Sabah Culture and Heritage, Malaysia

State Mosque

In Kota Kinabalu, this gold-domed state mosque is centrally positioned and overlooks most of the town. It reflects contemporary Islamic architecture and can accommodate 5,000 worshippers. There is a special balcony with room for 500 women to pray. For a panoramic view of the city and its waterfront, go up to Signal Hill nearby.

Sabah State Museum

Located on Bukit Istana Lama, a hill behind the State Mosque, this museum was built in the longhouse style of the Rungus and Murut tribes. The museum has a wealth of historical and tribal treasures, and handicrafts made by the indigenous peoples. The major highlights are the exhibits of life-size traditional houses belonging to six ethnic groups.

There is a good section on Sabah's fascinating flora and fauna, an art gallery and a Science Centre. The latter has a large exhibition on the oil and petroleum industry. Within the complex are a restaurant, coffee-house and an ethno-botanical garden with an artificial lake and a souvenir shop.

Fronting the Sabah State Musuem is an Ethnobotanic Garden that is open daily from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, whose huge range of tropical plants is best experienced on one of the free guided tours that is operated daily at 9:00 am & 2:00 pm except for Fridays. Bordering the garden are full-sized models of houses from Sabah's ethnic groups.

Sabah Foundation Building

The 31-storey Sabah Foundation Building at Likas Bay, 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, is a magnificent, futuristic glass-shrouded tower with 72 sides! It is a striking landmark which can be seen for miles around.

Atkinson Clock tower

Located at the city centre of Kota Kinabalu, the Atkinson Clock Tower was built in memory of the first District officer of Jesselton, Francis George Atkinson. He died of 'Borneo fever' in 1902 at the age of 28.The clock was originally lit up at night and acted as a beacon for shipping vessels. It was one of three buildings that survived the destruction during the Second World War. Over the years it has undergone renovations and repairs but has managed to retain most of its original characteristics.

Signal Hill Observatory

For a view of Kota Kinabalu city and harbour, head for the observation point on Signal Hill (Bukit Bendera). If you decide to walk (which will take approximately
15 - 20 minutes from downtown) rather than taking a taxi, there's a shortcut up the hill beside the old Clock Tower, just beyond the Police Station.

Water Villages

Visit a settlement of the local "Bajau", descendants of pirates who set foot on the land in the early 19th Century. Presently, these people are fishermen who reside in a village built on water. The spectacular sights are the houses which stand on stilts in the water and are connected by narrow wooden planks.

Kampong Monsopiad (Monsopiad Cultural Village)

The Monsopiad Cultural Village was founded in memory of the great Kadazan Warrior and head-hunter Monsopiad. The traditional village is a historical site and the only cultural village in Sabah. It was built on the very land where Monsopiad lived and roamed some three centuries ago. The Village is run by the direct descendants of Monsopiad. More than being a museum, the Monsopiad Cultural Village aims at documenting, reviving and keeping alive the culture and traditions of the Kadazan people. You can also watch cultural dances and try using a blowpipe. Kampong Monsopiad is approximately 10km south of Kota Kinabalu.

St. Michael's Catholic Church

Located in Kampung Dabak 10 km south of Kota Kinabalu, this church was built in 1879, and is Sabah's oldest church.

Central Market

There is a water village along the seafront known as Kampung Ayer where the jetties are lined with fishing and commercial craft.

The bustling Central Market sits mid-way along the waterfront. The fish market here teems with many varieties of fresh seafood. An early morning excursion will allow visitors to watch the fishermen unloading their catch directly onto market tables. All around them Kadazan women display fresh fruit and vegetables brought down from the farms in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.