Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

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Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Region: Sabah

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Geographic Coordinates: 5.975000, 116.073000

Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Population: 452058

Language: Malay

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Kota Kinabalu, Also known as KK, Is the capital city of Sabah state in Malaysia. It is located on the northwest coast of Borneo Island and is a vibrant and bustling city that offers visitors an array of cultural and natural attractions. The most prominent landmark in Kota Kinabalu is Mount Kinabalu, Which stands at 4, 095 meters tall. It’s a popular destination for hikers and climbers who come from all over the world to conquer its peak.

Visitors can also explore nearby national parks such as Kinabalu Park and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which offer stunning views of tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Kota Kinabalu’s rich cultural heritage can be seen in its many historic sites such as the Atkinson Clock Tower – one of the oldest structures in KK – and Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village which showcases traditional indigenous architecture. The city also hosts several annual festivals including Harvest Festival (Pesta Kaamatan) celebrated by Kadazan-Dusun people every May. One cannot miss out on experiencing local cuisine while visiting Kota Kinabalu.

Seafood lovers will be delighted with fresh seafood caught from local waters like crabs, Prawns, Lobsters served at night markets or restaurants along Gaya Street Sunday Market where locals gather to sell their produce every weekend morning. For those looking for a more cosmopolitan experience, KK offers modern shopping malls like Imago Shopping Mall or Suria Sabah Shopping Mall where international brands are available alongside local handicrafts. Kota Kinabalu’s nightlife scene has been growing steadily over recent years with trendy bars popping up around town offering live music performances or DJ sets until late into the night.

Visitors can enjoy drinks while taking in breathtaking views of South China Sea from rooftop bars like Sky Blu Bar @ Le Meridien Hotel or Sunset Bar @ Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa. Kota Kinabalu is a city that offers something for everyone, From nature lovers to culture enthusiasts, Foodies to shoppers. With its warm and welcoming people, It’s no wonder that KK has become a popular destination for tourists seeking an authentic Malaysian experience.

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1. Mount Kinabalu
2. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
3. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
4. Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village
5. Signal Hill Observatory Platform
6. Gaya Street Sunday Market
7. Mari Mari Cultural Village
8. Tanjung Aru Beach
9. Atkinson Clock Tower
10. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

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1. Tourism: Kota Kinabalu is a popular destination for tourists due to its beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural attractions.
2. Agriculture: The region is known for its production of palm oil, rubber, and other crops.
3. Fishing: The city has a thriving fishing industry that supplies fresh seafood to local markets and restaurants.
4. Manufacturing: Kota Kinabalu has a growing manufacturing sector that produces electronics, textiles, and other goods.
5. Education: Several universities and colleges are located in the city which attracts students from across Malaysia and beyond.
6. Healthcare: There are several hospitals and medical centers in Kota Kinabalu that serve both the local population as well as medical tourists from around the world.
7. Retail: Numerous shopping malls can be found throughout the city catering to both locals and tourists alike.
8. Real estate development is booming in Kota Kinabalu due to its attractive location on the coast of Borneo coupled with its growing economy.

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1. The founding of Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu was founded in the late 1800s by the British North Borneo Company.
2. World War II: During World War II, Kota Kinabalu was occupied by Japanese forces and suffered heavy bombing from Allied forces.
3. Mount Kinabalu: Mount Kinabalu, located near Kota Kinabalu, is one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Tun Fuad Stephens: Tun Fuad Stephens was a prominent politician from Sabah who served as the first Chief Minister of Sabah after it gained independence from Malaysia in 1963.
5. Sabah State Museum: The Sabah State Museum is a museum in Kota Kinabalu that showcases the history and culture of Sabah.
6. Jesselton Revolt: In 1943, prisoners held at Jesselton (now known as Kota Kinabalu) rebelled against their Japanese captors, resulting in a brutal crackdown by Japanese forces.
7. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park: Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a marine park located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu that features coral reefs and diverse marine life.
8. Donald Stephens Cultural Centre: The Donald Stephens Cultural Centre is an arts center named after former Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens that hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
9. Gaya Street Sunday Market: The Gaya Street Sunday Market is a popular weekly market held in downtown Kota Kinabalu that sells local handicrafts, food, and clothing.
10. Sir Hugh Low: Sir Hugh Low was a British colonial administrator who played an important role in developing infrastructure and promoting economic development in North Borneo (now known as Sabah).

