Kota Kinabalu

The capital of the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to its proximity to tropical islands, sandy beaches, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu. Constantly referred to as KK, it is on the west coast of Sabah within the West Coast Division. KK is one of the smallest districts in Sabah but has the largest population and is the largest city in the state.

KK lies by the coast overlooking the South China Sea on a narrow flatland and occasional hills bordered by the Crocker Range which hosts Mount Kinabalu. Hence the urban sprawl is concentrated along the coast towards the north and south of the city.

Kota Kinabalu is a growing city of around 500,000 inhabitants. Economic growth has resulted in urbanisation of the city reaching adjacent districts of Penampang and Putatan with a total population of almost 800,000. Its growth and importance is due to being the administrative capital, a major transportation hub, growing port, manufacturing hub, growing tourism and because it is the major gateway into Sabah and East Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu was granted city status in 2000, becoming the sixth city. It is the sixth largest urban/metropolitan area in Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu was known as Jesselton while under British colonial rule from the late 1800s until 1963 when the British left and after Sabah became part of Malaysia. Most of the town was destroyed due to bombings during World War II hence there are not many pre-war historical sites around the city. Before the British arrived, the area was also known by a number of other names such as Deasoka (below the coconut tree), Singgah Mata (pleasing to the eye), Api-Api (fire!) and Gaya Bay.

The people of Kota Kinabalu are Chinese, Kadazandusun, Bajau, Brunei Malays, and there is significant migrant population from Indonesia and Philippines, many of whom are naturalised citizens. There are also many migrant/expat population from India and a growing number from Korea.

Central Kota Kinabalu is often referred to as Kota Kinabalu City Centre or the Central Business district (CBD) or simply Downtown KK and is on the narrow coast overlooking Gaya Island. This is where most hotels, travel agents, transportation bases and most of the action are found. Most of the city centre lies on reclaimed land due to a shortage of land in the area, as it is blocked in by Bukit Bendera (Signal Hill).

District areas which lie within the city centre include Sadong Jaya, Api-Api, Asia City, Bandaran Berjaya, Sinsuran, Kampung Air, Segama, Pantai Street, Gaya Street, Jesselton Point. Just outside the City centre are the Districts towards the South and East are Karamunsing, Sembulan, Tanjung Aru and Sutera Harbour, Kepayan, Penampang, Putatan, Donggongon.

Due to lack of land in the city centre, other important commercial areas have sprouted outside CBD. Some of these areas have been long in existence as small townships (pekan) such as Luyang, Inanam and Menggatal and in adjacent districts of Penampang (Donggongon) and Putatan while some are recently developed residential-commercial areas such as Alam Mesra, Kingfisher and 1Borneo near Menggatal; Lintas, Penampang Baru and Bundusan.

The climate in KK is characterised by uniform year-round temperature of 32°C (avg. high) and 22°C (avg. low). Rain falls quite often with occasional dry periods. Low rainfall begins in January till April, increasing in May till August, intensifying in September till November and slows down in December. The weather in KK and the immediate area can vary throughout the day/night bringing rainfall for short periods to heavy evening rain. The position of KK is protected by the shape of the coast and harbour and from behind by the Crocker Range of nearby hills. Occasionally the weather rolls in directly from the sea over the city, but mostly the heavy weather blows around and past KK providing some beautiful skies and cloud formations making for stunning sunsets. Away from the on shore breeze travelling further in land by as little as 16 km it can be extremely humid, and rain at this point is very welcome. The weather is a major factor in road/driving accidents and care should be taken, with mobile devices and the internet you can now get weather updates to the spot you are visiting hour by hour.

• Tourist Information, Jalan Gaya. Housed in the former Post Office, one of only two structures (with Atkinson Tower) to have survived the devastation of World War II.

Tourist Information, Jalan Gaya. Housed in the former Post Office, one of only two structures (with Atkinson Tower) to have survived the devastation of World War II.

Like most other Malaysian cities, Kota Kinabalu is a melting pot of various cultures. Malay is the lingua franca, albeit with a distinctive Sabahan dialect, and better-educated locals are usually able to speak English as well. The ethnic Chinese, who form about half of the city's population, mainly speak Hakka, though many are also able to speak Cantonese and Mandarin.

Some residents also speak the languages of native Sabahan ethnic groups, the most common ones being Kadazan and Bajau. These languages are not commonly used in daily conversation outside of rural communities.

There has been since the 1970s a large influx of Filipinos. Most of these people speak their own languages and Malay, but little English so you may have to resort to sign language to buy what you want.

The other language spoken often is "Bazzar Melayu" due to the mixture of cultures and tribal/village background and the introduction of English. When buying something in the market the language can easily be five words all from a different language.

• Atkinson Tower. Built in 1902 in memory of Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton, as Kota Kinabalu was then called. He died of a tropical disease in the same year at the young age of only 28.The clock tower is one of only two structures to survive the World War II destruction of Jesselton (renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1963) the other being the Post Office building, which is now the Sabah Tourism Board building on Jalan Balai Polis. Not to be confused with the general Post Office building on Jalan Tun Razak in Segama district of KK city.
• Signal Hill Observatory. Offers a good view of the city centre. There is a small drinks shop, it can be very busy as can the public road as it approaches sunset (around 6PM depending on the time of year).

• City Park. A small park and the only park in the city center opposite the court complex. It contains the British North Borneo Memorial which commemorates the soldiers who fought and died defending the British Empire during World War I. The memorial was built in 1923.
• Chinatown. Located in the city centre surrounding Gaya Street and Pantai (Beach) Street. There is a Sunday market here the Market starts early 6:30AM-1PM, arrive late you will miss it. There is also a night market every Friday and Saturday from 6PM to 2AM. The area is home to Chinese shops and restaurants and together with the adjacent area around Australia Place near the city police station has the highest concentration of budget hostels in KK. The name "Chinatown" is mainly a tourism gimmick after the arch gate was erected not more than after 2005, so many locals would not know what Chinatown is. Use instead "Gaya Street".

Atkinson Tower. Built in 1902 in memory of Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton, as Kota Kinabalu was then called. He died of a tropical disease in the same year at the young age of only 28.The clock tower is one of only two structures to survive the World War II destruction of Jesselton (renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1963) the other being the Post Office building, which is now the Sabah Tourism Board building on Jalan Balai Polis. Not to be confused with the general Post Office building on Jalan Tun Razak in Segama district of KK city.

Signal Hill Observatory. Offers a good view of the city centre. There is a small drinks shop, it can be very busy as can the public road as it approaches sunset (around 6PM depending on the time of year).

City Park. A small park and the only park in the city center opposite the court complex. It contains the British North Borneo Memorial which commemorates the soldiers who fought and died defending the British Empire during World War I. The memorial was built in 1923.

Chinatown. Located in the city centre surrounding Gaya Street and Pantai (Beach) Street. There is a Sunday market here the Market starts early 6:30AM-1PM, arrive late you will miss it. There is also a night market every Friday and Saturday from 6PM to 2AM. The area is home to Chinese shops and restaurants and together with the adjacent area around Australia Place near the city police station has the highest concentration of budget hostels in KK. The name "Chinatown" is mainly a tourism gimmick after the arch gate was erected not more than after 2005, so many locals would not know what Chinatown is. Use instead "Gaya Street".

• Stilt villages, are houses found along the coast of ethnic Bajau, Suluk, Iranun, Malays, and Ubian people. Some villages are made up of people who have been here since 15th-18th century from Sulu Archipelago (now southern Philippines) who are considered natives under Sabah law. However massive influx if new migrants from this same region beginning 1970s have occupied these same villages mostly due to similar heritage and ethnicity as these local inhabitants. Some new migrants are illegal with no proper documentation. Illegal migrants would normally occupy deeper parts of these stilt villages in slums. These slums are significantly dirtier and dangerous since the people and their homes are illegal. Stilt villages can be found in Kampung Tanjung Aru, Kampung Sembulan, Kampung Kasuapan (Pulau Gaya) and Kampung Pondo (Pulau Gaya). Since there is no real boundary between a traditional stilt village and the slum, visiting these places is generally considered dangerous and very dirty and not recommended even for locals unless accompanied by tour guides. There may be stilt villages further out of the city such as in Mengkabong which are safer and cleaner. If you are interested in slums, perhaps some speedboat drivers in Jesselton Point Jetty who live in Pulau Gaya would be pleased to show you around their stilt village for a little fee.

Areas adjacent to the central part but slightly south of it.

• Sembulan Riverfront. Tiny pedestrian strip running along the river. Partly abandoned and thus doubtfully a high destination.
• Double Six Monument, Grace Point, Sembulan. A memorial site on the location of the 1976 plane crash which killed the state chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and other state cabinet members. There is a nice new food court on site called Grace Point Food Court offering local Sabah, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Thai and other cuisine.

• Sabah State Museum, Jalan Kebajikan, +60 88-225 033. 9AM–5PM. Has 3 storeys of exhibits. A good place to understand the history of Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. The museum complex also features the Science and Technology Museum, Sabah Art Gallery and a heritage village. Sabah Art Gallery contains artworks by local artists, they also have a very well stock book shop covering everything about Sabah. RM15.
• Islamic Civilization Museum, Jalan Menteri (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral and nearby the State Museum, +60 88-253 199. Has a history of Islamic civilization in Sabah.Entry on the same ticket as for Sabah State Museum.

• Sacred Heart Cathedral, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Roman Catholic church. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and the cathedral is one of the largest in Sabah.
• Sabah State Mosque, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan, +60 13-869 3148. The second largest mosque in Sabah, able to hold up to 5,000 worshippers. Designed an Italian architect, it’s dome and minaret is decorated with real gold.
• Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple, Jalan Mat Salleh near Sembulan. The only Sikh Gurdwara in Kota Kinabalu. To enter you’ll need to cover your head, either with a hat, or a headscarf from one of the friendly volunteers at the temple.

Sembulan Riverfront. Tiny pedestrian strip running along the river. Partly abandoned and thus doubtfully a high destination.

Double Six Monument, Grace Point, Sembulan. A memorial site on the location of the 1976 plane crash which killed the state chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and other state cabinet members. There is a nice new food court on site called Grace Point Food Court offering local Sabah, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Thai and other cuisine.

Sabah State Museum, Jalan Kebajikan, +60 88-225 033. 9AM–5PM. Has 3 storeys of exhibits. A good place to understand the history of Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. The museum complex also features the Science and Technology Museum, Sabah Art Gallery and a heritage village. Sabah Art Gallery contains artworks by local artists, they also have a very well stock book shop covering everything about Sabah. RM15.

Islamic Civilization Museum, Jalan Menteri (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral and nearby the State Museum, +60 88-253 199. Has a history of Islamic civilization in Sabah.Entry on the same ticket as for Sabah State Museum.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Roman Catholic church. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and the cathedral is one of the largest in Sabah.

Sabah State Mosque, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan, +60 13-869 3148. The second largest mosque in Sabah, able to hold up to 5,000 worshippers. Designed an Italian architect, it’s dome and minaret is decorated with real gold.

Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple, Jalan Mat Salleh near Sembulan. The only Sikh Gurdwara in Kota Kinabalu. To enter you’ll need to cover your head, either with a hat, or a headscarf from one of the friendly volunteers at the temple.

Tanjung Aru is "the headland", land that projects out into the sea. Tanjung Aru is a Southern District of Kota Kinabalu city. It is 8 km from the centre of KK, a 15-20 minute taxi ride (RM30 in Oct 2017) between Tanjung Aru and the KK centre. The hotel resort is completely separate. The only eating area available now is the food court near the Kota Kinabalu golf club, in the coconut grove.

