Food, Culture, and Hoodies: A Genting and Melaka Itinerary For the Year-End Holidays

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take a weekend trip to Malaysia, specifically to Genting Highlands and Melaka. The former is a nostalgic destination for me since I remember travelling there plenty of times as a kid, but it had been a long time since my last visit. This weekend trip to Genting and Melaka was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions after I had stumbled upon a twin cities package offered by WTS Travel. 

Even though I’d never booked a tour with them before, I decided to give it a shot, because the package not only took care of my transport and accommodation but also gave me plenty of free time of my own to explore as I liked. And so, just like that, I made the booking and off I went! 

Also read: 15 Fun Things to Do in Melaka for a Complete Experience

Day 1: Genting SkyWorlds and Genting Skytropolis

Departure from Singapore

I woke up early on Friday and made my way to Jurong East Venture Avenue where I boarded my coach to Genting Highlands. The journey was honestly quite a long one, about five hours, give or take. Thankfully, my coach which I booked with WTS Travel had spacious seating and reclining seats that made the journey much more bearable. Since the departure time from Venture Avenue was in the early morning, I practically slept the whole way through! 

We arrived at Genting around lunch and made our way to our accommodation, where we would be spending the night. Have to say, the switch from the Singapore heat to the cool, wintery weather on Genting Highlands was such a welcome change! 

The resort was far different from the hotels I stayed at when I was a kid. It was much more serene and had plenty of verdant scenery around it, which I enjoyed through the open window on my balcony. The room I was in was pretty comfy, and the wooden flooring gave off a comforting, homey vibe that (almost) made me not want to leave! 

But I was in Genting, of course, I couldn’t wait to explore what it had to offer. After all, I’d not been to Malaysia’s “City of Entertainment” for years! Thankfully, the hotel is only a stone’s throw away from the Awana Skyway Gondola. After setting down my luggage, I headed to the station to board my gondola to SkyAvenue Station. 

Experiencing Genting’s exciting outdoor theme park

Image credit: Alex Cheong via Canva Pro

The station was packed with people, probably because it was a weekend. So if you’re not a fan of crowds, you may want to consider visiting during the weekdays instead. Thankfully, because I joined the WTS Genting Highlands and Melaka (Twin Cities) tour, I got my gondola tickets when I checked into the hotel. 

After waiting in line for a bit, I was able to board my gondola. Since we were riding on the cable car in the afternoon, there was a little less mist, and the weather was pretty clear. Along the way, I managed to get a nostalgic view of the rainforests below. 

Image credit: Fratila Codrut via Canva Pro

The Awana Skyway Gondola actually also stops off at Chin Swee Station, where you can visit the famous Chin Swee Caves Temple. However, I wanted to maximise my time at the Genting outdoor theme park, so I decided to skip the stop.

After a short, 10-minute ride, I found myself greeted by the impressive sights and sounds of SkyAvenue, the gateway to Genting’s exciting indoor and outdoor theme parks. 

Exploring Genting SkyWorlds 

Image credit: Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park Facebook Page

Finally, the highlight of my weekend Genting/Melaka trip — stepping inside Genting SkyWorlds, Genting’s impressive outdoor theme park! While it isn’t exactly “new” (it opened in 2022), I was super excited because it was my first time there. Plus, because it’s nearing the end of the year, the place was already decked out in ambient Christmas decor, giving off a relaxing holiday vibe. 

Before heading to SkyWorlds, I picked up my tickets at the WTS Counter in the Resorts Hotel lobby. It came as part of the Genting/Melaka (Twin Cities) Tour Package. This was great because it meant I could skip the long queues for tickets! 

For those who’ve never been to Genting SkyWorlds, the outdoor theme park is divided into several themed zones that offer different types of rides and experiences. Because I absolutely adore movies, my favourite zone was the Studio Plaza, where you’ll find plenty of references to modern films. 

Image credit: Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park Facebook Page

I would recommend that you spare at least three hours for Genting SkyWorlds because there is a lot to try out. From thrilling rides like the Terraform Tower Challenge at Andromeda Base and family-friendly boat rides through the whimsical fantasy world of Epic to amazing musicals and shows, there isn’t a dull moment in Genting SkyWorlds. 

What’s more, since it was the Christmas season, there were also specific timeslots where visitors could enjoy “snowfall”, which is a viral annual event I’ve seen many times on social media. Finally being able to experience it myself was all the feels. The cool Genting Highlands weather really does make you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland! 

However, do take note that on certain days like weekends, the queues can be quite long for some attractions. Add to that the plethora of F&B options you’ll want to try here, and the Genting outdoor theme park can easily take up half a day of your time. So do make sure you make enough time for this part of your trip. 

TripZilla Tip: To save time on your trip to Genting SkyWorlds, consider using the VQ Reservations feature on the Genting SkyWorlds app. Simply put, it’s a feature that lets you reserve timed entries for rides, attractions, and even shows, so that you can spend more time enjoying your day in the park and less time in physical queues.

