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| I Love KK - the main landmark of Kota Kinabalu |
Most Malaysians called Kota Kinabalu as "KK" for short. The name "Kota Kinabalu" actually refers to 2 different meanings - First, the word "Kota Kinabalu" refers to Kota Kinabalu city, the city commercial center with many shopping malls which is 7-10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA). Kota Kinabalu is a city developed near the sea. The place began as a trading center and local market back in the year 1600.
Second, the name "Kota Kinabalu" or KK refers to the district of Kota Kinabalu itself and not the city center. Kota Kinabalu is the big place. There is smaller cities and towns or suburban areas around the city center such as Tanjung Aru, Sembulan, Likas, Sadong Jaya, Kepayan, Petagas, Inanam, Menggatal, Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sepanggar, Sepanggar.
Kota Kinabalu is also the main hub for international tourists to enter other districts in Sabah state such as Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna. Kota Kinabalu is the only city in Sabah that has an international airport. Sabah has only 3 airports. The main airport is in Kota Kinabalu, second in Sandakan and third in Tawau.
But, Kota Kinabalu is not the original name for the city. Back in the early 1800 before British people came to this land, Kota Kinabalu was simply known as Api-Api.
Api-Api is a small fisherman village near the sea next to the swamp trees inhabited by local Bajau people. Then several nomadic Chinese traders came then open up their own settlements so they can tread and barter with local people.
The name of Api-Api was used to refer as the name of the place from 1600 to late 1800 before the colonial Britsh changed that name to the other name. The location of Api-Api was built facing Gaya island which is the biggest island in the area.
During that time there was also another fisherman village in Gaya island. People living in Api-Api and Gaya island make a living as fishermans - they went out to the sea in early morning to find fish then came back to the village to sell fish to local people. Houses and buildings are created and buit using wood.
Every Sunday there is a local market nearby Api-Api. That market is now became Gaya Street Sunday Market. The exact location of the market is not known. But all we know, as a local, the original location of the Sunday Market is actually near the sea, where local fresh market was established.
Then the British people came to Api-Api as traders and businessmen looking for new place to open their business center. During that time they came as foreign traders under British North Borneo Company. Then they rule the area. The British people become a colonial power in the area under the British ruling system. In year 1882 the Britsh open up their main base in Gaya island. Then in year 1897 later their settelemts are being burned by local warrior called Mat Saleh.
Api-Api, the original name of the place was being changed into Jesselton Town, after the name of Sir Charles Jessel, vice-chairman of the BNBC. The British people then relocated their main office to Api-Api area after their settlements in Gaya island has been destroyed by fire started by Mat Saleh.
Api-Api area, the fisherman village, was being chosen because of it's close proximity to the railway managed by North Borneo Railways. Api-Api area also has natural port that can anchor a big ship. That port today in 2022 has become the Jesselton Point Jetty And Ferry Terminal and the big port previously managed by Sabah Ports. Now in October 2022 the main port of Kota Kinabalu has been relocated to Sepanggar area which is about 50 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu city center.
After the World War 2, the town of Jesselton renamed as Kota Kinabalu in 1967 after the majestic Mount Kinabalu. The word "Kota" means town in local Malay language and a center of trade for local people where they can buy their daily necessities such as rice, fish, vegetables.
What Is Kota Kinabalu Known For
1. The Beautiful Sunset
During good weather the sunset view in Kota Kinabalu is amazing. The sunset view in Kota Kinabalu is the main reason why so many South Korean tourists and mainland China tourists flew thousands of miles away from their home country just to enjoy a holiday in Kota Kinabalu. The most beautiful sunset viewing spot is at Tanjung Aru beach. Here, you can see beautiful sunset and the sun itself without any obstructions. If you dont want to go to Tanjung Aru beach, you can also see the beautiful sunset view from Kota Kinabalu city centre in several areas such as Marriott Kota Kinabalu Hotel rooftop, Le Meridien Hotel rooftop, waterfront Kota Kinabalu, from Oceanus Waterfront Mall area, from Jesselton Point jetty and from Jesselton Quay apartments.
