Mount Kinabalu
The highest mountain in Borneo, rising above 4,000 metres in Sabah. Climbers take a two-day trek to the summit, while others enjoy views of its granite peaks from the lower slopes.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)
This gateway leads to Borneo wildlife such as orangutans, to island marine parks nearby and to Mount Kinabalu.
Attractive locations
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Marine park made up of several islands just off the city, with clear shallow water, coral reefs and forest-covered shores. Boats run from the jetty for snorkelling, swimming and beach days.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Striking modern mosque on a lagoon at Likas, often called the floating mosque for its reflection in the water. Visitors who are not Muslim may enter some areas outside prayer times, dressed modestly.
Sabah Museum
State museum on a hill, showing the natural history and cultures of Sabah. Exhibits include traditional houses in the grounds, ethnographic displays on the peoples of Borneo, and a botanical garden.
Atkinson Clock Tower
Small wooden clock tower on a hillside above the city, one of the few buildings to survive the Second World War in the old centre. The short climb is rewarded with views of the sea.
Tanjung Aru Beach
City beach lined with casuarina trees, well known for its sunsets over the South China Sea. Food stalls nearby serve seafood and local dishes in the evening, and locals come to stroll and picnic.
Kinabalu Park
A UNESCO-listed park around Mount Kinabalu, rich in plants and wildlife from tropical forest to bare rock. It has marked walking trails and a botanical garden near the park headquarters.
Airports
Kota Kinabalu International Airport BKI
It is about 5 km in a straight line from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Labuan Airport LBU
It is about 118 km in a straight line from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Kudat Airport KUD
It is about 135 km in a straight line from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Malaysia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.0 °C197 mm
- Feb23.9 °C98 mm
- Mar24.5 °C123 mm
- Apr25.4 °C138 mm
- May25.4 °C218 mm
- Jun25.0 °C263 mm
- Jul24.6 °C259 mm
- Aug24.7 °C239 mm
- Sep24.6 °C272 mm
- Oct24.5 °C356 mm
- Nov24.6 °C282 mm
- Dec24.5 °C270 mm
Driest months: Feb, Mar, Apr. Wettest months: Sep, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 32% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Police and ambulance 999. Fire 994. From a mobile phone 112 also works.
local government
Tourism Malaysia (Tourism Info Line)
Helps with: Malaysia's national tourism promotion board. Its Tourism Info Line 1300 88 5050 is open on working days from 9.00am to 5.00pm and gives travel information to visitors.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Malaysia or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1300 88 5050
Email: [email protected]
Address: 9th Floor, No. 2, Tower 1, Jalan P5/6, Presint 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia
local government
National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)
Helps with: Malaysia's national agency for disaster management under the Prime Minister's Department. It leads disaster relief and runs public awareness and preparedness programmes.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Malaysia affected by a disaster or seeking official disaster information.
Phone: +603 8870 4800
Email: [email protected]
Address: Aras B1, 6 dan 7, Setia Perkasa 5, Kompleks Setia Perkasa, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62502 Putrajaya
ngo
Malaysian Red Crescent Society
Helps with: Malaysia's national Red Crescent society. Contact its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for its humanitarian, first aid and disaster relief services.
Who qualifies: People in Malaysia who need its humanitarian services.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Lot PT54, Lengkok Belfield, off Jalan Wisma Putra, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Malaysia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Malaysia it supports refugee resettlement, protection of vulnerable migrants, counter-trafficking and assisted voluntary return.
Who qualifies: Refugees, asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and returnees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +603 9235 5400
Email: [email protected]
Address: 570 Jalan Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Malaysia (eProtocol directory)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The foreign ministry's eProtocol directory lists foreign missions in Malaysia with addresses and, for many, emails.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Police and ambulance emergency number 999
Helps with: Reaches the police and the ambulance service in Malaysia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 999
local government
Fire emergency number 994
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Malaysia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 994
local government
Ambulance number 112 (from a mobile)
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Malaysia when called from a mobile phone only, as given by UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Malaysia, including visitors, calling from a mobile phone.
Phone: 112