🇲🇾 Malaysia
Genting Highlands travel guide
Genting Highlands is a cool mountain resort at 1,800m surrounded by cloud forest, home to Malaysia's only legal casino. Beyond the glitzy casino-hotel complex, the Awana SkyWay gondola, theme park (Resorts World Genting), and lush highland trails offer a complete mountain escape from Kuala Lumpur.
Language
English, Malay, Mandarin all spoken equally
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Best time
Year-round (always cool at altitude)
Budget/day
RM 150-400/day (varies enormously by casino activity)
When to visit
Jan
16 to 21°C
Feb
16 to 21°C
Mar
17 to 22°C
Apr
17 to 22°C
May
17 to 22°C
Jun
17 to 22°C
Jul
17 to 22°C
Aug
17 to 22°C
Sep
17 to 22°C
Oct
17 to 21°C
Nov
16 to 21°C
Dec
16 to 21°C
Safety
8Genting is a controlled resort environment with extensive security. Gambling is the main activity for adults — set firm limits. The casino does not admit Muslims; non-Muslims must show passport.
Women travellers
Safe resort environment. Well-lit and managed.
Culture & etiquette
- + Take the cable car up — the cloud forest ascent is genuinely beautiful regardless of resort purpose
- + Try the full range of Malay, Chinese and Indian food at the resort's extensive hawker-style outlets
- + Non-Muslims: bring passport for casino entry
- - Don't bring children into the casino floors
- - Don't gamble beyond your means — casino psychology is designed to extend sessions
- - Don't dismiss Genting as tacky — it is genuinely fascinating as an example of Malaysian entrepreneurialism
Food to try
Genting Highlands hawker food court
The resort's food courts are genuinely good and represent the full Malaysian food canon — nasi lemak, char kway teow, wantan mee, banana leaf rice, roti canai — at surprisingly reasonable prices given the resort context; a microcosm of Malaysian street food at 1,800m
Steamboat at altitude
Malaysian steamboat (hot pot) is a social meal where ingredients are cooked at the table in a communal broth; Genting's coolness makes it the natural atmospheric choice; multiple steamboat restaurants line the resort with Sichuan and Malaysian broth options
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.