Kota Kinabalu lies on the coastline, close to Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu National Park. Visitors here get the best of several worlds with beaches, the city center, and a World Heritage site. The city itself is becoming quite a popular resort destination and is also the gateway to tropical islands off Malaysian Borneo. Kota Kinabalu International Airport serves as the entry point and is only eight kilometers from the city center.

Nature lovers, those who both enjoy being among it and studying it, will enjoy a visit to Mount Kinabalu. Borneo’s tallest mountain has great biological importance with a range of different terrains and some 6,000 species of plants. With the peak at 4,000 meters above sea level, the mountain is an excellent destination for hiking and climbing. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is another great destination for the nature lover and beach lover alike. This collection of five islands is a 30-minute speedboat trip from the coast. Tanjung Aru Beach is the most popular in the city with food stalls and bars and is only a 10-minute drive from the city center.

Be sure to check out the interactive map of Kota Kinabalu for information on hotel locations, attractions, and must-see destinations.