Up and Away at Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands or more popularly known as Resorts World Genting, is an integrated hill resort consisting of hotels, casinos and theme parks situated 51km northeast of Kuala Lumpur. The resort is accessible by car, but we opted to ride the Skyway Cable Car which became the highlight of our tour.

From Gombak Station of the Kelana Jaya line, we bought a tour package which included round trip transfers of the Genting express bus and skyway cable car and lunch buffet at Coffee Terrace. The bus going to the main station of Genting Skyway leaves every 30 minutes. I suggest going to Gombak Station one hour before your desired schedule since tickets easily sell out. Worry not for the waiting time, you can drop by at Batu Caves before your bus arrives. If you also want to stay on a short queue at the Genting Skyway, better book your tickets at around 9AM.

The Genting Express Bus is properly maintained and has comfortable seats.

The bus ride going to the Genting Skyway was around 30 minutes. We lined up for about an hour before finally riding the longest cable car in Southeast Asia. 

The building fronting us is the Genting Skyway base station.

Could you imagine how high we were?

The second thing I looked forward to was the lunch buffet at Coffee Terrace. The restaurant serves wide range of Asian and Western specialties, similar to the hotel buffets in Manila. I particularly like the Thai and American dishes, and of course, the desserts!
Tip: The lunch buffet is cheaper when availed with the tour package rather than paying directly at the restaurant.

Give in, indulge

When I returned to Genting Highlands last March 2013 with my family, I took the chance of going around the resort which I wasn't able to do when I first went there with my friends. We checked out the Genting Outdoor Theme Park which was a big disappointment. We didn't get in  because it  looked very worn-out already. I was surprised a lot of tourists would even pay for the admission fee. While writing this post, I visited the resort's website, and read the following good news for future tourists:

We also went to the nearby First World Indoor Theme Park expecting to be amused in a good way. Well we had the very same impression with that of the outdoor theme park. Basing from the resort announcement, it looks like tourists won't have an upgraded indoor theme park anytime soon.

So what did we do in the First World Indoor Theme Park then? 
Gladly, there was a Ripley's Believe It or Not museum located at the second floor. I couldn't remember the entrance fee but it was cheap enough to check it out. The exhibits were interesting and bizarre, however I personally think it also needs a major face lift. I wouldn't recommend visiting the museum, it is a fun way to kill time though.

If you don't find the casinos and restaurants attractive, the Genting Skyway Cable Car ride is a sufficient reason to visit Genting Highlands. The weather can be cold at times so don't forget to bring your sweater or scarf.


Have fun in Malaysia,
Gladys