2. White Sandy Beach
The most beautiful beach in Kota Kinabalu is Tanjung Aru beach which is only about 7-10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city center. Tanjung Aru beach is the only place in Sabah that has been visited by the late Queen Elizabeth 2, the Queen of England in 1970.
the late Queen Elizabeth 2 visited Tanjung Aru beach with her husband, Prince Philip. A park in the Tanjung Aru area has been named "Prince Philip Park" after the late husband of Queen Elizabeth 2.
Another beach in Kota Kinabalu is Likas Bay beach and beaches on islands around Kota Kinabalu such as Sulug island beach, Sapi island beach, Manukan island beach, Mamutik island beach, and Sepanggar island beach.
For me personally, the most beautiful white sandy beach is the Mengalum island beach which is about 1-hour boat ride from the Kota Kinabalu city center jetty.
3. Cheap Seafood - And Huge List Of Selections
Kota Kinabalu is well known as heaven for seafood lovers, especially among Chinese tourists visiting from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. You can pay for a huge seafood meal from MYR 250 to MYR 500 for a group of 9 people eating at the same table. You can pay about MYR50 to MYR 100 for a seafood meal for 2 people. Most seafood restaurants in Kota Kinabalu open up for business from evening hours (around 4 PM) to midnight (12 AM). In Kota Kinabalu city center, you can find many seafood stalls in Sinsuran Night Market, Anjung Senja, and Todak Waterfront. If you want to enjoy eating seafood combined with selections of beer, wine or any other alcoholic drinks you can go to Welcome Seafood Restaurant in Asia City next to the Hilton Kota Kinabalu building.
4. You Can Go Scuba Diving In 15 Minutes After Landed At Airport
Yes! If you arrive in Kota Kinabalu International Airport at the morning time around 7 AM to 10 AM, you have a chance to go scuba diving in the local marine park within 15 minutes after landing at the Kota Kinabalu airport.
After completing all custom clearance, you can book for a ride or take a taxi to dive centers in the Kota Kinabalu city center area, register for a scuba diving trip, sign all the needed documentation, pay for your scuba diving trip then go out scuba diving guided by local scuba diving instructor. Most scuba diving operators in Kota Kinabalu charge a price of MYR 250 for 3 dives. Some do 2 dives. Dive sites are only 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city center.
5. Diverse Mix Of Cultures, Languages, Religions, Races
People in Kota Kinabalu are a mix of many diverse races. The majority of people residing in Kota Kinabalu area are local Chinese. They speak in Mandarin and local Hakka dialect. Some Chinese also speaks Cantonese. Although they are Chinese but they can understand Malay and speak in local Malay slang. Most Chinese speaking people in Kota Kinabalu also can converse in English very well.
If you walk in Kota Kinabalu city center area you will meet many people speaking in local Malay slang, in Bajau language, in Suluk language also Tausug language. Some speak Kadazan, Dusun and Murut. Kota Kinabalu has many cultural events during month of May to celebrate the Harvest Festival on 30th and 31st of May every year.
6. Exotic Tropical Islands Just 15 Minutes Away From The City
Kota Kinabalu has many exotic tropical island for you to enjoy your vacation here. Most popular islands are Sapi island, Mamutik island, Manukan island and Gaya island. While less-popular islands are Sulug island and Sepanggar island. There is also another island called Mengalum island but this island is far away which is about 1 hour boat ride from main jetty in Kota Kinabalu city center.
7. Main hub to visit other places in another disctricts.
If you are visiting Sabah Malaysian Borneo as an international tourist and you want to go to Sandakan, Danum Valley, or Maliau Basin for a nature trip or jungle expedition trip you will have to get trough Kota Kinabalu first before you can go there. Sandakan district is about 6 hour drive on land from Kota Kinabalu and also 30 minutes if you travel by airplane. Danum Valley is located in the Lahad Datu area. To go here you will need to take a 30-minute flight to Lahad Datu town. After that, you will need to take another ride to the Danum Valley entrance.
8. Mount Kinabalu.
The name "Kota Kinabalu" is taken from the name of Mount Kinabalu. The word "Kota" is a local Malay word that means a town in English. If you travel to Kota Kinabalu to climb the majestic mountain which also the highest mountain in Malaysia and the highest in South East Asia (SEA) you will need to land at Kota Kinabalu International Airport first then take a bus ride or car ride to Kinabalu Park which is 1-2 hours travel by land from Kota Kinabalu area.
