Things to do in  Kota Kinabalu

The capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state, Kota Kinabalu is best-known as a jump-off point for Borneo adventures. These include seeing orangutans, rain-forest trips, diving the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and climbing 13,435-foot (4,095-meter) Mt. Kinabalu. But this lively city offers markets, museums, seafood feasts, and cultural attractions.

All Malaysians speak Malay, the national language, and the majority speak some English as well. Malaysians of Chinese descent generally speak one or more Chinese languages and dialects, with Mandarin and Hakka most common in Kota Kinabalu. Sabah’s indigenous people speak a number of different languages from four different language families.

Kota Kinabalu is a great place to learn about Sabah’s indigenous cultures, whether at the Sabah Museum, the Mari Mari Cultural Village, or the Monsopiad Cultural Village. Nature lovers can explore mangroves at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre. Be sure to eat in one of the city’s many excellent and affordable seafood restaurants.

A sunset drink on the waterfront or in a beach bar is the perfect start to a Kota Kinabalu night. The city’s lively Night Market is a must for anyone who loves food, while entertainment options run from bars, clubs, and cinemas to the inevitable karaoke joints. Cultural shows with dinner are also popular.

Yes. If you are exploring Sabah you will inevitably pass through Kota Kinabalu at least once and it’s worth taking a day or two to enjoy the highlights. Besides museums, markets, eateries, cafés, and bars, this vibrant city hosts mosques, temples, and galleries, as well as a lively waterfront area.

No. Accommodation and eating out in Kota Kinabalu is slightly cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur. However, rain-forest trips, river adventures, scuba diving, wildlife spotting, and the Kota Kinabalu hike are not cheap activities, so a vacation in Malaysian Borneo will generally work out more expensive than peninsular Malaysia.