Atkinson Clock Tower

One of the most enduring landmarks in Kota Kinabalu which has stood prominently on the bluff along Signal Hill Road is the Kota Kinabalu Clock Tower. It was built as a memorial to Francis George Atkinson ?the popular first District Officer of Kota Kinabalu. This memorial has the distinction of being the oldest standing structure in the whole of Sabah that survived the air raids an blitz of World War II.

Australia Place

While in downtown Kota Kinabalu, do walk to Australia Lace, where Australian soldiers camped when they landed in Jesselton in 1945. This is now a quiet street of print shops, the downtown Police Station, a popular back-packers hostel and the Dewan Merdeka. Although times and landscapes have changed, old memories linger ad the site continues to be known as Australia Place to some.

Central Market

There is a water village along the seafront known as Kampung Ayer where the jetties are lined with pleasure, fishing and commercial craft. The bustling Central Market sits midway along the waterfront. The fish market here teems with incredible marine varieties. An early morning excursion will allow you to catch the fishermen unloading their catch directly onto market tables. All around them Kadazan women display fresh fruit and vegetables brought from the farms at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.

Gaya Street Fair

At Jalan Gaya, open air street fairs or tamus are held every Sunday morning. These fairs are a gathering of traders selling their farm produce, handicraft and foodstuff. The street fair is open for business from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Mengkabong Water Village

Near Tuaran on a 30-minuate car ride east of Kota Kinabalu is the Menkabong Water Village, a Bajau Laut (Sea Bajau) settlement. These people were once sea gypsies who lived in boats or in flimsy huts over the shallows. The water village is a settlement built on stilts bored into the seabed. It has rows of fairly longish houses, linked by plank walkways with boats anchored on the sides. Transport round the village is by sampan or canoes.

Monsopiad Cultural Village

Founded in memory of the great Kadazan warrior and head-hunter Monsopiad. Kadazan is Sabah largest tribe. The cultural village is exactly the location of Monsopiad village 300 years ago. You will have chance to visit the house with spirits and 42 skulls taken down by Monsopiad. Other historical items such as traditional uniforms, burial ceremonies paraphernalia and jewellery are also displayed. Visitors will also be greeted by their local drink “tagai?

Pandang Merdeka

It was at Padang Merdeka on 16 September 1963 that North Borneo was proclaimed independent, became known as Sabah and together with the Federated States of Malaya, Singapore, and Sarawak formed Malaysia. To this day, national and state occasions are celebrated here with parades and colourful festivities.

Sabah Museum

Located behind the mosque on Jalan Bukit Istana Lama, this museum set in a traditional longhouse, traces the history of the state. It houses a varied collection ranging from ethnographical to scientific items. Of special interest is the contemporary crafts of the indigenous groups of Sabah.

State Mosque

In Kota Kinabalu this gold-domed state mosque is centrally positioned and overlooks most of the town. It reflects contemporary Islamic architecture and can accommodate 5,000 worshippers. There is a special balcony with room for 500 women to pray. For a panoramic view of the city and its waterfront, go up Signal Hill nearby.

Wisma Tun Mustapha

The 31-storey Sabah Foundation Building at Likas Bay, ten-minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, is a magnificent, futuristic glass-shrouded tower of 72 sides. It is a striking landmark which can be seen for miles around.