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Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the Sabah state of Borneo, Malaysia, and the gateway to this enchanting jungle paradise.
It’s recognized for its seashores, its rainforests, its shut proximity to Mount Kinabalu, and guarded coral reefs.
Most individuals usually land in Kota Kinabalu, or KK because it’s usually referred to, after which instantly go away to discover the jungles or Kinabalu Park.
However we urge you to remain within the metropolis for a number of days earlier than speeding off to be enchanted by Sabah. Why? Listed here are 10 causes to go to Kota Kinabalu as a vacation spot in itself, and never as a gateway…
10 Causes to Go to Kota Kinabalu
When you’re excited about jetting off to the mysterious land of Borneo however are on the fence about visiting Kota Kinabalu for a number of days first, listed here are all the explanations so as to add it to your itinerary.
1. To see the Mari Mari Cultural Village
The Mari Mari Village is probably the very best cause to go to Kota Kinabalu as a result of it affords guests the possibility to see how the land’s ancestors used to stay.
The Mari Mari Village showcases how 5 tribes used to stay, displaying vacationers conventional looking strategies utilizing the Murut blowpipe, in addition to displaying their conventional gown, fire-making expertise, and methods of cooking.
You get a very immersive expertise and an genuine perception into the jungle tribes of Borneo. The village is all about preserving its tradition and heritage – because it was, is as it’s.
Be taught in regards to the tribe’s myths and legends, hear tales, and participate within the expertise. That is one journey into the jungle you’ll always remember.
2. It’s the Gateway to Kinabalu Park and Mount Kinabalu
Kinabalu Park is most well-known for being the house to the very best mountain in Borneo and even Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu.
Standing tall at 4095 meters excessive, many guests come to Kota Kinabulu to hike this monumental landmark.
Climbing to the highest of the mountain shouldn’t be thought-about troublesome however it does require you to have an excellent stage of health due to the altitude.
From the summit, the views are unbelievable. You possibly can see so far as Kota Kinabalu on a transparent day (regardless of it being 86 km away) and the rocky peaks are a marvel to witness in themselves.
If you wish to hike Mount Kinabalu, we advocate you e-book a tour as there are some areas the place rocks are vulnerable to fall, so a information can let you know the place these treacherous locations are.
Even for those who don’t hike the mountain, visiting the park is a should. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and a protected space and is residence to some uncommon types of crops and wildlife.
You possibly can take a treetop stroll by the canopies, bathe in sizzling springs, or go to the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Backyard to study in regards to the species of crops and fauna within the area.
3. There are some nice snorkelling spots
You don’t must journey removed from Kota Kinabalu to seek out some thriving marine life. Take a ship tour over to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a protected reef off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, the place you’ll discover tons of vibrant fish and corals.
The Marine Park is residence to 5 islands, Sapi, Gaya, Mamutik, Manukan and Sulug, that are every accessible by boat.
Some islands, comparable to Gaya Island and the smaller Mamutik Island, even have good seashores the place you may sunbathe on the white sand, and a small part of the seaside is allotted for snorkelling, however the very best snorkelling is from off the boats.
Yow will discover boat excursions leaving from Jesselton Level Ferry Terminal each day to the highest snorkelling spots, or you may e-book a tour prematurely from right here.
4. For the gorgeous Sundown at Tanjung Aru Seaside
When you’re coming to Malaysia for the beautiful seashores, then you may be happy to know that there are some stunning pure white sand seashores in Kota Kinabalu, however you’ll want to get a ship to them!
Nonetheless, you don’t must journey far to succeed in a pleasant seaside with essentially the most wonderful sundown you’ll ever see in Southeast Asia.
Tanjung Aru Seaside is a small seaside close to to Kota Kinabalu Airport, which faces immediately west, so it affords essentially the most surreal sundown.
As a result of the seaside is form of protected in a bay, the waves listed here are light, giving the water a form of mirror-like impact. Paired with a vivid orange sundown, and also you’ve obtained a surreal sight.
Photographers will significantly take pleasure in visiting right here at sundown.
5. For the mountaineering trails
You is perhaps pondering the one mountaineering in Kota Kinabalu is Mount Kinabalu, however there are in actual fact a plethora of nice mountaineering trails nearer to the town.
Only a quick drive out of the town centre and one can find the Bukit Padang Climbing Path, which takes you as much as a lake on prime of the mountain. This loop path is about 4 km lengthy and has an elevation of 244 meters. It’s fairly straightforward and affords unbelievable views of the town under.
One other in style hike in Kota Kinabalu is the reasonably difficult Bukit Botak Path, which affords unbelievable ocean vistas. It’s solely 2.9km out and again, however there are some steep sections so watch out. This can be a in style dawn or sundown hike.