• Perdana Park, Jalan Mat Salleh. An park in Tanjung Aru featuring a light and musical water fountain, greenery, children's playground and jogging tracks. The park was built on the land formerly known as Hone Place where British government quarters stood. Fountain show starts at 7PM. Running and walking track some small food and drink outlets, free entry and water and light fountain display each evening. The car park is small and there is also a small fee to park here. Within the coconut grove between the road and the beach is a small toilet block and a very small drinks shop next to it.
• Tanjung Aru Beach. A 20-minute drive from the city centre is the most popular public beach in the city. Usually quiet during the daytime on weekdays, at the weekend it is frequented by locals for picnics, BBQ's meetings watching the sunset and to play sports, tug of war, hand ball, kite flying and bathing. The Tanjung Aru public beach starts just behind the Tanjung Aru resort hotel and extends in a long shallow curve to the Terminal 2 of the KKIA. The curve of the beach means this part fills quickly when the tide returns and that means you will be cut off. The waters are shallow but can be deep. Just behind the beach is a grass area with palms and BBQ stations, further along is Prince Philip park, which is just a grass area with a few pop up food and drinks stalls at the entrance. The shops and bars near the main car park just off Jalan Mat Salleh were knocked down in 2016: all that remains is a food court and a toilet block. Beyond that is the KK sailing club.
• Petagas War Memorial, No.1, Jalan Bandaran (about 15 minutes outside the city center off Jalan Kepayan a taxi there and back with a 30 minutes wait is RM80, less with Uber/Grab taxi, +60 88-521 800. Dedicated to the 176 members of the Kinabalu Guerrillas who attacked the Japanese occupying forces during World War II, in what was known as the "Double Tenth Revolt" (10/10/1943), who were subsequently detained and executed in Petagas. It is a small memorial and is easily viewed with 30 minutes.

Perdana Park, Jalan Mat Salleh. An park in Tanjung Aru featuring a light and musical water fountain, greenery, children's playground and jogging tracks. The park was built on the land formerly known as Hone Place where British government quarters stood. Fountain show starts at 7PM. Running and walking track some small food and drink outlets, free entry and water and light fountain display each evening. The car park is small and there is also a small fee to park here. Within the coconut grove between the road and the beach is a small toilet block and a very small drinks shop next to it.

Tanjung Aru Beach. A 20-minute drive from the city centre is the most popular public beach in the city. Usually quiet during the daytime on weekdays, at the weekend it is frequented by locals for picnics, BBQ's meetings watching the sunset and to play sports, tug of war, hand ball, kite flying and bathing. The Tanjung Aru public beach starts just behind the Tanjung Aru resort hotel and extends in a long shallow curve to the Terminal 2 of the KKIA. The curve of the beach means this part fills quickly when the tide returns and that means you will be cut off. The waters are shallow but can be deep. Just behind the beach is a grass area with palms and BBQ stations, further along is Prince Philip park, which is just a grass area with a few pop up food and drinks stalls at the entrance. The shops and bars near the main car park just off Jalan Mat Salleh were knocked down in 2016: all that remains is a food court and a toilet block. Beyond that is the KK sailing club.

Petagas War Memorial, No.1, Jalan Bandaran (about 15 minutes outside the city center off Jalan Kepayan a taxi there and back with a 30 minutes wait is RM80, less with Uber/Grab taxi, +60 88-521 800. Dedicated to the 176 members of the Kinabalu Guerrillas who attacked the Japanese occupying forces during World War II, in what was known as the "Double Tenth Revolt" (10/10/1943), who were subsequently detained and executed in Petagas. It is a small memorial and is easily viewed with 30 minutes.

Stilt villages, are houses found along the coast of ethnic Bajau, Suluk, Iranun, Malays, and Ubian people. Some villages are made up of people who have been here since 15th-18th century from Sulu Archipelago (now southern Philippines) who are considered natives under Sabah law. However massive influx if new migrants from this same region beginning 1970s have occupied these same villages mostly due to similar heritage and ethnicity as these local inhabitants. Some new migrants are illegal with no proper documentation. Illegal migrants would normally occupy deeper parts of these stilt villages in slums. These slums are significantly dirtier and dangerous since the people and their homes are illegal. Stilt villages can be found in Kampung Tanjung Aru, Kampung Sembulan, Kampung Kasuapan (Pulau Gaya) and Kampung Pondo (Pulau Gaya). Since there is no real boundary between a traditional stilt village and the slum, visiting these places is generally considered dangerous and very dirty and not recommended even for locals unless accompanied by tour guides. There may be stilt villages further out of the city such as in Mengkabong which are safer and cleaner. If you are interested in slums, perhaps some speedboat drivers in Jesselton Point Jetty who live in Pulau Gaya would be pleased to show you around their stilt village for a little fee.

Likas — a historic village, now a huge sub-section of the modern city slightly north of central Kota Kinabalu. Partly occupied by mangrove wetlands

• Likas Bay promenade. A huge several kilometres promenade, used mostly by joggers and cyclists, that run along almost all the Likas bay. It starts about 1 km north from Jesselton point and runs up to the huge building of Malaysia Sabah University on the northern end of the bay. There are plenty of food courts and several beaches on the way. One of the beaches is Likas Bay beach which is smaller and maybe a bit less pretty beach than Tanjung Aru's one. An interesting sight where the beach is surrounded by the city with a view of anchored ships off Sepanggar Port. The jogging/cycling path along the bay has been extended back into KK as far as the Imago Mall, although in parts of the city waterfront areas, it's not obvious where the path is. The path continues past the Imago Mall, as far as Jalan Mat Salleh (Dec 2017). Once out beyond Jesselton Point the path is easy to use. The areas behind the shallow waters and beach are grassed areas with palms, fitness stations and BBQ stations. In May the beach and the bay is used to hold the annual "Dragon Boat" races, it can be busy especially at the weekend more so if the weather is good. It is a good area for photography with the sweeping bay, the Floating Masjid and sunset views.
• Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, +60 88-246955. A 24-hectare mangrove conservation area used for recreation, education and research. It is located in Likas along Jalan Bukit Bendera Upper just 5 minutes drive from city centre (15 minutes walk from Signal Hill Observatory). The area is managed by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society.
• The Green Connection Aquarium, +60 88-263326. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. The best place to see the aquatic wildlife of Borneo without leaving the city. Help conserve Sabah wildlife by visiting here. Lots of things to see and do - touch a shark, stroke a snake, watch a turtle. Opportunities for interns & volunteers or simply to dive in the giant tank and feed the fish.
• Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. This 'floating' mosque overlooking Likas Bay is the largest mosque in the city with interesting contemporary Islamic architecture. As of June 2018, the mosque's chairman is not allowing public transport to bring tourists to the mosque compound. Getting there: by public bus, take the 8C or 8D from Platform Wisma Bandaraya (opposite of the Shell Gas Station, there are many mini-buses parked there) or pay RM8 by Grab taxi. RM 5.
• Che Sui Khor Chinese Temple, Jalan Tuaran at Mile 2. Contains an interesting 12-tier pagoda and is part of the Moral Uplifting Society.
• Puh Toh Tze Chinese Temple, Jalan Tuaran near Kolombong.

Much further to the east of Likas are the following sights:

• Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Hindu Temple, No. 4, Jalan Khidmat, Off Jalan Kolam, Bukit Padang (about 20 minutes drive from the city. One of two Hindu temple in the city.
• Tun Fuad Park. Where the city meets the hilly jungles of Crocker Range. The park has 2 restaurants, hawker centers, the Water World theme park, a lake and jogging track.
• Tzer Ying Buddhist Temple, Kampung Minintod Off Jalan Kolam-Minintod, 88200, Penampang,, +60 88-724 725. A pure Buddhist temple with adjacent Tzer Ying Buddhism Research Society.

Likas Bay promenade. A huge several kilometres promenade, used mostly by joggers and cyclists, that run along almost all the Likas bay. It starts about 1 km north from Jesselton point and runs up to the huge building of Malaysia Sabah University on the northern end of the bay. There are plenty of food courts and several beaches on the way. One of the beaches is Likas Bay beach which is smaller and maybe a bit less pretty beach than Tanjung Aru's one. An interesting sight where the beach is surrounded by the city with a view of anchored ships off Sepanggar Port. The jogging/cycling path along the bay has been extended back into KK as far as the Imago Mall, although in parts of the city waterfront areas, it's not obvious where the path is. The path continues past the Imago Mall, as far as Jalan Mat Salleh (Dec 2017). Once out beyond Jesselton Point the path is easy to use. The areas behind the shallow waters and beach are grassed areas with palms, fitness stations and BBQ stations. In May the beach and the bay is used to hold the annual "Dragon Boat" races, it can be busy especially at the weekend more so if the weather is good. It is a good area for photography with the sweeping bay, the Floating Masjid and sunset views.

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, +60 88-246955. A 24-hectare mangrove conservation area used for recreation, education and research. It is located in Likas along Jalan Bukit Bendera Upper just 5 minutes drive from city centre (15 minutes walk from Signal Hill Observatory). The area is managed by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society.

The Green Connection Aquarium, +60 88-263326. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. The best place to see the aquatic wildlife of Borneo without leaving the city. Help conserve Sabah wildlife by visiting here. Lots of things to see and do - touch a shark, stroke a snake, watch a turtle. Opportunities for interns & volunteers or simply to dive in the giant tank and feed the fish.

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. This 'floating' mosque overlooking Likas Bay is the largest mosque in the city with interesting contemporary Islamic architecture. As of June 2018, the mosque's chairman is not allowing public transport to bring tourists to the mosque compound. Getting there: by public bus, take the 8C or 8D from Platform Wisma Bandaraya (opposite of the Shell Gas Station, there are many mini-buses parked there) or pay RM8 by Grab taxi. RM 5.

Che Sui Khor Chinese Temple, Jalan Tuaran at Mile 2. Contains an interesting 12-tier pagoda and is part of the Moral Uplifting Society.

Puh Toh Tze Chinese Temple, Jalan Tuaran near Kolombong.

Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Hindu Temple, No. 4, Jalan Khidmat, Off Jalan Kolam, Bukit Padang (about 20 minutes drive from the city. One of two Hindu temple in the city.

Tun Fuad Park. Where the city meets the hilly jungles of Crocker Range. The park has 2 restaurants, hawker centers, the Water World theme park, a lake and jogging track.

Tzer Ying Buddhist Temple, Kampung Minintod Off Jalan Kolam-Minintod, 88200, Penampang,, +60 88-724 725. A pure Buddhist temple with adjacent Tzer Ying Buddhism Research Society.

• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. A collection of 5 islands (Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik) just off the coast of KK city. Travel by speedboat takes about 15-20 minutes depending on the island and departs from the Sabah Parks jetty behind Wisma Merdeka or from Jesselton Point Waterfront jetty. Pulau Gaya is the largest of the islands with two resorts on the far side, the eastern end has a Kampong Laut with 6000 villagers. Pulau Sapi is the closest island to Gaya and has a zip wire ride called the Coral Flyer from Gaya over to Sapi. Pulau Manukan is the second largest, 10-minute ride away from Sapi. It has a smaller overnight accommodation and has the parks office to collect fees. Pulau Mamutik is smaller and offers the same facilities as the others. Pulau Sulug is the smallest of the five. Special permission from the park authorities is required to stay overnight on Palau Tiga, made famous from the TV series Survivor and has a mud pool, it is not within the Marine park and not visited on a regular basis, so the conditions are very sparse.
• Mari Mari Cultural Village, near the jungles in Kianson, Inanam about 25 minutes northwest of the city center, +60 13-881 4921. Sessions start at 10AM and 2PM. From January 2018 they only run the 6PM sessions if more than 30 people are booked. Sessions comprise a guided tour for 1.5 hours (split into groups up to ten people), and a cultural dance performance 30 mins, followed by a buffet lunch or dinner. Showcases the historic culture, lifestyle, and homes of some of the 32 indigenous groups of Sabah. The village features five different ethnic tribes: the Kadazandusun rice farmers, the longhouse resident Rungus tribe, the Bajau hunters and fisherman, the Kayan tribe, and the famously feared headhunting Murut tribe. After visiting the five tribal areas there is a song and dance cultural performance, followed by standard buffet meal included, with soft drinks extra, Getting there: taxi costs around RM 50 one way, Uber/Grab cost RM 20 (however, it's not possible to order one in the opposite direction from the park as all the drivers are based in KK). It’s easier to book online or through your hotel a package of entry and transport for around RM180. RM 90 entrance, expect to pay double once transport is factored in.
• Kokol Hills, Menggatal. Offers a very nice view of Kota Kinabalu, the coasts and the sea from about 30 km away. The hills are pretty undeveloped but the road is good and new. As of January 2012, there is only one resort and restaurant called Kasih Sayang Resort. Kokol is also fast becoming a hotspot for paragliding. Info on paragliding in Sabah.
• St. Michael's Church, Donggongon, Penampang. It was completed after 1945-1948 the large granite block were dragged to the site by buffalo and then dressed on site. It retains its old-style architecture. This church has stained glass window that commemorate the lives lost during World War II.

• Monsopiad Cultural Village, Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Peti Surat 740 Malaysia, Penampang, +60 11-1419 6488. 9AM–5PM. It's about a 30-miunite drive from KK city in the district of Panampang, near Lok Kawi Zoo. This small park shows the traditional way of life of the Kadazan ethnic groups and tells the story of Monsopiad, a Murut warrior who lived some 300 years ago, who killed 42 men who attacked his village. The 42 skulls can be viewed in the Hall of Skulls.
  Getting there: hire a taxi from Kota Kinabalu and arrange to be picked up. The rate varies, ask and agree a price before travelling. Entrance fee is RM50 for non-Malaysian adults, RM10 for non-Malaysian children.
• Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, near the small town of Lok Kawi (about 30 minutes south of Kota Kinabalu, +60 88-765 793. 9:30AM-5:30PM. It features five female orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, one female Gibbons, a Sumatran Rhinoceros, two tigers, local deer, various birds in a large aviary the Hornbills are impressive up close and in flight, eight elephants, and two sun bears. A reptile section will be opened soon. An alternative to visiting the nature reserves around Sabah for those on a tight schedule, as well as giving you the chance to see the animals much more up close than you would in the jungle.
  The overall appearance of the zoo is very poor and nowhere near the standards of the Singapore zoo, this is due to funding, visitor numbers and the weather. The shop/café has closed, so there are pop up stalls in the main car park. Feeding time is at 2PM so try to arrive early to see that, you will not need more than two hours to walk around the zoo.
  Getting there: it is a little difficult to get to as there is no public transportation that goes right to the park, and it is about 10 min drive outside of Lok Kawi (and about half an hour outside of Kota Kinabalu). Take a 17B or 17C bus to Lok Kawi town at RM3 a head, then a local taxi for around RM12-15 to the park. It is advisable to get the phone number of the taxi driver or arrange pickup from the park at a set time to go back to Lok Kawi as there are no taxis or buses at the park. Alternatively pay some RM100-120 to have a taxi take you there from Kota Kinabalu and back. Entrance fee: RM30 for adults, RM10 for children, half-price for Malaysians.
• Crocker Range National Park, +60 87-330 924. 8AM-5PM. The park is 75 km long and 15 km wide, with elevation ranging between 100 m and 2050 m at the peak of Mt. Alab. Most of the park is covered with forest. Getting there: take a bus to Keningau from the long distance bus station near Merdeka Field, depart 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, noon, 1PM, 2PM and 5PM, fare is RM16. Taxi to Keningau costs RM120. After reaching Keningau take another taxi to the Crocker Range station, it costs about RM40. Admission fee: RM10, Malaysian RM3.
• The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including Karambunai and Dalit Beach. and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. The Lagoon Park. in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. The Mengkabong water village. is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby Borneo Kellybays. offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.
• Tambalang Racecourse, +60 88-25 2705. Ahorse-racing track operated by Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tuaran.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. A collection of 5 islands (Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik) just off the coast of KK city. Travel by speedboat takes about 15-20 minutes depending on the island and departs from the Sabah Parks jetty behind Wisma Merdeka or from Jesselton Point Waterfront jetty. Pulau Gaya is the largest of the islands with two resorts on the far side, the eastern end has a Kampong Laut with 6000 villagers. Pulau Sapi is the closest island to Gaya and has a zip wire ride called the Coral Flyer from Gaya over to Sapi. Pulau Manukan is the second largest, 10-minute ride away from Sapi. It has a smaller overnight accommodation and has the parks office to collect fees. Pulau Mamutik is smaller and offers the same facilities as the others. Pulau Sulug is the smallest of the five. Special permission from the park authorities is required to stay overnight on Palau Tiga, made famous from the TV series Survivor and has a mud pool, it is not within the Marine park and not visited on a regular basis, so the conditions are very sparse.

Mari Mari Cultural Village, near the jungles in Kianson, Inanam about 25 minutes northwest of the city center, +60 13-881 4921. Sessions start at 10AM and 2PM. From January 2018 they only run the 6PM sessions if more than 30 people are booked. Sessions comprise a guided tour for 1.5 hours (split into groups up to ten people), and a cultural dance performance 30 mins, followed by a buffet lunch or dinner. Showcases the historic culture, lifestyle, and homes of some of the 32 indigenous groups of Sabah. The village features five different ethnic tribes: the Kadazandusun rice farmers, the longhouse resident Rungus tribe, the Bajau hunters and fisherman, the Kayan tribe, and the famously feared headhunting Murut tribe. After visiting the five tribal areas there is a song and dance cultural performance, followed by standard buffet meal included, with soft drinks extra, Getting there: taxi costs around RM 50 one way, Uber/Grab cost RM 20 (however, it's not possible to order one in the opposite direction from the park as all the drivers are based in KK). It’s easier to book online or through your hotel a package of entry and transport for around RM180. RM 90 entrance, expect to pay double once transport is factored in.

Kokol Hills, Menggatal. Offers a very nice view of Kota Kinabalu, the coasts and the sea from about 30 km away. The hills are pretty undeveloped but the road is good and new. As of January 2012, there is only one resort and restaurant called Kasih Sayang Resort. Kokol is also fast becoming a hotspot for paragliding. Info on paragliding in Sabah.

St. Michael's Church, Donggongon, Penampang. It was completed after 1945-1948 the large granite block were dragged to the site by buffalo and then dressed on site. It retains its old-style architecture. This church has stained glass window that commemorate the lives lost during World War II.

Monsopiad Cultural Village, Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Peti Surat 740 Malaysia, Penampang, +60 11-1419 6488. 9AM–5PM. It's about a 30-miunite drive from KK city in the district of Panampang, near Lok Kawi Zoo. This small park shows the traditional way of life of the Kadazan ethnic groups and tells the story of Monsopiad, a Murut warrior who lived some 300 years ago, who killed 42 men who attacked his village. The 42 skulls can be viewed in the Hall of Skulls.
Getting there: hire a taxi from Kota Kinabalu and arrange to be picked up. The rate varies, ask and agree a price before travelling. Entrance fee is RM50 for non-Malaysian adults, RM10 for non-Malaysian children.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, near the small town of Lok Kawi (about 30 minutes south of Kota Kinabalu, +60 88-765 793. 9:30AM-5:30PM. It features five female orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, one female Gibbons, a Sumatran Rhinoceros, two tigers, local deer, various birds in a large aviary the Hornbills are impressive up close and in flight, eight elephants, and two sun bears. A reptile section will be opened soon. An alternative to visiting the nature reserves around Sabah for those on a tight schedule, as well as giving you the chance to see the animals much more up close than you would in the jungle.
The overall appearance of the zoo is very poor and nowhere near the standards of the Singapore zoo, this is due to funding, visitor numbers and the weather. The shop/café has closed, so there are pop up stalls in the main car park. Feeding time is at 2PM so try to arrive early to see that, you will not need more than two hours to walk around the zoo.
Getting there: it is a little difficult to get to as there is no public transportation that goes right to the park, and it is about 10 min drive outside of Lok Kawi (and about half an hour outside of Kota Kinabalu). Take a 17B or 17C bus to Lok Kawi town at RM3 a head, then a local taxi for around RM12-15 to the park. It is advisable to get the phone number of the taxi driver or arrange pickup from the park at a set time to go back to Lok Kawi as there are no taxis or buses at the park. Alternatively pay some RM100-120 to have a taxi take you there from Kota Kinabalu and back. Entrance fee: RM30 for adults, RM10 for children, half-price for Malaysians.

Crocker Range National Park, +60 87-330 924. 8AM-5PM. The park is 75 km long and 15 km wide, with elevation ranging between 100 m and 2050 m at the peak of Mt. Alab. Most of the park is covered with forest. Getting there: take a bus to Keningau from the long distance bus station near Merdeka Field, depart 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, noon, 1PM, 2PM and 5PM, fare is RM16. Taxi to Keningau costs RM120. After reaching Keningau take another taxi to the Crocker Range station, it costs about RM40. Admission fee: RM10, Malaysian RM3.

The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including Karambunai and Dalit Beach. and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. The Lagoon Park. in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. The Mengkabong water village. is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby Borneo Kellybays. offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.

The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including Karambunai and Dalit Beach. and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. The Lagoon Park. in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. The Mengkabong water village. is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby Borneo Kellybays. offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.

The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including Karambunai and Dalit Beach. and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. The Lagoon Park. in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. The Mengkabong water village. is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby Borneo Kellybays. offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.

The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including Karambunai and Dalit Beach. and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. The Lagoon Park. in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. The Mengkabong water village. is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby Borneo Kellybays. offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.

Tambalang Racecourse, +60 88-25 2705. Ahorse-racing track operated by Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tuaran.

Try dives, leisure diving, technical diving and snorkelling are all available from Kota Kinabalu.

Several interesting dive sites can be enjoyed as day trips from Kota Kinabalu with nearby World War II wrecks accessible for scuba diving. Some are in the 24-45 m depth range whilst other wrecks are only suitable for technical diving. Advanced and basic diver training courses are run from Kota Kinabalu by several dive centre operators.

• Usukan Bay near Pulau Mantanani, suitable for recreational diving. Located near the fishing port of Kota Belud 30 nautical miles north of Kota Kinabal these dive sites are ideal day trips from Kota Kinabalu. Boat trips north from Kota Kinabalu normally depart from Sutera Harbour Marina or Jesselton Point and take approximately 2 hr. These dives are only suitable for divers that already have PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or similar certification and some previous wreck diving experience is advised. There are three popular wrecks spread over a distance of about one kilometre lying 7 n.m. offshore.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park offers many snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities between 20 and 30 min from Kota Kinabalu by boat. Dive operators depart from the Jesselton Point Jetty and Sutera Harbour Marina. Islands and beaches are beautiful, even though the water color is very green and not transparent. Underwater visibility can be an issue around the entire park: It sometimes drops below 3 m due to dirty river water from Mt. Kinabalu by everyday-pouring rain. If you are used to snorkelling or diving in good visibility, you may be disappointed.
• The Gaya wreck lies in 50 m of water within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and is a 30-min boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. The wreck is thought to be that of the Japanese ship Nittetsu Maru.
• Mayne Rock has large white boulders rising 7 m-15 m from the ocean floor and is surrounded by a coral reef.
• Palau Tiga offers coral reef dives.