What Language Do They Speak In Kota Kinabalu
People living in Kota Kinabalu are a diverse mix of different cultures, different backgrounds, and different languages all in one place. As a local, we can guarantee this.
Most people living in Kota Kinabalu city center and other urban districts around Kota Kinabalu city speak Malay and English. Malay is the main language as it is the national language of Malaysia. If you did not understand English don't worry because English is the 2nd language in Kota Kinabalu.
After that, Chinese is the third language mostly used in Kota Kinabalu as Kota Kinabalu are majority populated by Chinese-speaking Malaysian. The Chinese dialects spoken by the locals are Mandarin, Hakka and some speak in Cantonese.
This is why many Chinese tourists from mainland China love to travel to Kota Kinabalu for holiday because they can converse easily with local people in Mandarin. Most of shops, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, clinics, tour operators and homestays also have staff that can speak Chinese.
The majority of people who living in Kota Kinabalu city centers are Suluk, Tausug and Bajau people. Why? The are traders, fishermen and small business entreupreneurs selling handicraftr, acessories, jewelleris.. They open up shops and stalls around Sinsuran Market, near handicreaft market, in local night market and in local shop blocks.
Most people who live in Segama area, Sinsuran area, Gaya island villages are Bajau and Suluk people. They speak Tausug, Suluk and local Bajau dialects during everyday conversation. But, they understand English and can speak English very well. Philipino immigrants who also live in Kota Kinabalu city center can speak English very well aside from speaking in Tagalog, local Malay, Suluk.
You can also find several people speaking in Kadazan, Dusun or Murut language. Most of them came from other district outside Kota Kinabalu city such as Penampang, Papar, Putatan, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Menggatal or Tuaran.
Is Kota Kinabalu A Town?
Yes. If you refer to the Kota Kinabalu city center, Kota Kinabalu is actually a town then upgraded to city status in the year of 2000.
The exact date is 2.2.2000 (February 2, 2000). The year 2000 was called as Millenium year. The year marks the new beginning of a new century. Kota Kinabalu is a tourism city built between a hill (Bukit Bender) and the sea facing Gaya island.
The Kota Kinabalu town refers to the old Kota Kinabalu area developed since 1960 which is Segama, Sinsuran, Kg Air, Gaya Street, and Jalan Padang area. Here you will a lot of old buildings.
What Country Is Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu located inside Malaysia. So if you ask about what country is Kota Kinabalu belong to the Kota Kinabaly country is Malaysia. To be exact, Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah, the 12th state inside country of Malaysia.
The country of Malaysia itself has 3 parts - the Peninsular Malaysia (where the other 13 states reside), the Sarawak state (also in Borneo) and the Sabah state. Kota Kinabalu is the official capital of Sabah and not under other countries. We are not under Philippines as other claimed to be.
Is It Worth Visiting Kota Kinabalu
Yes. It is worth visiting Kota Kinabalu because there are a lot of places you can visit and a lot of accommodations, hotels, resort you can choose for your stay.
In Kota Kinabalu, you can choose many type of accommodation according to your budget. You can choose from cheap hostel, low budget hotel, hostels, 4-star hotels, 5 star hotels, 5 star resorts and beach resort.
When visiting Kota Kinabalu for holidays there is a lot of things to do. Popular things to do here is visiting Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (relaxing in the island, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, family picnic). You can also visit Tanjung Aru Beach during sunset hours which is from 6 PM to 6:30 PM every day. The sunset view in Tanjung Aru beach is so beautiful, especially during good weather.
Kota Kinabalu has also a lot of things to do at night. You can visit the local night market, go to the local seafood night market to look for what to eat, doing sunset sightseeing at the waterfront area, you can also go to local bar at waterfront area to look for good beer and some entertainment.
Why Kota Kinabalu Is BKI
You might wonder, why Kota Kinabalu international airport code is named and referred to internationally as BKI? The word "BKI" is the international airport code for Kota Kinabalu according to IATA (International Air Transport Association).
This aviation organization is well known to use 3 letters code to refer a name of an airport. We might think the word "BKI" being used to refer as "Borneo Kinabalu International". The exact meaning of that word we will never know but we can only guess.
