Asia : Southeast Asia : Malaysia : East Malaysia : Sabah : Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

The capital of Sabah, Borneo, this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to is proximity to tropical islands, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu.

Get in

By plane

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA code BKI, but also abbreviated KKIA) is the main gateway to Sabah. In addition to frequent domestic services from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and various points on Malaysian Borneo on AirAsia, Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) and Malaysia Airlines, internationally you can fly direct from Manila (Clark) ; from Bangkok with Thai AirAsia; from Singapore with Silkair; from Hong Kong with Dragonair; from Brunei with Royal Brunei Airlines; from Taipei with Far Eastern Air Transport; from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Manila on Malaysia Airlines, and other cities, too.

The airport is 7 km away from the city. Try and find the bus stop, which is not at the airport itself but down on the main road, or take a taxi (coupon available, 15 minutes).

The going rate for a taxi ride from the airport to the city is around RM20 (as of October 2006).

There are ATMs and a currency exchange in Terminal 1 & 2 of the airport but if you're arriving late it'll almost certainly be closed and the ATMs are not always working, so make sure you've got some Malaysian ringgit before you arrive as you'll need it for the taxi or the bus. If you find yourself having just arrived and without any ringgit, you can have a taxi take you to an ATM on the way to wherever you're staying.

Get around

Taxi - Short fares around RM10 longer trips around RM20. A whole day shouldn't cost more then Rm300. Haggle.

Bus - RM1.50 from Kota Kinabalu International Airport(Petagas) to the city centre. While RM1.00 from Terminal 2 International Airport(Tg.Aru) to City Center.

See

State Museum - A quick guide to KK's history.

Do

Mount Kinabalu - The tallest peak in South East Asia at 4,101 metres. The State Park is 80 km from the city. If you intend on climbing the mountain there are limited climbing permits and accommodation on the mountain available and it is recomended that you book 3 months ahead. Typically whether you create your own package or go with a tour you start your climb in the early morning then stop at the resthouse for the evening. There is one restaurant there with a buffet dinner option or there is some accommodation that has basic cooking facilities available. After spending the evening at the rest stop you get up at about 3 in the morning to finish the climb and hopefully arrive at the summit in time for the sunrise. All climbers must have a guide which you can obtain at the park when you register. There are also many packages available through touring companies however it is far cheaper to create your own plan. There is lots of information available at Sutera's website [1].

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park comprises of 5 Islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and are accessable from Kota Kinabula via a number of boat services that only take 15 minutes. You can stay on 3 of the islands either camping or staying in lodges. It is best to try and go to these islands during the week as the islands are a popular destination for locals and it can get busy during the weekend. The further the island is that you visit the less amenities on the island and also the more secluded.

bike, blade, and board [2] - extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu

Shop Shop Shop Lots of Shoping Centres great for picking up bargains.

Buy

Exchange Rate: US $1.00 = RM 3.50

Central Market is next to the waterfront. Also known as "Pasar Pilipin", it's a collection of shops selling goods from many places (such as Bali and Thailand) and not necessarily native to Sabah. Prices are on most goods, but be sure to bargain. If you're not getting it for 1/2 the sticker price, you're not getting a good deal.

Eat

For meals, head to the outdoor food stalls fronting the sea or coffee shops along the streets. The less adventurous could make a beeline for fast food outlets in the Centrepoint shopping centre while those with deeper pockets could try the pierside restaurants just after the open air fish market.

Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant[3] (Indian Specialty Cuisine). Located in the newly opened Asia City Complex, diagonally across the street from landmark shopping mall Centrepoint. This Indian franchise restaurant is the place to go if you want to try out authentic Indian food. Anjappar has outlets in Canada, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur, all staffed by experienced cooks from India.The decor is warm and elegant with a definitely Indian feel. Here you can sit down to a thali meal of steaming rice and curries or try out the naans, rotis, tender kebabs and tandoori dishes from their North Indian menu. Chettinad cuisine,one of India's spiciest and aromatic, is known for its specialties such as Biryani, Lamb Sukka Varuval,Pepper Chicken and Crab Masala. With nearly 100 dishes on the menu, Anjappar offers you a glimpse of the culinary diversity of India at very reasonable prices. For group bookings, the restaurant has a private function hall on the first floor with a seating capacity of 40. (Tel: 088-227969; e-mail: joe@anjapparborneo.com)

@mosphere [4] - @mosphere Restaurant and Bar - a unique revolving restaurant located in Borneo's tallest building, Menara Tun Mustapha (Yayasan Sabah Foundation) [5]. Creative and comfortable décor. Stunning views of Kota Kinabalu, the South China Sea, nearby national park islands and mountains. Specialising in affordable "Pacific Rim cuisine" and open for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late night drinks. Well worth a visit - www.atmosphererestaurant.com - Tel: 088-425-100/111

Yu Kee's Bak Kut Teh - Located along the famous Gaya Street, its a chinese operated restaurant that serves pork dishes. A small single dish cost about 4 ringgit, soup top up is free. All types of pork meat & organs serves with special chinese herb soup. A MUST TRY!