Usukan Bay near Pulau Mantanani, suitable for recreational diving. Located near the fishing port of Kota Belud 30 nautical miles north of Kota Kinabal these dive sites are ideal day trips from Kota Kinabalu. Boat trips north from Kota Kinabalu normally depart from Sutera Harbour Marina or Jesselton Point and take approximately 2 hr. These dives are only suitable for divers that already have PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or similar certification and some previous wreck diving experience is advised. There are three popular wrecks spread over a distance of about one kilometre lying 7 n.m. offshore.

[[Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park]] offers many snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities between 20 and 30 min from Kota Kinabalu by boat. Dive operators depart from the Jesselton Point Jetty and Sutera Harbour Marina. Islands and beaches are beautiful, even though the water color is very green and not transparent. Underwater visibility can be an issue around the entire park: It sometimes drops below 3 m due to dirty river water from Mt. Kinabalu by everyday-pouring rain. If you are used to snorkelling or diving in good visibility, you may be disappointed.

The Gaya wreck lies in 50 m of water within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and is a 30-min boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. The wreck is thought to be that of the Japanese ship Nittetsu Maru.

Mayne Rock has large white boulders rising 7 m-15 m from the ocean floor and is surrounded by a coral reef.

Palau Tiga offers coral reef dives.

• Scuba Junkie KK, G23a, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, +60 88 255816, +60 145618947. 8AM-6PM daily. 5 Star Gold Palm IDC PADI Licensed Dive Operator. Arranges daily dive and snorkel trips to over 15 islands in the Kota Kinabalu (KK) area including the world famous KK Marine Park (Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park) which features 5 amazing islands including Gaya Island and Sapi Island. Whale Shark Dives in the blue and wreck diving also available. PADI dive courses from Discover Scuba Diver up to Instructor.
• Borneo Dream, F-G-1 Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jl. Mat Salleh, +60 17 811 8149. A boat transfer service is available to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for snorkelling or diving trips. Over 20 sites for diving and protected areas for snorkelling. Suitable for day trips. Goes to four of the main wreck dive sites on a regular basis. PADI Dive Boat, 10mx4m catamaran and a 9mx3m RIB, SDI resort dive centre, BSAC diver training centre, TDI resort dive centre and IANTD facility. Also offer SCR courses and training certified via the PADI with both a semi closed rebreather diver speciality course and closed circuit rebreather (CCR) training courses.
• Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures, Lot B-3-12, Kota Kinabalu Times Square, Jl. Coastal, +60 12 866 1935. PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre is based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The dive centre offers learn to dive courses, advanced courses from PADI Advanced Open Water Diver up to PADI Master Instructor & PADI Course Director, snorkelling, sea kayaking and jungle trekking. 1 on multi-day diving in the TAR Park and diving Pulau Tiga. Island facilities caters to individuals, groups and corporate events. High staff-to-diver ratios with professional, highly trained & experienced staff and quality, regularly serviced gear and equipment.
• Sabah Divers, G27, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, +60 88 256483, +6 12 8339901. 8:30AM-5:30PM daily. Provide SDI courses in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Diving tours to popular dive destinations all over Borneo, such as Sipadan and Layang Layang. Tunku Abdul Rahman fun dive packages available departing Jesselton Point Jetty including equipment, boat transfers and 2-3 dives. No shower facility. Guests will be left alone to walk back to the office after TAR fun diving. Beware - they ask credit card numbers including CVC for advanced booking. Notorious for arrogant office staff.
• Sensi Borneo Diving Resort & Tours, +60 88 788 111, +60 17 402063. Provide scuba diving trips and PADI courses. Also operate the 796 ton, 56.6-m motor yacht Orient Explorer as a live aboard and floating hotel off shore from Kota Kinabalu. It was launched in 1943 and has a dive deck, passenger cabins including family cabins, luxury and economy cabins, a restaurant, bar, lounge and a sick bay. The dive services offer a full range of PADI scuba diving courses from open water, divemaster, technical diving and rebreather courses. Trips to the Usukan Bay wreck dives and many other dive sites are available.

Scuba Junkie KK, G23a, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, +60 88 255816, +60 145618947. 8AM-6PM daily. 5 Star Gold Palm IDC PADI Licensed Dive Operator. Arranges daily dive and snorkel trips to over 15 islands in the Kota Kinabalu (KK) area including the world famous KK Marine Park (Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park) which features 5 amazing islands including Gaya Island and Sapi Island. Whale Shark Dives in the blue and wreck diving also available. PADI dive courses from Discover Scuba Diver up to Instructor.

Borneo Dream, F-G-1 Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jl. Mat Salleh, +60 17 811 8149. A boat transfer service is available to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for snorkelling or diving trips. Over 20 sites for diving and protected areas for snorkelling. Suitable for day trips. Goes to four of the main wreck dive sites on a regular basis. PADI Dive Boat, 10mx4m catamaran and a 9mx3m RIB, SDI resort dive centre, BSAC diver training centre, TDI resort dive centre and IANTD facility. Also offer SCR courses and training certified via the PADI with both a semi closed rebreather diver speciality course and closed circuit rebreather (CCR) training courses.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures, Lot B-3-12, Kota Kinabalu Times Square, Jl. Coastal, +60 12 866 1935. PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre is based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The dive centre offers learn to dive courses, advanced courses from PADI Advanced Open Water Diver up to PADI Master Instructor & PADI Course Director, snorkelling, sea kayaking and jungle trekking. 1 on multi-day diving in the TAR Park and diving Pulau Tiga. Island facilities caters to individuals, groups and corporate events. High staff-to-diver ratios with professional, highly trained & experienced staff and quality, regularly serviced gear and equipment.

Sabah Divers, G27, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, +60 88 256483, +6 12 8339901. 8:30AM-5:30PM daily. Provide SDI courses in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Diving tours to popular dive destinations all over Borneo, such as Sipadan and Layang Layang. Tunku Abdul Rahman fun dive packages available departing Jesselton Point Jetty including equipment, boat transfers and 2-3 dives. No shower facility. Guests will be left alone to walk back to the office after TAR fun diving. Beware - they ask credit card numbers including CVC for advanced booking. Notorious for arrogant office staff.

Sensi Borneo Diving Resort & Tours, +60 88 788 111, +60 17 402063. Provide scuba diving trips and PADI courses. Also operate the 796 ton, 56.6-m motor yacht Orient Explorer as a live aboard and floating hotel off shore from Kota Kinabalu. It was launched in 1943 and has a dive deck, passenger cabins including family cabins, luxury and economy cabins, a restaurant, bar, lounge and a sick bay. The dive services offer a full range of PADI scuba diving courses from open water, divemaster, technical diving and rebreather courses. Trips to the Usukan Bay wreck dives and many other dive sites are available.

Kota Kinabalu is also one of the best and cheapest places in Malaysia for exciting deep sea fishing trips. Boats depart from the makeshift jetty next to the Kota Kinabalu Central Market, the boats are to be found behind the small night market/parking lot.

Trips of all kinds can be arranged with the charter operators. Popular options include day trips that go for prices that start from around RM 2,000/boat and 2-day, 1-night or 3-day, 2-night trips (you sleep on the boat) that go from RM 3,000/boat. Most boats take around 10 persons per trip. Locals usually head to the Mengalum and Mantanani islands or near some oil rigs that are all a few hours away from Kota Kinabalu. Beginners can also opt for shorter trips to fish in a shipwreck off Gaya Island. For the very adventurous and advanced anglers, there are also several fishing competition held annually. The most popular one is the Labuan IGFA Competition which is usually held around the Layang Layang island (Swallow Reef) area. The trips for this competition last for almost 1 week and cost at least RM 15,000/boat.

The boats are mostly pretty rudimentary medium-sized wooden fishing vessels, don't expect any luxury or too much comfort for those prices. Basic toilets are available on board, but you won't be able to shower for the duration of the trip. Basic meals are also usually available and included in the hire price. Rental of fishing equipment can also be arranged by most of the boat charter providers. Do ensure that life vests are provided for all occupants well before setting out.

If you want to check out the boats before you head out, just drop by the open air parking lot near the Central Market and Hyatt Hotel, most of the for hire fishing boats are parked there. You can also see some of the catch for yourself when the boats return from their trips at around 2PM. You will probably see more boats coming and going on Sunday or Monday.

• Borneo Crystal Sdn. Bhd., +60 17 860 32 05. Offering private charters, diving trips, island and sunset cruises as well as deep-sea fishing tours on a 60-ft American Sport Fishing Yacht. The boat is berthed in one of the most beautiful marinas in South-East Asia - Sutera Harbour Marina.
• 7 star fishing. A more expensive option but the website has some nice pictures and videos to give you a glimpse of what you can expect from a fishing trip in Kota Kinabalu
• Mr. K.K. Law, +60 16 826 4588. A budget friendly option popular with the locals. The boat owner himself will be happy to come on the trip himself or help you arrange for more people to fill up the boat if your group doesn't have enough people. From RM2,000.

Borneo Crystal Sdn. Bhd., +60 17 860 32 05. Offering private charters, diving trips, island and sunset cruises as well as deep-sea fishing tours on a 60-ft American Sport Fishing Yacht. The boat is berthed in one of the most beautiful marinas in South-East Asia - Sutera Harbour Marina.

7 star fishing. A more expensive option but the website has some nice pictures and videos to give you a glimpse of what you can expect from a fishing trip in Kota Kinabalu

Mr. K.K. Law, +60 16 826 4588. A budget friendly option popular with the locals. The boat owner himself will be happy to come on the trip himself or help you arrange for more people to fill up the boat if your group doesn't have enough people. From RM2,000.

The nearest place for rafting would be on Kiulu River, Tamparuli, about 1 hour away from KK in the district of Tuaran. The white water is classified Grade 1-2 which is suitable for beginners and children. A more adventurous rafting experience is Padas River near Tenom which is about 2-3 hours south from Kota Kinabalu. Padas is classified as Grade 3-4. There are many tour companies offering day packages for rafting in Kiulu and Padas and would normally include return transfer and meals.

Klias River is in the Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve which is located on the Kuala Penyu district headland made up of riverine mangrove about 2-2½ hours away from KK. The cruise offers visitors a chance to see various wildlife including the proboscis monkeys, crocodile, monitor lizards, Kingfishers and fireflies once it is dark.

The New Sabah Times (Sabah's newspaper) reported in May 2017 that the Klias river tours were in steep decline from a lack of tourists and were requesting assistance from local government for continued support. Although this decline is affecting tourist numbers the local guides also benefit less. This maybe the ideal time to visit and enjoy the wetlands while it is quiet. There are also other river safaris nearby Klias in Garama and Weston which are also interesting in their own right albeit slightly further away from KK.

The main starting point for sailing or boating is in Sutera Harbour Marina which has 104 berths. Yacht charter is offered by North Borneo Yachting. Tel: +60 88-318888 Kinabalu Yacht Club in Tanjung Aru offer various boating activities, tel: +60 88 240070

Likas Sports Complex is the main sporting venue in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. The complex includes a soccer stadium and fields, hockey fields, badminton courts, tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pool, gymnasium, and many more. The complex also play host many local, regional and international sports event.

There are also many golf courses in Kota Kinabalu including the Sabah Golf and Country Club (18-hole) in Bukit Padang, Kinabalu Golf Club (11-hole) in Tanjung Aru, Sutera Harbour Golf Club (27-hole), Karambunai Golf and Country Club (18-hole) and Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club (18-hole). Driving range available in Lintas and Likas.