6. To see Orangutans at The Orangutan Sanctuary Borneo (Rasa Ria Reserve by Shangri-La)
For these visiting Borneo seeking orangutans, chances are you’ll be pondering that the Orangutan Sanctuary in Sandakan is the one place to seek out them.
Whereas there will not be many left within the wild, it’s nonetheless potential to see them in wildlife sanctuaries and guarded areas. The closest place to Kota Kinabalu to see these elusive jungle primates is the Orangutan Sanctuary Borneo, which is definitely a part of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort.
This sanctuary is the place orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated earlier than they’re launched again into the wild in Sepilok, Southern Borneo. Right here guests can study conservation efforts and see orangutans being taken care of earlier than they’re able to be launched.
There are different locations the place you may see orangutans, however these are often zoos and unethical locations so we don’t advocate them.
7. To see the enduring floating mosque, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
You could have seen this iconic landmark in Kota Kinabalu on all of the postcards, and now it’s time to see it for your self.
I say it is a floating mosque due to the way it sits on the water’s fringe of a man-made lagoon, showing to drift, however it isn’t truly floating.
The mosque is the second largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu and was in-built 1989. The mosque is beautiful, with an architectural design impressed by the Nabawi Mosque, the second holiest website in Islam in Saudi Arabia.
The blue and gold dome shimmers within the daylight, and the entire constructing displays within the waters round it.
It’s a piece of architectural triumph and an essential spiritual website. When you’re into images, photographing this landmark ought to be one in every of your prime causes to go to Kota Kinabalu.
8. For its price ticket
Kota Kinabalu continues to be a really reasonably priced vacation spot to go to, even right now. Malaysia is without doubt one of the least expensive nations in Southeast Asia for its meals, lodging choices, and the value of sights.
You will see that lodging starting from $10 USD to $30 USD per evening, relying on the time of yr you go to.
And that’s for the good accommodations. Normally, you’d anticipate to have essentially the most rundown hostel with a mattress tucked behind the bogs for that value.
In addition to lodging costs being low, you’ll find meals on common price round $2 USD per meal, and taxis price $0.46 per 1km.
You possibly can stay like a King and Queen in Kota Kinabalu at these costs.
9. For its handy location
Kota Kinabalu is usually visited because the gateway to the remainder of Borneo, and there’s no arguing that its location is ideal for exploring the Sabah area.
Its location places it inside a number of hours’ drive to the jungles, the nationwide parks, and sizzling springs.
These desirous to see the distant jungles of Borneo can attain the wildlife hall at Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary inside 6.5 hours of driving, with loads of wonderful spots alongside the way in which to see.
However greater than that, Kota Kinabalu Airport simply connects you to different elements of Malaysia and Borneo too.
You possibly can take a brief direct flight to Langkawi, Penang, Tawau, Labuan, Kuala Lumpur or Sandakan in Malaysia.
Or when you’re performed exploring Kota Kinabalu, you may even discover direct flights to South Korea, Japan, Thailand, The Philippines, Taipei, Brunei, and Hong Kong.
It’s the right base level to leap from place to position.
10. For its luxurious accommodations
You won’t be pondering Kota Kinabalu, or Borneo generally, could be the vacation spot for a luxurious vacation, however you’ll be fallacious to exclude it.
Kota Kinabalu has some world-renowned luxurious resort chains such because the Shangri La – which as we talked about earlier has its personal wildlife sanctuary – The Marriott, Le Meridien, and The Hilton.
When you love luxurious and revel in staying in 5* accommodations, then you’ll benefit from the variety of choices accessible to you in Kota Kinabalu!
Earlier than You Go to Kota Kinabalu
So there you have got it, these are the highest causes to go to Kota Kinabalu, and I believe you’ll agree there are a number of nice causes to go to this enchanting Sabah metropolis.
Earlier than you go, we’ve just some phrases of recommendation. When you is perhaps pondering of packing your sizzling pants and strappy tops to organize for the recent and humid Borneo local weather, please reserve these gadgets for the seaside and pack modest clothes.
Malaysia has a excessive Muslim inhabitants and even the non-muslims are conservative – this isn’t Bali.
Put on insect repellent always and convey waterproof clothes.
You must also be sure you have at the very least three full days to discover Kota Kinabalu.
You possibly can simply spend per week there and never run out of issues to do, however the optimum period of time to spend there may be three days, for my part.
We hope this information helped you study extra about Kota Kinabalu and why it’s an important vacation spot to go to.
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Remark: Have you ever been to Kota Kinabalu? Are you able to share any tips about the place to go and why you like it?
Supply: Breaking Travel News
