A few months after I made the choice to stop my job and begin a journey life-style, I used to be searching by means of low-cost flight choices with a pal of mine in order that we are able to plan a fast getaway. Throughout our search, a visit to Kota Kinabalu (KK) caught my eye and it shortly piqued my curiosity. (Issues to Do in Kota Kinabalu)
You see, should you’ve ever considered Malaysia, I wager that the prime vacation spot that comes to your thoughts is Kuala Lumpur; so for positive, it intrigued me what may be there to see in Kota Kinabalu — and I’m telling you, there’s a LOT!
So with out additional ado, we booked the flights and spent 3 days on this Malaysian metropolis. After days of exploration… I used to be in bliss.
Our entire journey was ‘low key’ and tranquil, however it was clear that Kota Kinabalu might be an enthralling vacation spot for almost anybody because of the existence of lush rainforests, paradisiac islands, and naturally: Mount Kinabalu.
Details about Kota Kinabalu
- Kota Kinabalu or KK is perched on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo and it’s the capital of the state of Sabah (one in every of two states of East Malaysia).
- It’s truly named after Mount Kinabalu, which is positioned about 50 kilometers northeast of town and additionally it is the best mountain present in Malaysia.
- That is deemed the most important metropolis in Sabah and additionally it is the primary gateway into the island of Borneo.
- Islam is essentially the most professed faith, that’s why Malaysia as a complete is pretty conservative. Relaxation assured, most cities are liberal so you should not have any downside sporting shorts for instance (and in addition to, they might perceive since you’re a foreigner). Nevertheless, it helps to not naked too a lot flesh with very revealing garments or whatnot, most particularly should you go to rural areas.
- The residents are comprised of Brunei Malays, Bajau, Chinese language, Kadazandusun, and immigrants who’re largely from Indonesia and the Philippines.
- The languages used on the island are Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, English, and Hakka dialect. (Relaxation assured, nearly everybody can converse English so it shouldn’t be an issue for you as a vacationer).
» Fast Journey Planning
Geisha Details
1. Island hop in Tunku Abdul Rahman Nationwide Park
Named after Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Nationwide Park or Marine Park is comprised of 5 islands and a visit to this space will solely take you 15 to half-hour by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu. The islands are specifically…
- Gaya: The most important island within the park and the closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu. In right here, you’ll find lots of mountain climbing trails so it makes for a scenic stroll since it’s a dense virgin tropical forest reserve in spite of everything. Resorts are additionally speckled throughout sure areas, and naturally, there’s one seaside stretch that you just shouldn’t miss: Police Bay which has immaculate white sand and turquoise waters. Different actions to strive are scuba diving and sea strolling.
. - Sapi: Positioned simply on the southwestern a part of Gaya, this additionally has one of many nicest seashores on this marine park! Loads of vacationers flock right here for snorkeling, diving, barbecuing, and even tenting.
. - Manukan: The 2nd largest island within the park and arguably the preferred vacation spot for issues to do in Kota Kinabalu that’s urged by locals. Maybe due to this truth, Manukan has essentially the most developed vacationer services. (TIP: for one of the best seaside, go to the jap half)
. - Mamutik: This can be the smallest island of the 5 however it’s the excellent place to go if you wish to escape the vacationer crowd.
. - Sulug: That is the farthest island which makes it essentially the most distant and underdeveloped of all of them. However definitely, that doesn’t cease some vacationers from stopping by and having fun with the ‘peace’.
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There’s additionally an island within the south known as Pulau Tiga that you could journey to if you wish to see a mud volcano and if you wish to do extra snorkeling and coral reef dives.
TIP: Wanna go on guided excursions to a number of the islands above? Take a look at the next:
– Sapi and Manukan 1-Day Tour Journey
– Sapi Scuba Diving Day Tour
– Mantanani Island with Kawa Kawa River Cruise
– Mengalum Island Snorkeling Day Tour
– Gaya Island Fishing Journey
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2. Go to the Mari Mari Cultural Village
Images by Daniel Pietzsch / CC
If you would like a more in-depth look into the lifetime of 5 ethnic communities current in Sabah — the ocean gypsies of Bajau, the rice farmers of Dusun, the fishermen of Lundayeh, the hunters of Murut, and the longhouse-builders of Rungus — the Mari Mari Cultural Village is a particular must-see.
On this village, you’ll witness a programmed showcase of their varied conventional properties as in addition they current to you their cultural habits, customs, performances, and meals. It could deem as a bit touristy, however it’s a terrific immersion and presentation of the normal life-style of the Sabahan tribes (who at present have largely become trendy residing).
~ NOTE: For a guided tour on this, guide on-line to order your spot.