• Golf Academy Borneo, 1st Floor, Likas Golf Driving Range, Jl. Istiadad, +60 14 334 3565. Private golf lessons with British PGA-accredited professional golf tutors, short game clinics, kids golf clinics and a Junior Programmes.
• b3. Skateboarding, Inline Skating and BMX stunts with extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu.
• Trinity Self-Defence, Lot 12 1st Floor Likas Plaza, Phase 1, Mile 4 1/2 Jl. Tuaran 8. Learn some self-defence skills at a Kota Kinabalu Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Gym classes include Brazilian jiu-jitsu, CMB, Judo and Shootfighting. Experienced trainers. ([mailto:trinityselfdef@gmail.com trinityselfdef@gmail.com]).
• Ultimate, Tue & Thu: Pertama Pantai (1st Beach) Tanjung Aru district. Tanjung Aru Rugby Field (on the beach and field near KKIA Terminal 2 in Tanjung Aru, +60 12 829 7881. Tu Th 6:30PM-8PM, Su 4PM- 6PM. Frisbee for all ages and abilities. Show up with enthausiasm and a basic knowledge of Ultimate rules and enjoy a game with the Ultimate players of Sabah. Free.

Golf Academy Borneo, 1st Floor, Likas Golf Driving Range, Jl. Istiadad, +60 14 334 3565. Private golf lessons with British PGA-accredited professional golf tutors, short game clinics, kids golf clinics and a Junior Programmes.

b3. Skateboarding, Inline Skating and BMX stunts with extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu.

Trinity Self-Defence, Lot 12 1st Floor Likas Plaza, Phase 1, Mile 4 1/2 Jl. Tuaran 8. Learn some self-defence skills at a Kota Kinabalu Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Gym classes include Brazilian jiu-jitsu, CMB, Judo and Shootfighting. Experienced trainers. ([mailto:trinityselfdef@gmail.com trinityselfdef@gmail.com]).

Ultimate, Tue & Thu: Pertama Pantai (1st Beach) Tanjung Aru district. Tanjung Aru Rugby Field (on the beach and field near KKIA Terminal 2 in Tanjung Aru, +60 12 829 7881. Tu Th 6:30PM-8PM, Su 4PM- 6PM. Frisbee for all ages and abilities. Show up with enthausiasm and a basic knowledge of Ultimate rules and enjoy a game with the Ultimate players of Sabah. Free.

• Harvest Festival, a festival celebrating the harvesting of the rice paddy fields by the Kadazandusun people, called in Bahasa Kadazandusan (Language of Kadazan & Dusun people, accepted as Kadazandusan by KDCA in Malaysia) and accepted in the Malay/Kadazandusun press as Pesta Kemataan. Typically Pesta Kemataan is held during the end of May into early June every year. It is the only harvest festival/pesta kemataan held in Malaysia. One of the most popular venues to witness the celebration is in KK city at the KDCA centre,(KadazanDusun Cultural Association)in Penampang district of KK city.The festival is held to celebrate the sacrifice of their goddess Saviour Hurninodun who by her actions saved them from famine. They also thank their creator Deities Kinoingan and Sumundo for giving them their sacred rice crop.Events include "Unduk Ngadau" beauty pageant, cultural dances, food, and drinking tapai a (traditional rice alcoholic) drink made from rice. The event is widely covered within the press and radio programmes, local malls have "Display teams " performing traditional dance, also they are seen performing within the larger hotels and resorts. The girls and young women wear various traditional clothes from their local districts within Sabah with coloured beaded and metal adornments to denote their status single; married men wear a similar dress code for each separate Sabahan tribe or culture they are from.
• City Run, annual marathon held around March or April.
• Likas Bay, Taman Awam Teluk Likas.

Harvest Festival, a festival celebrating the harvesting of the rice paddy fields by the Kadazandusun people, called in Bahasa Kadazandusan (Language of Kadazan & Dusun people, accepted as Kadazandusan by KDCA in Malaysia) and accepted in the Malay/Kadazandusun press as Pesta Kemataan. Typically Pesta Kemataan is held during the end of May into early June every year. It is the only harvest festival/pesta kemataan held in Malaysia. One of the most popular venues to witness the celebration is in KK city at the KDCA centre,(KadazanDusun Cultural Association)in Penampang district of KK city.The festival is held to celebrate the sacrifice of their goddess Saviour Hurninodun who by her actions saved them from famine. They also thank their creator Deities Kinoingan and Sumundo for giving them their sacred rice crop.Events include "Unduk Ngadau" beauty pageant, cultural dances, food, and drinking tapai a (traditional rice alcoholic) drink made from rice. The event is widely covered within the press and radio programmes, local malls have "Display teams " performing traditional dance, also they are seen performing within the larger hotels and resorts. The girls and young women wear various traditional clothes from their local districts within Sabah with coloured beaded and metal adornments to denote their status single; married men wear a similar dress code for each separate Sabahan tribe or culture they are from.

City Run, annual marathon held around March or April.

Likas Bay, Taman Awam Teluk Likas.

Popular souvenirs include coffee and all sorts of foods made from durian.

• Philippino Market, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen (Next to the waterfront. Synonymous with pearls, local handicrafts, home decorations and lately crystals. Don't forget to bargain for good prices. You can also find souvenirs such as keychains, t-shirts with Sabah themes, carved wooden statues, batiks and sarongs, rattan handicraft and floor mats, Islamic calligraphy and broaches. Some of the items are imported from Australia and others from neighbouring Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, and there is little actual Sabah handicraft available, but it is a very colourful place that will stay in your memory as a 'souvenir' from Sabah.
• Sunday market, Jalan Gaya from Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen to Jalan Bandaran. With everything from Malaysian delicacies, ground coffee, t-shirts, handicrafts, hardware to anything in between at bargain prices. A particular focus on clothing and jewelry. Held every Sunday morning, 6AM-1PM, along Jl. Gaya right in the heart of town.
• Borneo Art Gallery, +60 88-280707. Located in Asia City Complex, contain art works by local and regional artists. Art works are for sale.

• 1Borneo Hypermall, Jalan Sulaman, +60 88-448 089. 10AM–10PM. 30 minutes north of Kota Kinabalu city centre. The following hotels: Tune Hotel, Novotel hotel, Mercure hotel, Best Western Hotel and Courtyard Hotel are hete.
• Suria Sabah, 1, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, +60 88-485 468. 10AM–10PM. One of the cleanest and modern malls in Sabah, it is between Wisma Merdeka and Jesselton Point. The food court has indoor and outdoor seating, meals are cheap and tasty also offers a nice view of the sea and Pulau Gaya. Shops consist of mainly branded goods compared to other malls in KK. On the 7th floor is the "Glass" restaurant with a large outdoor seating/drinking deck over looking the city, it can be extremely hot on the deck during the day. Food and service very good and reasonable prices, it is very busy in the early evening. They also have a cinema on level eight.
• IMAGO Shopping Mall, Off Coastal Highway, +60 88-275 888. 10AM–10PM. Huge shopping mall with 54 food outlets, most on the ground level.The "Heritage" food court is on the 4th or 5th level and not very clean compared to the rest of the stunning mall. There is a large car park with overhead red/green lighting showing if spaces are vacant, this leads in to the Mall and the Gleneagles hospital. There are hotels, shops, apartments and a police station all attached to the main KK Times complex with the Imago mall in the centre. On the ground floor displays and seasonal events are held in the foyers, winter wonderland, and in May Pesta Kemataan, Festival dance displays. There is a cinema on the upper level.
• Wisma Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak. One of the oldest and smallest malls but still very popular. Ideal shopping centre for cheaper goods over five floors, a fraction of the price of Suria Sabah shops. Travel shops and a good cultural shop on the ground floor.
• Kompleks Karamunsing, Jalan Karamunsing. An older but large mall specialises in computers and electronics.
• Centre Point Sabah, 1, Jalan Centre Point. A large mall adjacent to Asia City, Api-Api, Warisan Square and Sinsuran. Easy parking within the centre with access to all floors. Two money exchange kiosks and a western food court and a large choice of shops selling all you would need but very little for tourists.
• Oceanus Mall, Jln. Tun Fuad Stephens Kota Kinabalu Sabah (Waterfront Kota Kinabalu. A modern clean mall opened in 2016. It has a foyer for festival displays. Most shops are low end. Several food outlets on the lower levels. A Hard Rock Café on the 1st floor with a outdoor seating area provides an eating outlet and live music entertainment in the evenings. At the rear of the mall is a large decking area that links the mall to the waterfront food outlets.

1Borneo Hypermall, Jalan Sulaman, +60 88-448 089. 10AM–10PM. 30 minutes north of Kota Kinabalu city centre. The following hotels: Tune Hotel, Novotel hotel, Mercure hotel, Best Western Hotel and Courtyard Hotel are hete.

Suria Sabah, 1, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, +60 88-485 468. 10AM–10PM. One of the cleanest and modern malls in Sabah, it is between Wisma Merdeka and Jesselton Point. The food court has indoor and outdoor seating, meals are cheap and tasty also offers a nice view of the sea and Pulau Gaya. Shops consist of mainly branded goods compared to other malls in KK. On the 7th floor is the "Glass" restaurant with a large outdoor seating/drinking deck over looking the city, it can be extremely hot on the deck during the day. Food and service very good and reasonable prices, it is very busy in the early evening. They also have a cinema on level eight.

IMAGO Shopping Mall, Off Coastal Highway, +60 88-275 888. 10AM–10PM. Huge shopping mall with 54 food outlets, most on the ground level.The "Heritage" food court is on the 4th or 5th level and not very clean compared to the rest of the stunning mall. There is a large car park with overhead red/green lighting showing if spaces are vacant, this leads in to the Mall and the Gleneagles hospital. There are hotels, shops, apartments and a police station all attached to the main KK Times complex with the Imago mall in the centre. On the ground floor displays and seasonal events are held in the foyers, winter wonderland, and in May Pesta Kemataan, Festival dance displays. There is a cinema on the upper level.

Wisma Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak. One of the oldest and smallest malls but still very popular. Ideal shopping centre for cheaper goods over five floors, a fraction of the price of Suria Sabah shops. Travel shops and a good cultural shop on the ground floor.

Kompleks Karamunsing, Jalan Karamunsing. An older but large mall specialises in computers and electronics.

Centre Point Sabah, 1, Jalan Centre Point. A large mall adjacent to Asia City, Api-Api, Warisan Square and Sinsuran. Easy parking within the centre with access to all floors. Two money exchange kiosks and a western food court and a large choice of shops selling all you would need but very little for tourists.

Oceanus Mall, Jln. Tun Fuad Stephens Kota Kinabalu Sabah (Waterfront Kota Kinabalu. A modern clean mall opened in 2016. It has a foyer for festival displays. Most shops are low end. Several food outlets on the lower levels. A Hard Rock Café on the 1st floor with a outdoor seating area provides an eating outlet and live music entertainment in the evenings. At the rear of the mall is a large decking area that links the mall to the waterfront food outlets.

Philippino Market, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen (Next to the waterfront. Synonymous with pearls, local handicrafts, home decorations and lately crystals. Don't forget to bargain for good prices. You can also find souvenirs such as keychains, t-shirts with Sabah themes, carved wooden statues, batiks and sarongs, rattan handicraft and floor mats, Islamic calligraphy and broaches. Some of the items are imported from Australia and others from neighbouring Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, and there is little actual Sabah handicraft available, but it is a very colourful place that will stay in your memory as a 'souvenir' from Sabah.

Sunday market, Jalan Gaya from Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen to Jalan Bandaran. With everything from Malaysian delicacies, ground coffee, t-shirts, handicrafts, hardware to anything in between at bargain prices. A particular focus on clothing and jewelry. Held every Sunday morning, 6AM-1PM, along Jl. Gaya right in the heart of town.

