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Kota Kinbalu

Kota Kinabalu formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, a state in Malaysia, as well as the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo facing the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and with Mount Kinabalu in the background, Kota Kinabalu sprawls for kilometers along the coast and towards inland. With an estimated population of 532,129 in the city and 700,000 in the urban area, it is the largest urban centre in Sabah and the sixth largest in Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu often simply known as K.K. within Malaysia, and to an extent, internationally, as a tourism getaway and a major gateway into Sabah and Borneo. Kinabalu National Park is located about 90 kilometres from the city, and besides this, it also features a number of tourist attractions in and around the city itself. The city is also one of the major industrial and commercial centers in East Malaysia. These two factors combine to make Kota Kinabalu one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
Culture and leisure

Attractions and recreation spots

City Mosque, Kota Kinabalu

Cultural

There are a number of cultural venues in Kota Kinabalu. The Sabah State Museum, situated near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is the main museum of Sabah. Around the vicinity of the museum is the Science and Technology Centre, Sabah Art Gallery, and the Ethno Botanic Garden. Wisma Budaya Art Gallery in the city centre hosts some national as well as regional art exhibitions. The Hongkod Koisaan building in Penampang is home to the Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Organisation (KDCA). It hosts the annual Kaamatan or Harvest Festival, and the concurrently held Unduk Ngadau beauty contest in March. Monsopiad Cultural Village (Kampung Monsopiad) features cultural shows relating to the Kadazan-Dusun culture. It is named after the legendary Kadazan-Dusun headhunting warrior, Monsopiad.

Historical

The Padang Merdeka or Town Padang (field) is the site where the declaration of Sabah's independence and formation of Malaysia took place. The declaration was announced by Sabah's first Chief Minister, Tun Fuad Stephens, on September 16, 1963, also known as Malaysia Day. Today the site hosts the annual City Day celebration on February 2, Merdeka Day celebration on August 31, and a number of other celebrations and functions. The Atkinson Clock Tower nearby Bandaran Berjaya, was built by Mary Edith Atkinson in 1905 in memory of her son Francis George Atkinson. It was formerly used as a navigation aid for ships until it was overshadowed by taller buildings. It is one of only three pre-World War II buildings to survive the war. The Petagas War Memorial, located nearby KKIA, serves as a reminder of those who died trying to oppose the Japanese forces during World War II. It is situated at the spot where the Kinabalu Guerillas were massacred by the Japanese army in 1944. The Double Six Monument, located in Sembulan, is a memorial which marks the site of the June 6, 1976 fatal plane crash known as the Double Six Tragedy bearing the first Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens, as well as other leaders.

Sunset at Tanjung Aru beach. Pulau Sulug can be seen on the left and Pulau Manukan on the right of the horizon.

Leisure and conservation areas:

There are many leisure spots and conservation areas around Kota Kinabalu. Anjung Samudra (KK Waterfront) is a waterfront entertainment spot in the city centre which features some restaurants, cafes, pubs, and a nightclub. The Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tanjung Aru hosts weekly horse racing events. The North Borneo Railway which begins its journey from Tanjung Aru station, offers scenic tour of the countryside in the West Coast Division and the Interior Division. The railway journey ends in the town of Tenom. Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club near the city centre was built wholly on reclaimed land. It features a golf and country club, a marina, and two hotels.

Tanjung Aru, located about 6 kilometres from the city centre, is one of the enchanting beaches in the West Coast. It derived its name from casuarina trees (locally know as Aru trees) that grace the shoreline.[35] The beach stretched over 2 kilometres in length and is complemented with a number food and drink stalls, restaurants, and night entertainment clubs. Within the Tanjung Aru vicinity lies the Kinabalu Golf Club, Prince Philip Botanical Park, KK Yacht Club, and Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Beach Resort. This beach is famous for its spectacular sunset.

Located within the Likas Bay area is the Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary. With an area of 59 acres, it is the only remaining patch of mangrove forest that once existed extensively along the coastal region of Kota Kinabalu.[36] It was designated in September 1996 by the State Government to assist and foster a better understanding and awareness of the value of wetlands area. 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.

 

Tun Fuad Stephens Park, located in Bukit Padang, is a popular jogging and hiking spot especially among locals. It is surrounded by lush forest and also features a man-made lake. It has a few food stalls and restaurants. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a National Park consisting of the islands of Sapi, Mamutik, Manukan, Sulug and Gaya. It is a popular spot for snorkeling. The park is about 15 to 30 minutes boat ride away from the city ferry terminal. Babagon River, in Penampang, and Kiansom Falls near Inanam are also popular spots for picnics and for leisure bathing.

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. Kota Kinabalu is also the gateway to one of the most popular national park in Malaysia, Kinabalu National Park. The park is a two hour drive away from the city and it contains Mount Kinabalu which is the third highest peak in South-East Asia, and the highest in Malaysia. The Rafflesia Forest Reserve near Tambunan, 30 kilometres away from Kota Kinabalu, is also within the Crocker Range National Park boundary. The world's largest flower species, the Rafflesia, can be found here. Nearby here 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 1000 crocodiles in its enclosure, making it the largest of its kind in Sabah.

