Kinarut is a town in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located about 20 kilometres south of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, and Kinarut railway station is one of the stops on the Sabah State Railway. Kinarut is under the administration of the Papar district. Several theories exist as to the etymological origins of the name 'Kinarut'. One such theory is that it refers to a street in the town which was formerly called China Road. Another theory is that it originated from the Dusun word Kinorot which means 'cutting using a knife'. North Borneo Native Dusun Tindal dialect 'Kinorut' mean serious thing. You have to put or tie a rope around something e.g. a tree more than once or at least ten times. This mean you made the tie seriously and you have the intention of letting it tied permanently or the knot is not easily loosened. Or you just cannot afford to let go some precious item. For example when you tie one end of a rope, with big wild buffalo on the other end, onto a tree, you have to use this 'Kinorut' method so that your rope won't get loose from the tree with the precious commodity. For example a Dusun bring in a buffalo to a bazaar, he'll tie one end of the buffalo rope on a tree and using 'Kinorut' method.

Kinarut is also inhabited by the Dusun-kadazan anyway. Kinarut originally belonged to the Sultanate of Brunei. In the late 17th century, when Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin had to withdraw from Pulau Chermin (Chermin Island) during the Brunei Civil War, he built a base in Kinarut at a strategic location protected by two rivers. He remained there for ten years as the Sultan of Kinarut, during which incidents of piracy in the surrounding seas decreased significantly. With help from the local Bajau and Dusun people, he managed to counter several attacks from Sultan Muhyiddin.

How to Get There

By Plane

Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are about 15 minutes away from Kinarut depending on traffic conditions. There are shuttle buses, metered taxis and Uber available for passengers travelling to and from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Tourist Attractions

Tamu Kinarut

Kinarut is noted for its weekly tamu, an open air market dominated by native sellers which is held every Saturday. It is also close to Dinawan Island, Lok Kawi Wildlife Centre and the Kinarut Mansion ruins.

Hotels

Langkah Syabas Beach Resort

Nestled in the quiet little town of Kampung Kinarut Laut (Village by the Sea), the beach resort offers a peaceful retreat for families, couples and singles alike. Langkah Syabas Beach Resort is located only 25 minutes from the City of Kota Kinabalu, which is also the State Capital of Sabah and 15 minutes from the new Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Langkah Syabas Beach Resort is a quaint beachfront property, which provides 25-chalet type accommodation units in the district of Kinarut Laut. The property itself has been in operation for the past 18 years and has entertained many visitors from around the world, particularly from Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands as well as domestic tourists from Malaysia and Brunei. Guests coming into Langkah Syabas Beach Resort will enjoy the peaceful natural serenity which the resort provides, a generous green outdoor lawn ideal for teambuilding sessions and a beach seaside area for numerous open air activities.

Seaside Travellers Inn

Seaside Travellers Inn is a family-run establishment located in the Malaysian Borneo state of Sabah. The inn is situated in a peaceful area 20 km from Kota Kinabalu city, 18 km from airport terminal 2 and 12 km from Terminal 1.