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3. Soak within the metropolis’s sights
After the 1945 Allied bombings, one would assume that there wouldn’t be that many landmarks to see for issues to do in Kota Kinabalu. Nonetheless and the identical, there are surviving buildings from that historic prevalence; and because the metropolis continues to develop, there are additionally lots of sights to see on this wondrous Malaysian metropolis! Most notable are:
- Sign Hill Observatory Platform: For majestic views of town skyline and the faraway coast, climb as much as this spot! The picket stairs that result in it will take you 10 minutes, however it’s not a troublesome climb and it’s positioned at #19 Lowong Dewan Avenue.
. - Atkinson Clock Tower: Positioned close to Sign Hill, this was inbuilt 1902 in reminiscence of Francis George Atkinson and it is among the surviving buildings after the Allied Bombings. (Atkinson was the primary district officer of Kota Kinabalu, again when it was nonetheless known as Jesselton in the course of the British rule.)
. - KK Waterfront & Occasions Sq.: These are the primary leisure areas within the metropolis and it’s dotted with lots of eating places too. Part of the KK Waterfront is the KK esplanade and it’s a good spot to hang around in if you’d like the catch some stunning sunsets and take photograph ops of issues just like the Marlin Fish landmark, fishing boats, water taxis, and the Gaya island within the horizon.
. - Sabah State Mosque: The most important mosque in Sabah. Apparently, its dome and minaret are adorned with actual gold!
. - Kota Kinabalu Metropolis Mosque: As proven in the primary photograph on the highest of this publish, it’s deemed as a ‘floating mosque’ and it’s the 2nd foremost mosque in Kota Kinabalu. As you possibly can see, its architectural model would certainly be a feast on your eyes.
For a hassle-free expertise, take a look at these excursions:
– Kota Kinabalu Day Tour
– Kota Kinabalu Evening Tour (with Seafood Dinner)
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4. Go on a meals journey!
Kota Kinabalu is a melting pot of cuisines and it’s no shock since there are lots of nationalities and cultures mixing (and matching).
For locations to go, there are the Evening Markets (Pasar Malam) that are famed for his or her Malaysian and Chinese language eats, the SEDCO Sq. that’s common amongst vacationers for its seafood selections, and Chinatown / Gaya Avenue (Previous City) that not solely has a Sunday market however a string of Chinese language locations to dine in too.
For eating places that it is best to contemplate attempting:
- Welcome Seafood Restaurant or Alu-Alu Restaurant for what else, however seafood!
. - El Centro for if you’re lacking some Western fare.
. - Ferdinand’s for advantageous eating.
. - Kedai Kopi Yee Fung for a delicious laksa!
For hassle-free culinary excursions, take a look at…
– Evening Tour & Seafood Dinner
– Cooking Class
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5. Discover round Mt. Kinabalu — or higher but: climb it!
You probably have the time and if you’re into nature actions, climbing the World Heritage Website of Mount Kinabalu must be a should in your itinerary. It’s a comparatively straightforward climb and a few persons are capable of attain the summit in only a day (it’s 4,000~ meters excessive) however it’s usually suggested to be completed in 3 days in order that you would acclimatize.
I didn’t handle to do that exercise, however a stroll alongside the botanical backyard path on the mountain’s base is feasible which is able to then give anybody the possibility to take a whiff of some mountain air! Moreover, when you attain the perspective, you possibly can even see a more in-depth take a look at Mount Kinabalu’s peak.
NOTE: Go for a guided 2-day tour as much as Mt. Kinabalu! Ebook NOW on-line to order your spot.
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6. Tackle a river cruise
Left photograph by deepgoswami / CC | Proper photograph by 李 尚儒 / CC
Referred to as Klias Wetlands River Cruise, it is a day journey to the Klias Wetlands reserve that’s close to Kota Kinabalu.
Right here, you may get the possibility to spend a later a part of the day cruising by means of a mangrove space which might allow you to witness the elusive Proboscis monkey, Lengthy Tail Macaques, or Silver Languor Monkeys.
Moreover, you can even get to see a myriad of chicken species. Come a moonless evening, a show of fireflies may even provide you with a magical ending to this tour!
NOTE: To guide a spot on this cruise, go right here.
Various: Kawa Kawa Fireflies Cruise
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» Prime Kota Kinabalu Excursions «
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Kota Kinabalu Journey Information
LOCAL CURRENCY
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR or RM) | $1 = RM 4~ = Php 47~
» Getting in to Kota Kinabalu
By airplane. Fly into Sabah. Simply head on to Kota Kinabalu Worldwide Airport (IATA): BKI (KKIA) when trying to find flights. That is Malaysia’s 2nd busiest airport and the primary gateway to the island. For one of the best offers, apart from native airways, verify Skyscanner to get one of the best value.
