Places To Go ( Day 5 )

Menara Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building)

Located 5 kilometres or about 15 minutes away from the KK City Centre. Formerly known as the Sabah Foundation Building, this circular tower of steel and glass stands 30 storeys high in the Likas Bay area and is instantly recognizable as a Sabah icon. It has a central core with steel brackets supporting each floor. When completed in 1977, it was one of the three such buildings in the world based on this design concept.

Inside are housed an auditorium, two mini-theatres, exhibition foyer, a gymnasium, kindergarten and Research library. On the 18th floor is the revolving restaurant Atmosphere where you can enjoy a different dining experience.

Atmosphere Revolving Restaurant and LoungeOpening HoursDaily from 10.00am till 2.00am

Monsopiad Cultural Village

Nestled besides the Penampang River are the many traditional buildings that make up the Monsopiad Cultural village, a living museum located 16 km or about half an hour away from the KK City Centre. Monsopiad was a fearsome warrior who lived in the village of Kuai nearly 200 years ago.

At the Village, visit the Tangkob or Grainery where the padi is housed.Kotos Di Monsopiad or Monsopiad's Main House is dedicated to the life and times of Monsopiad and his descendants. On display are ceramic jars, padi grinders, bamboo items as well as the costume of Bobohizan Inai Bianti, direct descendant of Monsopiad and very senior high priestess.

Other interesting exhibits include the massive monolith which invokes a dozen legends, the traditional restaurant and of course Siou Do Mohoing, or the House of Skulls, where all 42 'trophies' of Monsopiad hang from the rafters.

Opening HoursDaily from 9.00am till 5.00pm

Admission fees (includes welcome drink, interactive guided tour)
Local Malaysian RM 45.00 (Adult)RM 15.00 (12 years and below)
InternationalRM 65.00 (Adult)RM 25.00 (12 years and below)

North Borneo Railway

In the 1880s, with the emergence of rubber and coffee plantations in Borneo's hinterland, a need of some kind of transportation between towns was triggered, thus the North Borneo Railway was born.Today, it runs from Tanjung Aru till Tenom town, passing coastal and rural areas, picturesque villages and small towns, a mountain tunnel and a spectacular Gorge.

Revisit the early days of North Borneo when adventurous young British officers ventured deep into the heart of Borneo, opening up new towns and establishing Sabah's only railway line with a ride on a British Vulcan Steam Locomotive.

Operated by Sutera Harbour Resort, it also available for charter for groups, incentives and private parties.

Fares
My-KadRM-120.00 (Adult)RM100.00 (Child 12 years and below)
International-RM195.00 (Adult)RM110.00 (Child 12 years and below)

*Complimentary for children below 5years of age.
(Rates are inclusive of meal and light beverages.)
(Rates are not inclusive of ground transfers.)

Places To Go ( Day 4 )

Layang-Layang Island

Layang-Layang, known as "Swallows Reef" is an atoll situated in the South China Sea 300km north-west of Kota Kinabalu. The island is man-made and was constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed for the only dive resort, Layang-Layang Island Resort.

The island location offers absolute isolation, luckily there is an airstrip with regular flights from Kota Kinabalu, which is the only mode of transport for guests visiting Layang-Layang. The extreme location of Layang-Layang, the pristine reefs, excellent visibility, steep walls down to 2000km and regular sightings of pelagics has given Layang-Layang a much deserved reputation of being one of the top ten dive locations in the world.

With resident schools of barracuda and big-eye trevally and frequently seen green and hawksbill are plentifull and healthy with sea fans strecthing to more than three meters across that filter plankton from the passing currents.

The 20m deep lagoon has some great macro creatures to be found including seahorses, cuttlefish and pipefish but it is the pelagics visiting the outer walls that truly excite divers. Schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks and the occasional threshers and silvertip sharks can all be seen.

Stingrays are also regular visitors including manta rays, pygmy devil rays, marbled rays and eagle rays. Rare sightings such as whale sharks, orcas and melon headed whales have all been seen ove the last few years. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins frequently follow the dive boats to each location and divers are sometimes rewareded with snorkeling and diverse fish life and visiting pelagic marine life.

Layang-Layang has rightly gained worldwide recognition.

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre


Situated just two kilometers north-east of Kota Kinabalu City at Likas or ten minutes from the KK City Centre, the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC) formerly known as Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary (KKCBS) covers 24 hectares (60 acres) of mangrove forest . It is at once an educational and recreational centre.


