I flew to Kota Kinabalu recently for a 3D2N business trip. I managed to squeeze in some time for some sightseeing in Kota Kinabalu city. This was how I did my self guided walking tour which lasted for about two hours in Kota Kinabalu.
Above is my walking tour map in the city along with the major attractions (click to see enlarged map). I started my city tour in early morning around 7am. Unlike West Malaysia, the sunrise time is Kota Kinabalu is around 6am. Many places were not open until 8am or later. If you want to spend some time shopping, you may need to allow more time in between.
1) Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu in Malay) is the furthest attraction away from the city center, about 10 minutes drive from Suria Sabah Shopping Mall. The easiest way to get here is to take a Grab taxi or drive here. It is a pity that I did not have time to go in for a visit.
Known as a 'floating' mosque, the view of the mosque and its reflection in the pool surrounding it was stunning enough. It is by far the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu and it is the second main mosque in the city after Sabah State Mosque. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately when visiting the mosque. Or else, before entering, you will be required to rent cover up clothing provided by the City Mosque at RM5 to RM10.
Entrance fee: RM5 for international visitors, free for Malaysian
Opening hours: 8am - 12pm, 2pm - 3.30pm, 4pm - 5.30pm (Mon - Sun), closed on Friday
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/sYAxgzz9vJkczu8Z9
Official website: http://www.mbr.sabah.org.my/
2) Pillars of Sabah
After visiting Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, I would recommend to take a Grab taxi to Pillars of Sabah which is located opposite Suria Sabah Shopping Mall (see photo above).
Pillars of Sabah is a community art project which occupies the ruins of the former Lands and Surveys office building. It was one of the three buildings that survived the World War II bombing along with Atkinson Clock Tower and former General Post Office building (now the Sabah Tourism Board building). Despite surviving the Allied bombing during World War II, the building was destroyed in a fire on 31 December 1992. The site's remnant pillars now features 'Wonders of Wilderness' with an oceanic theme. Sculptures of life-sized marine animals are installed on site. Visitors can scan the QR code on the pillars to know more about the marine life.
3) Sabah Tourism Board building
Sabah Tourism Board building is one of three buildings that survived the World War II bombing. Sabah Tourism Board used to offer free walking tours on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday form 9am to 10 places of interest in town. The walking tour usually last for about two hours and the maximum amount of participants is 15 pax. But it is now temporary closed until further notice. Check out the website here for more information.
In front of the building, you can also find the 0 Km Kota Kinabalu sign on the floor.
4) Gaya Street Sunday Market
If you happen to be in Kota Kinabalu on a Sunday, be sure to drop by Gaya Street Sunday Market which opens as early as 6am and ends around 1pm every Sunday. The entire Gaya Street will be closed off to traffic to make way for the street market.
5) Atkinson Clock Tower
Atkinson Clock Tower is Sabah's oldest standing wooden structure that survived the World War II bombing. It was built in 1905, in the memory of Francis George Atkinson, Jesselton's first district officer who died of Malaria at the age of 28 in 1902. The tower is now closed for upgrading works until 23 September 2023.
If you have time, do hike up to the Signal Hill Observatory Platform to get a good view of Kota Kinabalu city. The hill trail at the bottom starts from somewhere near the Atkinson Clock Tower.
6) Malaysia Monument
Malaysia Monument was built by the Chinese community to mark the birth of Malaysia back in 1963. It is located in front of the Keng Chew Association in Charter Street.
7) North Borneo War Monument
North Borneo War Monument was originally a memorial for the fallen British soldiers during the World War I but later extended to include the Australian soldiers in World War II. It stands in the city park of Kota Kinabalu.
8) Kota Kinabalu Central Market
There is a long pedestrian bridge above Jalan Tun Razak and connects to the Kota Kinabalu Central Market.
You can find all sorts of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables and poultry in Kota Kinabalu Central Market. Do sample some of the exotic fruits such as Tarap and Bambangan (wild Borneo mango) which you rarely find outside Borneo. It opens from 6am to 6pm daily.
9) I Love KK sign
Next, I dropped by the I Love KK sign at the KK waterfront. It is a good spot to take photo with a quick stopover. Right in front of the I Love KK sign is a roundabout with a Swordfish sculpture.
Passed through a bus stop with Love KK sign.
10) Fish Market
Further down the road, you will find the Fish Market. This is the place to buy cheap fresh or dried seafood. There are also some shops outside which opens early.
11) Handicraft Market
Handicraft Market (formerly known as the Filipino Market) is a favourite shopping place for tourists to shop for handicrafts and souvenirs. I was there too early (before 8am) and it wasn't open yet during my visit. It opens from 8am to 10pm daily. There is also a night market further down the road.
12) The Waterfront
The Waterfront is a one-stop dining and entertainment centre. It is a popular hangout place for both locals and tourists. I would recommend to come here for dinner and to enjoy sunset view in the evening.
13) Oceanus Waterfront Mall
Just beside the Waterfront is the Oceanus Waterfront Mall. Behind the shopping mall, there is a long and spacious wooden walkway overlooking the waterfront of Kota Kinabalu. Although the metal railing was rusty and the wooden walkway was uneven and in need of some repair, I really enjoy strolling along this walkway. The shopping mall is open from 10am - 8pm daily.
You can stop your walking tour here if you want. There is not much to see further down the road except another shopping mall. But I just can't get tired of the gorgeous view of blue sea and blue sky.
14) Imago Shopping Mall
After crossing a bridge, I reached the Imago Shopping Mall. The shopping mall is open from 10am - 10pm daily. This marks the end of my self-guided walking tour in Kota Kinabalu. Afterwards, I took a Grab taxi back to The Magellan Sutera resort, where I was staying for two nights.
Nevertheless, I would love to visit Kota Kinabalu again for leisure travel next time. There is so much more to see and do in Kota Kinabalu. This was just a taste of what Kota Kinabalu have to offer.
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