City: Sabah
Top Things to do in Sabah
Top Hotels in Sabah
- 1. Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
- 2. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
- 3. Hotel Grandis
- 4. The Pacific Sutera Hotel - Sutera Harbor Resort
- 5. Hilton Kota Kinabalu
- 6. Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu
- 7. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
- 8. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
- 9. The Magellan Sutera Resort
- 10. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabulu
Top 10 Things to do in Sabah, Malaysia
Sabah (Malay pronunciation: [saˈbah]) is a state of Malaysia located on the northern portion of Borneo Island. Sabah has land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest, and Indonesia's Kalimantan region to the south. The Federal Territory of Labuan is an island just off the Sabah coast. Sabah shares maritime borders with Vietnam in the west and the Philippines to the north and east. Kota Kinabalu is the capital city, the economic centre of the state and the seat of the Sabah state government. Other major towns in Sabah include Sandakan and Tawau. As of the 2015 census in Malaysia, the state's population is 3,543,500. Sabah has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. The state has long mountain ranges on the west side which form part of the Crocker Range National Park. Kinabatangan River, second longest river in Malaysia runs through Sabah and Mount Kinabalu is the highest point of Sabah as well as of Malaysia.
Restaurants in Sabah
1. Mount Kinabalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,442 reviews
Reviewed By ShukryAbdullah - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Me and my team ( a group of 3 people, 1 man 2 women, all adults 40 years above) went for my Mount Kinabalu climbing trip from December 30 2020 then climbing down on January 1, 2021, after reaching Low's Peak successfully. This is my 11th climb. My other two team members are experienced climbers and have been climbed Mount Kinabalu for the 31th time. We all are local Malaysian living in Kota Kinabalu city center. We celebrated New Year Eve at the base camp of Mount Kinabalu in the Panalaban area where Laban Rata rest house is located at. That was my first time ever celebrating the new year in Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and in South East Asia. We spent 2 nights in Panalaban. On December 29, 2020, we took a public cab in Kundasang station near Bandaran Berjaya Kota Kinabalu city center. It was a brand new Toyota Innova. Driver name is Wol. Each of us paid MYR 25 cash to the driver for our group to go to Tahubang Lodge, an accommodation right in front of Kinabalu Park. We spent 1 night staying at Tahubang Lodge. Kinabalu Park entrance is just a 1-minute walk from Tahubang Lodge. During our stay, we are the only guests in Tahubang Lodge on December 29, 2020. On the next day (December 30, 2020) it was a rainy day. I woke up at 4 AM and realized it was heavy rain. When we took our breakfast at 8:00 AM it was still raining. At 9:00 AM we went to the Kinabalu Park registration counter to register for our Mount Kinabalu climbing trip. After that, we received our climber badge card showing our first name and our climber ID number. For tracking and safety check. Our guide is Aaron Brian O'neil Roland or "Aaron" for short. He was a nice guy and very friendly. Rain pours heavily during the middle of our climb to Panabalan Base Camp. Nature trail became like a small river as rainwater flows continuously from top to bottom. It was heavy rain from 10:30 AM to 3 PM - about 2.5 hours straight. Imagine how cold it was. The trail to the base camp became too slippery. The climb became more challenging. Aaron helped us arranging our stuff in our backpack when we need to change from our normal climbing attire to wet attire so we can keep our climb pace without stopping even in heavy rain. We reached the Panalaban area (the basecamp) around 6 PM. We booked for 2 nights there so no need to rush like other climbers. Aaron is very kind. He did not complain much and only talk when asked and when needed. I saw that as a sign of maturity and years of experience since a young age. I've climbed with several other guides before. Aaron is different. Aaron keeps asking about us checking if we are ok or not. He shared his story about life as a full-time mountain guide. He shared many tips and advice about Mount Kinabalu climbing. Feels like we knew him for many years although we just met him because he was so friendly. If you are looking for the best mountain guide for your next Mount Kinabalu climbing trip I personally suggest Aaron be your mountain guide because of his good service. During our 2 nights stay, he checked us regularly. Aaron brought us for a sightseeing trip to several areas around Panalaban. He showed us where Gunting Lagadan Hut is, delivers a briefing about do and donts while being there, he showed the impact from the earthquake that happened in the middle of 2015 that we never see before. Aaron