Shopping and eating at Genting SkyAvenue + Skytropolis

Image credit: Shawn | Unsplash

After an exhilarating time at SkyWorlds, I decided to check out the vibrant Genting SkyAvenue district. It’s one of the truly new things to do at Genting Highlands which I had never experienced before. What I remembered was the old mini shopping street at First World Hotel. This was an impressive upgrade. 

Simply put, SkyAvenue is a lifestyle mall with plenty of shops, eateries, and entertainment options (I recommend the 4D Trick Art Museum — it’s loads of fun, especially if you’re with your friends). You could easily window shop here for hours without even realising it! Me? I decided to have a quick meal before heading over to the adjacent Genting Skytropolis. 

Skytropolis is Genting’s famous indoor playground, boasting a carnival-like atmosphere and plenty of rides (both thrilling and fit for families) and attractions that rival even Genting SkyWorlds. What is even more exciting, is that it features an indoor arcade and a VR experience zone. This was when the nostalgic side of me really hit, as memories of myself spending hours at the Genting indoor arcade in the past came flooding back. 

I spent about an hour and a half there before heading back to SkyAvenue station to board my gondola ride back to Awana Skyway. Do note that the last gondola departs at 11pm, so make sure you don’t have TOO much fun to the point that you miss the ride back to your hotel!

Also read: 14 Things to Do in Genting Highlands, Including New Attractions!

Day 2: Melaka 

Checking into Hatten Hotel Melaka

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, it was time to check out and hop aboard a shuttle to our next destination — the historical city of Melaka! At 12pm, the shuttle transfer was already at the hotel lobby where everyone had gathered. 

Boarding the shuttle, we then began our two-and-a-half-hour journey to Melaka. As we ventured down the hilly roads of the Genting Highlands, the crisp, cool air gradually turned warmer (aww) and we soon found ourselves cruising along the highway towards Melaka. 

We arrived in Melaka around 3pm on a Saturday. With Melaka being a tourist hotspot, I wasn’t surprised to see that the streets were as busy as they could get. After checking into the hotel, I was off to explore this beloved tourist hot spot in Malaysia. 

Exploring Dutch Square + Encore Melaka

Image credit: INYNGS via Canva Pro

I took a short 10-minute walk to the famous Dutch Square, where Melaka’s Insta-worthy red buildings are found. While it was bright and sunny, the gentle breeze made the journey a lot more bearable. But once I got to the location, it was packed with tourists! I took a tour around the area and even visited the ruins of the old Church of St. Paul. To escape the heat, I popped into a nearby cafe for a quick drink! 

I couldn’t spend too much time at Dutch Square though, as I had to return to the hotel for the lobby pickup service to Encore Melaka, my next destination. One of the more hidden gems of Melaka, Encore Melaka is a stunning, immersive theatrical experience that celebrates the rich heritage of the city. It features a combination of live performances, vivid multimedia projections, and captivating musical ensembles to bring the rich history of Melaka to life.

Image credit: Encore Melaka Facebook Page

The theatre is housed in a futuristic building located by the Malaccan Strait, but beyond the cool exterior, the performance itself was truly memorable. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the hour-long show completely blew me away and made me reconsider what a cultural performance looks like. I’d heard good things from my friends previously, but it was even more impressive than I was expecting. The Google Reviews actually do it justice! It’s easily one of the must-do activities in Melaka in my book. 

Image credit: Encore Melaka Facebook Page

Also read: Places to Visit in Melaka: A 48-Hour Itinerary for First-Timers

Food hunting at Jonker Walk

Image credit: The Simple Travel | Unsplash

After the fantastic cultural performance at Encore Melaka, I wanted to experience Melaka’s culture in another way — through my palette! This was also one of the things I was most excited about for my stop in Melaka. 

For those not in the know, Jonker Walk (also known as Jonker Street), is a bustling Chinatown area of Melaka. Here, you will find a multitude of delicious street food to sample and quirky souvenirs to bring home with you. 

If you’re wondering what to eat at Jonker Walk, perhaps my experience can help you. While I was there, I was intent on getting my hands on Melaka’s famous dishes — most of which consist of Baba Nyonya cuisine. Definitely, you’ll want to go for the various kuih, as well as the popiah (Chinese spring roll) and laksa. 

Image credit: San Shu Gong Facebook Page

If you’re looking for some edible souvenirs and snacks, head to San Shu Gong. It’s one of the most famous souvenir shops in Melaka and I can tell you, they really do have an impressive plethora of options to choose from. 

Having eaten my fill, I finally retired to my hotel to rest up. Thankfully, Hatten Melaka offered an extremely comfy bed for me to lie in. 

Day 3: Journey back home

On the final day of my weekend getaway to Melaka and Genting, I decided to take it easy after a couple of days of excitement. In the morning, I headed to the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool for a few laps before making my way to the onsite restaurant for breakfast. 

After checking out, my coach arrived to pick me up at 2:15pm, and thus began the journey back to Singapore. 

All in all, it was a fun-filled and relaxing weekend trip to Malaysia, and the luxurious coach made it even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to travel to Genting and Melaka, I recommend you check out the various options from WTS Travel, I’m sure you’ll find something to suit your fancy! 

Brought to you by Tourism Malaysia x WTS Travel