Thursday, August 09, 2012

Goh Tong Memorial Park @ Genting Highlands

During last weekend long holidays, I spent my time for vacation up to Genting and Bukit Tinggi in Pahang. On the way up to Genting, I saw some cars dropped by this pit stop for resting. Everyone curios to know what's happening, so friend decided to drop by and I only found out that this resting area is actually Lim Goh Tong Memorial Park.

Goh Tong Memorial Park

Lim Goh Tong Memorial hall

The Lim Goh Tong Memorial Hall & Park commemorates the founder of Genting Highlands, who passed away in 2007. The hall is located right next to his burial ground in the park, a gentle slope landscaped with trees and flowers. The memorial hall is shaped like a barren temple with an extended porch, situated a short distance away from Gohtong Jaya town along the main road. A wooden effigy of the man himself, seated on a throne of flowers with a backdrop painting depicting Genting Highlands, greets visitors as they clamber up the steps. A small fountain at right adds some serenity while a shop enclosed in a recess along the way sells snacks and drinks.

Beautiful landscaping with Orchids

Fresh Orchids

Lim Goh Tong Biodata

The memorial hall's focal point is this wooden effigy of Lim Goh Tong,
seated on a throne surrounded by fresh flowers. 

The stool in front which is used by visitors to offer incense and joss sticks.

Beautiful landscaping

Human made fountain

Me with the fountain

Koi Fishes swimming in the pond

The memorial park next door is where Lim Goh Tong is buried.
Closed to visitors except on special occasions.

While promoted as a tourist attraction, the memorial hall is more of an altar. Taking into account the religious beliefs of Genting's mostly Chinese visitors, most come here to pay respects to Mr Lim Goh Tong and offer their prayers, burning joss sticks and incense on a small marble stool fronting the lifeless statue. Many of the Chinese hold him in great awe for establishing Genting's corporate empire from humble roots and ardous circumstances; by 'communicating' with the departed Lim Goh Tong through their spiritual reverence, hope to rub off some of his fortune and luck on their lives, most hopefully at the casins they will soon hit. The memorial hall is open to public from 8am to 10pm daily, but the park is a closed affair. You can still see the landscape through the chain fencing, which is but a green, grassy meadow lacking spectacular features.



1 comment:

Tharshan said...

Nice but so sad story u all read the wiki about bio data about lim gohtong