Genting Highlands and Genting SkyWorlds
Last updated: October 2026
Genting Highlands is a mountain-top resort about 1,800 metres above sea level on the border of Pahang and Selangor, roughly an hour's drive north-east of Kuala Lumpur. It is home to Resorts World Genting, a cluster of hotels, Malaysia's only licensed casino, indoor malls and theme parks, and the outdoor Genting SkyWorlds theme park, with 26 rides and attractions in nine themed zones based on films such as Ice Age, Rio and Night at the Museum. With temperatures usually between about 14 and 22 degrees Celsius, it is also a popular escape from the heat of the city.
This guide covers the history of Genting Highlands, what to see at Genting SkyWorlds and around the resort, tickets and hours (checked October 2026), how to get there and tips.
| Address | Resorts World Genting, Pahang |
|---|---|
| Details | SkyWorlds Wed–Mon 10 am – 6 pm, closed Tue (except public and school holidays) Malaysian 1-day ticket RM88 online, RM168 walk-in |
| Area | Genting Highlands |
| Typical visit | About 6 h |
| Listed in | Kuala Lumpur Attractions |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
History of Genting Highlands
The resort was the idea of Lim Goh Tong, a businessman and construction contractor. In 1963, while working on a hydroelectric scheme in the Cameron Highlands, he was struck by the idea of building a hill resort on Gunung Ulu Kali, a forested peak much closer to Kuala Lumpur. On 27 April 1965 he and Mohamad Noah Omar formed Genting Highlands Berhad to develop it.
The first big task was a road. Lim's company built a 25.5-kilometre private road up the mountain from Genting Sempah, completed in 1969. On 31 March 1969 the prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, laid the foundation stone of the first hotel, the Highlands Hotel, and the federal government granted the resort an exclusive casino licence, which remains the only one in Malaysia. The resort opened to the public in 1971.
Genting grew steadily over the following decades. A cable car from the lower slopes first opened in 1975; the current Awana SkyWay is a modern gondola about 2.6 km long, climbing about 630 metres, and a second, longer gondola, the Genting SkyWay, runs about 3.6 km from Gohtong Jaya. The Chin Swee Caves Temple, a Taoist and Buddhist temple at about 1,500 metres with a nine-storey pagoda, opened in 1994. The First World Hotel expanded to 7,351 rooms in 2015 and was listed by Guinness World Records as the largest hotel in the world by number of rooms.
From the old outdoor theme park to Genting SkyWorlds
For decades Genting also had an outdoor theme park, popular with Malaysian families. It closed on 1 September 2013 to make way for a new park. That July, Genting had announced 20th Century Fox World, a film-licensed theme park, with construction starting in December 2013 and a target opening of 2016. The project ran into delays, and after Disney bought 21st Century Fox, the partnership collapsed: in November 2018 Genting Malaysia sued Fox and Disney for US$1.75 billion, and Fox countersued. The dispute was settled on 26 July 2019, and the park was rebranded as Genting SkyWorlds, keeping many of the Fox and Blue Sky Studios film licences. It finally soft-opened on 8 February 2022.
What to See at Genting SkyWorlds
The outdoor park covers about 11 hectares and has 26 rides and attractions across nine themed zones:
- Studio Plaza: the art deco entrance area, themed as a tribute to cinema, with the 360-degree Legends Cinema and a large digital media wall.
- Central Park: the largest zone, home to Night at the Museum: Midnight Mayhem, a 3D interactive ride, and the Independence Day: Defiance flight ride.
- Eagle Mountain: a Californian desert setting with Mad Ramp Peak: Full Throttle Racing, billed as the world's first dual-powered coaster bike ride.
- Andromeda Base: an outdoor training camp with rope courses, net and wave climbing, a zip coaster and drop rides such as Cosmic Shot.
- Rio: family rides including the double-decker Blue Sky Carousel, the Rio Carnaval Chaos teacups and Samba Gliders.
- Ice Age: the Ice Age: Expedition Thin Ice ride and the Acorn Adventure coaster.
- Epic: the Epic Voyage to Moonhaven boat ride and Hummingbird Flyers.