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1. Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village
2. Monsopiad Cultural Village
3. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
4. Signal Hill Observatory Platform
5. Atkinson Clock Tower
6. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
7. Mari Mari Cultural Village
8. Sabah Art Gallery
9. Tun Mustapha Tower
10. Puh Toh Tze Buddhist Temple

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1. Sabah Rhinos FC is a professional football club that was founded in 1974 and plays in the Malaysia Premier League.
2. Sabah FA is a football association that manages the state’s football team and was founded in 1963. The team has won several domestic titles such as the Malaysian Cup and Malaysia Premier League.
3. Sabah Eagles Rugby Union is a rugby union club that competes at national level tournaments such as the Malaysian Rugby Union League. It was established in 2005 and is based in Kota Kinabalu.
4. KK Lakers Basketball Team represents Kota Kinabalu at national level competitions organized by Basketball Association of Malaysia (BAM).
5. Borneo Eagles Cricket Club promotes cricket activities within East Malaysia with its base being at Likas Sports Complex cricket ground located near to Kota Kinabalu city centre.
6. Kota Kinabalu Hockey Team represents Kota kinbalu at National level championship organised by Malaysian Hockey Federation(MHF).

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1. Sabah Fest is a cultural festival that showcases the diverse traditional dances, music, and costumes of Sabah.
2. The Kaamatan Festival is a harvest festival celebrated by the indigenous Kadazandusun people with traditional food, music, and dance.
3. Chinese New Year is a major celebration for the Chinese community with lion dances, fireworks, and family gatherings.
4. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan with festive food and clothing.
5. The Borneo International Marathon is an annual marathon event attracting runners from all over the world to run through scenic routes in Kota Kinabalu.
6. The Kota Kinabalu Food Fest is a food festival featuring local delicacies from various ethnic groups in Sabah.
7. Regatta Lepa Semporna is an annual boat race event featuring colorful traditional boats decorated with flags and flowers in Semporna town near Kota Kinabalu.
8. Tamu Besar Kota Belud is a weekly open-air market where visitors can experience local culture through food stalls selling fresh produce to handicrafts made by locals.
9. Sunset Music Festival is a yearly music festival that features performances from both local artists as well as international acts held at Tanjung Aru Beach.
10. The Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival is an annual jazz music festival held at Sutera Harbour Resort featuring performances by both local and international jazz musicians.

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• Fish Noodle Soup – Welcome Seafood Restaurant
• Sabah Laksa – Fatt Kee Kopitiam
• Tuaran Mee – Kedai Kopi Yee Fung
• Sinalau Bakas (smoked wild boar) – D’Place Kinabalu
• Hinava (raw fish salad) – Little Italy Kota Kinabalu
• Ngiu Chap (beef noodle soup) – Kedai Kopi Melanian 3
• Coconut Pudding – Gaya Street Sunday Market
• Seafood BBQ Buffet Dinner- Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
• Roti Kahwin (toast with kaya and butter)- Yuit Cheong Coffee Shop
• Nasi Lemak- Restoran Sri Latha Curry House

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Parks and Recreation

1. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – a group of five islands offering snorkeling, diving, and beach activities.
2. Signal Hill Observatory Platform – a hilltop park with panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
3. Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront – a scenic promenade along the waterfront with restaurants and shops.
4. Tanjung Aru Beach – a popular beach for swimming and sunset watching.
5. Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village – an outdoor museum showcasing the history and culture of Sabah.
6. Likas Bay Park – a waterfront park with jogging paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
7. Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre – a bird sanctuary with boardwalks for nature walks.
8. Jesselton Point Waterfront – a hub for island hopping tours, seafood restaurants, and souvenir shops.
9. Perdana Park Musical Fountain Show- A beautiful musical fountain show that takes place every evening at 7:00 pm.
10. Tun Fuad Stephens Park- A large urban park that has jogging trails, picnic spots as well as playgrounds for children to play in.
11. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque- This is one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia which is open to visitors outside prayer times.
12. Sutera Harbour Golf Course- A beautifully designed golf course located on the edge of Kota Kinabalu bay which offers stunning views while you play golf.

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Experience Life

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