Genting Highlands is often considered to be a different country on its own. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands offers a very different vibe. The city in the sky is an ever-changing holiday destination for both locals and tourists. But what exactly is there to do in Genting Highlands if you’re not very familiar with it by now?
Due to its spring-like climate, it is a must-go for many locals who are looking to escape the ever-scorching heat of the city centre. There are two main sections to Genting Highlands, the first being Gohtong Jaya and higher up the mountains, Resorts World Genting. What awaits, you can only imagine.
This ‘city in the sky’ is an ever-changing holiday destination
Getting There
There are plenty of ways to get to Genting, but the main use of transport is still by car. Aside from that, there are plenty of bus routes heading up the mountains, as well as cabs and private car services. The drive up is also an adventure on its own with plenty of windy, steep roads with very little room for error.
While it may sound frightful, it is still relatively safe to drive up. Just be sure you’re not attempting to re-create the Japanese manga cult classic, Initial D.
Gohtong Jaya
This little township of Gohtong Jaya is essentially the soul of Genting Highlands, showcasing how the locals truly live. Although quaint and quiet, Gohtong Jaya comes to life through its food. This is where you can come for some authentic local cuisine amidst the chilly temperatures.
One such place is 66 Corner, known for its evening steamboat delights. However, in the day time, it serves up a great bowl of wan tan mee. What makes it great is its price, coupled with fresh ingredients to make for a worthwhile lunch. For breakfast, you can also opt for dim sum at 66 Corner alongside other popular dishes.
Aside from the food, Gohtong Jaya is also known for its Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm, which is always ripe for the picking. You can also check out the Chin Swee Cave Temple, or take a hike at Gunung Bunga Buah, which will be no mean feat.
Resorts World Genting
Once you’re done exploring Gohtong Jaya, it’s time to take a 20-minute drive up to Resorts World Genting. If you’re not up for it, you can also opt for its two cable car service, the Genting Skyway as well as the newer Awana Skyway. In total, there are seven different hotels within Resorts World Genting, all of which carries unique and distinctive features. It also boasts an indoor theme park alongside a brand new shopping complex known as SkyAvenue.
Where to stay
Aside from Awana Hotel, which is located nearby Gohtong Jaya, Resorts World Genting offers plenty of different hotels for one to choose from. The latest is Crockfords, which opened back in 2017 with only 137 rooms. While it may be the smallest of the lot, it is the most exclusive as bookings are only for specific guests like high-rollers from the casino.
Other popular stays include the First World Hotel, which is known for being the largest hotel in the world with 7,351 rooms. Genting Grand and Maxims are the other five-star hotels in the vicinity; the former features the huge “Genting” logo perched on its rooftop while the latter recently went through a refurbishment to its accommodation.
What to eat
Within Resorts World Genting lies a plethora of choices that one can pick from. This is partly due to the opening of the SkyAvenue mall, which houses many popular restaurants in the city of entertainment. One of the latest restaurants to join the list is none other than Beni, a 1-Michelin star restaurant that integrates French cooking with premium Japanese produce.
Another restaurant that has been making rounds on social media for the past year is Beauty in the Pot. This premium hotpot establishment has already opened its second outlet at The Gardens Mall but its the outlet at SkyAvenue that still attracts the most customers. Imagine tucking into a hot bowl of meats and fish in its signature soups amidst the frigid temperatures of Genting Highlands — bliss.
However, the prominent feature many of these restaurants in SkyAvenue have in common are its queues. This is evident in Burger & Lobster, the popular British chain of restaurants. If you have the patience for it, it is worth checking out for its whole lobsters and juicy burgers. Other notable restaurants that are worth checking out include La Fiesta for authentic Spanish tapas as well as Harry Ramsden for fish and chips.
What to do
Resorts World Genting is not short of anything to do. You can easily spend the whole day there and it still wouldn’t feel like it was enough. While the ever-ongoing construction of the 20th Century Fox theme park is still underway, you can check out the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park instead. It has over 20 rides, ranging from child-friendly to thrilling screamers for all.
If you’re a fan of virtual reality (VR), be sure to check out The Void, Asia’s first immersive VR experience. It combines Hollywood characters and storylines with state-of-the-art technology, physical stages, and multi-sensory effects for a full-blown journey. For horror fans comes the award-winning Korean zombie horror film, ‘Train to Busan’ in full apocalyptic glory. Venture through the haunted house while trying to dodge zombie-ravaged train stations to make it out alive.
Resorts World Genting is also a place to party with Zouk Genting taking over an entire floor of SkyAvenue. It houses five different venues in one strategic location, ensuring that there’s always something for everyone. For all your clubbing needs, Zouk Genting, as well as Empire, has got you covered.
If you’re looking for something more laid-back, RedTail by Zouk is the perfect spot with larger-than-life bar games, including life-size beer pong and Jenga. There is also RedTail Karaoke to sing to your heart’s content and even FUHU, a brand new dining and bar concept, brought to you by Zouk Genting.
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur
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