The Mile-Long Gallery: A Living Classroom in the Forest

Not just another tourist attraction, but a space that invites you to slow down, look closer, and leave a little wiser than when you arrived, is the Mile-Long Gallery (MLG), a 600-metre stretch along the Awana Trail, leading visitors towards the Clearwater Way junction.

GNA Department Manager Mr Eddie Chan leads guests on the Mile-Long Gallery

On the surface, MLG may appear to be just a scenic walkway with stunning views of golf fairways and forest edges. But every panel, photograph, and story has been thoughtfully curated to turn a simple stroll into a meaningful journey of storytelling and discovery. It’s where nature and knowledge walk hand in hand, offering both leisure and insight – an experience open to everyone, no matter their background, so long as they take the step to walk the trail.

Why Genting Nature Adventures Created the Gallery

In 2019, Genting Highlands attracted 28.7 million visitors. By 2030, this number may swell to 53 million. With such rapid growth, there’s an urgent need to balance recreation with responsibility.

entrance to the Awana Trail and Clearwater Way

This is where Genting Nature Adventures (GNA) steps in. As part of Genting Malaysia, GNA champions the idea of knowledge-based tourism. They aim to engage one million people in meaningful encounters with nature. The Mile-Long Gallery is central to this mission, showing that tourism can be enjoyable and educational at the same time.

The vision isn’t new. In fact, it reflects the wishes of Genting Malaysia’s founding fathers, who always believed that education should be part of the resort’s legacy. By helping people understand the mountain, GNA hopes to inspire respect and stewardship for its fragile ecosystem.

a board that introduces Genting Highlands

What Awaits Along the Trail

The Mile-Long Gallery is more than just an outdoor display. It’s built upon GNA’s four stewardship pillars:

Conservation – saving rare and endangered species.

Preservation – protecting forests from poaching and intrusion.

Sustainability – restoring habitats and planning for the long term.

Education – making science engaging and accessible for everyone.

.
Along the trail, visitors encounter (among others):

The Celebri-tree, a banner that counts every person who has engaged with GNA, reminding us that every visitor matters.

Scientist Corner, which turns ongoing biodiversity research into simple, relatable stories.

The S.A.V.E. framework – See, Appreciate, Value, Educate – that captures the essence of GNA’s approach to environmental awareness.

GNA Department manager Mr Eddie Chan and Futuromic Photo AV Business Development Director Dato’ Billy Lai (R) inaugurate the Nikon Photo Boards installed along the Mile Long Gallery

The Nikon Photo Gallery, showcasing striking images of Genting Highlands’ wildlife, including species many may never see in the wild.

These features ensure that the gallery is not just about reading or browsing. It’s about connecting, reflecting, and learning.

The Trails Beyond the Gallery

The gallery sits along the Awana Trail, a 2km, pram, wheelchair and buggy-friendly path that takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
The late chairman of Genting Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Lim Goh Tong, dreamed of leaving behind a legacy where people could enjoy the mountain’s beauty for generations. By adding facilities along the trails, he ensured they were inclusive, making them accessible for everyone, from children to seniors to those with mobility challenges.

For visitors who want to go deeper, the Clearwater Way Trail stretches six kilometres into dipterocarp and montane oak forests between 3000 and 4000 feet above sea level. Guided by GNA’s in-house scientists, it takes between 90 and 150 minutes to explore. Along the way, they can spot wildlife, pause at waterfalls, and engage directly with experts who share their knowledge of the mountain’s unique ecosystems.

GNA Scientists Lim Wing Yun (M) and Nur Najmin (R) with Department Manager Eddie Chan (L)

Today, the trails serve as a reminder that heritage and nature exist in harmony, shaping both the present and the future.

GNA Nature Academia

One of GNA’s most inspiring efforts is their Nature Academia, which offers engaging programmes for children:

Little Ziann Kok presents her Little Z Program

Little Z – introducing kids to the wonders of biodiversity through exploration.

Little D – teaching creativity and critical thinking through drone flying.

Little H – hands-on gardening that nurtures responsibility and sustainability.

.
Together, these programmes blend science, technology, and nature to cultivate environmentally conscious, future-ready individuals.

A Hub of Knowledge: The Centre of Excellence

Recognising that not everyone can or will head into the forest, GNA created the Biodiversity, Education, Research, Sustainability and Visitor Centre (BERSVC). Now evolving into a Centre of Excellence, it serves as a hub where scientists, educators, and the public meet.

Prof. Dr. Rusea Go poses with her info board

Here, live broadcasts, interactive exhibits, and research showcases bring conservation to life. The centre makes complex knowledge accessible and gives visitors a chance to engage with biodiversity without leaving the building. It’s a space that highlights collaboration, bridging research with community awareness.

En. Anuar Ismail (PERHILITAN) (L) about to launch his info board

Recognised for Passion and Sincerity

In 2023, GNA’s work received recognition when it was honoured with the HAPA® Award for Eco Green Activities. What made the win particularly meaningful was how it came about: the judges joined a trail walk unannounced, coincidentally guided by GNA Department Manager Mr Eddie Chan. His heartfelt storytelling, sincerity, and passion for conservation left such a strong impression that the award became inevitable.

This accolade, sometimes called the “Oscars of Hospitality”, is a testament to GNA’s authenticity and commitment to eco-conscious tourism.

Facing Ground Zero Together

By 2030, much of the land surrounding Genting Highlands owned by other entities is expected to be developed for residential and commercial purposes. This urbanisation threatens to shrink forest cover, displace wildlife, and create more human-wildlife conflicts.

GNA Department Manager Mr Eddie Chan (L) explains about Ground Zero to guests

GNA refers to this area as Ground Zero. Rather than yielding to despair, it sees an urgent call to act. By standing together with experts and communities, GNA is working to protect fragile habitats, restore the richness of biodiversity, and build a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.

The Mile-Long Gallery Movement

Walking the Mile-Long Gallery is a gentle exercise for the body and nourishment for the mind. Each board, story and photograph work together to remind us of the fragility of nature and our role in preserving it.

In short, MLG is part of a larger movement to change the way people experience Genting Highlands. Through initiatives like green bonding (which combines team-building games with habitat planting) and the S.A.V.E. framework, every visitor is encouraged to leave not just entertained but educated.

By connecting millions of visitors with the environment, GNA hopes to create a ripple effect: building a community that values, appreciates, and safeguards this mountain, knowing that every step taken here is part of a greater story we all share.