KOTA KINABALU CITY

The 4 sister cities of Kota Kinabalu :
1) Yongin City, South Korea
2) Ratchaburi Province, Thailand
3) Rockingham City, Australia
4) Vladivostok, Russia

Kota Kinabalu is the main gateway to Sabah. The newly completed Kota Kinabalu Airport Terminal 1 mean greater air accessibility to this charming city. Terminal 2 serving low cost carriers is already a boost to tourist arrivals.

Many of Sabah's natural attractions are world famous. The atoll of Sipadan is highly rated as a diver's paradise by international skin-diving magazines and Mt.Kinabalu attracts thousands of hikers every year.

In 2000, UNESCO has declared Mt.Kinabalu as a World Heritage Site. The Rafflesia, the State's official flower, is the largest in the world. Sabah's fauna and flora are mind-boggling in numbers. The State is home to more than 110 species of mammals, 500 over species of birds and more than 1,500 species of plants.

Complementing the nature beauty is the modern infrastructure and facilities of Kota Kinabalu.
The new face of the State capital is that of an upcoming shopping paradise. There are new shopping malls such as Warisan Square, Star City, 1 Borneo Hypermall, KK Times Square, Harbour City that put Sabah in Borneo's shopping map.

Sabah Tea Garden is a great place to get close to nature activities, lush greens, coupled with amazing views of Mt Kinabalu,

Nestled in the lush tropical wilderness of Mt Kinabalu on 2,509ha and at 692m above sea level, Sabah Tea Garden’s cool and refreshing atmosphere renders a perfect get away for the weekend or a holiday.

3 Kilometers from Tuaran Town. Mimpian Jadi Resort reach by highway from Tuaran to Sulaiman.

The resort is near to the sandy white beach has many coconut trees on the greenish grass compound with lovely tropical feel.

Tuaran Crocodile Farm
(Taman Buaya Tuaran)

This largest crocodile farm in Sabah accommodates 1,000 over crocodiles. Open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, it is one of the place that for a family adventure. Crocodile show time is twice a day from Monday to Saturday (at 11.00am and 3.00pm) and additional show at 1.00pm on Sundays.

Sabah State Museum

The Sabah Museum is located at Old Palace Hill (Bukit Istana Lama) 5 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city centre.
The Museum is surrounded by 43.3 acres of lush green forest. This location houses the main Sabah Museum, and also an Ethno Botanic garden, a Zoological garden and a Heritage Village all in one place!

Sabah State Museum structure is based on the architecture of Murut and Rungus longhouses.
Here you find several galleries exhibiting, among others, a cluster of human skulls from Sabah’s headhunting past, totemic figures, old photographs, valuable ancient pottery from all over South East Asia and antique Korans.
In the Heritage Village beside the museum you find numerous life-size replicas of the traditional houses of the many ethnic entities in Sabah.

Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, is the modem gateway to the rest of Sabah. Direct flights between Kota Kinabalu and the regional capitals of Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Kaoshiung, Hong Kong, Taipei, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Shanghai in China, Sydney, Manila, Manado & Balikpapan Indonesia, Brunei, make Sabah easily accessible to travelers everywhere.

Kota Kinabalu was largely destroyed during the Second World War and has since developed into a thriving modern city. Places of interest in the city include the State Museum, the Gaya Street Fair held every Sunday morning and the "pasar malam" where you can polish up your bargaining skills. Nearby are the popular Tanjung Aru Beach, quaint water villages and idyllic off-shore islands.

KK surroundings are well served by world class holiday resorts and hotels for a relaxing private retreat or large business conference.
The Muruts reside mainly in the hinterland where many still live in traditional communal longhouses. Once feared for their head hunting, the Muruts are great hunters with spears, blowpipes and poisoned darts. It is a rare treat to join one of their weddings, famous throughout the land for their elaborate displays of bride wealth, dancing and feasting.

Probably the most popular festival in Sabah is the "Pesta Kaamatan". This is a Harvest Festival of the Kadazans/Dusuns celebrated in May, featuring traditional dances including one of the high priest in search of rice spirits in a trance. Other festivals include Hari Raya, celebrated by the Muslim community and Chinese New Year celebrated by the Chinese.
Other islands that have equally enchanted the diving fraternity are Mabul Island, known as home to the world's best "muck diving", a discovery that is gaining in popularity, and Langkayan Island, for its colorful world of macro marine life in over 20 dive sites that never cease to fascinate all visitors.

Night Entertainment

Around the square, eateries do a roaring business. They include The CofTee Dean, Secret Recipe and Little Italy Restaurant to mention hut a few. Want a change from the casual open-air pubs? There are plenty of night spots in the hotels and city areas to choose from.
Atrium Lounge in Hyatt Regency Kinabalu offers a quiet hideaway from the city bustle. There are cocktails and refreshments throughout the day and live music in the evening. Blue Note in Shangri-La's Tanjung Am Resort is a great venue to chill out to the sounds of live band and top DJ performances,
There is a wide selection of cocktails, mocktails and wines, Borneo Lounge & Bar located in the main lobby offers snacks and live music.
Darlin Darlin in Nexus Resort Karainbunai boasts a fanastic dance floor to set your feet on fire. Guests can also sing away in the karaoke lounge and sip cocktails, beers and spirits. JUGs in Sutera Harbour boasts of a clientele that is made of up flamboyant young adults. This music is energetic and DJs and live bands fire up the night.

For another great place to socialize, go to BED Best Entertainment Destination at the KK Waterfront. Il has the biggest chill out capacity with night performance by international live band, You can dance all night long here and there are wide selection of different types of local and foreign imported drinks, draft beers, cocktails.

The biggest private park in Sabah

Alamesra project by Lintasan Mayang Development Sdn Bhd
Alamesra Desa Saujana an exclusive gated enclave of boutique bungalows surrounded by wondrous mangrove and lush landscaping. A concept to bring the natural greenery into the living environment.
Alamesra is 8 km from Kota Kinabalu city centre with Mount Kinabalu view in the backdrop.

This prestigious project positioned within the accelerating Development Corridor in Sabah, it is also close to University Malaysia Sabah and 1 Borneo Mall.
At the heart of Alamesra is this Millennium Park (image below), the biggest private park in Kota Kinabalu

THE TIP OF BORNEO

- 215 kilometres (3 hours drive) from Kota Kinabalu
The Tip of Borneo in Kudat, North of Sabah, (Tanjung Simpang Mengayau), is a breath-taking view of wide open coastline. One of the most beautiful spots in Malaysia...

Putatan

Is a town and a suburb of Kota Kinabalu. The town is located within the district of Penampang on the coast of the West Coast Division.
It has an estimated population of 85,454 in 2007

GO FURTHER

ANIMALS

Wildlife and Environmental Protection in Sabah

ENVIRONMENT

Environment of Tawau

HISTORY & CULTURE

Tawau Cultural Festival

TRAVEL

Tourism in Sabah