Borneo Art Gallery, +60 88-280707. Located in Asia City Complex, contain art works by local and regional artists. Art works are for sale.

Kota Kinablu is a cultural melting pot. Here Chinese meet Malays and Bruneis, Javanese, Filipinos and even a couple of Europeans, all of whom have brought along their own cuisine. Try out the many specialties offered at the various kedai kopi (often in buffet form making it easy to order) and shun fast food chains.

For meals, head to the outdoor food stalls fronting the sea or coffee shops along the streets. The less adventurous could make a beeline for fast food outlets in the Centrepoint shopping centre while those with deeper pockets could try the pier-side restaurants just after the open air fish market. The promenade restaurants between the Filipino Craft Market and the fish market are poor value and only frequented by tourists. Try SEDCO Square in the evening for top value.

• Fook Yuen, a nice, clean, modern-looking kopitiam with self-service concept offering various types of food such as dim sum, pick-yourself dishes, nasi lemak, and roti kahwin (bread, butter and kaya). They have branches in Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and Damai (original branch). All branches serve halal food except Damai branch.
• Kah Hiong, specialises in "ngau chap" noodles (beef soup noodles). Offers a variety of beef parts such as beef brisket, stomach, stew, omasum, tongue, etc. The main branch is in Kolam Center (Hilltop) in Lintas.
• Kak Nong, serves Malay/Malaysian food located in Harbour City opposite Sutera Harbour. The restaurant won the Sabah Tourism Award 2007 for the category Best Kopi Tiam.
• Man Tai Restaurant - in Likas, Dah Yeh Villa. Beaufort-style fried noodles. They serve Chinese style a-la carte dishes as well.
• Peppermint, a fast-food concept restaurant serving Vietnamese food. Try the spicy chicken rice and beef stew. They have 3 branches: Gaya Street, Asia City and Karamunsing Capital.
• Pete's Corner, in Asia City in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. A breakfast place which specialises in steaks and other western dishes for RM10-18.
• Indo Food, on 2nd floor, Wisma Merdeka (near food court), is a nice small restaurant serving spicy Indonesian food. Popular dishes include nasi penyet, ikan asam pedas and soto bakso. A little bit expensive, but not exactly mid-range.
• Salim Lintas Square (approximately 20-min drive from the city). Supper spot specialising in many local "mamak" foods and delicacies including the Malaysian roti styled bread, cooked over an open flat iron skillet which is bathed in oil. The meal along with a cup of Teh Tarik Madras would range at around RM5-8.
• Restoran Taufik, located in Kampung Air (opposite Shell), serves cheap Javanese/Malay food such as soto (beef soup), bakso and rojak. More branches in Inanam and Putatan.
• Yu Kee's Bak Kut Teh, along the famous Gaya Street, its a Chinese operated restaurant that serves pork dishes for dinner time only (usually opens after 4PM until night time). A small single dish costs about RM4, soup top up is free. All types of pork meat and organs served with special Chinese herb soup.
• Wah Juan, is popular for their "chu chap" noodles (noodles served with pork and pork innards). It's in Pekan Tanjung Aru facing the main road (Jalan Mat Salleh). Served only in the morning and finishes by 11AM. The small restaurant is always crowded and patrons may need to wait for an empty table.
• Yuit Cheong Coffee Shop. 昌悅, 50, Jl. Pantai. Satay and cosy environment.
• Badben, Gaya Street. 7AM till late. A small clean café that serves a mix of Asian and some Western food, cold drinks and beer at 10AM with breakfast. Friendly, helpful staff.
• Night Market, Jalan Gaya. Friday and Saturday 6PM–2AM. An outdoor street market with street food and music.

Fook Yuen, a nice, clean, modern-looking kopitiam with self-service concept offering various types of food such as dim sum, pick-yourself dishes, nasi lemak, and roti kahwin (bread, butter and kaya). They have branches in Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and Damai (original branch). All branches serve halal food except Damai branch.

Kah Hiong, specialises in "ngau chap" noodles (beef soup noodles). Offers a variety of beef parts such as beef brisket, stomach, stew, omasum, tongue, etc. The main branch is in Kolam Center (Hilltop) in Lintas.

Kak Nong, serves Malay/Malaysian food located in Harbour City opposite Sutera Harbour. The restaurant won the Sabah Tourism Award 2007 for the category Best Kopi Tiam.

Man Tai Restaurant - in Likas, Dah Yeh Villa. Beaufort-style fried noodles. They serve Chinese style a-la carte dishes as well.

Peppermint, a fast-food concept restaurant serving Vietnamese food. Try the spicy chicken rice and beef stew. They have 3 branches: Gaya Street, Asia City and Karamunsing Capital.

Pete's Corner, in Asia City in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. A breakfast place which specialises in steaks and other western dishes for RM10-18.

Indo Food, on 2nd floor, Wisma Merdeka (near food court), is a nice small restaurant serving spicy Indonesian food. Popular dishes include nasi penyet, ikan asam pedas and soto bakso. A little bit expensive, but not exactly mid-range.

Salim Lintas Square (approximately 20-min drive from the city). Supper spot specialising in many local "mamak" foods and delicacies including the Malaysian roti styled bread, cooked over an open flat iron skillet which is bathed in oil. The meal along with a cup of Teh Tarik Madras would range at around RM5-8.

Restoran Taufik, located in Kampung Air (opposite Shell), serves cheap Javanese/Malay food such as soto (beef soup), bakso and rojak. More branches in Inanam and Putatan.

Yu Kee's Bak Kut Teh, along the famous Gaya Street, its a Chinese operated restaurant that serves pork dishes for dinner time only (usually opens after 4PM until night time). A small single dish costs about RM4, soup top up is free. All types of pork meat and organs served with special Chinese herb soup.

Wah Juan, is popular for their "chu chap" noodles (noodles served with pork and pork innards). It's in Pekan Tanjung Aru facing the main road (Jalan Mat Salleh). Served only in the morning and finishes by 11AM. The small restaurant is always crowded and patrons may need to wait for an empty table.

Yuit Cheong Coffee Shop. 昌悅, 50, Jl. Pantai. Satay and cosy environment.

Badben, Gaya Street. 7AM till late. A small clean café that serves a mix of Asian and some Western food, cold drinks and beer at 10AM with breakfast. Friendly, helpful staff.

Night Market, Jalan Gaya. Friday and Saturday 6PM–2AM. An outdoor street market with street food and music.

• Anjappar, +60 88 227969. 10:30AM-3:30PM and 5:30PM-10PM. Asia City Complex (facing Api Api centre, diagonally across the street from CentrePoint). Chettinad (North and South Indian) cuisine. Serves authentic Indian food such as banana leaf meals, biriyani, naan and roti, tandoori dishes, and dosai. Prices range from RM3.50-RM10.00. Anjappar is an Indian franchise with branches in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and Canada.
• Choice, serving mainly Indian Muslim food as well as other Malaysian food. Their briyani rice is quite popular. Branches in Taman Millenium, Kepayan and in the city center opposite Wisma Merdeka.
• El Centro, 32 Jalan Haji Saman (Opposite Wisma Merdeka. noon-midnight. Popular cafe restaurant with tourists and expats. Has regular themed nights such as Mexican Monday, Tequilla/Taco Tuesday and Wednesday’s Pub Quiz.
• Grazie Ristorante, +60 19 821 6936. Wawasan Plaza Complex, (Next to Tang Dynasty Hotel). An Italian restaurant. Serves no pork.
• Jeff De Corner, Grd Flr, Luyang Ph 6, Shophouse (approximately 15 min from the city, +60 19 8818427 (reservation). Dishes include lamb and beef steak, oxtail soup, lamb shank, BBQ lamb and the exclusive Wagyu beef steak.
• Hi Seoul, pretty good Korean restaurant in Likas Square near Sabah Trade Center.
• Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant, Api Api Centre. An eat with your hands restaurant. A chicken dish RM8, a mango lassie RM4. Fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi biryani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd. They'll bring you a spoon and fork if you wish. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.
• Little Italy, +60 88 232231. The most popular Italian restaurant in Kota Kinabalu. Usually crowded during lunch and dinner by locals and foreigners. Operated by an Italian man.
• Kohinoor, +60 88 235160. North Indian food by the waterfront. Claims to have invented the "Chicken Cheese Tandoori Tikka". Indoor and alfresco seating.
• Mario's Pizza. 1 Borneo Hypermall, Jl. UMS. Mario's Pizza at 1 Borneo C-702 Lower Ground. Serve Italian pizza slice or Pizza al Taglio.
• Nok Thai, +60 88-538055. Located in Damai Plaza in Luyang, is perhaps the best Thai restaurant in Kota Kinabalu.
• Pirates Rib Shack Diner. In Asia City. Pork and lamb ribs, steaks, burgers and seafood, on Sunday they hold a weekly BBQ Pork roast.
• Old Town White Coffee a modern kopitiam franchise from Ipoh with branches in Menara Jubili on Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and others. Popular for their 'hor fun' noodle soup, nasi lemak and, of course, their white coffee. The biggest kopitiam chain in Malaysia.
• The Stonebridge Galley Provides all day English Breakfast.
• Charles Cafe Halal food and drink.
• Sushi Tei, a Singaporean-based sushi franchise with branches throughout Asia Pacific. Reasonably good food and price. Located in Ground Floor, Suria Sabah.
• Tambayan at Kainang Filipino, +60 16-8182008. A Filipino restaurant offering typical Filipino dishes such as lechon kawali, sisig, crispy pata, etc. Located in Block 3, Api-Api Centre.
• Tavern Kitchen & Bar, Lot G-93, Imago Shopping Mall, KK Times Square Phase 2, Jalan Coastal (Opposite Soho Bar, same row as Starbucks on ground floor of Imago Mall, +60 12 586 0093. Su-Th 10AM-midnight, F Sa Holiday Eve 10AM-2AM. Fusion restaurant utilising Sabahan ingredients such as tuhau, buah tarap, bambangan, Sabah seaweed and salted fish as a twist to classic Western and local cuisine. No pork served. Daily shows include live band featuring celebrity singer Esther Applunius, belly dancing, traditional Sumazau and Magunatip bamboo dance, blowpipe performance, Argentine Tango and fire juggling flair bartenders. Recommended to make a reservation as it is often fully booked. RM20 and above for main course.
• Souled Out, KK Times Square Imago Mall rear ground floor.. If you are driving in to the Imago KK Times Square there is a one way system that takes you around the whole complex, just as your exiting, going down the OUT ramp the "Souled Out" restaurant is on your left. It is best to drive in park up and then walk through the mall on the ground floor to the restaurant. It can get very busy early evening so you may have too wait for a table, prices are reasonable, menu is Sabahan, Chinese, and fish-based so do not expect Western food the menu is a picture menu so if you are not sure ask. The service is polite and very good, Malay/English and Chinese spoken by staff. A pleasant lively location, just run in doors when it rains
• Gaya Vegetarian, Lot 53, Ground Floor, Jalan Gaya. Vegetarian Chinese restaurant with large portions, especially the soups.

Anjappar, +60 88 227969. 10:30AM-3:30PM and 5:30PM-10PM. Asia City Complex (facing Api Api centre, diagonally across the street from CentrePoint). Chettinad (North and South Indian) cuisine. Serves authentic Indian food such as banana leaf meals, biriyani, naan and roti, tandoori dishes, and dosai. Prices range from RM3.50-RM10.00. Anjappar is an Indian franchise with branches in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and Canada.