Man Tai Restaurant - Located in Likas, Dah Yeh Villa. They are famous for their Beaufort-style Fried Noodles. They serve chinese style ala carte dishes as well.

Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant - Api Api Center. An eat-with-your-hands restaurant. A chicken dish 8 ringgit, a mango lassie 4 ringgit. (Also, try the fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi briyani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd - Price N/A) Not the best Banana Leaf restaurant in Malaysia, but not bad. They'll bring you a spoon and fork, which you should politely decline. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.

Little Italy Restaurant - Authentic and very popular Italian restaurant located with the city center, a hit with both locals and visitors alike.

Seafood in Kota Kinabalu is very popular, so getting a dose of it is a must. Here are some places to try:

Ocean Seafood Restaurant - Right next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.

Portview Seafood Restaurant- There are 2 branches of this in K.K. One of them is right opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one, is nicely set in front of a pier, within walking distance to banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, and some supermarkets stocking imported goods.

Salut Seafood Restaurant-It takes about 20 mins of car journey from the city center to Salut where it is located near the Sepanggar Bay and Telipok. It is a famous place for cheaper seafood dishes as the prawns where the restaurant owner breed them.

Salim - Situated in Lintas Square, approximetly 20 minutes drive from the city, Salim has proved to be a highly popular supper spot for many local Sabahans both young and old. Specialising in many local "mamak" foods and delicacies, the most popular meals would be the Malaysian roti styled bread which is cooked over an open flat iron skillet which is bathed in oil. The meal along with a nice cup of Teh Tarik Madras would range at around RM5~8 (Discounts)

Pete's Corner - Located in Asia City in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, Pete's Corner is the one and only Western breakfast places which specialises in "Cheap but good" Western sytled dishes. The shop mainly caters for steaks and other western dishes at a low price (RM10~18). The meal in itself isn't huge, but it gets the job done. If your lucky, you might see Pete.

Hyatt Hotel Restaurant (Ox-tail Asam Padas) - The restaurant is located in the prestigious Hyatt Hotel near to the lobby. The restaurant serves basic local mamak dishes with a bit more spark then local presentation and on certain days, a wonderful buffet is servered with foods ranging from Italian to local delights which attract many of the hungry Sabahans. The speciality of this restaurant however rests with the mighty Ox-tail Asam Padas in which Ox-tail chunks are cooked in a secret gravy recipe and has remained a local favorite for the pass decade hands down. The Hyatt restaurant caters for the slightly higher-up, with a price range of about RM25++

Viet Cafe - Located opposite Hyatt hotel, mainstreet "Haji Saman Road" - very nice vietnamese dish, inexpensive, worth to try.

Drink

The Cottage Pub [6] - Taman Luyang 10 minutes from City Centre,The Original British Pub Established 1981. The Place Where Friends Meet. Best Music in town with live band (Jazz and Rock), cosy atmosphere and beer from 21 ringgit a bucket(4 bottles) inclusive of tax.

Shenanigan Fun Pub - Located at ground floor of the Kinabalu Hyatt Regency.

Shamrock Irish Bar - The Waterfront Lot 6. Pint of Tiger or Guinness 20 ringgit ++. The usual Irish fare, with outdoor seating. Add 16% tax.

Cocoon - One of KK's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours.

Bee Kim KTV - Located at Sadong Jaya around Karamunsing area.

Strawberry KTV - Located near segama and central market.

Razz-Ma-Tazz - Located just outside the central business district along Jalan Tuaran, it is one of the largest and most popular nightclub in the city. Features two rooms, the larger one, Z'Razz, features a live band rotated with DJ spinning mainly hip-hop tracks. The smaller room, Zuave, plays mainly house, trance, and other dance tracks.

Bed - located on the Prominade near the night markets. One room with a cover band, Pool table and DJ.

Beach Road Pub and cafe, live band, pool.

Sleep

Budget

Akinabalu Youth Hostel [7] - Best place for Backpacker & Budget.

Globetrotters Lodge[8] (formerly New Horizon)Tel: +6088 272796 [9] Small, opposite British Council, just off Gaya Street, street market every Sunday morning, lots of cheap restaurants and banks nearby.

Hamin Lodge [10] - Hamin Lodge is a Sabah Traditional Cultural Hotel located in the middle of Kota Kinabalu city about 15 minutes from the Airport. It is surrounded by tourist attractions, street markets, shopping centers and restaurants.

Hotel Holiday [11] - One of the best budget hotel in the city centre.

