From Kuala Lumpur, we went to Genting Highlands, a place on top of a mountain that was developed starting in the 1970s by one of the richest men in Malaysia. Fast forward to today, it is the site of the First World Hotel, renowned for being the second-largest hotel in the world, a casino, a theme park, a mall, and a nearby residential village.
Highland Escape: Journeying to the Mountain Peaks of Genting
Scaling the Mountains via Cable Car
To get there, you needed to take a bus from KL Sentral Station; you could either go there by car or take a bus that would stop at a place offering visitors a ride on a cable car. Riding the cable car seemed more exciting, as it gave you a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
It was said to be the longest cable car in Asia, and about a kilometer long if my distance estimate was correct. It was also my first time riding a cable car.
The High-Altitude Theme Park Experience
The highlight of the place was the location, of course; the weather was cool, just a bit less cold than in Baguio (we went there during the summertime in the month of May). The theme park featured an attraction called Genting Sky Venture, a free-fall simulator, alongside a casino, a water splash pool, and a big mall, among other things.
It was a place that would be much appreciated by travelers coming with their own families; the kids would surely enjoy the place more than ordinary backpackers who preferred the beaches over the comforts of hotels and themed attractions.
Anyway, it was a nice little side trip for our Kuala Lumpur tour. Anybody planning on going there should make sure to check out the First World Hotel, as I remembered it had some of the cheapest rates compared to other hotels. I was sure the kids would enjoy the theme park, and the oldies might want to try their luck in the casinos. We didn't take our chances, though.
Practical Travel Guide
Getting to Genting Highlands:
Take an express bus from KL Sentral Station in Kuala Lumpur directly to the Awana Bus Terminal. From there, hop on the Awana SkyWay cable car for a scenic ride straight up to the peak complex.
Travel Tips:
Temperatures in the highlands are noticeably cooler than in lowland Kuala Lumpur, so bring a light jacket or sweater. If you plan to stay overnight, booking rooms at the First World Hotel well in advance offers some of the best budget accommodations on the mountain.
- Read the preceding chapter of this journey in My First International Flight to Kuala Lumpur.
- Browse through more mountain retreats and city guides across Malaysia.
- Discover more regional itinerary ideas in our Travel Guides section.
