Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide
Framed by both a beautiful coastline and dramatic mountains, Kota Kinabalu hosts an array of activities for the entire family.
Seafood lovers will think you’ve died and gone to heaven while beach bums will have the time of their lives. A must visit!
Do
If climbing Mt Kinabalu isn’t your idea of a holiday, schedule a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Centre for feeding time.
In the market for seafood? With fresh produce and some of the cheapest prices, bringing back seafood is easier than you think. Fung Seng Seafood Supplier (10 minutes from KK town) will have your purchases sent to the airport for you before your flight departs. No. 7 & 8, Jln Bakau, Inanam Ind Est, Jln Tuaran Km 8, 88450 Inanam
For the water babies, snorkel around many of the outlying islands.
Those curious to learn more about the region can visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village.
Shop
Warisan Square Shopping Centre is Kota Kinabalu’s newest shopping haven. Full of all the usual street brands plus some higher end local pieces.
Centrepoint Sabah: the mall that caters to the Sabah market. This is a must if you’re after electronic gadgets at super low prices or a quirky local find.
Visit the Pasar Filipina (Filipino Market) for the huge selection of craft objects. The indoor space is a perfect escape from the sun and is chock full of handcrafted stock. There’s also a vast selection of pearls and local fabrics.
Eat
If you are craving some western cuisine and café style dining, head to Table No. 1. A short distance from the township but very close to the Tanjung Aru beach.
Lobster King is a cute roadside restaurant we stumbled across after flagging the bustling local hawker. An array of tanks present your selection of seafood – we adored the salt and pepper king prawns and the street watching.
Tato @ Shangri La Tanjung Aru. An all you can eat style dining with a selection of local and international foods for the entire family. Worth a visit even if you are not a Shangri-La guest.
Party Play Lifestyle Café is a café that brings many cultures together through both a menu spanning Asian to Italian dishes and guest musicians performing in the café. An eclectic mix but we love it.
If you’re feeling adventurous, Kah Hiong Ngui Chap is where you will find the best local experience. The food centre is tucked away in surburban KK and specializes in the local favourite, Ngui Chap (beef soup).
Drink
The Sunset Bar at Shangri-La is an absolute must do! Perched on the point of the beach, the bar has the best sunset view in KK.
Chilli Vanilla Café is the a perfectly sophisticated spot for a late afternoon drink (or to escape the city).
For the party animals, Shenanigans has a long standing history of being a guaranteed good time in KK. We love the upbeat vibe of live music and the mix of both locals and travellers.
Sleep
Set alongside a private beach and beautiful gardens, Shangri-La’s Tanjong Aru Resort is the perfect place to keep the entire family happy. With a large selection of restaurants, bars, shops, pools, and a wellness retreat, there is almost no reason to leave this homebase.
Or venture further down the coast to Tanjung Aru’s sister resort, Rasa Ria. Set on a stunning private beach, the resort is some distance from the township but provides a comforting level of isolation.
Just a 15 minute boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island Resort sprawls through an ancient rain forest providing a sense of intimacy and calmness. The ultimate destination to escape city life.
The Magellan Sutera Resort is a grand establishment of comtemporary architecture, local antiques, lush gardens and 5 star facilities.
Tips
To ensure a good seat for a sunset drink, make sure you head to a bar around 530pm or to the waterfront before 630pm.
Taxis are cheap and the most efficient way of getting around.
Get to the Sunday markets early – the street is narrow and the crowds are huge. There is unfortunately minimal shade to escape the midday sun, so don those sun hats.
Best times to visit are the dry season, from March to November.
With thanks to our partner AirAsia, Rachel took the 1792 at 5.40pm.
Why limit yourself to just Kota Kinabalu? Explore more destinations with AirAsia’s handy downloadable guide to Malaysia. It’s free!
This article was brought to you by AirAsia.