Genting Highlands is a mountaintop resort town on the Titiwangsa Range, about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Kuala Lumpur, on the border of Pahang and Selangor. At around 1,800 m (5,900 ft), it is far cooler than the city below, often wrapped in cloud, and almost entirely given over to one vast complex, Resorts World Genting: thousands of hotel rooms, Malaysia’s only licensed land-based casino, the Genting SkyWorlds outdoor theme park, the indoor Skytropolis park, malls, restaurants and concert halls. Two long cable cars carry visitors up through old rainforest from the foothills, past the Chin Swee Caves Temple, and in 2026 the resort opened Eufloria, which it describes as Malaysia’s largest floral glasshouse. Genting is hugely popular with Malaysian families and Singaporean weekenders; for foreign travelers it makes an easy day or overnight trip from Kuala Lumpur, especially to escape the heat.
Right now in Genting Highlands
- Wed17–24°C62–75°F7 mm rain
- Thu17–24°C62–76°F3 mm rain
- Fri17–24°C63–75°F8 mm rain
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Genting Highlands at a glance
- Best for: theme parks and family fun, cool mountain air, the casino and shows, cable-car rides over the rainforest, and an easy escape from Kuala Lumpur’s heat.
- How long: a long day trip from Kuala Lumpur, or one to two nights.
- Best time: weekdays outside school and public holidays, when queues are shorter and rooms cheaper; mornings are clearer than afternoons, when cloud and rain roll in. Daytime temperatures are typically in the high teens to low 20s °C (60s to low 70s °F).
- Getting there: about an hour by road from Kuala Lumpur via the Karak Highway, by Grab, car or express bus, then the Awana SkyWay or Genting SkyWay cable car from the mid-hill stations.
- Getting around: free resort shuttles, covered walkways and indoor connections between hotels, malls and attractions.
- Good to know: according to Resorts World Genting, the Genting SkyWay closes for maintenance from October 5 to 9, 2026, and the Awana SkyWay from October 12 to 16, 2026; the other cable car stays open.
- Before you go: the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), visa-free stays, money and general safety are in our Malaysia travel guide.
Genting Highlands’ areas and where to stay
Genting is spread over several levels of the mountain, from the foothill station at Gohtong Jaya to the hilltop resort.
The hilltop: Resorts World Genting
The summit complex holds most of the hotels, including the enormous First World Hotel, Genting Grand, Crockfords and the Genting SkyWorlds Hotel, along with SkyAvenue mall, Skytropolis, the casino, the theme park and dozens of restaurants, all connected indoors. It is the place to stay for theme parks and nightlife, though it can feel like a giant mall.
Chin Swee and the mid-hill
Below the summit, the Chin Swee Caves Temple stands on a forested slope, and the Awana SkyWay stops there. Lower down, Resorts World Awana, with villas, a golf course, nature trails and family activities, offers a quieter, greener stay.
Gohtong Jaya, Sky Sentral and Gohtong Sentral
At the foot of the cable cars, Gohtong Jaya has the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets shopping village, the Sky Sentral bus terminal and Awana SkyWay station, and the new Gohtong Sentral shopping and dining hub at the lower station of the Genting SkyWay. Budget hotels and apartments here are cheaper than at the top.
A short history
Genting was the vision of the businessman Lim Goh Tong, who in the mid-1960s set out to build a hill resort on a remote, forested peak above Kuala Lumpur. A road was cut through the jungle, the first hotel opened in 1971, and a casino license made the resort a magnet for visitors from across Malaysia and Singapore. Over the following decades the summit filled with hotels, among them First World Hotel, for years listed as one of the largest hotels in the world, while the original outdoor theme park closed in 2013 to make way for the movie-themed park that opened as Genting SkyWorlds in 2022. The Genting Malaysia group still owns and runs almost everything at the summit, so the resort’s website is the main source for hours, prices and closures.