Other sights:

Tun Mustapha Tower
Other buildings and sites in the city are the stilt villages found in the areas of Sembulan, Tanjung Aru, Kampung Likas, and Kampung Pondo in Pulau Gaya. These houses are built on coastal shallow waters and are typical homes for the Bajau and Suluk inhabitants. The State Mosque in Sembulan is the largest mosque in Sabah. Its dome is embedded with real gold plates. The City Mosque on Likas Bay is another significant landmark in the city. The Signal Hill Observatory near the CBD offers a scenic view of the city centre, the islands, and the sea. Tun Mustapha Tower (formerly Sabah Foundation Building) is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. This 30-storey glass building is supported by high-tensile steel rods, one of only four buildings in the world that is built with this method. At 122 metres, it is arguably the tallest building on Borneo island. It also features a revolving restaurant on the 18th floor.



Shopping:

Kota Kinabalu also features a number of shopping malls attracting visitors from all walks of life. The more popular ones here include Kompleks Karamunsing, Centre Point, Wisma Merdeka, Warisan Square, Plaza Wawasan, City Mall, KK Plaza, and the largest hypermall in Malaysia name 1 Borneo. Karamunsing, where Kompleks Karamunsing is situated, is an area that has more computer shops per capita than anywhere else in Sabah.[38] The ongoing construction of 1Borneo in Sepanggar is expected to be completed in 2008 and when completed it expected to be the largest shopping mall in East Malaysia, and possibly even in Borneo. The weekly Gaya Street Sunday Market features a gathering of local hawkers selling a wide range of items from traditional ethnic cultural souvenirs to pets and flowers. The Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market(formerly known as Filipino Market) features vendors selling traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, as well as foodstuffs.

Entertainment:

There are four cinemas in Kota Kinabalu - 2 Golden Screen Cinemas (commonly known as GSC), Cathay Cineplex and Growball. GSC is located in Kota Kinabalu and in 1Borneo. The GSC building in Kota Kinabalu has 4 cinemas whilst the one in 1Borneo has 8 cinemas and is the latest cinema in Kota Kinabalu
This luxurious resort, situated in the heart of Sabah, is located on the shore near Manukan Island. Guests will enjoy a location that is only 10-minutes form the airport and five-minutes from the city center, providing guests with a convenient location for international travel. The hotel offers unabashed panoramic vistas of the surrounding terrain, promoting a feeling of tranquility and peacefulness. The on-site 27-hole golf course is professionally designed and well kept by the attentive staff. Additionally, the resort is equipped with two Mandara Spas, making it the perfect location for rest and relaxation. Guests will also have a generous selection of dining venues as well as a host of luxury facilities. The Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort is the ideal venue for discerning travelers that want the very best in amenities and on-site facilities.
This beach side resort with extensive ground is a great destination for an uninterrupted leisure getaway. Rooms overlook the Kinabalu Sea, a nearby golf course or the distant off-shore islands. Accommodation ranges from standard rooms to executive suite offering unparalleled luxury with two bathrooms, LCD TV, and separate lounge and dining areas. Other facilities at the Shangri-Las Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa include a pool with water volleyball set-up and kids club and guests can travel to nearby Kota Kinabalu or go snorkeling at neighboring island. Unwind at the hotel bar and restaurant and for a touch of natural rejuvenation watch the sunrise over Mount Kinabalu from your terrace.
This contemporary hotel, situated in the main business district, is less than seven-kilometers from the international airport. Guests will enjoy a prime location close to a myriad of central transport hubs, allowing for convenient exploration of this amazing area. A vast array of government, business, and commercial venues are within a short walking distance from the hotel, thus promoting the level of city accessibility. The hotel consists of 200 lavish guestrooms that are carefully crafted to suit the taste of discerning travelers that expect the very best from an establishment. Many rooms are cradled by panoramic vistas of the towering Mount Kinabalu, providing the ultimate scenic atmosphere. The Beverly Hotel offers a convenient location, quality amenities, and a distinctive atmosphere.
Kota Kinabalu's Nexus Resort is spread across 3,335 acres of natural and landscaped surroundings on the Karambunai peninsula. This 5-star hotel boasts 485 well-designed guestrooms, ensuring a comfortable stay. Those looking for first-rate sporting and leisure facilities will find squash courts, sauna, massage, steam room, tennis courts, outdoor pool, fitness center, kids club. An array of recreational activities can be found at the hotel, including kayaking, hobie wave, archery, jet skiing, banana boat, parasailing, horse riding, Mangrove River Cruise, Fun Fishing Adventure and numerous more. The hotel blends expert service with state-of-the-art facilities to provide guests with a memorable stay.
This seaside resort, located between Mount Kinabalu and the South China Sea, is well appointed with modern amenities. Guests will enjoy an easy walking distance to a host of interesting attractions, including the Jungle Canopy Walk, Kota Belud, Sandakan Australian Memorial, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and the Selingan-Turtle Islands. The hotel boasts 500 immaculate guestrooms that are lavishly adorned with professionally selected furnishings, and an ultra modern design theme that accents the seaside maritime atmosphere. The on-site dining venue, a quaint and luxurious eatery, serves a variety of Chinese, Malay, and international cuisines in an elegant atmosphere. The Pacific Sutera Harbour Resort is the perfect holiday destination for travelers who want comfort, and a host of on-site facilities.