Genting Highlands

Resorts World Genting
Resorts World Genting
	Resorts World Genting
	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
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.

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:

Flying Coaster
Genting Sky Venture
Haunted House
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
SnowWorld
Space Shot

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.

IIFA Awards 2002—hosted by Amitabh Bachchan
Zee Cine Awards 2007
Lux Style Awards 2007
MTV Asia Awards 2008—hosted by Jared Leto

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

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