Top things to see in Genting Highlands
The cable cars: Awana SkyWay and Genting SkyWay
Riding up through the cloud forest is a highlight in itself. According to Resorts World Genting, the Awana SkyWay runs about 2.8 km (1.7 miles) in around 10 minutes from Sky Sentral at mid-hill to the Genting Highlands station at the top, with a free stop at Chin Swee Station for the temple; it operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. A standard return ticket costs RM19 (RM11 one way), express boarding costs RM32 return, and glass-floored gondolas cost more; tickets can be bought in advance and are valid for 30 days. The longer Genting SkyWay, about 3.4 km (2.1 miles) and 15 minutes, runs from Gohtong Sentral to the edge of Eufloria. During the maintenance closures in October 2026, free shuttle buses link the stations.
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park
The outdoor theme park at the summit has more than 20 rides and attractions themed on movies, from roller coasters to family rides. Ticket prices vary by day and season, with discounts online; some rides close in heavy rain or lightning, which is common in the afternoon, so arrive at opening time.
Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park
Inside SkyAvenue, this indoor park has carousels, a drop tower, bumper cars and rides for younger children, and is a good rainy-day option.
Eufloria Gardens and Sculpture Park
Opened in 2026 on the mid-hills and described by Resorts World Genting as Malaysia’s largest floral glasshouse, Eufloria covers about 5 hectares (12.5 acres), with four themed glasshouses, more than 1,000 plant species on seasonal rotation, an indoor waterfall with an LED display, zodiac sculptures, a canopy walk and a Garden of the Seasons with more than 30,000 flowers. A covered walkway links it with the Genting SkyWay’s station. More sections, including a petting farm and an orchard, are planned.
Chin Swee Caves Temple
A Taoist temple built into the hillside, with a nine-story pagoda, a giant statue of the Buddha and a series of statues depicting the Ten Courts of Hell, set in landscaped grounds above the clouds on clear days. It can be visited on a free stop on the Awana SkyWay.
More classic sights
- Casino de Genting: Malaysia’s only licensed land-based casino, open around the clock; entry is limited to adults aged 21 and over, and Malaysian Muslims are not allowed to gamble.
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets: a village of discount fashion outlets next to the Sky Sentral station.
- Strawberry farms: small farms on the road up the mountain, selling strawberries, ice cream and plants.
- Genting Nature Adventures: guided forest walks and outdoor activities on the old rainforest trails around the resort.
- The view from the summit: on clear mornings, views stretch over the forested ridges toward Kuala Lumpur.
Other things to do in Genting Highlands
Food and drink
Resorts World Genting has hundreds of outlets, from food courts to celebrity-chef restaurants, with Chinese, Malay, Japanese, Korean and Western food. Steamboat (hot pot) is a favorite in the cool evenings. Prices are higher than in Kuala Lumpur. For local food, try the hawker-style stalls at Gohtong Jaya and the restaurants on the old road to Genting.
Shows and concerts
The resort’s Arena of Stars and other venues host concerts by Asian pop stars, festivals and stage shows throughout the year; check the program, as big concerts fill the hotels.
Shopping
SkyAvenue at the top and the Premium Outlets at the bottom are the main shopping areas; Gohtong Sentral adds more shops and restaurants at the foot of the Genting SkyWay.
Visiting with children
Genting is built for families: strollers can be used throughout the indoor complex, many hotels have family rooms, and Skytropolis and parts of SkyWorlds suit younger children. Check height restrictions before buying ride passes, bring warm clothes for the cool evenings, and plan a rest break in the afternoon, when rain often closes the outdoor rides.
Nature walks
Despite the development, Genting is surrounded by some of the oldest rainforest in Malaysia. Short trails around Resorts World Awana and guided walks with Genting Nature Adventures are the easiest way to explore; stay on marked paths and go with a guide. See our hiking guide.
Day trips from Genting Highlands
- Kuala Lumpur: about an hour away by road; most visitors combine Genting with a stay in the city. See our Kuala Lumpur guide.
- Batu Caves: the limestone Hindu shrine on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur, on the way to or from Genting.
- Bukit Tinggi: a French-style hill village with a Japanese garden, about 30 to 40 minutes away by road.
- Janda Baik: a riverside village in the forest, popular for glamping and river picnics, on the Pahang side of the range.
- Cameron Highlands: the tea-growing hill station further north, about three to four hours by road; better as a separate trip. See our Cameron Highlands guide.
