About Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. Formerly known as Jesselton, it is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city has a population of 579,304, while the larger urban area has an estimated population of 700,000. It is the largest urban centre in Sabah and the sixth largest in Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount Kinabalu, which gave the city its name, is nearby.
Kota Kinabalu is on the west coast of Sabah. It lies on a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Crocker Range and the South China Sea. Five of the islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, and within sight of the city, have been designated the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. As Kota Kinabalu is located directly within the flight path of planes approaching the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, there is a strict limit to the height of buildings in the city.
Kota Kinabalu is the gateway into Sabah as well as to the island of Borneo. It has the second largest international airport in the country. Being the industrial and commercial centre of East Malaysiam Kota Kinabalu is one of the fastest growing cities in Malaysia. The city is located about 90 km from Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Borneo. Kota Kinabalu was formerly known as Jesselton, but besides Jesselton, there are also other names that are claimed to be the original name of Kota Kinabalu. The most popular is Api-Api, or sometimes simply Api, which means "fire" in Malay.
Kota Kinabalu
Author: Flanegan (cc-by-3.0-unported)
Getting there
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is just about 7 km from the city. From the airport, you can take an airport shuttle, mini van or taxi. To take a taxi, buy the coupon at the taxi stand on the ground floor. The fare is fixed at RM20.00.
Kota Kinabalu Road Names
Click on Kota Kinabalu Road Names for view an alphabetical list of the roads in Kota Kinabalu. To help you find the road more
Tourist Attractions in Kota Kinabalu
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Peak Nam Tong temple pagoda
Author: raychiew78
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
What to do in Kota Kinabalu
The following are suggested activities. Contact local tour operator for details.
- Cultural Tour Visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village and Mari Mari Cultural Village. Contact Traverse Tours, tel: 088 260501, www.traversetours.com
- Diving: The possibilities are endless in Sabah. Contact Borneo Divers, tel 088 222226, www.borneodivers.info, Borneo Sea Adventures, tel: 088 230000, www.borneosea.com, Tanjung Aru Tours, tel: 088 222210, www.tanjungarutourstravel.net
- Motorbiking Join motorbiking tours of the Crocker Range and other places. Contact Borneo Biking Adventures, tel: 013 552 7313, www.borneobikingadventures.com
- Whitewater Rafing Available at Sungai Padas and Sungai Kiulu Contact Traverse Tours, tel: 088 260501, www.traversetours.com
- Wildlife You can go to see orang utans, proboscis monkeys, and other wildlife in the sanctuary, or explore the rainforest. Contact Borneo Wildlife Adventure, tel: 088 213668, www.borneo-wildlife.com or Wildlife Expeditions, tel: 088 246000, www.wildlife-expeditions.com
Accommodation in Kota Kinabalu
Book Accommodation Online or call up the following accommodation providers:
- Akinabalu Youth Hostel Tel: 088
- Borneo Backpackers Tel: 088 234009, www.borneobackpackers.com
- Borneo Global Backpackers Tel: 088 270976
- North Borneo Cabin Tel: 088 272800, www.northborneocabin.com
- Pantai Inn Tel: 088 217095
- Step-In Lodge Tel: 088 233519, www.stepinlodge.com
- Zaharah Hotel Tel: 012 803 0387, www.zaharahhotelsb.com
Cinemas in Kota Kinabalu
- Golden Screen Cinema, www.gsc.com.my, 63 Jalan Laiman Diki
- Mega Pavilion, www.megapavilion.net, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
Shopping in Kota Kinabalu
Churches in Kota Kinabalu
Chinese Temples in Kota Kinabalu
Mosques in Kota Kinabalu
Spas in Kota Kinabalu
Golf in Kota Kinabalu
Commercial & Retail Buildings in Kota Kinabalu
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Accommodation in Kota Kinabalu
For online booking of budget accommodation in Sabah, use the Budget Accommodation Guide. For hotels, please refer below:
3 Stars
- D'Borneo Hotel (tel: 266999, www.dborneohotel.com)
- Hotel Capital (tel: 231999)
- Hotel Deleeton (tel: 252222)
- Hotel Shangri-La (tel: 212800, www.kkshang.com)
- Kinabalu Daya Hotel (tel: 240000, www.kkdayahotel.com)
- Mandarin Hotel (tel: 225222)
- Pantai Inn (tel: 217095)
- Zaharah Hotel (tel: 012 8030387)
4-5 Stars
- Hyatt Regency Kinabalu (tel: 221234, www.kinabalu.regency.hyatt.com)
- Jesselton Hotel (tel: 2233333, www.jesseltonhotel.com)
- Le Méridien Kinabalu (tel: 322222, www.lemeridien.com)
- Promenade Hotel (tel: 265555, www.promenade.com.my)
Likas Bay
Author: kkboy
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Jesselton Point Jetty
Author: Kenny Lim
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
Places within Kota Kinabalu
Neighbouring Towns to Kota Kinabalu
Manukan Island
Author: Hilary Dillah
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Kota Kinabalu Location Map
View Kota Kinabalu in a larger map
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Author: Juha Luoma
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (5 April 2007)
© Timothy Tye
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