Kota Kinabalu walking tour & city guide

The waterfront

The waterfront promenade is famous for sunsets over the South China Sea. The Filipino Market and the night market sell handicrafts, fruit and grilled seafood. The Sunday Gaya Street Market is a local favorite.

Islands and mountains

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a short boat ride away, has islands with beaches and snorkeling. Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO site, is about two hours inland.

A day in Kota Kinabalu

Take a boat to the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, such as Sapi and Manukan, for snorkeling in clear water. Back in town, the waterfront has a lively night market selling grilled seafood.

On Sundays, the Gaya Street market sells everything from crafts to pets. The Signal Hill Observatory offers a view over the city.

Good to know

Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia, climbed over two days.

Sabah is known for orangutans at Sepilok and for diving at Sipadan.

Why it is special

Kota Kinabalu, or KK, is the capital of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, and it combines city comforts with access to some of the richest nature in Asia. The waterfront night market is a feast of grilled fish, prawns and squid, and the Filipino Market sells handicrafts and pearls. The City Mosque, floating on a lagoon, is one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia.

Beyond the city, white-water rafting on the Padas River, river cruises to see proboscis monkeys and fireflies in the Klias wetlands, and the cool highlands around Kundasang make easy excursions. Sunsets over the South China Sea are legendary.