Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide

 
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  •   Kota Kinabalu
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      Sunset over Klias River
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Pro

daryll profile photo

  Kinabalu is beautiful beaches, islands and mountains 


Con

RINNAZ profile photo

  Public Toilet yukkss.. 


In a nutshell

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  Eco treasures from mountain high to ocean deep 

 

Explore Kota Kinabalu

Things to Do  

CARRY THE NECCESARY TRAVEL INSURANCE

CARRY THE NECCESARY TRAVEL INSURANCE, Kota Kinabalu

 DennyP Says:  MALAYSIA . I carry the neccesary Travel Insurance everywhere I go when I'm travelling..Some places are more dangerous than others and this of course depends on what you do...I don't jump out of aeroplanes or off bridges and try to keep my Travel Insurance costs to a minimum.... 

The great North Borneo Railway experience

The great North Borneo Railway experience, Kota Kinabalu

 ladymariah Says:  I am honoured to be one of the passengers at the re-launching of North Borneo Railway this morning.The North Borneo Railway was temporarily closed in September 2005 due to the upgrading works of the railway track by the ministry of transportation, but it continued its... 

Boat Trip to Manukan Island

Boat Trip to Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu

 SangAji Says:  Islands off KK offer a refreshing change from the hustle n bustle of city life.The boat trip can be bumpy depending on weather....once there, enjoy the sun, sand, sea n snorkeling...bring along a picnic basket with your favourite food n drinks.... 

Nearby Mount Kinabalu

Nearby Mount Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu

 ll_angel86 Says:  You can check my hubpages link to see what I did in Sabah. One idea would be to head up to Mount Kinabalu. You can walk about the national park, make a stop at Kundasang and also try the hot springs at Poring. 

Sabah Tourism Building.

Sabah Tourism Building., Kota Kinabalu

 euzkadi Says:  This Beautiful colonial building that now hosts the Sabah Tourism Office was built in 1916 to house the Printing Office and later the Treasury, Audit Office, Town Board, the District Office and the Attorney General's Office. Is one of the three colonial constructions that... 

Chinatown.

Chinatown., Kota Kinabalu

 euzkadi Says:  It´s not really a big Chinatown, just a couple of streets, but a good place to wander around, some shops, and restaurants and as in other Malaysian cities always the mix between the modern and the tradition. The Chinatown Main Gate was donated by the Sabah Chinese Chamber of... 

Atkinson Clock Tower.

Atkinson Clock Tower., Kota Kinabalu

 euzkadi Says:  This clock tower was built in 1905 by Mary Edith Atkinson in memory of her son Francis George Atkinson first District officer of Jesselton, died of 'Borneo fever 'in 1902 at the age of 28. The lights of the clock tower were used as navigation aids by local shipping, and is... 

Snorkelling at your finger tips

Snorkelling at your finger tips, Kota Kinabalu

 Assenczo Says:  Number two activity in Kota Kinabalu in order of importance (for those who are not madly in love with shopping) is snorkelling in search of your next aquarium fish acquisitions. Poor Kota itself is sadly deprived of beaches and the downtown area is dominated by a thriving... 

Man of the Jungle Show

Man of the Jungle Show, Kota Kinabalu

 Assenczo Says:  Kota Kinabalu has the key component that makes Sabah different and thus attractive to visit – the orang-utan encounters. Here is the time to open a bracket and mention that orang-utans in their semi-wild form are available for viewing in three-four places in the world;... 

5 days in Kota Kinabalu

5 days in Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu

 Deng249 Says:  This is just a suggestion on what to do in KK in 5 days.Day 1: Handicraft Market or the local calls it "Pasar Filipin".Sabah Museum. They have a park next to it that has a variety of traditional houses of different ethnic group of Sabah.Dinner: You may want to go check out... 

Hotels  

Shangri-Las Rasa Ria Resort

 19 Reviews and 1301 Opinions  We were happy to see our hotel pick up waiting at the airport for us on arrival. 45 minutes later we... 

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort

 34 Reviews and 883 Opinions  The Tanjung Aru Shangri-La is the most exquisite place to stay. The staff are helpful, kind and... 

Restaurants  

No-name: Alfresco Dining

No-name: Alfresco Dining, Kota Kinabalu

 THLIN Says:  There are a few food stands at esplanade opposite to some top-end hotels. They are generally nice and enjoyed by both locals and tourists; they serve seafood and usual local food. My sister was not feeling well after she tried all delicious food, but I stayed as intact as I... 

Atmosphere Restaurant: Don't waste your time

Atmosphere Restaurant: Don't waste your time, Kota Kinabalu

 footsharks Says:  The food was terrible, The ambience appalling, this restaurant may have been big in the 70, 80's but now its just sadly in need of help and a complete re design and renovation not to mention new management and staff. The staff service is pathetic, the price high for such a... 

