five- to 10-minute drive from the peak of the mountain.

Visitors may enter the Chin Swee Deity Hall upon presentation of non-high-risk status on the MySejahtera app. If you have a tight itinerary, a ride on the Awana Skyway will give you a picturesque top view of the temple, for as long as the fog has cleared. 

The Chin Swee Deity Hall is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stay at their impressive hotels

For those spending a night or more in Genting Highlands, you have plenty of hotels to choose from. For bragging rights, book at First World Hotel, the world’s largest hotel with a whopping 7,351 rooms. 

For a swanky hidden gem, look for the award-winning Crockfords, which is part of SkyAvenue and is just an eight-minute walk from SkyWorlds theme park. You’ll be served breakfast in bed and you may never want to leave the luxurious bathroom with a private steam bath and Greek Calacatta marble fixtures. Fitness buffs, ask them about the suite that comes with a private gym. 

For a quirky, family-friendly option, Genting SkyWorlds Hotel is located at the doorsteps of the Arena of Stars and SkyAvenue. All rooms except for the suite are designed to make you feel like you’re part of a kid’s fun activity book. Weekend bonus for the kids: There’s a meet-and-greet of mascots (called Highland Heroes) every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. 

Zouk out

If you’ve heard of the Zouk parties in Singapore, then you’ll be excited to hear that the same group is lighting up the scene in Malaysia. If partying is part of your revenge travel plans, Zouk Genting has a 35,000-square-foot space that houses five nightlife zones—Empire, Zouk Club, RedTail by Zouk, RedTail Karaoke, and FUHU. With Malaysia loosening up restrictions and reopening its borders to international travelers, you can drink and dance the night away again.

Catch Malaysia’s top DJs and soon, international acts at their dance and nightclubs that are 6,000 feet above sea level. Patrons must be at least 21 years old to enter the clubs. There’s also the High Line Rooftop Market, a lively street with a variety of dining areas, bars, and live nightly music. The clubs are open from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. from Fridays to Saturdays only, while the dining areas are open daily from 12nn to 1 a.m. The dress code is smart casual. 

Zouk Atrium is at 1/F SkyAvenue. High Line is at 4/F (Rooftop) SkyAvenue.

How to get to Genting Highlands

Cebu Pacific Air, a partner of Tourism Malaysia, flies daily between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Travel time is two and a half hours. 

Vaccinated Filipinos can travel to Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days without the need for quarantine or a swab test. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers need to comply with a longer list of guidelines.  

To get to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur, you may hail a cab, book a Grab ride, go on a bus from KL Sentral to Awana Bus Terminal, or book a private transfer. Travel time is 45-55 minutes.