Choice, serving mainly Indian Muslim food as well as other Malaysian food. Their briyani rice is quite popular. Branches in Taman Millenium, Kepayan and in the city center opposite Wisma Merdeka.

El Centro, 32 Jalan Haji Saman (Opposite Wisma Merdeka. noon-midnight. Popular cafe restaurant with tourists and expats. Has regular themed nights such as Mexican Monday, Tequilla/Taco Tuesday and Wednesday’s Pub Quiz.

Grazie Ristorante, +60 19 821 6936. Wawasan Plaza Complex, (Next to Tang Dynasty Hotel). An Italian restaurant. Serves no pork.

Jeff De Corner, Grd Flr, Luyang Ph 6, Shophouse (approximately 15 min from the city, +60 19 8818427 (reservation). Dishes include lamb and beef steak, oxtail soup, lamb shank, BBQ lamb and the exclusive Wagyu beef steak.

Hi Seoul, pretty good Korean restaurant in Likas Square near Sabah Trade Center.

Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant, Api Api Centre. An eat with your hands restaurant. A chicken dish RM8, a mango lassie RM4. Fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi biryani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd. They'll bring you a spoon and fork if you wish. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.

Little Italy, +60 88 232231. The most popular Italian restaurant in Kota Kinabalu. Usually crowded during lunch and dinner by locals and foreigners. Operated by an Italian man.

Kohinoor, +60 88 235160. North Indian food by the waterfront. Claims to have invented the "Chicken Cheese Tandoori Tikka". Indoor and alfresco seating.

Mario's Pizza. 1 Borneo Hypermall, Jl. UMS. Mario's Pizza at 1 Borneo C-702 Lower Ground. Serve Italian pizza slice or Pizza al Taglio.

Nok Thai, +60 88-538055. Located in Damai Plaza in Luyang, is perhaps the best Thai restaurant in Kota Kinabalu.

Pirates Rib Shack Diner. In Asia City. Pork and lamb ribs, steaks, burgers and seafood, on Sunday they hold a weekly BBQ Pork roast.

Old Town White Coffee a modern kopitiam franchise from [[Ipoh]] with branches in Menara Jubili on Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and others. Popular for their 'hor fun' noodle soup, nasi lemak and, of course, their white coffee. The biggest kopitiam chain in Malaysia.

The Stonebridge Galley Provides all day English Breakfast.

Charles Cafe Halal food and drink.

Sushi Tei, a Singaporean-based sushi franchise with branches throughout Asia Pacific. Reasonably good food and price. Located in Ground Floor, Suria Sabah.

Tambayan at Kainang Filipino, +60 16-8182008. A Filipino restaurant offering typical Filipino dishes such as lechon kawali, sisig, crispy pata, etc. Located in Block 3, Api-Api Centre.

Tavern Kitchen & Bar, Lot G-93, Imago Shopping Mall, KK Times Square Phase 2, Jalan Coastal (Opposite Soho Bar, same row as Starbucks on ground floor of Imago Mall, +60 12 586 0093. Su-Th 10AM-midnight, F Sa Holiday Eve 10AM-2AM. Fusion restaurant utilising Sabahan ingredients such as tuhau, buah tarap, bambangan, Sabah seaweed and salted fish as a twist to classic Western and local cuisine. No pork served. Daily shows include live band featuring celebrity singer Esther Applunius, belly dancing, traditional Sumazau and Magunatip bamboo dance, blowpipe performance, Argentine Tango and fire juggling flair bartenders. Recommended to make a reservation as it is often fully booked. RM20 and above for main course.

Souled Out, KK Times Square Imago Mall rear ground floor.. If you are driving in to the Imago KK Times Square there is a one way system that takes you around the whole complex, just as your exiting, going down the OUT ramp the "Souled Out" restaurant is on your left. It is best to drive in park up and then walk through the mall on the ground floor to the restaurant. It can get very busy early evening so you may have too wait for a table, prices are reasonable, menu is Sabahan, Chinese, and fish-based so do not expect Western food the menu is a picture menu so if you are not sure ask. The service is polite and very good, Malay/English and Chinese spoken by staff. A pleasant lively location, just run in doors when it rains

Gaya Vegetarian, Lot 53, Ground Floor, Jalan Gaya. Vegetarian Chinese restaurant with large portions, especially the soups.

• Bella Italia, +60 88313366. 69 Jl. Gaya. (Under the Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu's business area). Italian restaurant serving pizzas and pastas and if you get there early there are discounts.
• Ferdinand`s Italian restaurant, +60 88 303900. Italian restaurant an Sutera Harbour hotel, next to the international airport.
• Nagisa, a Japanese restaurant in Hyatt Regency.

Bella Italia, +60 88313366. 69 Jl. Gaya. (Under the Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu's business area). Italian restaurant serving pizzas and pastas and if you get there early there are discounts.

Ferdinand`s Italian restaurant, +60 88 303900. Italian restaurant an Sutera Harbour hotel, next to the international airport.

Nagisa, a Japanese restaurant in Hyatt Regency.

Seafood in Kota Kinabalu is very popular, so getting a dose of it is a must. Here are some places to try:

• Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Market Restaurant, +60 88 8823 1003. 10 min drive away from Kota Kinabalu city, this seafood restaurant is built within a botanical park/lake using Malay architecture. There is a nightly cultural performance with a fire show performed during the weekends.
• New Gaya Seafood Restaurant, +60 88 8838 5020. One of the most visited seafood restaurant by locals. Prices are fixed and maybe 20%-30% cheaper than some city seafood restaurants. Deep fried crabs with egg yolk & butter prawn. Highly recommended for visitors who have spare time.
• Ocean Seafood Restaurant, next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.
• Portview Seafood Restaurant, There are 2 branches of this in Kota Kinabalu. One of them is opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one is in front of a pier.
• Salut Seafood Restaurant, It takes about 20 min car journey from the city centre to Salut where the restaurant is located near the Sepanggar Bay and Telipok. It is a famous place for cheaper seafood dishes as the prawns are bred by the restaurant owner.
• Sutera Rimba. 7PM-midnight.
• Welcome Seafood, +60 88 447 866. A popular seafood restaurant with 2 branches in Asia City Complex and in the deep suburbs in Bundusan. Usually packed due to cheap price and decent food. (Asia City)

Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Market Restaurant, +60 88 8823 1003. 10 min drive away from Kota Kinabalu city, this seafood restaurant is built within a botanical park/lake using Malay architecture. There is a nightly cultural performance with a fire show performed during the weekends.

New Gaya Seafood Restaurant, +60 88 8838 5020. One of the most visited seafood restaurant by locals. Prices are fixed and maybe 20%-30% cheaper than some city seafood restaurants. Deep fried crabs with egg yolk & butter prawn. Highly recommended for visitors who have spare time.

Ocean Seafood Restaurant, next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.

Portview Seafood Restaurant, There are 2 branches of this in Kota Kinabalu. One of them is opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one is in front of a pier.

Salut Seafood Restaurant, It takes about 20 min car journey from the city centre to Salut where the restaurant is located near the Sepanggar Bay and Telipok. It is a famous place for cheaper seafood dishes as the prawns are bred by the restaurant owner.

Sutera Rimba. 7PM-midnight.

Welcome Seafood, +60 88 447 866. A popular seafood restaurant with 2 branches in Asia City Complex and in the deep suburbs in Bundusan. Usually packed due to cheap price and decent food. (Asia City)

The main entertainment areas in Kota Kinabalu can be found in KK Waterfront (opposite Warisan Square) and Times Square. Other areas include Pantai Street, Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong. There are also smaller bars concentrated in the areas of Inanam, Likas, Donggongon and Penampang Baru, these areas are out of the KK city and are not within walking distance of KK city centre they are more local district centres. Types of drinking places popular in Kota Kinabalu are café/coffee shops for breakfast, open air bars, karaoke joints and a few nightclubs. Nightclubs and bars have live bands performing almost everyday except Mondays. Some karaoke joints have private rooms for big groups who prefer some privacy. Some nightclubs and karaoke bars have hostesses especially for male customers in exchange for buying them 'ladies drink'. Intuition would be needed if you need to look for or avoid these establishments as they are not explicit.

• Pirates Bar. Located in Asia City in the 3-colour T Food Court across the road from Centrepoint behind the Mercedes Benz Dealer. Features the largest outdoor bar in Kota Kinabalu with prices from RM 25 for 5 cans of house beer. Live sport including AFL, NRL, Rugby, Cricket. Live music at weekends
• Cock & Bull Bistro. Winner of Best Entertainment Outlet awards for Night Spot Experience 3 times (2005, 2007, 2009). Located on the waterfront facing the South China sea with cool sea breezes and a beautiful view of the sunset. Featuring a live band, 2 projector screens and an pool table.
• Sky Blu Bar. Good and relatively inexpensive (happy hour 5-8pm) roof top bar from which to watch the sunset, with great views over the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Entry though Hotel Grandis and take lift to R (13th floor)
• Shenanigan Fun Pub, Located at ground floor of the Kinabalu Hyatt Regency.
• Shamrock Irish Bar, The Waterfront Lot 6. Range of beers and very good food. The usual warm welcome from the staff, varied English/Western menu including typical Sunday lunch menu. Outdoor seating area under the shade is small, the unshaded deck area is larger but can be extremely hot, A/con in doors. Pleasant polite attentive staff, food and drinks arrive promptly, clean toilets, a good atmosphere, taxi rank across the street, staff wave and taxis come to the bar door to collect you.
• Sunset Bar, at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR), one of the best places to drink and catch the sunset. An expensive RM30 per small 300ml beer. This bar area since 2016 has been strictly controlled access and for the hotel guests only. There is a minimum current spend per customer of RM60 and seating has to be pre-booked this also applies to the hotel guests. There are 495 rooms at the resort so the Sunset bar gets very busy around 6PM to view the sunset. Security is present and they have good cctv security for those who try to visit without permission. Generally a pleasant experience with the flying fish and the occasional dolphin passing the bar area, overall a good atmosphere.Non residents are allowed in but have to report to the front desk to sign in.
• Chocolate Factory, a funky club in Times Square with live band. Popular with younger crowds.
• Cocoon Restaurant & Bar, One of Kota Kinabalu's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours.
• Bee Kim KTV, Sadong Jaya around Karamunsing area.
• Strawberry KTV, Segama and Central market.
• Razz-Ma-Tazz, Just outside the central business district along Jl. Tuaran, it is one of the largest and most popular nightclubs in the city. Features two rooms, the larger one, Z'Razz, features a live band rotated with DJ spinning mainly hip-hop tracks. The smaller room, Zuave, plays mainly house, trance, and other dance tracks.
• Bed. Located on the Promenade near the night markets. One room with a cover band, pool table and DJ.
• BB Cafe, at Jalan Pantai (Beach Street) has an interesting setting under a huge canopy with occasional events.
• Firefly Bar & Grill, Live band in Kota Kinabalu Times Square. Hot place to hang out, dance and chill.
• Upperstar. A popular local dining and drinking joint with branches near Hyatt (see map), Suria Sabah, Damai and Likas.
• White Room, perhaps the hippest and glamorous club in KK where people go to be seen. Prices are slightly expensive. Located in Times Square.
• October coffee house. Nice espresso coffees, smoothies and cakes in pleasant air-con environment.
• Santan, Waterfront Kota Kinabalu (Next to Oceanus Mall, jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. The Irish/Shamrock bar and the Santan have the same owners. The Santan has super quick service and the food is hot and tasty. Tuaran noodles is beautiful, a cold beer and the view make for a perfect visit The waterfront has a policy among the outlets. You can sit where you like, order food from any of the food outlets. But you order and pay for your beer from one outlet or pay up and move next door.
• Hard Rock Cafe, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. Inside the Oceanus Mall on the first floor. The ground floor brings you in to the rock shop. Go up the stairs to the restaurant sit indoors or keluar dodok and enjoy the food, drinks, atmosphere and the view, oh yeah the music! It is A/C cool indoors, they have an external balcony with views across the harbour and sunset views at about 6PM. Really good food, service, drinks, views. Oh yeah the toilets are very clean. They have live bands.