Nightlife  

Sullys bar: Worth a visit

Sullys bar: Worth a visit, Kota Kinabalu

 JaneGB Says:  Sullys Bar is situated just outside the centre of KK in KK Times Square.KK Times Square is becoming 'the' place to go at night in KK.Sullys is run by an english couple who recently moved to KK.What makes it different from all the other bars in KK is the quality of the music... 

Pubs at the seaside

Pubs at the seaside, Kota Kinabalu

 ajackaln Says:  KK is a lovely city but it lacks a vibrant night life ! Even the night clubs there are so quiet and almost empty ! There are several pubs where all the big sea food restaurants are which are fine and have live music, those are the most fun for night life in KK. 

Transportation  

One and Only

One and Only, Kota Kinabalu

 Assenczo Says:  As of July 2011, the only direct connection between Brunei and Kota Kinabalu was entrusted into the hands of Royal Brunei Airlines. This is a significant monopoly that for some unknown reason has not been broken by the mighty Air Asia or has already been relinquished for... 

The Best in the World

The Best in the World, Kota Kinabalu

 THLIN Says:  It is always a pleasure to travel on Air Asia, if you are only flying less than 3.5 hours.They offer best food with reasonable price if you compare Air Asia to her competitors in the same area. I would not say they offer the cheapest ticket always, but their do offer lower... 

Local Customs  

Modesty should be considered

Modesty should be considered, Kota Kinabalu

 ajackaln Says:  KK is not KL by any mean ! Though both are under the same flag and central government they are unlike one another. KL is very cosmopolitan and therefore more westernized and open while Kota Kinabalu is more local and modesty must be considered while there. Though there would... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

ALWAYS CARRY PLENTY OF FRESH WATER

ALWAYS CARRY PLENTY OF FRESH WATER, Kota Kinabalu

 DennyP Says:  When travelling here make sure that you ALWAYS have plenty of fresh bottled water as the water quality here is not good..DO NOT drink the tap water...also make sure that you check the caps when purchasing water to make sure that the seals on the caps have not been broken... 

Sports & Outdoors  

It`s all about water sports

It`s all about water sports, Kota Kinabalu

 ajackaln Says:  Kota Kinabalu`s sports scene is all about water sports! You can do them all , snorkeling , Scuba diving , swimming , jet skiing and etc . Just jump on one of the hourly boats to one of the islands very nearby(ls than ten minutes away) and do all the water sports you want.... 

Favorites  

Climbing Mt Kinabalu - advanced reservations need

Climbing Mt Kinabalu - advanced reservations need, Kota Kinabalu

 sheherezad Says:  I happened to enquire on this, from someone familiar with it, so I can answer such questions on VT Forum! ;-)The answer is that last minute climbs are only possible if there is a last minute cancellation and you are lucky to get it! Otherwise it is 6-9 months booking ahead,... 

 
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The Place

Plan a Kota Kinabalu vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Kota Kinabalu locals

Experience Kota Kinabalu
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Map of Kota Kinabalu
 

The People

151 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
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 The land Below The Wind ~ my sweet home.. - Climbing up Mt. Kinabalu is what one shall never miss if you visit Sabah, the least you may wanna reach the Kinabalu Park Headquarter. There are two trails up the mountain, ie. the original trail... 

151 members live in Kota Kinabalu

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  I am travelling from England to Malaysia, where is the best place to change up my currency into Ringgit? Does anybpdy know... 

muratkorman profile photo

A: Yes there are exchange offices in KK city center where you can get Malaysian Ringgit. Exchange rates at the airport are low as usual so you may need to exchange some for... 

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Top Kota Kinabalu Writers

1

Kota Kinabalu

yuet29 profile photo

 Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah province in Malaysia. It is a small town which you can easily cover in foot. Spend a day to discover the town- walk to Sabah Tourism Board on Gaya Road, walk to... 

2

Malaysian Borneo

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 Kota Kinabalu or KK as it is popularly known, is a pleasant Borneo surprise, set between lush tropical hills and the South China Sea. It is the state capital of Sabah. KK was granted city status on 2... 

3

KK (as it is commonly known)

stevemt profile photo

 This is a fantastic city to visit. Very cheap as well and the seafood is to die for. There is also lots to do, go see if you are interested, and the shopping is awesome. 

4

SABAH & KOTA KINABALU

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 This city has had a few name changes............... First of all, is was named "Api" then "Jessleton" then "Api" again, when the Japanese army captured it. During the WW11, it was nearly... 

5

Of Mountains,Islands & Headhunters. Don't miss it!

Wild_Orchid profile photo

 Native Dances: feel the energy, experience the culture The dancers from Sabah Tourism Board are highly talented and perform a variety of dances to represent the different regional native groups of...... 

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