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Kota Kinabalu City, Malaysia in Pictures

Posted on September 24, 2015November 6, 2016

I will always associate Kota Kinabalu with rains, OK may be not always, but surely till the next trip. Due to the rains we could not go island hopping on our schedule. But that gave us half a day to explore the landmarks of the city which was fun. In this post I show you Kota Kinabalu in pictures. Kota Kinabalu is also emerging as a destination for Indian weddings.

The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

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The City Mosque, Kota Kinabalu

Situated by the Likas Bay, Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is an impressive structure. The construction of the mosque started in 1989 and it was opened to the public in 2000. It is surrounded by a constructed lake which adds to the charm of the place. I did not enter the premises but I ran to the outside where a crowd had gathered. It is from there you get a good picture of the mosque with its reflection. The entry to the mosque is free.

Puh Toh Tze Temple

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Puh Toh Tze Temple, Kota Kinabalu

The first thing that caught my attention about the temple was its beautiful architecture. Then the color red stood out. Pillars, walls, lanterns all were red. People came in to offer prayers.

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A Sculpture at the Temple

The walk around the temple will take about 20 minutes if you do it at leisure. The entry is free.

Sutera Harbor

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Sutera Harbor Marina, Kota Kinabalu

Sutera Harbor Marina is home to beautiful yachts. Space is available for rent both for long and short term. While we were waiting for our speedboat to Sapi Island, I marveled at the beauties parked there. I even marveled at a couple who were going about their business on a yacht. Their suntan was to be seen to believe!

The Beach, Kota Kinabalu

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The Beach at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

You get out of the airport and you are at the beach in Kota Kinabalu. I took the picture from Shangri-La Tanjung Aru. While we were going to the resort our guide told us- this is beach number 3. It was number three because there were 1 and 2 before it. As someone said, what is there in a name? Call it beach 3 and it still would be stunningly beautiful. I got to know that Prince William and his family stayed at Tanjung Aru sometime back.

The Local Market

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Look at the Variety of Chili at the Local Market

We stayed in the heart of the city first at Hyatt Regency and then at Le Meridien. Right across the Le Meridien is the local market for vegetables and fruits. On my last day I walked out in the morning and took a stroll. I was amazed at the variety of chili the shop displayed. They took my photo session easily in their stride. One person asked me if I would like to go island hopping to which I said I had a flight to catch in a few hours.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

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The Mari Mari Cultural Village

Mari Mari Cultural Village is an excellent place to discover about the tribes of Sabah and their customs. They have built the houses of five tribes and enact the living conditions for the tourists. It is targeted at the tourists, I was not sure how I would like it but it was a lot of fun.

Sapi Island

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Sapi Island

Island hopping was on our agenda but the rain gods had other plans. We visited Sapi Island on the next day but you can see umbrellas were out on the beach. We still got a window of clear weather and managed to zipline on the Island to Island Coral Flyer. It was fun to zipline from Gaya Island to Sapi Island.

The Sabah State Mosque

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The Sabah State Mosque

The Sabah State Mosque is an impressive place of worship with its golden dome and gold inlay work. Our guide John told us that all important people came here to offer the prayers. Once again we looked at it only from outside. There were a lot of cars round so I could not get a clear view from any side.

Gurudwara Sahib, Kota Kinabalu

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The Gurudwra Sahib, Kota Kinabalu

Finding a Grudwara in Kota Kinabalu was a surprise. It was not on our original itinerary. We went there because of the rain gods and in the end I am happy as I discovered a piece of India in Sabah. We met Mr. Avtar Singh on the premises who told us a bit about the history of the place. Jesselton was named Kota Kinabalu in 1963. Sikhs primarily came to Malaysia as police officers with the British in 1865. However, it is said that they were not the first Sikhs to arrive in Malaysia. The first lot came as political prisoners in early 1800. Avtar ji said that some went back to India at the time of World War II but the ones who remained got integrated into the local society.

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The Sabah State Railway

Right behind the Gurudwara is a railway line which connects Kota Kinabalu to Tenom. It is known as Sabah State Railway. We were told that the road connection is faster so the railway line is not much in use.

