Located in East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah and an ideal getaway destination for those who love nature and the great outdoors. Tucked in between an archipelago of paradise islands and the prominent Mount Kinabalu, this is arguably the best place for Hongkongers to take a long weekend and get in touch with their adventurous side. Forget the phones and laptops, and dust off your hiking boots and swimming gear!
How to get there
Kota Kinabalu is a short three-hour flight from Hong Kong. The cheapest way to get to there, according to Expedia, is Air Asia. Air Asia flies there daily and for around HKD2,000. Although the pleasant tropical weather is consistent all year round, the most ideal time to visit Kota Kinabalu is between January and March as these are the driest months.
What to do
Tanku Abdul Rahman National Park is an archipelago of five tropical islands (Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Mamutik, and Pulau Sulug) just 3-8 kilometres west of Kota Kinabalu, in the South China Sea. With these pockets of paradise just a 10-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu’s famous Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, island hopping is an absolute must.
For a very reasonable RM53 (HKD113), you can visit four islands in one go. However, squeezing this into approximately seven hours can feel a bit rushed.
Alternately, you can narrow down your selection to two or three islands for RM30 (HKD70) and ensure you’re spending quality time on each. Specifically, we recommend Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan.
Both Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan are surrounded by refreshing clear blue waters and beautiful scenery. Additionally, a colourful variety of aquatic life inhabit the waters, making scuba diving of interest and snorkelling a must.
But be wary, some of the more common school fish are used to generous tourists illegally dishing out handfuls of bread and aren’t afraid to deliver a demanding nip or two if they’re feeling “peckish”.
Out of the water, you can take a breather and relax on the small beaches or under the shade of the nearby trees, or you can continue your adventure inland. There are lush hills with walking trails, and if you’re lucky (or perhaps, unlucky) you may even see a dragon – a Komodo Dragon, that is.
If you don’t spot one, keep your eyes peeled at lunchtime when buffets are set up with a delicious-smelling local food. The commotion doesn’t go unnoticed by these big predators who often amble down, tongues flickering curiously, to the fence line (put up to maintain the safety of the picnic area from these potentially dangerous lizards).
Manukan is the second largest island of the five and used to be extremely popular as a snorkelling destination for tourists. It has therefore been developed with restaurants, washrooms and a few resorts. However, this has regrettably had a negative impact on the marine life.
Much of the designated snorkelling area is a bit lacklustre, with a few scattered corals and small fish. However, after doing some exploring, we found an oasis. Located under the pier there are fish larger than any we saw in Sapi, sea urchins, eels and expansive corals.
The BEST part about Manukan is experienced out of the water, however. The lengthy white sanded beach and breathtaking landscape make for heaven on earth.
Mt.Kinabalu
Another must is a trip to the world famous Mount Kinabalu. As the 20th highest peak in the world, it doesn’t offer an easy hike, but it’s certainly doable if you allot enough time and determination.
Although you may insist that you’ve been hiking before and can do it alone, it’s strongly recommended that you join a two-day tour with an experienced guide.
A typical Mount Kinabalu climb begins at Timpophon Gate at 9:00am. From this starting point you’ll gradually journey from different zones up into the distinct alpine vegetation.
This first stage takes approximately five to seven hours. Upon reaching the checkpoint, you’re urged to rest at a lodging before the next stage (although we doubt much urging will be required).
At an alarming 2am, the trek continues onwards; to the top! Ideally, you’re aiming to make it there between 6am and 7am in order to see a sunrise that will take away whatever breath you have left.
Along the riverfront of Kota Kinabalu you can find the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market, also known as the Filipino Market. Under makeshift tents, hawkers sell local fruits and vegetables, while children play on the streets.
Right next to the markets you’ll find a huge indoor area filled with local handmade souvenirs and clothes… and, of course, you can get the “I Heart Kota Kinabalu” t-shirt.
Where to Stay
Nexus Resort is a four-star, but honestly deserving of five – and you really get bang for your buck. It’s situated in a discreet area away from the city but offers frequent shuttles (from 6am to midnight) to wherever you want. With a private beach, a couple of restaurants, swimming pools, a bar with darts and pool, and a huge selection of activities (squash, tennis, volleyball, batik painting, giant chess, cycling, mini soccer, golf etc), it’s the perfect place to be based. Prices start from approx. HKD900/night.
Shangri-la Tanjung Arun Resort & Spa
Where to eat
When experiencing a new culture, there is no better place to eat than where the locals go. This makes the provisional food-court of Tanjung Aru the ideal place to chow.
The seafood is freshly caught and the prices are very, very reasonable. To further enhance the dining experience, the stalls are located right in front of the Tanjung Aru beach, famous for its glorious sunsets.
Grab a seat under the covered dining area or head over to the beach for a better view. But plan to arrive early, as the beach gets crowded around 4pm-6pm with sunset hunting tourists and their cameras.
Tanjung Aru beach is a romantic location to watch the sunset over the unimpeded horizon – so, if you’re looking to create a date out of it, perhaps pair the amazing sunset with the more intimate setting of Tanjung Aru: the renowned Sunset Bar at the Shangri-La.
Open from 2pm to 11pm, the Sunset Bar is located at the end of the beach, making it the ideal place to grab a cocktail and enjoy a front row ocean seat to mother nature’s daily performance.
The Sunset Bar at Nexus Resort (see “Where to Stay”) is another peaceful place to eat and watch the sunset. This exclusive hotel is located farther away from town (around 20 minutes) and is generally only occupied by guests.
The menu is reasonably priced and offers large portions of Western styled bar food, chargrilled local favourites, homemade pizzas and a variety of tropical cocktails. The food is great, but, again, the view steals the show – just a few steps away is the soft white sands and rolling waves of Nexus’ private beach.
Words/Photos: Byrant Cheng and Andrea Bullen
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