Commonly sighted birds here include the migratory species from as far as Northern Asia, Siberia and Northern China like the sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, egrets and herons as well as canopy birds such as collared kingfisher and stork-billed kingfisher. To date almost 80 species of birds have been identified at the sanctuary.For serious bird watching, wear colours that blend into the environment. You may rent binoculars for RM5.00



Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday 8.00am till 6.00pm (Closed on Mondays)


Admission Fees



Malaysia-RM3.00 / Others RM10.00

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park was officially open to the public on the 17th February 2007. It is located along the Penampang-Papar old road and is fully developed by the Sabah Wildlife Department. The park consists of two components: zoological and botanical. The main objective of the park is to become a family-oriented park and the emphasis is put on the Children’s Zoo.

Among the inhabitants of the zoo (zoological component) are the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, Orang Utan, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger, as well as some different species of deer.The botanical component, on the other hand; offers visitors the opportunity to go jungle trekking along the botanical trail. The paved trail is about 1.4 kilometers long.

However, for leisurely strolls, visitors are only advised to walk halfway along the trail.TariffsLok Kawi Wildlife Park is open for the public daily from 9.30a.m to 5.30p.m.

Entrance fees charged are as follows: adults RM10 (Malaysian) and RM20 (non-Malaysian), children below 18 years RM5 (Malaysian) and RM10 (non-Malaysian), group of 10 to 20 people gets 15% discount from normal rate, and group of 20 and above gets 20% discount from normal rate. No fee is charged on school children in school uniforms, senior citizens (age 60 and above), as well as the handicapped.

Places To GO (Day 3 )

KK Esplanade

The newly opened KK Esplanade invites visitors of all walks of life to come and enjoy it!

Surrounded by famous landmarks such as the Hyatt Regency hotel, Cocoon bar, and Wisma Merdeka shopping complex, this esplanade is a perfect place to chill out and enjoy the atmosphere of KK city. Overlooking the sea, the esplanade also serves as a strategic place to catch a beautiful sunset after a long, hard day.

Located at the heart of the city, this esplanade provides an alluringly unique backdrop for photography enthusiasts to hone their skills. In addition to the benches provided and the wooden platform overlooking the islands, visitors will be amused by the dolphin monument and the smaller statues of fishes decorating the esplanade.

Kipandi Butterfly Park

Nature enthusiasts will definitely take pleasure in spending a day at the Kipandi Butterfly Park, located at Kampung Kipandi, Moyog—situated approximately 36 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu city via the Penampang-Tambunan road.

The gorgeously scenic park is surrounded by the hills of the Crocker Range. Lying at 700 meters altitude, it is rich in entomofauna. Over 100 species of butterflies have been recorded in this park; among the recorded species are the Troides Brookiana (Raja Brook’s Birding), Troides Amphrysus (Golden Birding), and the Papilio Karna (Peacock’s Swalloe Tails).

The insectariums has over 800 butterfly specimens and over 1, 800 species of beetles which include many endemic species that are only found in the Crocker Range, such as the Cyclommatus Chewi. Special enclosures have also been constructed to house some of the rare and endangered species of Sabahan orchids and pitcher plants. This project is a joint collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Plants have been saved from trees that were felled in land clearing for agricultural and developmental purposes. To date, there are as many as 400 species of native orchids, 28 species of Hoyas, and 5 species of Lipstick flowers Aeschynanthus and medicinal plants.
The park also initiates a free educational guided walk program for school children. This program is aimed at raising the awareness of the younger generations regarding the precious entomofauna of Sabah.

The Kipandi Butterfly Park is open daily from 9am to 4pm, the best time to spot butterflies are between 9am to 11am.

Handicraft Market

Located along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, the Handicraft Market is a favoured shopping haunt for locals and tourists alike. Souvenirs galore await you and rest assured there is something for everyone.

Start with the cheap trinkets, which make excellent gifts for friends and family. These include keychains, beaded bracelets and necklaces and bookmarks. You will be spoilt for choice with miles and miles of beautiful sarongs and pareos, an ideal reminder of your tropical holiday in Sabah! Be sure to check out the glistening and gorgeous pearl jewellery and handicrafts. You can purchase loose pearls or stunning brooches, necklaces and earrings, available at almost every stall you visit in this vast market.

For those with an eye for ornate wooden carvings, you have come to the right place. The market has an endless variety of carved crafts, including exotic wooden masks, picture frames and even stunning wall panels. Not be missed are the assortment of rattan baskets in all shapes and sizes.

