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Aerial view of Kota Kinabalu city on Sabah Malaysia, Borneo
Kota Kinabalu
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Kota Kinabalu

Overview

Take a trip to Kota Kinabalu on your Malaysia vacation.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah State, in East Malaysia. Situated on the island of Borneo, on the northwest coast, Kota Kinabalu is Borneo’s largest urban centre when on Malaysia vacations.

Establishing small colonies throughout North Borneo in the late 1800s, the British North Borneo Company helped find Kota Kinabalu in 1899. Developed into a major trading post, the city was known as Jesselton, named after Sir Charles Jessel, the Vice Chairman of the Company at the time. After being destroyed during World War II, Kota Kinabalu was rebuilt by the British Crown and has since been one of the fastest-growing cities in Malaysia, even after its independence.

Kota Kinabalu is named after Mount Kinabalu, situated about 50 km east-northeast of the city. It is the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago and features a rich collection of wildlife to be enjoyed on a Malaysia tour.

One of the major industrial and commercial centres of East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is a major tourist destination and gateway to Borneo and Sabah. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a park off the coast of Borneo in Malaysia and is made up of five islands featuring rocky coastlines, coral reefs, and white, sandy beaches.

Kota Kinabalu faces the South China Sea and tourists on Malaysia vacations can find first-class holiday resorts, a world-class sailing marina, beautiful golf courses, snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing, wonderful seafood restaurants, and plenty of hospitality.

At a Glance
LanguagesMalay[e]
CurrencyMalaysian Ringgit (MYR)
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