This laid-back city by the sea is rich in culture and perfectly positioned for exploring the traditional villages and breathtaking natural beauty of the region.
Kota Kinabalu is your gateway to Borneo. This seaside city, nicknamed “KK” throughout the region, offers tropical weather all year long, providing the perfect climate to visit the nearby beaches, rain forest trails and tropical islands. With museums, galleries and mosques, KK is also a cultural hub, not to mention a foodie’s paradise! Keep your eyes out for some of the largest barbecued prawns you could ever hope to see.
All the sights of downtown KK are easily accessible by bus or on foot. Take a day to learn about local culture at the Sabah Museum and to explore the neighbouring Ethnobotanical Gardens, where you can find pitcher plants, medicinal flora, rice and various herbs.
See work by local artists, both upcoming and established, at the Sabah Art Gallery, which is housed within the Sabah Museum complex. Stop by the Monsopiad Cultural Village, where the indigenous Kadazandusun tribes of Sabah share their craftwork, architecture, cooking and dance practices with visitors.
In the wilderness beyond downtown KK, a world of possibility awaits. The five islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park make for particularly spectacular island hopping, so bring your snorkelling and fishing gear.
Meanwhile, Borneo’s incredible fauna is waiting to meet you at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, Green Connection, the Lok Kawie Wildlife Park, an aquarium and the Tuaran Crocodile Farm.
Experience Borneo’s wild side at Kinabalu Park, where you can see carnivorous pitcher plants and the giant rafflesia flower as well as four different primate species. At the peak of Mount Kinabalu, climbers are rewarded for their efforts with an unforgettable view of sunrise over northern Borneo and the South China Sea.
Home to Malaysia’s second busiest airport, Kota Kinabalu is an easily accessible destination for international visitors.