The best thing about the Handicraft Market is that you never know what piece of treasure you might unravel during your visit. Some have returned home with an authentic sompoton

(a traditional wind instrument), a Murut headhunter's blowpipe, a coconut-shaped handbag and a wooden-frog that ‘sings' when you stroke its back with a wooden stick.

The most important tip when visiting the market is to bargain, bargain, bargain! Pick up some local lingo to improve your bargaining skills and you might even walk away a steal.

Opening hours07.30am to 07.30pm daily.

Place To Go ( Day-2)

City Mosque



Built on a 2.47 acres site at the Likas bay, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is exemplary of the Islamic contemporary architecture. Situated near the sea, this majestic white mosque boasts similar features to the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. This floating mosque has a prayer hall which houses three madrasahs and accommodates from 9, 000 to 12, 000 people at a time.


By far the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is even possibly the most beautiful one in Malaysia – the man-made lagoon which surrounds it gives a serenely gorgeous and dramatic look to the mosque on a full moon night.


The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is open for public visits daily except Fridays from 8am to 5pm. There are no fees charged on visitors.

Double Six Monument

The Double Six Monument is located in Sembulan, marking a significant tragedy in the history of Sabah. On June 6th, 1976, an airplane carrying Sabah’s fifth Chief Minister, Tun Mohd. Fuad Stephens and six other State ministers crashed, killing all on board. The Double Six monument was erected on the exact spot of the fatal crash.

Gaya Street (Sunday Market)

Originally named Bond Street, Gaya Street located in the Kota Kinabalu Central Business District has been the centre of business for over a hundred years. The wooden shops with nipah roofs are long gone but here is where generations-old family businesses are still thriving passed down from father to son.

Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs!. This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing.

The Gaya Street Fair is on every Sunday from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm

Places To Interest

State Mosque

The building use a honeycomb pattern design and with its majestic domes and gold inlays motifs', stands majestically tall from it’s surrounding.
The State mosque is a place of worship for Kota Kinabalu Muslim inhabitants and visitors.

One of the most outstanding pieces of architecture in Sabah is none other than the State Mosque. With its majestic dome and stunning gold inlay motifs, the mosque sits a stone's throw away from the city centre. It is a unique combination of prevailing Islamic architecture and contemporary design.

The mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers at one time. There is also a special balcony exclusively allocated for Muslim women during prayer time, with room for up to 500. Visitors are advised to adhere by the dress code when visiting places of worship. Avoid visiting on Fridays which is the day of prayer for Muslims.



Sabah State Museum
The Sabah Museum is located on 43.3 acres of lush green natural and planted jungle. Situated on a small hill overlooking the state mosque, it is designed to look like a longhouse and it opened its doors in 1984. It also houses a Heritage village, Islamic museum and art gallery.

Built in 1985, the Museum complex is sited where then British North Borneo Governor's Istana was once located. The Museum consists of the Main Building, Science and Education Centre, Heritage Village, Sabah Art Gallery and Museum of Islamic Civilization.
Inside are various Galleries housing Natural History, Ceramics, Ethnography and Archaeology exhibits, among others ...

Ceramics, traditional weapons and costumes reflect the diversity of the State's culture and traces Sabah's early trade links with the neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia and China. The museum also houses musical instruments, tools and ritual paraphernalia.
There is a Heritage Village on the Museum grounds where you can enter and experience different types of traditional houses of the various indigenous groups of Sabah. Cultural activities are held here from time to time.

The Sabah State Museum is located on Jalan Bukit Istana Lama, Kota Kinabalu, 4 km or about 15 minutes from the KK City Centre.




Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The marine park is a cluster of islands comprising Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug, all only 10 - 20 minute speedboat ride from the city of Kota Kinabalu. The five islands of the Marine Park are characterized by shallow waters, sumptuous coral gardens and all boast splendid white sandy beaches.

The reefs lie in shallow waters with little current making it an ideal location for novice divers, however, the diverse and sometimes rare marine creatures also make it an interesting dive location for experienced divers and underwater photographers.

To dive in the marine park you must contact one of the local dive centers based in Kota Kinabalu who also offer a full variety of PADI courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Instructor.
Among the sandy seabed a good variety of marine life can be found such as Scorpion fish, Blue-spotted rays, cuttlefish, mantis shrimps and the occasional green or hawksbill turtle. At some locations, rare creatures such as the harlequin ghost pipefish and mandarin fish can be found especially with the help from local dive guides.

