Kota Kinabalu Favorites

Favorite thing: This city map is very, very helpful. Even for a local like me as it has the most updated locations of (new) restaurants, hotels as well as places of interests.

Very essential if you're travelling solo. Get this map for free and you'll do fine :-)

This free CBD map is available at the arrival hall in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, or you can always drop by at the Tourist Information Centre located at No. 51 Jalan Gaya.
Operating hours
Monday - Friday : 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday , Sunday,& Public Holiday : 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Favorite thing: The capital of Sabah is called Kota Kinabalu (mostly known as KK) but has had several other names during its history. The city started as a small fishermens town named Api Api (Fire Fire). When the British came to Sabah at the end of the 19th century the British North Borneo Company needed a homebase for its business. They chose a small island called Gaya Island, right in front of the coastline of Api Api.

Because a base at the mainland was easier to be defended the British took over Api Api not much later. They named the new town Jesselton, after the director of the British North Borneo Company: Charles Jessel. The new town became an important tradingbase of the English for many decades.

During the Second World War the town was completely destroyed by the Japanese, and later was bombed once again when the British fought back. The name changed back into Api Api in the Japanese time, but became Jesselton again at the end of the war.

In 1968, when Sabah already joined the union of Malaysia, the growing town was called Kota Kinabalu, after the high mountain in the inland nearby. The place was expanding rapidly and got the official city-status in 2000. Nowadays the city of KK has almost 400.000 inhabitants, and including the region around it is close to 900.000.

Favorite thing: Due to the small size of the airport at Kota Kinabalu, it is best to make sure that you have enough currency in your pocket as there is no foreign exchange booth. At least have 20ringit spare, as this will cover your taxi into town. I had come directly from Bangkok on Air Asia and had no currency with me at the time of arrival. The taxi driver charged me an extra 5 ringit for stopping off at the cash machine.

Favorite thing: According to the Sabah brochure I got at the airport, the dry season runs from November through March. I think this means there are less mosquitoes during these months also. I have gone there in April and May before, and it rained around 3pm-6pm everyday.

Fondest memory: snorkling off Sapi Island

Favorite thing: Expect the food in sabah to be more expensive than in peninsular malaysia.

Here, a plate of chicken rice costs you RM3.50 to RM4, which is a ringgit or so more than in peninsular Malaysia. However, a bigger portion is given as well compare to peninsular.

Favorite thing: I find sabahan to be very friendly people, more friendly than those in peninsular malaysia. They generally very open and easy in front camera, helpful when you ask for assistance and ready to help.

When I was in Ranau, people in the bus station take the initiative to help us in giving direction and suggestions. This happened a few times in my short trip to Sabah making me believe that sabahan is so kind and friendly.

Favorite thing: If Sabahan said 'take the bus', it is very likely that it is a van.

There are local public buses which is really a bus; but sometimes for some longer distance journey, such as from ranau-KK, the 'bus' is actually a van.

Fondest memory: Sabah is definitely famous for wild life. What else could you say when you saw this walking slowly on the beach, and you were just sitting on the same beach enjoying sea breeze? (It's about half meter long from head to tail)