Nearby destinations
- Kuala Lumpur33 km
- Cameron Highlands133 km
- Malacca City146 km
- George Town (Penang)275 km
- Perhentian Islands296 km
Getting there and getting around
By road from Kuala Lumpur
From Kuala Lumpur, the Karak Highway climbs northeast toward Gohtong Jaya, from where a steep, winding road continues to the summit; the drive takes about an hour without traffic, but jams are common on weekends and holidays. Most visitors stop at Sky Sentral or Gohtong Sentral and take a cable car up. Grab cars run from the city and the airports. According to Resorts World Genting, express buses run from Kuala Lumpur and from the airports, and its bus ticket counter for services from Gombak moved from Gombak LRT station to Terminal Bersepadu Gombak (TBG) on July 1, 2025. Daily buses also run from Singapore. Parking is available at the Premium Outlets, next to Sky Sentral.
By cable car
The Awana SkyWay (from Sky Sentral, with a stop at Chin Swee) and the Genting SkyWay (from Gohtong Sentral) both reach the summit. When one is closed for maintenance, the other runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and free shuttles connect the lower stations. In high wind or thunderstorms, services may pause.
Around the resort
Hotels, malls, the casino and the theme parks at the top are linked by covered walkways and indoor passages. Resorts World Genting runs free inter-resort shuttles, some of them around the clock, between its properties.
When to go and how long to stay
Genting’s altitude makes it much cooler than the lowlands: expect daytime temperatures of around 18–24 °C (64–75 °F) and nights that can drop to about 15 °C (59 °F) or lower. There is no long-term climate station at Genting in the World Meteorological Organization’s archive, so the figures are typical values, not official normals. Rain and cloud are frequent throughout the year, especially in the afternoon; according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the west of the peninsula has its rainiest periods in October to November and April to May, and thunderstorms are most frequent in the inter-monsoon months of April to May and October to November.
| Month | Typical day / night | Rain and cloud | Crowds and what to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F) | Showers and mist | Busy over Chinese New Year; cool evenings |
| February | 23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F) | Fewer showers | Chinese New Year crowds in some years |
| March | 23 °C (74 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Afternoon storms increasing | Quieter weekdays |
| April | 24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Frequent thunderstorms | Good value midweek |
| May | 24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Frequent storms | School holidays at the end of the month |
| June | 24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Fewer storms; haze possible | Busy in school holidays |
| July | 23 °C (74 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Mixed sun and showers | Weekend crowds |
| August | 23 °C (74 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Showers; haze possible | National Day weekend is busy |
| September | 23 °C (74 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Showers increasing | Quieter midweek |
| October | 23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | Wet; thunderstorms | Cable-car maintenance closures in 2026 |
| November | 22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F) | One of the wettest months | Deepavali holidays |
| December | 22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F) | Wet and misty | Very busy over Christmas and New Year |
A day trip from Kuala Lumpur
Leave early by Grab or bus, ride the Awana SkyWay with a stop at Chin Swee Caves Temple, spend the day at Genting SkyWorlds or Eufloria, and return by Genting SkyWay before the evening traffic; stop at the Premium Outlets on the way down.
One or two nights
Add Skytropolis and a show or concert, an evening in the casino or at the restaurants, a morning walk with Genting Nature Adventures, and a night at Resorts World Awana for a quieter stay.
Where to stay in Genting Highlands
- Hilltop hotels: First World Hotel for budget rooms in huge numbers; Genting Grand, Crockfords and the Genting SkyWorlds Hotel for more comfort, all linked to the attractions.
- Resorts World Awana: villas and rooms at mid-hill, with golf and nature trails.
- Gohtong Jaya: apartments and smaller hotels near the cable cars, often cheaper.
Weekend and holiday rates are much higher than midweek ones. Foreign guests pay Malaysia’s tourism tax of RM10 per room per night.