During the cooler months from November to February, plankton blooms attract krill which in turn attract whale sharks, the world's largest fish. At times, the density of the krill can be so thick in these murky conditions underwater encounters with these colossal animals can be exciting as they suddenly appear out of the gloom.

Non-diving visitors can still have as much fun in the islands with other optional activities such as snorkeling in Pulau Sapi and Manukan and seawalking in Pulau Sapi. Adventure lovers will also enjoy an overnight camping trip at Pulau Sapi and Mamutik. If water sport is your cup of tea, you may contact any local tour companies for more information regarding the water sport activities that are available.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is open daily from 8.30am to 5pm.

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu , formerly Jesselton , is the capital of Sabah , east Malaysia , on the island of Borneo ; it is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. It is located at latitude 5.98333° and longitude 116.06667°. As of the 2000 census , its population was 354,153, with an estimated metropolitan population of 900,000. Facing the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on one side, and with the mighty Mount Kinabalu in the background, Kota Kinabalu sprawls for kilometers along the coast and inland.

The City of Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. Located on the west coast of “the Land Below the Wind”, under the watchful eye of majestic Mount Kinabalu, and on the fringes of the South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu is the bustling and colourful gateway to Sabah. Here you find the international airport, world class hotels, innumerable restaurants and café shops, shopping malls and business districts. We call our fast developing and modern city with some 350,000 inhabitants simply and affectionately KK!

The state capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu. It is a relatively new town as most of its original buildings were destroyed during World War II. Only the north-eastern corner of the town remained and is known as 'Old KK' among the locals today. The post-war reconstruction has resulted in Kota Kinabalu becoming a hodgepodge of new and old buildings. Previously known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling, relaxed township of more than 13,000 inhabitants. There is an interesting blend of European, Malay and Chinese shop houses, traditional market places set amongst several high-rise buildings and new shopping areas.

The town is also referred to as 'Singgah Mata' (where the eye lingers) and its still as appealing as it was to the mariners of old. Kota Kinabalu has some beautiful views of perpetual blue skies, a coral-studded sea with lovely sunsets and misty mountains in the distance.

History


In the 9th century A.D., Sabah was ruled by various tribal chieftains who maintained power over their individual territories. There were some trade links with China and later with the Spanish and Portuguese.

By the 15th century, Sabah had become a vassal of the Sultan of Brunei. In 1704, the Sultan of Brunei ceded the land east of Murudu Bay to the Sultan of Sulu.
In the early 1880's, Moses, an American trader, obtained a lease over Sabah from Brunei. The lease was eventually passed to Alfred Dent, an Englishman. Dent founded the North Borneo Chartered Company and in 1881, he signed a treaty with Brunei and Sulu, converting the lease into cession.

The British North Borneo Chartered Company had control until the Japanese Occupation. After World War II, Sabah became a British Crown Colony. In 1963, it gained independence and joined Malaysia.

The People

The three main indigenous groups of Sabah are the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut and Bajau. The Kadazan-Dusun make up one third of the population and live in the interior plains. They are mainly padi farmers though many have ventured into other trades. The padi harvesting, an important ritual, is accompanied by religious rites presided over by female priestesses called a bobohizan.

The Murut, who live in the interior region near the borders of Sarawak and Kalimantan, are farmers and hunters. Many of them still stay in longhouses. Murut weddings are elaborate affairs lasting for days. Everyone is welcome to these weddings!The Bajau, who make up the second largest indigenous group, live mainly on the east and west coasts. East coast Bajau are sea nomads, coming ashore only to sell their fish catches. The west coast Bajau are farmers and are noted for their skilled horsemanship. These handsomely attired 'Cowboys of the East' add a distinctively Sabahan touch to local festivities

Sabah - Land Below the Wind

Sabah is located in the northeastern tier of the island of Borneo. Overlooking the South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu, its capital, serves as the gateway to the varied attractions of the state. Known as Jesselton during the British era, it was totally destroyed during the last World War. The present day town has blossomed into a thriving commercial centre and holiday destination. A short boat-ride away takes one to the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a haven for camping and sea sports. A 21/, hour ride from the town brings you to the 754 sq km Kinabalu Park and Mount Kinabalu, the pride of Sabah. This 4095 m peak is easily accessible and is a favourite for jungle-trekking and mountainclimbing and offers a breathtaking view ofthelush surroundings. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the exotic Rafflesia, the world's largest flower.

