Kota Kinabalu
& Kundasang
SABAH
WORLD's third-
Largest island
Sabah occupies a relatively small chunk of the world’s third-largest island, yet what a punch it packs: the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers' paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 4095m into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gibbons, pythons, clouded leopards and huge crocs. Around 55% of Sabah is forest, and protected areas such as the Maliau Basin and the Danum Valley Conservation Area are more accessible than ever.
KEY FACTS
CURRENCY : MYR
LOCAL CUISINE : CHINESE, MALAY, INDIAN
SPECIALITIES : Mt. Kinabalu
PEAK HOURS : 12p.m.
COMMUNICATION MEDIUM : MALAY, CHINESE
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Features
Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a mountain in Sabah, Malaysia. It is protected as Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. Kinabalu is the highest peak in Borneo's Crocker Range and is the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago as well as the highest mountain in Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is also the 20th most prominent mountain in the world by topographic prominence.
Kundasang is a town in the district of Ranau in Sabah, Malaysia that lies along the bank of Kundasang Valley. It is located about 6 kilometres away from Kinabalu National Park, 12 kilometres from Ranau town and is renowned for its vegetable market which is open seven days a week. It is the closest town to Mount Kinabalu and has a panoramic view of the Mountain.
30-Storey Wisma
Tun Mustapha
Located 5 kilometres or about 15 minutes away from the KK City Centre. Formerly known as the Sabah Foundation Building, this circular tower of steel and glass stands 30 storeys high in the Likas Bay area and is instantly recognizable as a Sabah icon.
Signal Hill
Signal Hill, the highest point in the city, is one of the best places to get a good view of Kota Kinabalu.
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Just a couple of minutes drive from Padang Merdeka will bring you to the airy deck where you can get amazing views that extend to the outlying islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and further.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
By far the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is even possibly the most beautiful one in Malaysia – the man-made lagoon which surrounds it gives a serenely gorgeous and dramatic look to the mosque on a full moon night. The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is open for public visits daily except Fridays Built on a 2.47 acres site at the Likas bay, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is exemplary of the Islamic contemporary architecture. Situated near the sea, this majestic white mosque boasts similar features to the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. This floating mosque has a prayer hall which houses three madrasahs and accommodates from 9, 000 to 12, 000 people at a time. 8am to 5pm.
Sabah Museum
Built in 1985, the Museum complex is sited where the British North Borneo Governor’s Istana was once located. The Museum consists of the Main Building, Science and Education Centre and Heritage Village.
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The Heritage Village on the Museum grounds where you can enter and experience different types of traditional houses of the various indigenous groups of Sabah. Cultural activities are held here from time to time.
Cultural Dance Tour
The Kota Kinabalu Glitter with Cultural Dance is a good way to experience the vivid sights of KK at night. The tour kicks off with a visit to a culture-rich night market – you can sample local snacks, purchase various trinkets including apparel and observe as locals procure their weekly household produce.
Night Markets
In Sabah, night markets (pasar malam) can be found easily anywhere. The whole market and stalls can be seen humming with activity, so if you are in the city of KK and wish to explore the night markets by walking, these are the night markets you might need to check out!
1)Filipino Night Market Kota Kinabalu
2) Sinsuran Night Market
3) Segama Night Market
4) Kampung Air Night Market
Pekan Nabalu
On your way to Kinabalu Park, just before the Kundasang Town, you will come across a quaint little market with a giant pineapple landmark just at by the side of the road. This market is known as Pekan Nabalu.
Located 12km before Kinabalu National Park, Pekan Nabalu is the last market township in the district of Kota Belud before entering the Ranau district. Pekan Nabalu is characterized by several rows of open air markets selling fruits, vegetables and flowers, as well as a longhouse market where vendors sell merchandise such as Sabah souvenir t-shirts, beaded handicrafts, musical instruments and many more.
Kinabalu National Park
Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. Also the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia, the Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species and the Park has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species and many others.
Mount Kinabalu
Looking for a challenging adventure? Mount Kinabalu towers 4,095 metres above sea level and is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, also the most prominent in South East Asia. Climbing Mount Kinabalu isn't just a challenging adventure but a unique journey through the tropical jungle at the base, to the rocky sub-alpine summit plateau. A whole range of exotic plants can be found in the different climates along the way: bamboo, mosses, orchids, rotans and Mount Kinabalu's famous pitcher plants in abundance. Mount Kinabalu offers an impressive and immensely rich variety of insect, bird and animal species on its slopes.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden comprises 16 different trails such as the Silau Silau Trail and Bukit Tupai Trail. Depending on how much time you have on your hands, you can take your time to trek through and explore all the trails in the garden.
Along the way, you will encounter many unique species of trees and flowers such as orchids, Medinilla speciosa (Showy Asian Grapes), the Nepenthes rajah (pitcher plant) and so on. There will also be helpful signs and tags to help you find your way and identify the plants species that you encounter.
Canopy Walkway
This is an iconic of Taman Negara, regarded as the world’s longest canopy walkway. This is a must do activity in Taman Negara and you should never miss to do it. This suspension bridge is built 530 meters long and 40 meter above ground level is one of the main attractions for local and international tourists to Taman Negara.
Located about 1.7 km from Wildlife HQ, you can reach the site, 20 – 45 min trekking or 5 – 10 minutes by boat. The structure spans across the trees and connected by trunks from start to end. From the top of the platform, you will enjoy the scenic view of Taman Negara, flora and fauna.
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Poring Hot Spring
A visit to Kinabalu Park will never be perfect without swinging by Poring Hot Springs. Situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) slightly northeast from the Parks HQ, Poring is located in the lowlands—a contrast to the Parks HQ. De-stress and soak away the sores and aches of your muscles in the spring’s hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals.
Atkinson Clock Tower
One of the most enduring landmarks in Kota Kinabalu, it stands prominently on a bluff along Signal Hill Road adjacent to the old Police Station. Built in 1905, this all-wood, no-nails structure was built in memory of Francis George Atkinson- the popular first District Officer of Jesselton during the British North Borneo Chartered Company Administration.
Monsopiad Heritage Village
Nestled besides the Penampang River are the many traditional buildings that make up the Monsopiad Cultural village, a living museum located 16 km or about half an hour away from the KK City Centre. Monsopiad was a fearsome warrior who lived in the village of Kuai nearly 200 years ago.
Pillars of Sabah
“Pillars of Sabah” is the new mural art project by Red Hong Yi and Jared Abdul Rahman.
Thirty local artists have created a Sabah-themed mural located at the Sabah Street Art Gallery in Malaysia. Each artist – of diverse ages, ethnicity and art styles – has to transform this abandoned downtown site into one that celebrates art and community. One pillar and two sides. On one side, the artists had to paint an inspiring person (from Sabah) of their choice, and on the other, the artists were to paint their self-portraits.