Genting Highlands

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Resorts World Genting
Genting 01.jpg
Resorts World Genting
Resorts World Genting is located in Peninsula Malaysia
Resorts World Genting
Location within Malaysia
Opening date 1965
Total gaming space Over 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2)
Casino type Land-Based
Owner Genting Group
Coordinates 3°25′25″N 101°47′36″E / 3.42361°N 101.79333°E / 3.42361; 101.79333
Website http://www.rwgenting.com

Genting Highlands (Malay: Tanah Tinggi Genting; Chinese: 雲頂高原; Chinese: 云顶高原), otherwise known as Resorts World Genting, is a hill resort in Malaysia developed by Genting Group. It is nestled on a mountain peak (maximum elevation about 1,860 metres (6,100 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)[1]) which at its opening used to be the world's fastest and South East Asia's longest gondola lift.

Contents

History [edit]

The idea of creating a hill resort located in proximity to Kuala Lumpur came up in the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong's mind during a business trip to the Cameron Highlands in 1964. He mooted this idea while enjoying the fresh and crisp air from the balcony at 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 Mentri Besar of Selangor, Dato Harun Idris and telling him that a freehold lease will 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 herculean task that would take four years 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, the then Highlands 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[citation needed]; 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 then 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.[citation needed] In 1997, Genting Highlands Resort further boosted its facility attraction with 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".[citation needed]

Attractions [edit]

Known as the ‘Fun City Above the Cloud’, 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.

Hotels [edit]

First World Hotel
Resort Hotel and Genting Hotel

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 2008, with a total of 6,118 rooms.

Dining [edit]

  • 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

Nightlife [edit]

  • Safari
  • Cloud 9
  • All Sports Bar
  • Patio Bar & Lounge

Theme Parks [edit]

Genting Theme Park

The resort has three theme parks which are Genting Outdoor Theme Park, First World Indoor Theme Park and Water Park. There are over 20 signature attractions which include:

Genting Skyway [edit]

Genting Skyway (cabin view)

Genting Skyway, located at the Kuala Kubu Bharu, 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 [edit]

The resort has five performance venues.

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

Events [edit]

Awards ceremonies [edit]

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

Concerts [edit]

  • X-Pax 'XLive Festival' 2008—music festival headlined by Missy Elliott

Eastern artists [edit]

Western artists [edit]

TV reality shows/competitions, awards showcase [edit]

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

Sports [edit]

Tour de Langkawi

Genting Highlands serve as the finish point of a stage in the Tour de Langkawi cycling race. It is one of the longest (30-kilometre (19 mi)) climbs featured in a cycling event.

Other attractions [edit]

Chin Swee Caves Temple
Chin Swee Caves Temple
  • 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. The temple draws Taoists and Buddhists who came to seek blessings from the Chin Swee Deity and Buddha, and is also being promoted as a corporate event venue thanks to its 3,251m² Sky Terrace.[2]
  • Genting Strawberry Farm
  • Highlands Mushroom Farm
  • Highlands Vegetable Farm
  • Highlands Daylily Farm

Climate [edit]

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.

Gallery [edit]

See also [edit]

Portal icon Amusement parks portal

References [edit]

  1. ^ Scheepstra, Wouter (2007-03-30). "Gokken in regenwoud (Gambling in rainforest)". Sp!ts (in Dutch). p. 22. 
  2. ^ "Malaysia – Meetings in the clouds". TTGmice. Retrieved 14 May 2013. 

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Genting Highlands
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Special Zones

Coordinates: 3°25′25″N 101°47′36″E / 3.42368°N 101.79335°E / 3.42368; 101.79335

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