Kota Kinabalu is located on the island of Borneo and is the capital of the state of Sabah. It is one of the largest cities in Malaysia, the center of commerce and industry. It is included in the list of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. First of all, travelers are attracted by natural attractions , because there are protected areas on land and in the sea nearby. This is a modern city. The infrastructure is highly developed. Tourists are offered a variety of accommodation options. The best hotels in Kota Kinabalu are marked by reviews with high ratings from guests.
✔️ A bit of chronology and facts
In the 15th century, these lands were under the influence of the Brunei Empire. The Bajau tribes lived here. In 1882, a settlement was founded on the island of Gaya by British colonists, but 15 years later it was burned down by a local chieftain, and the British had to look for another place. It was a village on the site of modern Kota Kinabalu. Then it was called Jesselton. Soon it became the main trading center of North Borneo.
During World War II, the city was completely destroyed by bombing. Only three buildings remained. After the end of hostilities, everything was rebuilt and Jesselton was renamed Kota Kinabalu after the mountain located nearby.
✔️ Entertainment Features
The main leisure activity here is sightseeing tourism in nature. This is a great place to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of Malaysia both on land and in the sea. There are no ancient landmarks in the city, but there is interesting architecture of the post-war period. You can also have a pleasant beach holiday on the islands or outside the city.
They suggest supplementing your vacation with visits to museums and cultural institutions. It is worth taking a gastronomic tour of restaurants with local cuisine and traditional markets to better immerse yourself in the local flavor. Prices for vacations in Kota Kinabalu depend on the chosen hotel and entertainment.
✔️ Possible transfer options
There is an international airport 8 km from the city. You can get to the city from there by bus. A taxi will take you directly to your accommodation. You can also rent a car or order an individual or group transfer. You should ask the host company or hotel about this possibility and all the conditions.
✔️ Weather conditions
The city is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone. The temperature here is constantly high, as is the humidity. Precipitation can be at any time of the year, but the largest amount of rain falls in October-February. The remaining months are considered a dry period. This is the best time to find and choose a tour online to Kota Kinabalu. Keep in mind that from May to September it is quite hot.
✔️ What to bring back from your trip
Shopping in Kota Kinabalu will perfectly complement your holiday. Here you can visit modern shopping centers with shops and boutiques of world brands or go to the streets of the city in search of cozy antique shops and colorful Malaysian bazaars. Tourists are especially attracted by night markets , as they have their own special atmosphere. The list of popular souvenirs includes various things made by artisans, clothes and various fabrics painted in batik technique, pearl, wooden, gold, silver products, exotic fruits, antique dishes made of copper or tin, spices.
✔️ Search and selection of tours online in Kota Kinabalu, reasons to buy a tour or a trip
This place is suitable for tourists of different ages and interests, both families with children, couples and groups of friends.
▶️ Beach holidays
In the city center, the sea is not suitable for swimming, and there are no equipped areas of the coast. The beaches are a little further away or on the coastal islands.
The beach area of Tanjung Aru is one of the most popular. It is located 6 km from the city center and combines several sections of the coast, smoothly flowing into each other, and it seems that this is one beach. It is covered with sand - milky, golden, grayish, the entrance to the water is smooth. This place is also popular with locals, so on weekends, holidays, in the evenings it is crowded. Nearby there are hotels, SPA salons, cafes, restaurants, shops, rental points for water sports equipment. Beach infrastructure is not present everywhere.
The best beach holiday is on the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. There are five of them:
◼️ Gaya with many beaches. There are also several hotels here. This is the largest island of the archipelago.
◼️ Sapi is small in size, but popular among tourists. It is usually quite crowded, but you can also find secluded areas. Here you can do water activities: ride water scooters, banana boats, rush on a zip line, fly on a parachute attached to a boat.
◼️ Manukan is famous for its longest beach. It has all the necessary infrastructure and a hotel.
◼️ Mamutik with small beaches and the necessary equipment, a cafe, a hotel.
◼️ Sulug is a place for unity with nature, as it is almost a wild island.
Also, the coastal underwater world pleases with the brightness of flora and fauna. This is a great place for diving and snorkeling. The coast of the islands is cut by gorges, cracks, there are caves and grottoes. The land is mostly covered by wild jungle, where there are trails for tourists.
▶️ Nature
The main reason to buy a tour to Kota Kinabalu is natural attractions. Sabah is a state that abounds in such places. In addition to the already mentioned Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the region is known for the following locations:
◼️ Kinabalu National Park, founded around the mountain of the same name. It covers an area of 754 km². It is located 95 km from the city. The height of the mountain is 4095 m. It is one of the four highest peaks in Southeast Asia. Anyone can climb the mountain. Special routes have been laid for this. Up to 3 thousand m, you will have a hike through dense jungle with tropical trees, orchids, ferns and other plants. The park is also home to more than 320 species of birds and more than 100 species of mammals. Higher, the flora and fauna become poorer. The park is under the protection of UNESCO.
◼️ Banjaran Crocker National Park covers an area of 1,399 km² and is located 92 km from Kota Kinabalu. This is the largest protected area in the state. Part of the Crocker Mountain Range is located here. Its peaks reach 1200-1800 m. The landscape also consists of hills, rivers, and mountain forests. There are many endemic species of flora and fauna. The park has hiking trails, observation platforms, an exhibition center, and other elements of tourist infrastructure.
▶️ Additional entertainment
A must-see place is the Sabah State Museum. In this local history museum, you can look at exhibits that tell about local tribes, their history, culture, and way of life. The museum also has a giant whale skeleton, retro cars, and a section with a tropical forest and an artificial pond.
One of the most important attractions of Kota Kinabalu is the city mosque. It was built in 2000. It can accommodate up to 12 thousand believers. A beautiful light building with a blue-and-blue dome and yellow minarets is surrounded by an artificial lagoon, which creates the impression that the mosque is floating on water.
16 km from the city is the cultural village of Mari-Mari. Here you can get acquainted with the traditions and way of life of five indigenous tribes, attend master classes, theatrical performances, and other events.
Considering the long road, a weekend tour to Kota Kinabalu is not a very profitable solution. There are enough activities and interesting places to arrange a busy vacation, so you can safely go for a week or two.
