Wednesday, October 18, 2023

3 Best Things To Do in Kota Kinabalu

For the past couple of years, Malaysia has been widely known for its beautiful cities that can fulfill anything the tourist wants for their trip. This includes Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu is famous for its beautiful beaches, fascinating architecture, rich cultures, and many more. That way, tourists will always have activities during their trip to this lovely city.

As a Malaysian, especially one who lives in Miri, you should include it as your next trip destination. Traveling from Miri to Kinabalu is easy, only taking one hour flight depending on the route available. That’s why you should immediately book a ticket for the Miri to Kota Kinabalu flight and enjoy impressive experiences.

In this article, you will find some recommendations for things to do in Kota Kinabalu, including the best places to visit in Miri.

What to Do While in Kota Kinabalu?

1. Admire the Atkinson Clock Tower

Atkinson Clock Tower (Image credit: Traveloka.com)

Kota Kinabalu is most famous for its fantastic architecture that tourists can admire. If you are in this town, spare some time to visit Atkinson Clock Tower.

Built-in 1902, this tower is one of Kinabalu's main landmarks to honor Francis George Atkinson. He became the previous District Officer in Jesselton, acknowledged for giving names to this town “Kota Kinabalu” for the colonial period.

To arrive at the Atkinson Clock Tower, you need to stroll up a scenic hill positioned off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. You can witness the views over the rest of the city during your walk. If you stroll up the hill a bit in addition to the tower, you may also get to the Signal Hill Observatory.

2. Hiking in Mount Kinabalu

Ranau trail (Image credit: Sabah Tourism)

Kota Kinabalu is a perfect destination for those who want to satisfy their adventurous spirit. If you are the same, you can satisfy that by hiking Mount Kinabalu. Standing at some 13,000 feet above sea level, this mountain is Malaysia’s tallest mountain, making it no small accomplishment to hike.

To ensure a comfortable journey, spending two days hiking with an overnight stay at Panalaban Base Camp before reaching the summit is recommended. Despite the challenging hike, the stunning scenery at Low's Peak Summit makes it worthwhile.

Mount Kinabalu also has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain has a diverse ecosystem, including the gorgeous flora and fauna you can see during your hike.

3. Sunbathe at Tanjung Aru Beach

Us enjoying Kota Kinabalu beautiful beach back in 2016

A trip to Kota Kinabalu isn’t complete without strolling on one of its lovely beaches. For the recommendation, you can pay a visit to Tanjung Aru Beach, which is referred to as the most loved beach in the town and is specifically famous on the weekends.

This beach has anything you possibly want for your trip. Once you arrive, you'll see a long stretch of sand that backs onto the water. This view will encourage you to lay down the carpet and sunbathe during sunny days.

Walking alongside the sand at sundown or drinking at one of the bars that line the coast are also worth doing. During your visit, make sure to try some local snacks that are sold in the street food stalls here.

Conclusion

That’s the summary of the 3 of the best activities in Kota Kinabalu. With its beautiful beaches, fascinating architecture, rich cultures, and many more, This area of Malaysia offers endless things to do. Start planning your vacation to Kota Kinabalu with the Traveloka app to book flight tickets quickly and easily.

Not only Kota Kinabalu, but you can also book a flight to Semporna ticket, which is also the best trip destination in Malaysia. Happy travels with Traveloka!