Things to do in Kota Kinabalu

More about Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu as the capital of Sabah has many breathtaking attractions to enjoy. This city is known for the stunning view of sunset and exciting natural tourisms. You can enjoy a sunset and city night dinner cruise with your beloved ones. If you travel with children, you should visit Kundasang Desa Dairy Farm where you can see the magnificent landscapes of Mount Kinabalu and experience various activities there.

Besides the natural tourist attractions, Kota Kinabalu offers a great retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. You can enjoy a spa & wellness massage that can be booked easily in Kota Kinabalu. It’s definitely worth it to try! After a long day of exploring, pamper your body and mind with a spa.

Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu

For the perfect trip in Kota Kinabalu, some activities are highly recommended to try. Here are several must-do activities in Kota Kinabalu.

Join the Biking Adventure & Kiulu Rafting in Kota Kinabalu

For those who love an adventurous trip, you can participate in biking adventure & Kiulu rafting to experience the fun sides of Kota Kinabalu. The biking track is hilly which offers a lovely ride across Kadazan and Dusun villages, padi fields, and fruit farms. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour St Michael Church, the second oldest stone church in Sabah. 

After that, spend the night at Kiulu Homestay, where the owner is Kadazan or Dusun, and have a superb local home-cooked dinner. Rafting along the white water of the Kiulu River and facing a few tough obstacles that are around 11 kilometers long.

Try the Kayaking Experience at Tanjung Aru Beach

If you want to do a water sport in Kota Kinabalu, kayaking experience at Tanjung Aru Beach is a perfect choice. You can admire the picturesque beauty of Tanjung Aru Beach while kayaking in the pristine sea. Get your kayak, paddle, and safety jacket at the starting point camp. Before you begin your kayaking adventure, a briefing session will be given.

Relax with Mandara Spa at the Magellan Sutera Resort

Treat yourself with professional massage therapies at Mandara Spa, which will send you to a city getaway. You can unwind and revitalize your body with a Balinese Massage. The spa uses Elemis Spa-therapies so it offers the spa's finest products for you. It’s the best way to refresh your body after a long day of exploring.

Enjoy a Jurassic Land Adventure

Jurassic Land Kiulu is Sabah's first premium dinosaur theme park. When you visit the park, prepare to be amazed by the realistic models of several dinosaur species. From the towering T-Rex to the enormous Stegosaurus, it'll feel as if you're traveling around these prehistoric animals. Besides, Jurassic Land Kiulu provides a variety of fascinating activities. Go on a Dinosaur Safari and look for fossils along the Fossil Trail. Make sure to stop at the Fossil Discovery Site, since expert staff will inform you about the history of these incredible creatures.

Get Around the Kundasang Desa Dairy Farm

On the amazing trip to Kundasang and its surrounding attractions, you'll get to enjoy the best environment and leisure. Take in the stunning scenery and explore the lively local markets, where you can sample tasty delights and find unique souvenirs. Then, you’ll visit the lovely Desa Dairy Farm and interact directly with cute farm animals. Don’t miss to enjoy fresh dairy products there.

Then, you’ll go to Kundasang's natural hot springs which give a soothing and therapeutic experience. The 10-hour tour ends with a thrilling canopy walk that offers wonderful panoramic views of the lush landscape. 

Kota Kinabalu Transportations

Whether you prefer public transit or rental vehicles, there are numerous ways to explore and enjoy the spectacular sceneries in Kota Kinabalu. If you intend to visit Sabah's capital soon, try out some of these transportation alternatives, including:

Train.

The railway runs for 134 kilometres from Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu to the rustic village of Tenom. This multi-stop train highlights Sabah's gorgeous landscape as it moves from the city to the countryside. You will travel from Tanjung Aru station to Beaufort station on a contemporary diesel train with air-conditioned cars. From Beaufort to Tenom, you will board Sabah's century-old steam train for an exhilarating ride. If you want to book a seat, you will spend around RM 345.

Private Charters.

There are other alternatives, namely a private charter to visit the sights on your agenda. Tickets feature half-day rentals and an experienced captain to drive you to the destination. Choose from a variety of cars, including vans, coaches, and even premium MPVs, to accommodate your group size. Getting a private charter has many advantages, such as the ease of traveling with a friendly local driver who brings you from one location to another. The charter rate starts from RM 234.54/3 hours.

Taxis & Buses.

To go between districts, public transit options include taxis and buses. Large express buses with seating for 40 passengers depart many times daily for Tawau, Sandakan, Keningau, and other towns in Sabah. Going to other districts is relatively easy, with 12-15-seater buses leaving every hour for Beaufort, Ranau, Kota Belud, and Kudat. To begin your journey, simply proceed to one of Kota Kinabalu's three major taxi and bus terminals. The taxi price starts from RM 30 while the bus fare starts from RM 1.

