Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is situated on the tropical island of Borneo and is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, one of the two states of East Malaysia. Often called the 'Land below the Wind' because it lies below the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and is East Malaysia's second largest state with an area of 74,500 sq kms.
Sabah has the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east. Kota Kinabalu, lies in a fertile lowland plain where most commercial and administrative activities are concentrated and is named after Mount Kinabalu, situated about 90 kilometres north-east of the city. A well known destination internationally, it is a major getaway into the state of Sabah and Borneo.
The city offers good recreational facilities and there is no dearth of leisure spots and conservation areas. Anjung Samudra is a waterfront entertainment spot in the city, speckled with restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightclubs. Tanjung Aru, located about six kilometres from the city centre has a beach stretching over two kilometres in length studded with a number of food and drink stalls.
Kota Kinabalu also plays host to one of the most popular national parks in Malaysia, the Kinabalu national park, about two hours drive from the city. The park covers an area of 754 sq kms and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambayukon and the foothills. It has been gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking 'just' a million years to form.
The mighty Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South-East Asia, is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface. The park offers a spectacular view of the mountain and has been assigned the status of a world heritage site by the UNESCO because of the diversity of plant and animal life.
Other sites include the state mosque in Sembulan, which is the largest mosque in Sabah and is embedded with real gold plates. The Mustapha Tower, a 30-storey glass building, supported by high-tensile steel rods, stands at 122 metres and is arguably the tallest building in Borneo.
Popular shopping spots in the city are Kompleks Karamunsing, Centre Point, Wisma Merdeka and KK Plaza. The Filipino market and the Gaya Street Sunday Market are popular for traditional handicrafts, souvenirs and food stuff.
Just outside Kota Kinabalu in the South Chinese Sea is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with five tropical islands - Pulua Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sulug and Pulau Mamutik. All the islands offer refreshing opportunities for diving at the coral reefs and the swift multi-coloured tropical fish are a real visual treat.
There's lots to do in the city; for avid nature lovers, there are the rainforests to explore and for sports enthusiasts, there is always sailing along the azure blue coast. Outside the city, Crocker Range National Park, located about 70 kilometres away from the city near Keningau, is a popular spot for jungle trekking and camping.
The world's largest flower species, the rafflesia, can be found in Tambunan. A stone's throw away is the Gunung Emas Highland Resort which is another spot popular for its scenery and cool climate.
The Tuaran Crocodile Farm, about 30 kilometres north of the city, has around 1,000 crocodiles in its enclosure, making it the largest of its kind in Sabah. The newly opened Sabah Zoological and Botanical Park (Lok Kawi Wildlife Park) in Lok Kawi, about 20 kilometres south of the city, is the first zoo in Sabah. Set on a 280-acre piece of land, it is arguably the largest zoo in Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu is situated on the tropical island of Borneo and is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, one of the two states of East Malaysia. Often called the 'Land below the Wind' because it lies below the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and is East Malaysia's second largest state with an area of 74,500 sq kms.
Sabah has the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east. Kota Kinabalu, lies in a fertile lowland plain where most commercial and administrative activities are concentrated and is named after Mount Kinabalu, situated about 90 kilometres north-east of the city. A well known destination internationally, it is a major getaway into the state of Sabah and Borneo.
The city offers good recreational facilities and there is no dearth of leisure spots and conservation areas. Anjung Samudra is a waterfront entertainment spot in the city, speckled with restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightclubs. Tanjung Aru, located about six kilometres from the city centre has a beach stretching over two kilometres in length studded with a number of food and drink stalls.
Kota Kinabalu also plays host to one of the most popular national parks in Malaysia, the Kinabalu national park, about two hours drive from the city. The park covers an area of 754 sq kms and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambayukon and the foothills. It has been gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking 'just' a million years to form.
The mighty Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South-East Asia, is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface. The park offers a spectacular view of the mountain and has been assigned the status of a world heritage site by the UNESCO because of the diversity of plant and animal life.
Other sites include the state mosque in Sembulan, which is the largest mosque in Sabah and is embedded with real gold plates. The Mustapha Tower, a 30-storey glass building, supported by high-tensile steel rods, stands at 122 metres and is arguably the tallest building in Borneo.
Popular shopping spots in the city are Kompleks Karamunsing, Centre Point, Wisma Merdeka and KK Plaza. The Filipino market and the Gaya Street Sunday Market are popular for traditional handicrafts, souvenirs and food stuff.
Just outside Kota Kinabalu in the South Chinese Sea is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with five tropical islands - Pulua Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sulug and Pulau Mamutik. All the islands offer refreshing opportunities for diving at the coral reefs and the swift multi-coloured tropical fish are a real visual treat.
There's lots to do in the city; for avid nature lovers, there are the rainforests to explore and for sports enthusiasts, there is always sailing along the azure blue coast. Outside the city, Crocker Range National Park, located about 70 kilometres away from the city near Keningau, is a popular spot for jungle trekking and camping.
The world's largest flower species, the rafflesia, can be found in Tambunan. A stone's throw away is the Gunung Emas Highland Resort which is another spot popular for its scenery and cool climate.
The Tuaran Crocodile Farm, about 30 kilometres north of the city, has around 1,000 crocodiles in its enclosure, making it the largest of its kind in Sabah. The newly opened Sabah Zoological and Botanical Park (Lok Kawi Wildlife Park) in Lok Kawi, about 20 kilometres south of the city, is the first zoo in Sabah. Set on a 280-acre piece of land, it is arguably the largest zoo in Malaysia.
Continue reading (Incl.Pic) at: Zooming in on Sabah
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