What a trip to Genting Highlands costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about RM4.08 to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Grab from central Kuala Lumpur to Sky Sentral | RM50–90 (about US$12–22) |
| Express bus from Kuala Lumpur | about RM10–20 (about US$2.50–5) |
| Awana SkyWay, standard gondola, return | RM19 (about US$4.70); RM11 one way |
| Awana SkyWay, express boarding, return | RM32 (about US$8) |
| Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, one-day adult ticket | about RM150–250 (about US$37–61), less online |
| Food court meal | RM15–30 (about US$3.70–7.40) |
| Hilltop hotel double, weekday | RM150–350 (about US$37–86) |
| Hilltop hotel double, weekend or holiday | RM300–700 (about US$74–172) |
| Tourism tax, per room per night | RM10 (about US$2.45) |
Practical tips for Genting Highlands
- Go on a weekday: weekends, school holidays and festivals bring long queues for cable cars and rides.
- Arrive early: mornings are clearer and the theme park less crowded; afternoons often bring rain and lightning closures.
- Bring a jacket: it is cool and damp at the top, and the indoor areas are air-conditioned.
- Check cable-car maintenance: closures are announced on the Resorts World Genting website.
- Casino rules: bring your passport, dress neatly, and note the minimum age of 21.
Safety
Genting is safe and well policed, but the mountain has its own hazards. The road up from the Karak Highway is steep, winding and often foggy, with heavy traffic at weekends; drive slowly, use low gears on the descent and avoid driving at night in rain if you are not used to mountain roads. Heavy rain can cause landslides and road closures on the hill roads, especially in the wet months. Lightning is frequent in the afternoon, and outdoor rides and cable cars may stop during storms. Temperatures are cool, so bring warm layers if you walk in the forest. Keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas and set a budget at the casino. In an emergency, call 999.
What to pack for Genting Highlands
A light jacket or sweater, long trousers for the evening, an umbrella or rain jacket, comfortable shoes for walking between attractions, and smart-casual clothes if you plan to visit the casino. Malaysia uses 240 V and British-style three-pin plugs (type G). See our rain jackets guide.
Genting Highlands travel FAQ
How do I get from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands?
By Grab, car or express bus to Sky Sentral or Gohtong Sentral, about an hour’s drive, then the Awana SkyWay or Genting SkyWay cable car to the top.
How much is the Awana SkyWay?
A standard return ticket costs RM19 (RM11 one way), and express boarding costs RM32 return, according to Resorts World Genting.
What are the cable car hours?
The Awana SkyWay operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; when one cable car is closed for maintenance, the other runs over the same hours.
Are the Genting cable cars closed in October 2026?
Yes, in turn: the Genting SkyWay closes for maintenance from October 5 to 9, 2026, and the Awana SkyWay from October 12 to 16, 2026. The other cable car and free shuttles operate during each closure.
How cold is Genting Highlands?
Typically about 18–24 °C (64–75 °F) during the day and around 15 °C (59 °F) at night, much cooler than Kuala Lumpur.
Can I visit Genting Highlands as a day trip?
Yes. It is about an hour from Kuala Lumpur, and a long day is enough for the cable car, Chin Swee and a theme park.
What is Eufloria?
Eufloria Gardens and Sculpture Park, opened in 2026, is Malaysia’s largest floral glasshouse according to Resorts World Genting, with four themed glasshouses and more than 1,000 plant species.
Who can enter the Genting casino?
Adults aged 21 and over with valid identification; Malaysian Muslims are not permitted to gamble. Dress neatly.
When is the best time to visit Genting Highlands?
On weekdays outside school holidays, arriving in the morning, when the weather is clearer and queues are shorter.
Is it safe to drive to Genting Highlands?
Yes, with care. The road is steep, winding and often foggy; drive slowly, especially at night and in rain, or take the cable car from the mid-hill stations.
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Cable-car routes, hours, fares and the October 2026 maintenance closures, Eufloria, the Gombak bus counter move and the resort shuttles: Resorts World Genting (Genting Malaysia); rainfall and thunderstorm patterns: the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia); exchange rate: the US Federal Reserve. Temperatures are typical values, not official normals, as there is no Genting station in the WMO archive. The resort’s altitude, theme park and casino details, distances, bus and theme park prices, the tourism tax rate and other typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and hours change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Malaysia travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)