BV-KK2: KOTA KINABALU CITY TOUR

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah. In 1881, the British established a settlement on the island of Gaya, just across the bay where Kota Kinabalu is today. In 1897, the rebel Matt Salleh and his men burned down this settlement and the British moved to Api Api, which was renamed Jesselton in 1899 after Sir Charles Jesselton, the British Vice-President of North Borneo. Api Api means ‘fire, fire’. It is said that the name arose because fires often broke out here during the fireworks, because the sparks falling on the thatched roofs set fire to the houses. Some believe that Api Api may have originated from the Avicennia tree growing on the banks, which was used for firewood.

During the Japanese occupation, the city was bombed, as a result of which only a few buildings remain to this day: the Sabah State Tourism Department building at 51 Gaya Street, a former post office building, and the Atkinson Clock Tower.

• Menara Tun Mustafa – The 32-storey building is 122m high and was built in 1977. It was built by Japanese builders. Formally named Yayasan Sabah Tower, it is home to Yayasan Sabah, a state-sponsored organization to promote education and economic development in the state. In 2001, the building was named in honor of the first governor of the state. The building has 72 polygonal walls made of 2,160 special reflective glass panels. They can withstand wind speeds of up to 272 km/hour. Radial steel bracing extends from the building’s central core, to which 96 high-strength steel rods are attached, supporting the 32 floors. There are only four such buildings in the world
• Poh Toh Sze – a Buddhist temple, built in 1980, dedicated to Kuan Yin – the goddess of mercy;
• Kota Kinabalu city mosque – The most beautiful mosque in the state of Sabah, opened in 2000. It is an example of modern Islamic architecture today;
• Signal Hill – we will go up to the viewing platform, from where you can see the whole city. At the end of the 19th century, the British began to build their luxurious mansions here. The governor’s palace is also built on the hill;
• Sabah state museum – we will go up to the viewing platform, from where you can see the whole city. At the end of the 19th century, the British began to build their luxurious mansions here. The governor’s palace is also built on the hill;
• Tanjung Aru water village – one of the few remaining villages in the center of a modern city with a current population of 3,000. The village offers a beautiful view of the Abdul Rahman Marine Park. You will be surprised that it can also live… Why build on water? Because then you can not buy land. This is a historic village that has been home to Malay fishermen from West Malaysia for centuries;
• Central Market – No city can be imagined without the color of the market, where you can get to know local fruits, vegetables and spices – pepper, coconut flakes, cinnamon, chili, turmeric, lemongrass and ginger flowers. We will also visit the fish market, where you can see octopuses, sharks, tuna, shrimps, lobsters and crabs.
• Philippine or Artisan Market – A local artisan market where you can buy local products and a variety of pearls, ranging in price from 5 EUR for small freshwater pearl bracelets to thousands of EUR for large sea pearls.

15.00 The end of the tour, return to the port. 

After the tour, you can stay in the city and visit the shopping centers and shops located next to the port.