More like a town than city. Shopping around business district can be done by foot and you can enjoy cheap and good live seafood in this area.
Kota Kinabalu is more like a quiet town than a city. The main attraction I would recommend Mount Kota Kinabalu to be close to nature.
White water rafting, Botanic garden, seafood, shopping can be bundled in the overall attraction.
A city with shopping malls to visit. There are a few islands for activities such as snorkeling, and others.
Kota Kinabalu is gaining popularity among Asian travels as well as from the West. It is a very safe place to enjoy with the family and it has a lot of venues for out door fun.
The highlight of our visit was the Island Hopping Tour and the kids really enjoyed it. How I wish the government will find ways on how to preserve those natural resources and attractions as I have noticed lots of pollutions near the beaches.
It's a small city which is awakening. It's still charming and has some bars good places to each sea food.
Our family didn't stay in the city but visited daily. We stayed at a resort outside of the city. We enjoyed coming into the city to visit the islands, shopping and dinner.
It was fabulous to take a ferry to the islands for zip line, snorkeling and parasailing !!
A quiet city with limited options for travellers. Recommended for booking further tours or accommodation only.
The new large shopping center just over the bridge is the best in town and worth a visit with good dining and retail options.
i visited here a few years back,what a difference. The roads have been improved,the areas are now very clean and tidy,shopping is good,nightlife is good,restaurants so much choice.
Will definitely be back shortly. Plenty of sightseeing or water sports,what ever your choice i believe Kota Kinabulu has it all at a very good price and value for money.
There are really two parts to Kota Kinabalu (KK), one is the city which can be covered in a day with very good planning (or a very good guide!).
This city tour can encompass the main attractions like cultural interests such as museums and local landmarks (e.g. legislature buildings) as well as the shopping areas (both malls and local markets). The city is fast developing so more 'modern' architecture such as malls are more common now but don't spend too much time in them as the main draw is definitely the local markets for both produce and handicrafts. Apart from that, the city has a laid-back relaxed feel to it which is great for travelers from frenetic cities. The second part to KK is definitely attractions around Mount Kinabalu (MK). Really, MK is the biggest draw for KK visitors and they won't be disappointed. As always, plan ahead to maximise the time there for the range of activities (e.g. the park for hiking, the Poring hot springs, the Desa farm, the cliff ride up as well) or get a really good guide. There are many options such as homestay up the MK region so overnights are an option! It's best to spend at least 1.5 days around MK to really get the most of the place! Overall, KK is a really good place to visit, especially now when it's not as hectic and developed as it's touted to be really soon! People are really friendly to boot!
A city full of adventure. Besides diving and beaches, a bike tour in the village and a jungle walk along mount Kinabalu were also good.
We also did the white water rafting but it was more like a river cruise.
Kota Kinobalu is amazing, islands, beaches, sun and the ocean, you will love this place and the seafood is so so so yummy!
the hotel servive is quite nice.the service good.people there nicely .the location is convenience for family trip,shopping ,dine every way eazy to find and the transportation every where are eazy got motor and cab every where but when we check in is waiting so long make us tired.
.. have to update
A short stay in KK town is great for the food and the prewar buildings especially along Gaya Street.
I can't really recommend Kota Kinabalu for vacation destination unless you have a unlimited funds. Getting to KK and staying in KK isn't that expensive.
However, KK is only a gateway city for other activities. It seems all the activities take place outside of the city and require traveling a distance to get to them. While Tanjung Aru is a decent beach, to get to the nice beaches on the islands it's going to cost you a bit if you do it on your own and cost you an arm and a leg if you do it through a travel agency. Most things can be arranged and booked on your own. But if you want a nice place to kick back and relax, KK is your place.
It's isn't my first time in Kota Kinabalu but I has been awhile and I found it very amusing with new shopping centre around and leisure island such as manukan is rather unforgettable.
Kota Kinabalu is a beautiful city with abundance of restaurants especially seafood and at affordable prices.
Good place to visit for holidays.
The city is much larger than we thought initially and there are many places of interest in and out of KK, with a great diversity of outdoor experiences: all water sports (including snorkelling and scuba diving), nature and forest walks, mountain hiking, shopping and dining, etc.
all in one place
The city area of Kota Kinabalu is not really a big area where you can easily access most of the places by foot.
There are many hotels in the city area and some good restaurants too, you can also plan for 1 or 2 days to explore the islands near Kota Kinabalu, ~ 20 mins away from the city by speed boat.
Wonderful city with sandy beaches and mount Kinabalu as must see. Good mix of outdoor and places to chill out.
a lot to do for outdoor activities and starting point to a lot of other attractions. easy access to beaches and islands.
Wonderful place to visit. You have highlands, the islands and nature all wrapped in one. The roads are good and road trips to Kundasang, Kudat or Sandakan is wonderful.
You will be awed with the beautiful nature,green forests and wonderful people. It is also a wonderful place to go the islands. The sandy white beaches, blue sea and beautiful sea creatures welcomes you. Mount Kinabalu bids you to climb her. The air is fresh and cooling. I had a wonderful time in Kota Kinabalu and hopes to visit again.
Nice and reasonable pricing of sea foods. City is easier to walk around,but not many city attractions to look for.
need transport to travel out of city for many outskirt points of visits
Vibrant city with many restaurants,malls,pubs and tourism destination such as the islands,Mt Kinabalu,and Cultural village within driving distance.
kk city is not really big. making easy to walk around from hotel. kk city is full of seafood restaurant and the price is not over charge.
The food, shopping mall and attraction are not as well established as compared to Kuala Lumpur. However, Kota Kinabalu offers good beach/sea activities and not to mention the spectacular view of Kinabalu Mountain.
A bustling and rapidly developing city with a regard to the tranquility and preservation of their vast nature.
I've been to many cities with markets of all types. Not trying to sound sour, but, a market is a market, is a market; whether it's stuff or food, night or some other specialty, the deals aren't deals and there are all types of goods available.
Anyway, trying to navigate the city on foot is frustrating.
Kota Kinabalu is the city with the beautifull port, beautifull beach, also mountain area. The cost of living is also cheap.
Kota Kinabalu is like Bali in Indonesia, but Kota Kinabalu is more quiet than Bali.
It is just a small town with limited sight seeing activities. The food is okay, but not great. Movie tickets are cheap comparatively.
Beaches are fine but not great. Overall, we will go once in our life and its enough.
Very beautiful beach and the sea water is very clear. The beach is clear and not deep, suitable for children to play at seaside.