- Robots Rivet Town: Bigweld's Zeppelins and the Rivet Town Roller.
- Liberty Lane: a street of shops and restaurants.
The park also runs seasonal events, such as Halloween ("Spookadilly Thrills or Treats") and festive celebrations, and some rides close in rotation for maintenance, so check the official site for current closures before you go.
Other Things to Do at Genting Highlands
- Skytropolis Funland: an indoor theme park inside the resort with family rides, open in any weather.
- SkyAvenue mall: shops, restaurants and the resort's main dining area, connected to the Awana SkyWay top station.
- Casino de Genting: open to visitors aged 21 and above (Muslim Malaysians are not permitted to enter); a dress code applies.
- Chin Swee Caves Temple: a Taoist and Buddhist temple with a nine-storey pagoda, statues and views over the forest, reached by a stop on the Awana SkyWay.
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets: a designer outlet mall at the mid-hill area near the Awana SkyWay base station.
- Cool weather: simply walking around in a jumper is part of the appeal for visitors from the lowlands.
Tickets, Opening Hours and How Long to Spend
- SkyWorlds hours: daily 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Tuesdays except on national public holidays and school holidays. Resorts World Genting hotel guests get early entry from 9:30 am.
- Tickets: the official Malaysian rate for a one-day standard ticket is RM88 when bought online at least a day ahead and RM168 at the gate. Non-Malaysians pay more (walk-in rates have been reported at about RM198), and VIP and unlimited passes are also sold. Promotions are frequent; check gentingskyworlds.com for current non-Malaysian prices.
- Time needed: about five to six hours for SkyWorlds. Make it a full day, or an overnight stay, if you also want to visit the indoor park, the temple and the outlets.
How to Get to Genting Highlands
- Bus: Genting Express buses, run by the resort's own tour company, leave regularly from KL Sentral and from Gombak LRT station (Kelana Jaya Line) for the Awana bus terminal at the mid-hill station. The trip takes about an hour.
- Cable car: from the Awana bus terminal, take the Awana SkyWay gondola to SkyAvenue at the top; it has an intermediate stop for the Chin Swee Caves Temple. The longer Genting SkyWay departs from Gohtong Jaya.
- Car or Grab: about an hour from central KL via the Karak Highway and the Genting Sempah road, longer in weekend traffic. There is paid parking at the resort and at Awana.
Tips for Visiting Genting Highlands
- Bring a light jacket. Temperatures at the top are usually between about 14 and 22 degrees Celsius and it can feel colder in the rain or mist.
- The summit is often in cloud, and afternoon rain is common. Outdoor rides may pause during heavy rain or lightning, so arrive at opening time for the best chance of a clear morning.
- Weekdays outside school holidays are much quieter. Weekends and holidays bring long queues for the buses, cable cars and rides.
- Buy SkyWorlds tickets online at least a day before to save money, and buy return bus tickets in advance at busy times.
- Check the cable car status on the resort's website or app; the SkyWay closes for maintenance from time to time, when shuttle buses run instead.
Genting Highlands and Genting SkyWorlds Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Genting SkyWorlds ticket?
The official Malaysian one-day standard ticket is RM88 online when bought a day ahead, or RM168 at the gate. Non-Malaysians pay higher rates, so check the official site for current prices and promotions.
Is Genting SkyWorlds open every day?
Genting SkyWorlds opens from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on Tuesdays, except on Malaysian national public holidays and school holidays.
How cold is Genting Highlands?
At about 1,800 metres, Genting Highlands is usually between about 14 and 22 degrees Celsius and rarely goes above 25 degrees. Bring a light jacket, especially for the evening.
How do I get to Genting Highlands from KL without a car?
Take a Genting Express bus from KL Sentral or Gombak LRT station to the Awana bus terminal, which takes about an hour, then ride the Awana SkyWay cable car up to the resort.
Who founded Genting Highlands?
Lim Goh Tong had the idea in 1963 and set up Genting Highlands Berhad in 1965. The access road was finished in 1969 and the resort opened to the public in 1971.