Singapore (SIN) – Genting (GEN)/Kuantan

Officially known as Resorts World Genting and a self-proclaimed City of Entertainment, Genting is Malaysia’s wholesome version of sin-city Las Vegas. The primary draw is that Genting is the only place where you can gamble legally in Malaysia, but there’s also a theme park to keep the kids amused. The resort offers six hotels with 10,000 rooms, over 50 fun rides, 170 dining and shopping outlets, shows, business convention facilities and entertainment options. As a plus, being located up in the highlands means it’s cooler than the steamy lowlands. Many visitors come to Genting for the sole purpose of experience the chill. The company that owns and runs the resort at Genting Highland, also owns the neighbouring Singapore’s Integrated Resort at Resort World Sentosa.

As of 2009, Batu Pahat is the 20th largest urban area in Malaysia in terms of population. In 2006, Batu Pahat surpassed Muar to become the second largest urban area in Johor and by 2012, Batu Pahat is the 16th largest urban area in Malaysia in terms of population.Batu Pahat has developed rapidly over the past few years, its growth encouraged by people from neighbouring townships who come to visit the local shopping centres. Nowadays, Batu Pahat enjoy the name of “Northern Johor Shopping Paradise” due to the rapid development of those shopping malls and hypermarkets.

To Do

If you aren’t into theme park rides, the only thing to do in Genting is gamble. All casinos are open 24 hrs, although you must be over 21. Muslims are not permitted inside Casinos. This is the only casino in the entire country. A notional but widely ignored dress code applies, prohibiting T-shirts, shorts and sandals, and while there are theoretical non-smoking zones here and there, all casinos are wreathed in dense smoke.

Table games of choice are roulette, baccarat and Chinese games such as tai sai and pai gow, with poker barely registering. There are also countless slot machines, but they all require signing up with Genting’s WorldCard  system if you want to withdraw any winnings.

• Monte Carlo Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel. This is easily the largest of the casinos and you’ll probably find your vice of choice in here somewhere — they even have a few video poker machines. Visitors with foreign passports are allowed to enter the “International Room” VIP zone if they agree to sign up to WorldCard.

• Hollywood Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel.

• StarWorld Casino, First World Hotel.

Entertainment

• Arena of Stars,  Hosts concerts and shows most weekends, but most feature B-grade Chinese pop stars or Western artists well past their prime.

• First World Plaza, Malaysia’s self-proclaimed highest shopping mall, this is an ungainly mix of indoor theme park and low-rent shopping mall with replicas of random landmarks from around the world, all covered with a giant metal roof that makes the entire place seem dark and dingy.

• First World Cineplex, Times Square, First World Plaza. Two small cinemas.

• Genting International Convention Centre (GICC). Convention center with various halls capable of hosting events, concerts and performances for up to 2,000 people.

Theme parks

• Genting Outdoor Theme Park, Features numerous rides typical of an amusement park, mostly suitable for families. Daily Unlimited Ride Pass priced at RM50 for adults and RM35 for children below 12 years old, while the Express Lane Pass for each age range valued at RM86 and RM56, respectively. You may also use the Go Genting Golden Package (see above ‘Get in by bus’) to obtain a Day Pass. The Outdoor Theme Park Passes includes Flying Coaster. It is now closed from 1st September 2013 for 3 years to make way for undergoing addition of the world’s first Twentieth Century Fox Theme Park.

• First World Indoor Theme Park, (located in the First World Plaza). Features numerous rides. The Day Pass for adults is RM30 and RM28 for children. This Day Pass includes entrance to Rainforest Splash Pool but do not cover Signature Attractions such as Ripley’s Museum at RM30, Snow World at RM17 and Genting Sky Venture (simulated sky diving) at RM50. One should try the First World Indoor Theme Park Express Lane Pass valued at RM54 (adult) and RM50 (child).

• All Park Daily Unlimited Pass for the combined Outdoor Theme Park and First World Indoor Theme Park costs RM66 for adult and RM45 for children. Express Lane Pass also available at RM114 and RM77, respectively.