Kota Kinabalu
Travel Guide > Asia > Malaysia > Malaysian Borneo > Sabah > Kota Kinabalu
Introduction
Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the Malaysian province of Sabah, on the island of Borneo.
Kota Kinabalu is unlike any other Malaysian city. The architecture and ethnic mix of people is quite distinct from other places in Western Malaysia.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Most of the activity in Kota Kinabalu is centred along the corniche, where most of the restaurants and shopping malls are located.
- Pulau Gaya
- Gunung Kinabalu
Events and Festivals
- Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon - First to the summit of Mount Kinabalu wins. A gruelling race, with competitors aiming to complete the 21km course (up and down the mountain) in under 3 hours. This annual event is usually held in the month of August or September.
Weather
Cool winds and drizzles help give the city a mild, variable climate. Mount Kinabalu keeps temperatures down and humidity is at a minimum.
Getting There
By Plane
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI) is Sabah's international gateway and is located 8 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu. It is the second busiest airport in Malaysia. Airlines with flights servicing Kota Kinabalu include Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Korean Air and Silk Air.
There are many daily flights to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru in the peninsula; Kuching and Miri in Sarawak; Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah. The flight duration is approximately 2 1/2 hours from the peninsula. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia service these routes but book at least a month ahead to get good rates.
AirAsia and other budget airlines operate from the Terminal 2 of the airport.
By Train
There is no train service going into or out of Sabah.
By Car
By Bus
There is a regular bus service to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu.
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
The public buses do not serve a large part of the city, so taxis are better - but also more expensive.
By Train
Take the famous local toy-train, originally built by the British to haul sugar cane, from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom.
By Foot
One can probably walk around the corniche as most of the shopping plazas and the coffee shops are located there.
By Bike
Eat
One dish that you should definitely check out while in Malaysia is satay, which is pretty much the national food.
Start the day with a breakfast of rote cennai and kopi (coffee).
Drink
Sleep
Budget
- Aunt Lucy's hostel is located in the centre of the town. It's a good, cosy place, but quite small. It has great views of the city from the balcony.
- Akinabalu Youth Hostel is highly recommended. Good location, clean, friendly and plenty home comforts. Book ahead.
- Borneo Global Backpackers provides dorm and private rooms. (Location: Lot No. 29, Karamunsing Godown, Jalan Karamunsing. Ph: 088 – 270976)
- Summer Lodge is clean and well run. Rooms/dorms are quite small.
Mid-Range
Upscale
A lot of upscale accommodation can easily be booked into with most of the top hotel chains open.
Work
Learn
This is version 16. Last edited at 6:02 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+57). 9 articles link to this page.
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