This sums up my visit to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. I for sure wish to go back and explore more.

PS.The view of the city in the first picture has been clicked from the Signal Hill, the highest point of the city. Itgot its name as flags were raised on the hill as a signal to the ships arriving at Jesselton Port in earlier times.

PPS. I was invited to Kota Kinabalu by Silk Air and Sabah Tourism Board.

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27 thoughts on “Kota Kinabalu City, Malaysia in Pictures”

  1. Untraveled Routes says:
    September 24, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Hi Mridula,
    Have never been to Kota Kinabalu City, your post and pictures look so inviting. Loved the beach image, seems like a painting.

    Look forward to stay connected πŸ™‚

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Thank you so much for your kind words, looking forward to more interaction πŸ˜€

      Reply
  2. Archana Kapoor says:
    September 24, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    Beautiful place! ????

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Thank you Archana.

      Reply
  3. rationalraj2000Rajeev Moothedath says:
    September 25, 2015 at 12:41 am

    Breathtaking Pics, particularly the Shangrila beach.Thanks for sharing Mridula!

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:32 am

      Thank you Rajeev.

      Reply
  4. Ami says:
    September 25, 2015 at 4:24 am

    Lovely account of the entire trip. I love the Mari Mari bit and the island hopping.

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:34 am

      Thank you Ami.

      Reply
  5. kashpals says:
    September 25, 2015 at 4:57 am

    Beautiful yachts at Sutera Harbor Marina. Thanks for the tour of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:35 am

      Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  6. Subhodeep Mukhopadhyay says:
    September 25, 2015 at 5:21 am

    The photos are absolutely brilliant! Great article.

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:35 am

      Thank you.

      Reply
  7. Debopam Banerjee says:
    September 25, 2015 at 5:32 am

    Lovely snaps and clear description….. The city came alive….. Thanks for letting us visit so many places through your blog…………

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 25, 2015 at 8:37 am

      Thank you for hopping on the journeys with my blog πŸ˜€

      Reply
  8. Prasad Np says:
    September 25, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    And it is proved once again kee Aloo or Sardar har jagah milte hain. But on a serious note Kota Kinabalu place has some real good natural and man made places to visit.

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 26, 2015 at 2:03 pm

      Prasad thank you for sharing that desi saying and you do have a point πŸ˜€

      Reply
  9. Chaitali says:
    September 25, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Thanks for refreshing my memories Mridula! I haven’t been to some of the places you mentioned… guess another visit is due.

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 26, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      And I have seen so little, I too want more!

      Reply
  10. Tales of Traveling Sisters says:
    September 25, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Well captured pictures Mridula, especially the Beach 3 picture looks very dramatic!

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 26, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      It is HDR πŸ˜€

      Reply
  11. Nisha says:
    September 25, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Kota Kinabalu is one of the most beautiful places in Malaysia. No wonder your pictures tell the same. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 26, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Thank you Nisha.

      Reply
  12. Yogi saraswat says:
    September 26, 2015 at 4:33 am

    Malaysia is really one of the beautiful places to visit . Mari Mari village and its residents are very beautiful too !! great pictures Mridula ji .

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 26, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Thank you Yogi.

      Reply
  13. Swati (The Tales of A Traveler) says:
    September 28, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Have not been to Kota Kinabalu yet but your pictures are inviting enough , one more place added to my ever growing bucket list πŸ™‚

    http://thetalesofatraveler.com/2015/09/27/the-travelers-guide-to-tipping-internationally/

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      October 6, 2015 at 6:57 am

      Thank you Swati for your kind words.

      Reply
  14. Moon says:
    September 23, 2016 at 10:18 pm

    Looks to be a picturesque and peaceful place! Love the photos.

    Reply

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About Me

I am Mridula Dwivedi and I started this blog in 2005. It has been an amazing ride. I have visited 33 countries till date! I have worked with many tourism boards and prominent travel companies. My blog was featured on the BBC and the Guardian.

I did my Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur. I worked full time in academics till 2015! I quit my job as a professor, thinking I will take a break for one year, which turned into five.

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