Step-in Lodge, Tel: 6088 - 233519, [12] - Painted in a zany combination of purple and bright green, this is a cosy little hostel in the middle of the city, with very friendly staff. Toilets and shower stalls are immaculate. Rates start from RM25 per person for a dorm, aircon double RM80, including a simple continental breakfast.

Velvet Lodge & Lounge, Tel: +6088 212196, [13] [14] - Located in the heart of the city this clean new hostel offers Internet/wifi, laundry, friendly staff, simple breakfast and a funky patio lounge serving great meals and cold beer.

Mid-range

Splurge

Berjaya Palace Hotel, 1 Jalan Tangki Karamunsing, tel: +60-88-211911. The hotel blends old architecture with modern facilities. Hilltop location, 15 minutes drive from the airport.

Jesselton Hotel, Jesselton was the initial name for Kota Kinabalu during the British colony. And this boutique hotel should not be missed. Built in the early 1920s, it has been one of the longest remaining quality hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Set right in the middle of Gaya Street, a street thriving with local shops and cafes, and walking distance to the local cinemas - sets off the charms of the local atmosphere. The Pasar Malam ('night market') and Sundays on Gaya Streets are a must-see. Many hawkers will set up shops along Gaya Street to sell their wares - food, toys or pets. Lots of vibrant colors and scrumptious smells along the strip. This hotel is within the city centre district. Hotel has their own limousine, which is a British cab imported from the UK.

Hyatt Hotel, A 3 - 4 star International hotel but still has that exclusive feeling once you walk through the doors. Right in the heart of the city centre, a perfect choice for business men who just want to eat, sleep and work. This hotel boasts an impressive choice of restaurants, from their coffeeshop serving Malaysian food, a Chinese restaurant with 'dimsum' or 'yum cha', a Japanese restaurant with Teppanyaki and a fresh bakery. Close to shopping centres, fast food outlets, and cafes.

Sutera Harbour Resort (formerly Pan Pacific), Sutera Harbour Blvd, Kota Kinabalu. Tel: +60 88 318 888 [15] [16]. The resort property of Sutera Harbour Resort, features a city-style hotel in The Pacific Sutera and a resort-style hotel The Magellan Sutera. The property also features a 27-hole golf course, a fully equipped marina, 2 spas, sports facilities like squash, badminton and tennis courts and various other sport and leisure activities. About a RM10 ringgit taxi ride to town, or a 20 minute walk (if you're in good shape). The rooms are top notch with either a sea view or golf course/ Mount Kinabalu view in The Pacific Sutera, or a garden / sea-view from The Magellan Sutera. You can easily book trips to the islands, starting at RM 35. The Resort has a free shuttle bus going to town every hour until 21:00, as well as an internal shuttle that ferries guests between facilities. Cross-signing facilities mean that if you stay in one hotel, you have access to the entire resort. An internal shuttle takes guests between the properties, the marina and the golf club.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort [17]; tel. +60-88-225800. This is one of the oldest, grandest but possibly the most comfortable hotels in Kota Kinabalu. A 5 star hotel, the rooms in the old wing are confined inside the building and looks out to the pitch-and-put golf course. A tiny jungle is built in the middle of the corridor leading towards the hotel rooms of the old wing. Although as old as it may sound, the rooms are impressively larger than the new wing. The new wing, on the other hand, overlooks the sea or the swimming pool and is a bit more secluded for those who enjoy lazing out in the sun. A taxi ride from the Terminal 2 is about RM10, but to the city centre is RM15. Shuttle from the airport to the hotel is available upon request.

Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens · Sinsuran · Kota Kinabalu 88000 · Phone: (60) 8832 2222. 306 rooms. Gym, seaside pool.

Nexus Resort Karambunai, 30 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu. 485 rooms, eight restaurants, golf course, spa.

Promenade Hotel Sdn Bhd 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Tel: 60-88-265 555 Fax: 60-88-246 666. Features 451 Rooms, Swimming Pool, Gym, Beauty Salon and Health Spa. Also Features two Restaurants (Specialising in local and asian cuisine), two Cafes, a lobby lounge, Prominade floor lounge and a Karaoki Bar. Close to shopping centres, fast food outlets, Hawker Stalls, Nightlife and cafes. Check Website for Packages.

Get out

Monkey Tours - Visit the Proboscis Monkeys (long-nosed monkey) native only to Borneo. Various companies do river cruises for around RM 120-200. Tours take 6-8 hours and include a Malaysian Lunch or dinner.

Sorounding Islands Catch a water Taxi to the five sorounding islands These five islands are Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamuti, Pulau Sapi and Pulau Sulug. Water Taxi's leave from KK Warf. Cost of Taxi's about RM 15-40. Water sports available on most islands.