Kota Kinabalu

Bordered by a patchwork sea of turquoise and azure on one side and ringed by rainforest and the majestic Mount Kinabalu on the other, dynamic Kota Kinabalu, or KK for short, is the perfect gateway into untamed Borneo. Established as Jesselton in the late 1800s by the British North Borneo Company, the city was renamed after independence. Today, Kota Kinabalu is, despite its rapid expansion, a pleasant, comfortable city.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Beaches

Several excellent beaches are within reach from central KK. Tanjung Aru Beach makes for a fine picnic destination, while Likas Bay Beach along Jalan Tun Fua Stephens offers views of Sepanggar Port and the anchored ships off the coast. Farther afield is Rasa Ria, a private beach exclusively accessed by guests of the luxurious Shangri-La Resort.

Filipino Market

Visit the bustling and friendly Filipino Market, and have a seafood buffet in the port at the well-known Port View Restaurant, serving up Kota Kinabalu's freshest catch.

Green Connection Aquarium

Sharks, snakes and turtles can be seen at the Green Connection Aquarium, which has interactive displays, including tanks where guests can touch some of the more docile creatures.

Mount Kinabalu

An early morning drive (2-3 hours) from central KK will deliver you to the base of the sacred Mount Kinabalu. At 13,513 feet, it is the largest peak between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. The mountain sits in a national park of the same name, and has excellent hiking trails, with ample opportunities to spot rare local flora, such as carnivorous pitcher plants and wild-growing orchids. Stretching from lowland rainforest to alpine meadows, the park was Malaysia's first World Heritage site, recognized for its rare ecological wealth. Spend the day hiking through the terrain surrounding the peak, or, alternatively, hike to the mountain's summit. (This requires two days with an overnight stay at the Laban Rata mountain hut maintained by the park.) The striking granite peaks of Kinabalu will be a long-remembered highlight of your trip to Borneo.

Museum of Islamic Civilisation

The Museum of Islamic Civilisation offers an historical look at Islamic influence on Malaysia. Islamic art, writings and religious artifacts all form an interesting mosaic that has been ingrained in Malaysian society.

Petagas War Memorial

The Petagas War Memorial is a must-see for World War II history buffs. It has been set up to remember and honor the 176 Kinabalu Militia who engaged in the “Double Tenth Revolt” on October 10th, 1943 against the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces. All of the attackers were summarily executed by the Japanese.

Poring Hot Springs

Near the base of Mt. Kinabalu is Poring Hot Springs, Japanese-style onsen tubs that were first built during the occupation of WWII. A number of hot and cold, private and public pools are available. There is also a canopy walk nearby, where you can wander through treetops hundreds of feet above the jungle floor.

Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve

Drive to the Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve, out in the Crocker Range Mountains, where you can see the indigenous rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park

Spend the day visiting the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park, a series of beautiful islands just a short boat ride from the city center. Go snorkeling or swimming and just enjoy the beach.

Walking Tour

Start at the Atkinson Clock Tower and wend your way to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, a major thoroughfare near the center of the city. If you are near Gaya Street at lunch, be sure to stop in one of its delicious local eateries. End up at the Signal Hill Observatory, which is an excellent location to watch the sunset.

Malaysia Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Kota Kinabalu Itineraries

Classic Malaysian Borneo

Discover the best that Malaysia Borneo has to offer on this exciting 8-day adventure. You’ll start in the picturesque Kota Kinabalu and explore the foot of the volcano, followed by a shared cruise along the Kinabatangan River, continuing through the Danum Valley, passing hanging coffins, and on the lookout for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, and indigenous wildlife.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $13,800
See Itinerary

Diving Borneo's Aquatic Treasures: Sipadan & Mabul

Explore Borneo’s incredible underwater world on this enchanting 7-day diving adventure in some of the world’s best dive sites, Sipidan and Mabul. You’ll make friends with lively underwater creatures like hawksbill, greenback turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks, while staying at a luxury floating dive resort. 

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $4,700
See Itinerary

Wild Borneo: Kota Kinabalu to the Danum Valley

Make your way across Borneo’s wilds on this exciting 7-day luxury adventure. You’ll get close to baby orangutans, walk along the treetops in a canopy tour, cruise down jungle-lined rivers, noting the multitude of exotic plants and animals you spot along the way, and sleep in an award-winning eco-lodge. 

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $10,100
See Itinerary

Borneo's Lost World: The Magnificent Maliau Basin

Uncover Borneo’s wild and wonderful side on this 6-day luxury journey into its rainforest, far off the tourist trail. Your adventuring will consist of trekking to and camping in the incredible Maliau Basin, where you’ll be surrounded by exotic plants and animals, and sights of unimaginable natural beauty. 

Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,900
See Itinerary

Borneo's UNESCO Wonders

Take in the UNESCO-listed iconic sites of Malaysian Borneo on this insightful 7-day luxury journey. You’ll visit a “living museum,” trek through the stunning Mulu National Park, hike through Asia’s longest cave, relax in hotsprings, and stay in some of Borneo’s must luxury accommodation, like Shangri-La Rasa Ria. 

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $2,250
See Itinerary
Shangri-La Rasa Ria
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, some of which is in a nature reserve, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria is set on a beach looking out onto Dalit Bay. The resort’s 490 rooms, all featuring traditional Malaysian decor, complimentary broadband Internet access and cable television, are divided between the freshly renovated Garden Wing and the new Ocean Wing. Visitors should note that the Rasa Ria resort also operates an adjoining nature reserve and orangutan rehabilitation center. Some of the...
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Located just 10 minutes from the center of Kota Kinabalu, the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort’s 492 rooms are divided between two wings – the Kinabalu Wing, with views of the ocean and Mt. Kinabalu, and the Tanjung Wing, with views of the South China Sea. All rooms come with complimentary broadband Internet access and satellite television. Dining options include Café Tatu for breakfast and dinner, where a variety of open cooking stations offer Mongolian, Tandoori, Asian noodles, dim sum, pasta,...
Alila Dalit Bay
Pre-Opening Hotel

Alila Dalit Bay

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The highly anticipated white-sand beach getaway will provide guests with unparalleled comfort along the sunny shores of Sabah, Malaysia. A new node in the Alila Hotels and Resorts luxury brand, the beach front resort offers 152 bedroom and suite options along with 74 private ownership villas with one and two-bedroom options. Never far from the sound of rolling waves, the hotel houses diverse dining options, sky lounge and bar, kid's club, library, boutique shops, swimming pools, outdoor wedding chapel, and...
Pendant Hut at Laban Rata

Pendant Hut at Laban Rata

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Pendant Hut is a simply furnished mountain lodge situated at 10,791 feet above sea level, offering a dormitory-style bunk bed room (29 beds) as well as a private room, which accommodates up to four. The lodge is not heated, however Pendant Hut does provide state-of-the-art sleeping bags to go on top of basic beds. There is a communal lounge area, library, toilets, and shared bathroom facilities in the rest house. Dinner is served in the Laban Rata canteen, a short walk away.

Multi-Country Specialists

Malaysia Goes Well With

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.