always with us, talking, chatting, laughing and enjoying coffee together with us. He will leave us alone only when we enter our room to get some rest and to sleep. He respects our privacy. Aaron is very knowledgeable about Mount Kinabalu. He became a porter in his teenage years then promoted to become a mountain guide. We stayed at Mokodou Hostel as we did our booking with Sabah Parks. The hostel is behind Laban Rata resthouse. Very clean. We feel safe in Aaron's care. He always is with us most of the time to ensure our safety during our climb to the top peak of Mount Kinabalu in the middle of the dark night challenged by the strong wind. He always is at our side. We appreciate his effort and his attention very much. Aaron motivates us without pushing too much, without shouting and without a sound of anger because of our slow movement due to slight dizziness being on the highest mountain in South East Asia. He always calm. He took care of us from start to finish just like a dear brother. He never let us feel down. He keeps good eye contact and always watching us on our way to Low's Peak. We feel so lucky and so happy to have Aaron as our guide. I am an experienced climber and I've climbed with 10 previous mountain guides before him during our previous trip. Aaron is different. He gave full service as a mountain guide more than what we need. He gave his best effort to guide us and taking care of us as his dear friends without asking anything in return. The way he talks is soft. Not too high and not too low. Aaron talked with passion, not too cocky, and not looking down on you. From our point of view, we saw Aaron as a passionate mountain guide. Guiding and meeting climbers like us were his passion even though he did not mention it for even a word. We saw that in his eyes. He truly loved his job very much. We reached Low's Peak, the top peak of Mount Kinabalu at early morning on January 1, 2021, during the beautiful sunrise of a new year's day all because of Aaron as our motivator and our Mount Kinabalu guide. We will climb Mount Kinabalu again next time with Aaron as our guide for sure. We recommended Aaron as best mountain guide to anyone who want to climb Mount Kinabalu. Thank you for all your kind help, Aaron!
2. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,171 reviews
Reviewed By Delhifundos - New Delhi, India
Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, the City Mosque is the most famous tourist attraction in Sabah. This is a white and blue structure spread in acres and is a great example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque is surrounded by water on all sides and hence called the Floating Mosque as well. Quite popular with tourists, it’s a great place to click selfies when you are on a city trip to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. If you want to go inside, you are supposed to change into coverall clothes provided by the mosque (valid for men as well as women). Entry charge for international visitors is RM 5.0. Entry is free for Malaysians.
3. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 809 reviews
Reviewed By howardacnz - Auckland, New Zealand
Visited 3 of the islands on a day trip from Jesselton Pier. Costed RM 43 for the boat tour and an extra RM 20 for the conservation fee. The water is super clear and beaches are really nice, although a lot of tourists around. I didn't expect to end up in paradise after a 15 minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, so visiting this place was definitely a highlight of my trip.
4. Gaya Street Sunday Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 595 reviews
Reviewed By yapyy - Singapore, Singapore
Go early if you want to avoid the hot sun. This is a must-go place for tourists, because you can get everything tourists want: souvenirs, key-chains, t-shirt, Tenom Coffee, handicrafts, local foods..... my wife's favourite? Sabah pearls!! Sabah does produce pearls. my wife bought tons of pearl bracelets for all her friends, and she got a good bargain. My favourite is the water melon juice sold in whole-fruit. Since this is a tourist place, bargain is a must (for souvenirs). If you want taste of local food, there are plenty of restaurants here, but those famous one are always crowded. This is a very short street, but If you like shopping, this place can consume half your day. Unfortunately this place only open on Sunday.
5. Manukan Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,085 reviews
Reviewed By allancb1987 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
After visiting Sapi Island, a 5 minute boat ride to Manukan Island is a dream. Nearly 3 times the size of Sapi, it boasts a stunning flora, fauna and marine life, with a colorful array of fish species to view while snorkeling or diving out at sea, an amazing 1.5km hiking trail through to Sunset Point (not to miss as it’s been said one of the best sunset points in Malaysia), and relaxing accommodation options and food options to choose. Well worth a quick travel from the mainland at only 30 ringgit.
