Genting Highland
The crisp, cool mountain air and proximity to Kuala Lumpur makes it a great place to escape from urban confusion. Befitting its almost never ending entertainment concept, Genting offers regular international shows, fun-filled rides at the sprawling theme park, delicious dining experience, great golfing at the 18-hole course, horse riding, jungle trekking and lots more.
GETTING THERE
Genting Highlands can be reached from Kuala Lumpur via the faster Karak Highway or the slower old Pahang Road (Route 68). The latter passes by Mimaland, which may be a good place to stop by before proceeding to Genting Highlands. The Genting Express Bus leaves every hour from the Puduraya Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur. Genting also offers limousines, coaches and helicopter services for charter.
ATTRACTIONS
Highest Peak: 180.000 meter
Genting Highlands, situated at the Pahang Selangor border some forty kilometres (25 miles) to the south of Fraser’s Hill is the nearest mountain resort to Kuala Lumpur. It is also by far the newest in Malaysia, having been opened in 1971. Like Fraser’s Hill, it isbestknown for its recreational facilities, most especially as having the only gambling casino in Malaysia
The resort area, which has been pre planned and is likely to expand still further, encompasses an altitudinal range of 1,036 metres (3,400 feet) (the golf course) to 1,800 metres (5,905 feet) at the highest peak. As at Fraser’s Hill, nature lovers can find much of interest here. Not all recent developments at Genting Highlands have been sensitive to the needs of conservation.
For example, the survival of two species of small tree of the citrus family (Melicope suberosa and Maclurodendron magnificum), known only from Genting Highlands, is at risk as a result of forest clearance. Fortunately, plants such as these do not need large areas inwhich to flourish, and the problem is one of lack of communication between naturalists and resort developers. Genting Highlands has been planned with imagination and deserves to succeed. But there is an important message here for ‘conservationists’ and ‘developers’ alike.