Motorbikes Rentals.

There are numerous scenic spots and hiking paths to discover just a short distance from the city. So, using a motorcycle is the quickest way to get there. You can avoid the traffic and enjoy the cool air on your skin as you travel from one location to another. For those who want to rent a motorbike, it’ll cost around RM 40-50 RM/day.

Recommended Kota Kinabalu Food

As you enjoy your trip, make sure to try the local cuisines in Kota Kinabalu that you can find at restaurants or small stores. Here are some eateries to consider.

Kuo Man Restaurant

Address: 5, Jalan Tuaran, Sunny Garden, 88800 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Operational Hours: 06.30 AM - 02.30 PM Daily

Kuo Man Restaurant is known as Kota Kinabalu's "Noodle Paradise". The best-selling items are soy-sauce noodles with a selection of side dishes, like assorted seafood, roasted pork belly, or beef offals (ngau chap). Despite the menu's variety, you can be guaranteed that each bowl of noodles will be freshly made with careful attention to detail.

Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant

Address: Lorong Hilltop, Taman Far East, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Operational Hours: 07.00 AM - 11.00 PM Daily

Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant is favored by both residents and tourists for its delicious seafood noodle soups in tomato and tom yam flavors. The freshness of seafood dishes that are included in the noodle soup, including fish cake, fish ball, fish fillets, fish skin, and fish head, are simply out of this world.

Yee Fung Laksa

Address: 127, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Operational Hours: 06.30 AM - 05.00 PM (Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)

Yee Fung's laksa offers a deep and savory broth mixed with coconut, spicy, and lemongrass scents. The noodles are perfectly soft and chewy. The large portion of shrimp and chicken gives a wonderful depth of taste to the laksa, while the tofu, bean sprouts, and egg stripes create a fresh and crisp texture that balances the richness of the whole dish.

October Coffee Gaya

Address: 13, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Operational Hours: 09.00 AM - 11.00 PM Daily

October Gaya is a wood-themed coffeehouse with a warm and comfortable ambiance. With plenty of seating on hand, you can chill in an environment that radiates positive energy. There is an extensive choice of food and beverages such as a basic chicken sandwich or desserts. For coffee enthusiasts, they offer an enormous selection of coffee beans for you to pick. You can also select the ideal cup to match your preferences.

New WK Restaurant

Address: Lot 4, 5, 6 Wisma HCS, Jalan Kolam, Taman Luyang Phase 1, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Operational Hours: 07.30 AM - 04.00 PM, 05.00 PM - 09.00 PM

The wide range of dim sum selections offered by New WK Restaurant will surprise you. From steamed dumplings to flavorful buns, it has many options. The dimsum is carefully prepared with a perfect combination of taste and texture. With the affordable cost, the meals are all properly sized. So, people can share and enjoy a variety of delicacies.

Shopping Places in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu presents an abundance of shopping options, including malls and night markets. The shopping environment is lively, and tourists frequently return home with handicrafts, chocolates, liquors, and pearl jewelry. Here are several shopping areas in Kota Kinabalu.

Gaya Street Sunday Morning

Kota Kinabalu's Sunday market area is also known as Sabah's Chinatown because of the existence of many Chinese coffee shops and eateries. Surprisingly, this Sunday market sells pets, agricultural items, antiques, local dishes, souvenirs, and so on. This place is unique since it still holds some of the family-run businesses that passed down from generation to generation.

Imago Shopping Mall

Imago Shopping Mall ranks first among the top shopping destinations in Kota Kinabalu. This mall provides its customers with a wealth of choices, including shops, entertainment, and food outlets. Each level of the mall is meant to fulfill guests' specific demands, such as necessities, electronics, local fashion, and many more. An eye-catching characteristic of this mall is a traditional dance show which is held at the mall's welcome gate every two hours.

Oceanus Waterfront Mall

Situated in a strategic area, Oceanus Waterfront Mall is Kota Kinabalu's first waterfront icon. Its waterfront and the oasis are created in a distinct nautical style. This mall houses some of the most well-known fashion labels and local brands available in boutiques. It includes a 2 km-long expanded waterfront walkway that can hold several kinds of occasions.

Best Time to Visit Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is best visited during the peak season, which runs from December to April. The weather is ideal for visiting the beaches and hiking Mount Kinabalu. These times are particularly perfect for exploring the nature parks located around Kota Kinabalu. Besides, April to early May is another great opportunity to go to Kota Kinabalu. Although rain can disrupt the trip sometimes, it's an off season that 's good for affordable travelers and those who don't mind a few light rains.