Sabah tourist destination | Sabah tourist attractions

It was gazetted to preserve this valuable natural environment. The mountains have a fascinating geological history, taking ‘just’ a million years to form. The mighty Mount Kinabalu is actually a granite massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface.

Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of the overlying sand and mud stone, exposing this massif. During the Ice Age, glaciers running across the summit smoothed it out, but the jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected, retaining the extremely ragged surfaces. This rugged mountain is the focal point of the National Park.

Key Tips

If you plan to climb the mountain, be sure to bring a head torch for the early morning climb to the summit which starts in utter darkness and cold weather gear. The summit temperatures have been known to dip to below freezing! Climbing Mt Kinabalu is a different experience for each person, but what makes most people succeed above all, is perseverance.

How To Get There

By Taxi
Car rentals can be arranged through major hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Taxis go to Park HQ at Ranau and take a maximum of four passengers. You can negotiate for the taxi to pick you up from Park HQ for your return if you hire the whole taxi.

By Bus
All express and minibuses between Kota Kinabalu and Ranau or Sandakan pass the park turn-off, from where it is just 100m to the Park HQ.

Who to Contact

For more information about Kinabalu Park, kindly contact their office at (+6088) – 211 881 or (+6088) – 212 719. You could also visit their website at http://www.sabahparks.org.my Tourism Malaysia Sabah also could provide some information about this place by contacting them at (+6088) -248 698 / 211 732 / 447075

Sabah tourist destination | Sabah tourist attractions

The natural vegetation here is of the oak or chestnut types. Large trees, especially of Shoreas, can be found on ridges and slopes. One Shorea with a girth of just under 600cm was found at an elevation of 1350m.

Key Tip
The Rafflesia takes a long time to bloom, and when it does, it stays in bloom for just seven days, after which it rots and has an extremely pungent smell. You may end up smelling a wilting Rafflesia before you see it.

How To Get There
By Road
From Kota Kinabalu, take a Tambunan or Keningau minivan to the reserve. The journey takes about 30 minutes and the minivans run frequently until dusk.

Who to Contact
For more information, please contact Sabah Tourism Office Tel: +6088-248 698 / 211 732

Accommodation: www.dynamictourism.com

Sabah Rafflesia Center

Also known as ‘Balai Getam Guri’, the museum is located in the heart of Kota Bharu’s cultural zone and is walking distance from the Istana Balai Besar an the Buluh Kubu Bazaar. The Craft Museum houses many fine examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship.

The museum features a selection of Kelantan handicraft in traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silversmithing and matting. On the ground floor of the building, there is a restaurant called ‘Balai Sulur Gadung’, where visitors can savour some of Kelantan’s famous refreshments.

The adjacent Handicraft Village provides visitors the chance to see just how these crafts are made. Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silver work and wood carving are carried out by skilled artisans. Their products are also on sale at the centre.

Key Tips

If you are thinking of buying any local handicrafts as souvenirs, why not buy from the artisans who work here?

How To Get There

By Road
Located in the heart of Kota Bharu’s cultural zone, the Handicraft Village is a walking distance from the Istana Balai Besar and the Buluh Kubu Bazaar. It is easily accessible from Jalan Sultan and Jalan Hilir Kota.

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A good way to get to know a Malaysian town is to visit its markets, the economic centre of the community. Siti Khadijah Market is named after Prophet Muhammad’s entrepreneurial wife. A fitting name for a market mostly run by women.

This market has something for everyone, from fresh produce to traditional crafts and cakes. It is also a slice of life in Kelantan, abuzz with colour, scents and sounds of the local community.

Key Tips

By all means, take photos, but if you want to take close-ups of the sellers with their vibrantly coloured wares, it’s a good idea to ask for permission first.

How To Get There

By Foot or Taxi
The Siti Khadijah Market (Central Market) is on Jalan Hulu.

Pantai Bisikan Bayu – also known as Pantai Dalam Rhu – is just a scenic 50km drive south of Kota Bharu, Kelantan’s capital. Around the village of Semerak, gentle breezes rustle the casuarina trees lining the beach producing a hushed sound that, locals say, sounds like a soothing whisper.

Surfing is good at certain times of the year, and wind surfers will find great conditions here during the North-East Monsoon from November to April.

But nothing beats resting in the shade of the tall casuarina trees, staring out to sea, listening to the whispering wind and sipping on a cool coconut. Perfect R & R…

Key Tips

The beach is fabulous and popular with locals and visitors alike all year long, but you may want to be more careful during the monsoon season as the currents and waves can be strong.