Best Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (2022)

A couple of months after I made the decision to quit my job and start a travel lifestyle, I was browsing through cheap flight options with a friend of mine so that we can plan a quick getaway. During our search, a trip to Kota Kinabalu (KK) caught my eye and it quickly piqued my interest. (Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu)

You see, if you’ve ever thought of Malaysia, I bet that the top destination that comes to your mind is Kuala Lumpur; so for sure, it intrigued me what might be there to see in Kota Kinabalu — and I’m telling you, there’s a LOT!

So without further ado, we booked the flights and spent 3 days in this Malaysian city. After days of exploration… I was in bliss.

Our whole trip was ‘low key’ and tranquil, but it was clear that Kota Kinabalu can be a charming destination for just about anyone due to the existence of lush rainforests, paradisiac islands, and of course: Mount Kinabalu.

Facts about Kota Kinabalu

• Kota Kinabalu or KK is perched on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo and it is the capital of the state of Sabah (one of two states of East Malaysia).
• It is actually named after Mount Kinabalu, which is located about 50 kilometers northeast of the city and it is also the highest mountain found in Malaysia.
• This is deemed the largest city in Sabah and it is also the main gateway into the island of Borneo.
• Islam is the most professed religion, that’s why Malaysia as a whole is fairly conservative. Rest assured, most cities are liberal so you should have no problem wearing shorts for example (and besides, they would understand since you are a foreigner). However, it helps to not bare too much flesh with very revealing clothes or whatnot, most especially if you go to rural areas.
• The citizens are comprised of Brunei Malays, Bajau, Chinese, Kadazandusun, and immigrants who are mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines.
• The languages used on the island are Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, English, and Hakka dialect. (Rest assured, almost everyone can speak English so it shouldn’t be a problem for you as a tourist).

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Geisha Facts

1. Island hop in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

Named after Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park or Marine Park is comprised of 5 islands and a trip to this area will only take you 15 to 30 minutes by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu. The islands are namely…

• Gaya: The largest island in the park and the closest to…