Pirates Bar. Located in Asia City in the 3-colour T Food Court across the road from Centrepoint behind the Mercedes Benz Dealer. Features the largest outdoor bar in Kota Kinabalu with prices from RM 25 for 5 cans of house beer. Live sport including AFL, NRL, Rugby, Cricket. Live music at weekends

Cock & Bull Bistro. Winner of Best Entertainment Outlet awards for Night Spot Experience 3 times (2005, 2007, 2009). Located on the waterfront facing the South China sea with cool sea breezes and a beautiful view of the sunset. Featuring a live band, 2 projector screens and an pool table.

Sky Blu Bar. Good and relatively inexpensive (happy hour 5-8pm) roof top bar from which to watch the sunset, with great views over the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Entry though Hotel Grandis and take lift to R (13th floor)

Shenanigan Fun Pub, Located at ground floor of the Kinabalu Hyatt Regency.

Shamrock Irish Bar, The Waterfront Lot 6. Range of beers and very good food. The usual warm welcome from the staff, varied English/Western menu including typical Sunday lunch menu. Outdoor seating area under the shade is small, the unshaded deck area is larger but can be extremely hot, A/con in doors. Pleasant polite attentive staff, food and drinks arrive promptly, clean toilets, a good atmosphere, taxi rank across the street, staff wave and taxis come to the bar door to collect you.

Sunset Bar, at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR), one of the best places to drink and catch the sunset. An expensive RM30 per small 300ml beer. This bar area since 2016 has been strictly controlled access and for the hotel guests only. There is a minimum current spend per customer of RM60 and seating has to be pre-booked this also applies to the hotel guests. There are 495 rooms at the resort so the Sunset bar gets very busy around 6PM to view the sunset. Security is present and they have good cctv security for those who try to visit without permission. Generally a pleasant experience with the flying fish and the occasional dolphin passing the bar area, overall a good atmosphere.Non residents are allowed in but have to report to the front desk to sign in.

Chocolate Factory, a funky club in Times Square with live band. Popular with younger crowds.

Cocoon Restaurant & Bar, One of Kota Kinabalu's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours.

Bee Kim KTV, Sadong Jaya around Karamunsing area.

Strawberry KTV, Segama and Central market.

Razz-Ma-Tazz, Just outside the central business district along Jl. Tuaran, it is one of the largest and most popular nightclubs in the city. Features two rooms, the larger one, Z'Razz, features a live band rotated with DJ spinning mainly hip-hop tracks. The smaller room, Zuave, plays mainly house, trance, and other dance tracks.

Bed. Located on the Promenade near the night markets. One room with a cover band, pool table and DJ.

BB Cafe, at Jalan Pantai (Beach Street) has an interesting setting under a huge canopy with occasional events.

Firefly Bar & Grill, Live band in Kota Kinabalu Times Square. Hot place to hang out, dance and chill.

Upperstar. A popular local dining and drinking joint with branches near Hyatt (see map), Suria Sabah, Damai and Likas.

White Room, perhaps the hippest and glamorous club in KK where people go to be seen. Prices are slightly expensive. Located in Times Square.

October coffee house. Nice espresso coffees, smoothies and cakes in pleasant air-con environment.

Santan, Waterfront Kota Kinabalu (Next to Oceanus Mall, jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. The Irish/Shamrock bar and the Santan have the same owners. The Santan has super quick service and the food is hot and tasty. Tuaran noodles is beautiful, a cold beer and the view make for a perfect visit The waterfront has a policy among the outlets. You can sit where you like, order food from any of the food outlets. But you order and pay for your beer from one outlet or pay up and move next door.

Hard Rock Cafe, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. Inside the Oceanus Mall on the first floor. The ground floor brings you in to the rock shop. Go up the stairs to the restaurant sit indoors or keluar dodok and enjoy the food, drinks, atmosphere and the view, oh yeah the music! It is A/C cool indoors, they have an external balcony with views across the harbour and sunset views at about 6PM. Really good food, service, drinks, views. Oh yeah the toilets are very clean. They have live bands.

Kota Kinabalu is a safe city by Malaysian standards. The crime rate is lower than in the Western states of Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, or any city of similar size in Peninsular Malaysia. Violent crime is especially rare, and it's generally safe to roam the streets at night, though of course it's still best to remain alert as you would in any other city. Sadly, the moped/scooter ride by crime has arrived in KK. It is another aspect that you need too be aware of if you are out and about walking. Research this; read on the internet so you know what to avoid and stay safe.

The telephone country code for Malaysia is +60 and the area code for fixed-line telephones in Kota Kinabalu and for most districts in the west coast of Sabah (including Papar, Kota Belud, Ranau and Kudat) is 088. Mobile phone numbers normally begins with 01x throughout the country. If a telephone number is not displayed in international format, such as "088-222222" or "012-222222", simply add "+6" before the number, e.g.: "+60 88-222222" and "+60 12-222222". The zero need not be repeated.

Free wifi is available at various points in the city. There are some restrictions: you can use the wifi for free in public areas, i.e. streets. It is deliberately not powerful enough to penetrate shopping malls etc.

WiFi is available in most hotels and hostels across KK. There are also internet cafes in some parts of the city.

• Sabah State Library, +60 88 214828. Manages and operates most public libraries in Sabah. In Kota Kinabalu, SSL has a library between City Hall and the court (KK Regional Library), Suria Sabah (Library@Suria; Level 4) and the State Library along Jalan Penampang near Luyang (biggest; SSL HQ; 10 minutes drive from city center).

The following countries have set up consulates in Kota Kinabalu. For other countries, you may need to contact the respective embassy in Kuala Lumpur or nearer consulates in Sarawak. There are British and Chinese Consulate offices in Kuching and British and Dutch Consulates in Miri.

• Australia Australian Consulate, Suite 10.1, Level 10, Wisma Great Eastern Life, 65 Jl. Gaya, +60 88267151.
• Brunei Bruneian Consulate, Grace Square, +60 88 236 113. Moved from Menara MAA in the city to Grace Square next to Grace Park in Sembulan.
• Finland Finnish Consulate, c/o Uli Motors SDN BHD, Jl. Miniyak, Off Mile 5.5, Jl. Tuaran, +60 88 431336, +60 88 431337.
• France French Honorary Consul, Mrs Feona Jinu, +60 15 484 02 797.
• Indonesia Consulate General of Indonesia, Lorong Kemajuan, Karamunsing, +60 88218600, +60 88218258, +60 88 218518, +60 88 219110.
• Japan Consulate General of Japan, Wisma Perindustrian 18F, Jl. Istiadat, Likas, +60 88 254169.
• Sweden Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Jl. Minyak off Jl. Tuaran, Mile 5 1/2, Inanam, +60 88 431336.
• United Kingdom United Kingdom Honorary Consul, Mr Robert New, +60 88 251 775.

Australia Australian Consulate, Suite 10.1, Level 10, Wisma Great Eastern Life, 65 Jl. Gaya, +60 88267151.

Brunei Bruneian Consulate, Grace Square, +60 88 236 113. Moved from Menara MAA in the city to Grace Square next to Grace Park in Sembulan.

Finland Finnish Consulate, c/o Uli Motors SDN BHD, Jl. Miniyak, Off Mile 5.5, Jl. Tuaran, +60 88 431336, +60 88 431337.

France French Honorary Consul, Mrs Feona Jinu, +60 15 484 02 797.

Indonesia Consulate General of Indonesia, Lorong Kemajuan, Karamunsing, +60 88218600, +60 88218258, +60 88 218518, +60 88 219110.

Japan Consulate General of Japan, Wisma Perindustrian 18F, Jl. Istiadat, Likas, +60 88 254169.

Sweden Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Jl. Minyak off Jl. Tuaran, Mile 5 1/2, Inanam, +60 88 431336.

United Kingdom United Kingdom Honorary Consul, Mr Robert New, +60 88 251 775.

Sabah State Library, +60 88 214828. Manages and operates most public libraries in Sabah. In Kota Kinabalu, SSL has a library between City Hall and the court (KK Regional Library), Suria Sabah (Library@Suria; Level 4) and the State Library along Jalan Penampang near Luyang (biggest; SSL HQ; 10 minutes drive from city center).

• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – a collection of islands with beaches, jungle, snorkeling, and scuba diving, easy to visit as a day trip
• Labuan — duty free paradise, fairly decent karaoke nightlife and offshore banking.
• Mount Kinabalu — is just 80 km east of Kota Kinabalu, where it's possible to do a 9 km hike to the mountain summit.
• Kundasang — a cool place with various markets, plantations, farms, resorts nearby Mount Kinabalu. Popular with locals from all around Sabah during weekends and public holidays.
• Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna cities on the Eastern Coast with rich wildlife and a world-class diving.
• Layang Layang Island in the disputed Spratly Islands is famous for diving.
• Kuala Penyu — district, located about 2 hours southwest along the coast, contains Klias River, Pulau Tiga (site of the first series of TV show "Survivor") and Menumbok jetty (to get to Labuan by car or boat).
• Kinarut — a small town 40 minutes south of KK contains quiet beaches, Pulau Dinawan, the 'sininggazanak' statues and still existing wooden shophouses, built around 1930s to 1960s.
• Maliau Basin — Sabah's "Lost World", located in the middle of Sabah somewhere between Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. Said to be one of the oldest undisturbed rainforest in the world.
• Experience rural lifestyle around Kudat, Tambunan, Tenom, Kota Belud, all along the west coast of Sabah and within 2-4 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.
• Gunung Mulu National Park — a World Heritage Site in Mulu, Sarawak, is 20 minutes away by plane.

[[Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park]] – a collection of islands with beaches, jungle, snorkeling, and scuba diving, easy to visit as a day trip

[[Labuan]] — duty free paradise, fairly decent karaoke nightlife and offshore banking.

[[Mount Kinabalu]] — is just 80 km east of Kota Kinabalu, where it's possible to do a 9 km hike to the mountain summit.

[[Kundasang]] — a cool place with various markets, plantations, farms, resorts nearby Mount Kinabalu. Popular with locals from all around Sabah during weekends and public holidays.

[[Sandakan]], [[Tawau]], [[Lahad Datu]] and [[Semporna]] cities on the Eastern Coast with rich wildlife and a world-class diving.

[[Layang Layang|Layang Layang Island]] in the disputed [[Spratly Islands]] is famous for diving.

Kuala Penyu — district, located about 2 hours southwest along the coast, contains Klias River, Pulau Tiga (site of the first series of TV show "Survivor") and Menumbok jetty (to get to Labuan by car or boat).

[[Kinarut]] — a small town 40 minutes south of KK contains quiet beaches, Pulau Dinawan, the 'sininggazanak' statues and still existing wooden shophouses, built around 1930s to 1960s.

Maliau Basin — Sabah's "Lost World", located in the middle of Sabah somewhere between Kota Kinabalu and [[Tawau]]. Said to be one of the oldest undisturbed rainforest in the world.

Experience rural lifestyle around [[Kudat]], [[Tambunan]], [[Tenom]], [[Kota Belud]], all along the west coast of Sabah and within 2-4 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.

[[Gunung Mulu National Park]] — a World Heritage Site in [[Mulu]], [[Sarawak]], is 20 minutes away by plane.