Sabah, also known as the Land Below the Wind, is a state in Malaysia that is located on the island of Borneo. It is famous for its rich biodiversity, stunning natural scenery, diverse culture, and delicious cuisine. Sabah is a perfect destination for those who love nature, wildlife, and adventure.
In this article, I will share my experience of traveling to Sabah for 3 days and 2 nights. I will also give some tips and recommendations on what to do, where to stay, and what to eat in Sabah.
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu
I arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport in the morning and took a taxi to my hotel, which was located near the city center. Kota Kinabalu, or KK for short, is the capital and largest city of Sabah. It is a modern and vibrant city that offers a variety of attractions, such as shopping malls, museums, markets, mosques, and waterfronts.
After checking in and freshening up, I decided to explore the city on foot. I started with the Atkinson Clock Tower¹, which is the oldest standing structure in KK. It was built in 1905 as a memorial to Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton (the former name of KK). The clock tower is located on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the city.
Next, I walked to the Signal Hill Observatory Platform², which is another vantage point to see the cityscape and the sea. It is a short walk from the clock tower and has a wooden deck with benches and binoculars. I enjoyed the breeze and the scenery as I snapped some photos.
I then headed to the Gaya Street Sunday Market³, which is held every Sunday from 6 am to 1 pm along Gaya Street. It is a lively and colorful market that sells a variety of goods, such as handicrafts, souvenirs, antiques, clothes, accessories, books, plants, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and street food. I browsed through the stalls and bought some local delicacies, such as kuih cincin (a ring-shaped pastry made from rice flour and palm sugar), pisang goreng (fried banana), and teh tarik (pulled tea).
For lunch, I went to a nearby restaurant that serves Sabah's signature dish: nasi lemak⁴. Nasi lemak is a Malay dish that consists of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with sambal (a spicy sauce), anchovies, peanuts, cucumber slices, boiled egg, and sometimes chicken or beef rendang (a spicy stew). It is a hearty and delicious meal that can be eaten at any time of the day.
After lunch, I took a Grab car (a popular ride-hailing app in Malaysia) to the Mari Mari Cultural Village⁵, which is about 25 minutes away from KK. The Mari Mari Cultural Village is a living museum that showcases the culture and lifestyle of five ethnic groups in Sabah: Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau, and Murut. I joined a guided tour that took me around the village and introduced me to the history, traditions, customs, crafts, dances, games, and food of each group. I learned how to make fire using bamboo sticks⁶, how to shoot a blowpipe⁷, how to play a traditional musical instrument called sompoton⁸, how to weave baskets from rattan⁹, how to make rice wine, and how to dance with bamboo poles. I also got to taste some local delicacies, such as hinava (a raw fish salad), bambangan (a wild mango pickle), linopot (a glutinous rice wrapped in leaves), hinompuka (a steamed cake made from rice flour and brown sugar), and lihing (a rice wine). It was a fun and educational experience that gave me a glimpse into the rich diversity of Sabah.
I returned to KK in the evening and had dinner at a seafood restaurant near the waterfront. Sabah is known for its fresh and affordable seafood, such as fish, prawns, crabs, lobsters,
squid, clams, oysters, scallops, and more. I ordered a grilled fish with sambal sauce, butter prawns, salted egg crabs, fried calamari, stir-fried vegetables, and steamed rice. The food was delicious and satisfying.
After dinner, I strolled along the waterfront promenade, which is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax and enjoy the night view of the city and the sea. There are many cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops along the promenade, as well as live music and street performers. I stopped by a cafe and had a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, while listening to some acoustic songs.
I ended my day by returning to my hotel and having a good night's sleep.
Day 2: Kinabalu National Park
I woke up early and had breakfast at my hotel. I then joined a tour group that took me to Kinabalu National Park, which is about 2 hours away from KK by bus. Kinabalu National Park is Malaysia's first World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse places on earth. It is home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, as well as thousands of species of plants, animals, birds, insects, and fungi.
The tour included a visit to the Kinabalu Park Headquarters, where I registered and paid the entrance fee. I also visited the Exhibition Centre, which displays information and exhibits about the park's flora and fauna, geology, climate, history, and conservation efforts. I learned that Mount Kinabalu is a sacred mountain for the local people, who believe that it is the resting place of their ancestors' spirits.
Next, I followed a nature guide who led me on a walk along one of the many trails in the park. I chose the Silau-Silau Trail, which is a 2 km loop trail that passes through a montane forest with a variety of plants, such as orchids, ferns, mosses, pitcher plants, rhododendrons, and more. The trail also crosses a stream with clear water and small waterfalls. Along the way, the guide pointed out some interesting features and facts about the plants and animals in the park. I saw some squirrels, birds, butterflies, beetles, and even a snake. The walk was refreshing and relaxing, as I enjoyed the fresh air and the greenery.
After the walk, I had lunch at a restaurant near the park entrance. I ordered a local dish called ayam penyet (smashed chicken), which is a fried chicken that is smashed with a pestle and served with sambal, rice, cucumber slices, and tempeh (a fermented soybean cake). It was spicy and tasty.
In the afternoon, I continued my tour to the Poring Hot Springs, which is about 40 minutes away from Kinabalu Park by bus. The Poring Hot Springs are natural hot springs that are rich in sulphur and minerals. They are believed to have healing properties for skin diseases and rheumatism. There are several pools with different temperatures that visitors can soak in. I chose a pool that was not too hot and not too cold, and relaxed my muscles and joints in the warm water.
Besides the hot springs, there are other attractions at Poring, such as the Butterfly Farm, where I saw hundreds of colorful butterflies flying around; the Orchid Conservation Centre, where I admired some rare and exotic orchids; the Tropical Garden, where I learned about some medicinal plants; and the Canopy Walkway, where I walked on a suspension bridge that was 41 meters above the ground and had a bird's eye view of the rainforest.
I spent about 3 hours at Poring before heading back to KK by bus. I arrived at my hotel in the evening and had dinner at a nearby restaurant that serves Sabah's famous noodles: Tuaran mee. Tuaran mee is a fried egg noodle that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is usually served with chicken or beef slices,
vegetables, egg rolls, and spring onions. It is savory and satisfying.
After dinner, I went to bed early to prepare for my next day's adventure.
Day 3: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
I woke up early again and had breakfast at my hotel. I then took a taxi to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, where I bought a boat ticket to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a group of five islands that are located off the coast of KK. They are Gaya Island, Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, and Sulug Island. The marine park is famous for its clear blue water, white sandy beaches, coral reefs, marine life, and water sports.
I decided to visit two islands: Sapi Island and Manukan Island. The boat ride from Jesselton Point to Sapi Island took about 15 minutes. Sapi Island is one of the smallest.