6. Mamutik Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 892 reviews
Reviewed By D6972AKlindaw - Bristol, United Kingdom
Lovely and a bit quieter than the other islands off KK. Nice beach looking across at Tanjung Aru and the hills behind KK
7. Imago Shopping Mall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 401 reviews
Luxuriate in the fresh essence of whole new shopping experience. Imago Shopping Mall is certainly the place to actualize your most intrinsic desires. Whether it's indulging in your tastes, lavishing yourself with pleasures or accentuating your individuality, Imago Shopping Mall delivers it all with an eloquence only few can match. With a range of international brand names offering an assortment of merchandise from the most unique and opulent; to the most frequently sought after, it certainly is a comforting enclave with something that entices the regular, and even the most discerning of tastes. And that signature of distinction is also apparent in the selection of delectable and exquisite dining, fun-filled activities for the children, and pampering indulgences. At Imago Shopping Mall, it’s about coming to a place that understands your most individual desires, whatever they are, whenever.
Reviewed By lesliyo - Kuching, Malaysia
Imago has most of the things and the brands and the food outlets you want, including Tumi, Coach, etc.
8. Tanjung Aru Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 453 reviews
Reviewed By albertchew - Singapore, null
We had the opportunity to make our presence felt at the Tanjung Aru Beach on 21st November 2019 whilst supposedly to attend a wedding reception two days later at the STAR, Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa. It was indeed a thrilling moment for us as soon as we set our footsteps on the beach sand, after all it was our yearning desire to be part of the participants, who came from far and near, solely to watch one of the three most beautiful sun-set scenes in the world! Tanjung Aru Beach happens to be one of the three world's most awesome sun-set locations. It was at around 5.30pm when the sun had begun to find its way home radiating rays of reddish, golden and yellowish hues. The sun-set view was simply awesome and breath-taking and we wasted no time in capturing the splendid moment by snapping photos after photos. In addition to this, there were readily around twenty hawker stalls selling everything from fresh coconuts, all sorts of beverages, snacks and barbecued meats and seafood. The most sought-after stalls were those selling barbecued items and there were a good array of meats and seafood to pick and choose from. It was an unforgettable experience indeed, watching the beautiful sun-set scene and dining away with the cool breeze welcoming you throughout. I love ya, Tanjung Aru Beach!
9. Poring Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,394 reviews
Reviewed By PeaceLover16 - Singapore, Singapore
We travelled with 2 children age 8&9. It took approximately 2hr drive from Kundasang for us to reach Hot Poring. We brought extra cloths and towel knowing theres waterfall and Hot spring there. Once we entered we walked pass the hot poring area. There are public bathing area for Hot spring water and theres private huts with toilets as well for families/ couple who want more privacy. Theres 2 types of hut. 1 with tub rental RM15/hr. And another 1 is jacuzzi type. If u are keen to take the hut ,I'd recommend to book the huts 1st before proceeding to canopy walk as it's very popular and in demand the time we tried to booked it. We need to pay another entrance fee for canopy walk. We did canopy walk aft a short trail upward. It's not very hot in the tropical forest was rather refreshing. New experience for my children. The forest bed on the trails were well maintained. You need to pay additional to take pictures with each mobile phone. We just paid RM5 to take pictures. The canopy walk were fun n well worth it. After the canopy walk we proceed to another short trail of abt 10mins to Kipungit Waterfall. Its gorgeous!!! And so clean. We never wasted the chance to immerse ourselves in the beautiful waterfall. You can bath in there. Its shallow , clean and easy to reach even for children. Theres few level of the waterfall. Adults swims at the highest level and children at the lower level where the force of the waterfall is lesser. It's not crowded at all when we reach there around noon. We had the whole waterfall to us. The rest of the tourist just came take picture and leave. Don't miss out to take a dip at waterfall if you are here!! After waterfall we proceed to the hot spring and submerge ourselves in the hot spring water. (We booked a hut) . You need to fill up the water yourself it's quite fast. I'd suggest you book for 2hrs. It's so relaxing and calming soaking in the tub. Overall it's a wonderful place to visit with family. Not to be missed if you are in Ranau.
10. Sapi Island
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 2,289 reviews
Reviewed By Kazjane1 - Sydney, Australia
We had a day trip island hopping and visited Sapi island for snorkeling. We went para sailing here and also zip lined. The snorkeling was safe and we saw many beautiful fish and sea creatures. The water was warm and clear. Underwater visibility was great. Parasailing left from here a we had a great adventure. Can recommend doing this. I also zip lined across the coral reef and it was awesome. I can highly recommend doing this. A great island to visit, but take cash not card and no eftpos availability here.
