Why You Should Visit Kota Kinabalu in Sabah

Kota Kinabalu is a fantastic place to spend a day or two. Also called KK City, it is surrounded by shopping malls, the Sabah Museum, mosques, hotels, beaches and rain forests and the popular Mount Kinabalu.  

It only takes about two hours flight going to KK International Airport from Manila. 

Air Asia in Kota Kinabalu

Exactly two weeks ago, I spent an enjoyable weekend in the city via Zest Air's maiden flight to Kota Kinabalu. 


  

Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 2

We arrived at Sutera Harbour Resort lunch time then freshen up for our city tour. Pacific Sutera is a five star hotel resort in Sabah Malaysia about 30 minutes away from KK City International Airport. The resort has a lot to offer - from exploring the Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club, the internationally renowned Mandara Spa. Dip at the  hotel's swimming pool or enjoy scrumptious Malaysian dishes at Cafe Boleh. Probably have a drink and snack at Jugs Sports Bar.

Lobby, Pacific Sutera Hotel

Hotel Room, Pacific Sutera

We spent more than an hour at Cafe Boleh in Pacific Sutera Hotel before we proceeded to our first activity - City Tour in Kota Kinabalu. 

View from Cafe Boleh

Rainy afternoon in Kota Kinabalu City.    

We were dropped by Karamunsing Complex where we exchanged Philippine peso to Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 1RM = P16 P13. Since I kept some RM from our last trip in Malaysia I did not bother to queue and immediately started going around Karamunsing Complex. 

  

Gadget Store, Karamunsing Complex, Kota Kinabalu

Gadget Center, Kota Kinabalu

I was hoping to find external hard drive which husband and I have been wanting to buy since last year. We went to Singapore in July, Malaysia in October and Hong Kong last February but we didn't find one or maybe it's just us who can't decide what brand to purchase. Anyway, again I wasn't able to bring home a hard drive for us. Hopefully on our next trip. 

Cocoa Boutique, Kota Kinabalu

Since none of us were interested in gadgets that moment, the group decided to go to our next stop - Cocoa Boutique. It's a popular chocolate store in Kota Kinabalu City offering a wide range of chocolates. 

Cocoa Boutique, Kota Kinabalu

The chili and mint chocolates are quite interesting. To my curiosity, I also tried the hot chili chocolate, just a small piece and was surprised how extremely spicy it is. The cool mint on the other hand is better. 

Located at Jalan Kebajikan off Jalan Penampang is Sabah Museum. Inside are handicrafts, ceramics, basketry, currency, books, traditional clothes kept and preserve. 

Sabah Museum

Our city tour ended with a delightful dinner at Kg Nelayan, a floating restaurant serving seafood. Our scrumptious dinner was hosted by the Sabah Tourism Board. 

Kg Nelayan Floating Restaurant, Kota Kinabalu

Kg Nelayan Floating Restaurant, Kota Kinabalu

The food is fantastic, must-try dishes includes the crispy shrimps and the steamed fish in soy sauce. 

Places to visit in Kota Kinabalu City: Half day city tour

• Sabah Museum 
• Cocoa Boutique for "pasalubong"
• Suria Sabah shopping mall
• Karamunsing Complex/Gadget Center 
• Kg Nelayan Floating restaurant

Cultural dance performances at Kg Nelayan

Shout out of thanks to Zest Air in partnership with Air Asia Philippines, Sabah Tourism Board and Fleishman Hillard Manila for this wonderful Kota Kinabalu familiarization tour.  

Related Blog Post:  Zest Air's Inaugural Flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 

Pacific Sutera1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard,Kota Kinabalu, 88100 Sabah, Malaysia Kg Nelayan Bukit PadangKota Kinabalu, Sabah

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