The world's largest Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is located at Sepilok, a 20-minute drive from the town of Sandakan. Here, one can observe first hand, these primeval apes (in their natural habitat) roam and play in non-captive breeding. Further south, in the interior of the state, lies the Danum Valley Conservation area, a lowland tropical forest endowed with an abundance of flora and fauna. Several hours away into the hinterland of Sandakan at Sukau, nature lovers will have a thrilling once-in-alifetime experience of sighting the unique proboscis monkey in its natural habitat, a variety of wildlife and perhaps, the rare clouded leopard.
Sabah is an enchanting mosaic of cultural diversity with at least 31 indigenous groups with their rich cultures and interesting traditions. The tamu, a weekly open bazaar, offers a vividglimpse into the colourful blend of local cultures. The tamu is where natives gather to trade in farm produce, local curios, handicraft, food and even buffaloes. Kota Belud is a favourite spot for tourists to capture this exotic occasion.

For those who are keen to taste the thrills of whitewater rafting, Sabah is the perfect destination. Its fast flowing rivers and turbulent rapids have attracted an increasing number of rafting enthusiasts. The Padas River offers a challengingand hearts top ping experience of this sport. The Kiulu River is also another popular spot for whitewater rafting as well as wholesome family fun.

The engrossing thrill of turtle-watching can be experienced on the islands of Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan, located approximately 40 km from Sandakan. Here, one can witness almost every night, especially during the peak season between July and September, turtles crawling to the beach to lay eggs. Layang - Layang, an oceanic atoll located 165 nautical miles north-west of Kota Kinabalu, is the ultimate destination for serious divers. Its 2000 m drop provides excellent wall-diving and the opportunity to see fascinating seascapes and encounter diverse species of sea creatures and corals such as turtles, manta rays and sharks. The island is also a sanctuary for numerous migratory birds.

Economy
Sabah's economy depends on agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and tourism. Exports include palm oil, cocoa beans, rubber, timber and crude petroleum.

Destination Sabah

Sabah, is located towards most east of Malaysia. The western part of Sabah is generally mountainous, containing the three highest mountains in Malaysia. The most prominent range is the Crocker Range which houses several mountains of varying height from about 1,000 metres to 4,000 metres. At the height of 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and the mountain is the fourth tallest in Southeast Asia behind Hkakabo Razi of Myanmar (5881 m), Puncak Jaya (4884 m) and Puncak Trikora (4750 m) of Papua, Indonesia . The jungles of Sabah are classified as rainforests and host a diverse array of plant and animal species. Kinabalu National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000 because of its richness in plant diversity combined with its unique geological, topographical, and climatic conditions.[13]

Lying nearby Mount Kinabalu is Mount Tambuyukon. At a height of 2,579 metres, it is the third highest peak in the country. Adjacent to the Crocker Range is the Trus Madi Range which houses the second highest peak in the country, Mount Trus Madi, at a height of 2,642 metres. There are lower ranges of hills extending towards the western coasts, southern plains, and the interior or central part of Sabah. These mountains and hills are traversed by an extensive network of river valleys and are in most cases covered with dense rainforest.

Events

With so many cultures and religions in Malaysia, there is quite an amazing number of occasions to celebrate. Although some of them have a fixed date each year, the Hindus, Muslims and Chinese all follow a lunar calendar, so the dates for many events vary year to year. Tourism Malaysia puts out biannual Calendar of Events sheets with specific dates and venues of various festivals and parades, but state tourist offices have more detailed listings.

The capital is a good venue for Malaysia's major holidays and festivals like Thaipusam (when devotees of Lord Subramaniam prove their faith by piercing their body parts with metal spikes and hooks), Chinese New Year and Deepavali (Festival of Lights, when tiny oil lamps are lit outside the homes of Hindu people to entice Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, inside).

City Day is 1 February, when KL commemorates becoming a federal territory. Celebrations take place at Tasik Perdana and Lake Titiwangsa gardens in the north of the city.

In July, KL goes flower-crazy during the Flora Fest, with exhibitions and the international Floral Parade.

At midnight on 30 August, revellers crowd Merdeka Square (like Times Square on New Year's Eve) to celebrate National Day, the anniversary of Malaysia's independence in 1957. There are parades and festivities the next morning, usually at Commonwealth Stadium, but ask a tourist information office to be sure.

For two weeks in September, KL celebrates Malaysia Fest (also called the Colours of Malaysia) with exhibits of traditional arts and special cultural performances around town. The October Shopping Carnival follows on its heels