Traveling in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
While KK isn't a destination on many travelers' lists, it's an excellent takeoff point to go onward to other adventures, like climbing Mount Kinabalu, or to collect yourself after such treks. Many who have visited KK know the locals to be extremely friendly and helpful.
While climate is generally steady throughout the year with temperatures hovering between the lows of mid 70s to highs in the low 90s, rainfall varies. The driest time of the year is from January to March. While the rest of Sabah gets more rain between October and November, KK gets drier, making for another good time to visit, especially if you want to avoid the heat and humidity of the summer months.
However, if you don't mind the heat, you may want to schedule your travels to KK during May, when Sabah Fest takes place. This is the biggest cultural celebration of the year, during which you'll experience spectacular productions of music, dance, theater, and other art.
Those seeking retail therapy (even on a budget), may find visiting between June and September especially beneficial. During this time, the annual Malaysia Mega Sales Carnival offers the biggest shopping discounts of the year.
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