Another air transport organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) refers Kota Kinabalu International Airport as "WBKK". They used 4 letters.
The coordinate for Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is 05°56'41"N 116°03'31"E. This coordinate was used internationally as a physical location indicator to show where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is actually located.
Right now in October 2022, from our daily observation, most planes will land by following an air route starting from above Gaya island flying across Jesselton Point, Jesselton Residences, Centre Point Sabah shopping mall, the Marina Court Condominium, Tanjung Aru Beach then landing in Kota Kinabalu International Airport runway located at Kepayan, which is about 5 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city center.
We work in the Kota Kinabalu city center and we also live in Kota Kinabalu city center. We frequently saw planes passing through above our head every morning, every afternoon and every night.
Previously before the Covid-19 pandemic, most planes either international flight or domestic flight will land by following an air route starting from Meruntum Beach at Kinarut area flying accross Taman Teluk Villa in Putatan, then Petagas area then finally landing in Kota Kinabalu International Airport runway at Kepayan.
In August 2022, the is a rumor that said the Sabah Malaysian Borneo government want to build a new international airport in the Kimanis area alongside the coastal road. This new proposed area for the new international airport is actually a 1-hour to 1.5-hour drive from the actual location of Kota Kinabalu International Airport, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Kota Kinabalu
If you want to know the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu and the best months to travel to Kota Kinabalu for holiday, the best time to come here is between April to October every year. April-October is a dry season because of the lack of rain.
We still got rainy days sometimes up to 2 days raining but most of the time we got hot and sunny days during these months. This happened at the same time every year.
After that, if you want to travel to Kota Kinabalu for your scuba diving trip, the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu is around April to December every year. The whale shark visiting season happens around March to July every year.
Most scuba divers spotted whale sharks a lot from March to June every year. The jellyfish season happened around January to March every year as those time frame sea water temperature rises up to 33 degree celsius, attracting many jellyfish to find their food.
What Other District In Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is a large city consisting of several smaller districts of sub-urban. Kota Kinabalu city center is not the only commercial center in Kota Kinabalu.
The smaller area within Kota Kinabalu city center is Sabah International Conference Center, Jesselton Point, Gaya Street, Segama, Kampung Air, Sinsuran, Sadong Jaya, Karamunsing, Api-Api Center, Anjung Senja, Imago Loft, Sutera Avenue, Sutera Harbour Resort, Sembulan,
The other districts in Kota Kinabalu are divided into 2 types- the north section and the south section.
North section districts are smaller districts you will find when you travel from the Kota Kinabalu to other cities towards the east area of Sabah Malaysian Borneo. These districts are Likas, Inanam, Menggatal, Sepanggar, Telipok, and Tebobon. If you travel further north you will find Tuaran, Tamparuli, Nabalu Town, Kundasang, Ranau, Telupid, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Tawau.
South section districts are smaller districts you will find and you will pass through when you travel out from Kota Kinabalu to other cities towards the west area of Sabah Malaysian Borneo. These districts are Tanjung Aru, Kepayan, Petagas, Putatan, Kinarut. If you travel further, you will find Papar, Kimanis, Beaufort, Menumbok, Tenom, Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, and Pensiangan.
We will explain more about these districts in other blog posts later on.
Is Kota Kinabalu Safe To Visit?
Yes! Kota Kinabalu is totally safe to visit. If you are concerned about pirate attacks or kidnapping just like what happened in Semporna, that will not occur in Kota Kinabalu. The city of Kota Kinabalu is the headquarters for the state's Malaysia' Royal Police enforcement and also the headquarters for the state's military enforcement.The crime rate in the Kota Kinabalu area is low. For many years Kota Kinabalu has been known internationally as a famous holiday destination. Police officers are patrolling the city center every day and every night. You can see mobile police units patrolling the city on a bike or using police cars.
The proof how safe Kota Kinabalu - you can see there are many international hotels and international vacation homes built here. The Hyatt Centric Hotel opened for business and for public visitors on November 2022. Other international hotels built in Kota Kinabalu city center are Mercure Hotel, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu (which is more than 40 years old in year 2022), Jesselton Residences, Grandis Hotel, Promenade Hotel, Gaya Centre Hotel.