To get to town middle from the airport, you possibly can take an airport bus that leaves each hour (RM 5) or a taxi which might value you round RM30. If strolling for 1-2 hours isn’t any downside for you, you possibly can attain town middle on this means as properly.
By boat. For those who’re positioned someplace close to Labuan, you can even take their ferry service to Kota Kinabalu which might take you 3 hours (RM 18 for adults, common ticket).
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» The place to Keep (Kota Kinabalu Lodging)
When on the lookout for low-cost locations to remain, I all the time search by means of AirBnB and Agoda since they not solely usually have one of the best costs however they’re one of the best reserving websites when touring in Asia!
However relying in your journey model, my prime selections for lodging are:
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» The best way to Get Round Kota Kinabalu
By automotive. You possibly can simply lease a automotive for ease of getting from one place to a different. To guide your automotive rental on-line, go right here.
By foot. Town middle is small and you may stroll from one finish to a different in lower than an hour!
By taxi. Be happy to haggle with taxis! Usually they cost RM 10 for brief distance journeys and RM 20 for longer ones. If you wish to lease a taxi for a complete day it shouldn’t value greater than RM 300~.
By bus or minibus. You’ll find buses and minibusses on the Wawasan Bus Terminal. Journey throughout the metropolis middle ought to value round RM .50 whereby the Metropolis Buses are used. For long-distance journeys, it ought to value round RM 2.
By bike. Leases value round RM 50 for a complete day. To order one on-line, go right here.
By boat. To get to the encircling islands just like the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, you may get speedboat companies from the Jesselton Level Jetty. The fee can be round RM 20 to RM 40 relying on what island you wish to head to.
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» Should-Attempt Meals & Drinks
For meals. You could strive the tuaran mee (noodles), ngiu chap (beef noodle soup), ikan bakar (fish), kari (Malay adaptation of curry dishes), nasi goreng (fried rice), nasi lemak (rice with coconut milk), rendang (spicy meat stew), ayam percik (barbecued rooster in chili, garlic, ginger, and coconut milk), roti jala (web bread), and laksa (noodle soup).
For snacks and dessert. Have a style of kuih serimuka (two-layered with glutinous rice on the backside and inexperienced layer made with pandan juice on prime), kuih ketayap (pancake with coconut feeling), ondeh ondeh (rice cake with filled with gula and rolled in grated coconut), and epok epok (curry rooster in a deep-fried pie shell).
For drinks. Check out teh tarik (actually “pulled tea”) which has a particular pulling course of. There’s additionally sirap bandung which is evaporated or condensed milk with rose cordial syrup.
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» Useful Malay Phrases
Whats up (formal): Whats up
Whats up (casual): Hai (Hello)
Thanks: Terima kasih (TREE-muh KAH-seh)
Sure: Ya (YUH)
No: Tidak (tee-DAH)
Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (SLAH-maht tin-GAHL) [“Safe stay!”] or Selamat jalan (SLAH-maht JAH-lahn) [“Safe trip!”]
Excuse me / I’m sorry: Maaf (mah’AHF) or Maafkan saya (mah’AHF-kahn SAH-yuh)
Is there somebody right here who speaks English?: Adakah orang yang cakap Bahasa Inggeris di sini? (AH-duh-kah OH-rahng yahng CHAH-kahp bah-HAH-suh ING-grees dee SEE-nee)
Assist!: Tolong! (TOH-lohng)
Cheers!: Sorakan!
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Different Manila F.A.Q.
As a common rule, you aren’t anticipated to tip in Malaysia — however should you have been to supply one, it is not going to be refused in fact. Usually, a ten% service cost is already added to your invoice and plenty of locals would usually simply spherical up the invoice and depart their change.
Malaysia usually makes use of sort G plugs (three rectangular pins in a triangular sample) they usually function on a 240V provide voltage with a frequency of 50Hz.
Please verify their newest journey advisories web page.
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Reserving Necessities
TIP: It’s a good suggestion to crosscheck your World Nomads‘ complete journey insurance coverage value with that of SafetyWing as a result of the latter is usually priced cheaper (particularly when it includes journey that spans for a number of weeks or months — and even years!). Nevertheless, take be aware that SafetyWing’s affordability usually means lesser protection than World Nomads. So please all the time be certain that you learn the advantageous print with the intention to decipher which insurance coverage firm is the suitable match for you and your journey!
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General
Kota Kinabalu’s magnificence may not catch your consideration at first look; nonetheless, should you give it an opportunity, its old-world attraction can draw you in slowly… and deeply.
From its combination of cultures, culinary pleasures, ocean wonders, and pure sights, there are lots of issues that you are able to do right here that may depart you with nice recollections and tales to inform!
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