Explore Kota Kinabalu ( Borneo)

Kota Kinabalu , formerly Jesselton, City of Sabah State , East Malaysia is on vthe north East corner of Borneo. although razed by the bombing of WW11 the site was chosen in 1946 for the new site of of the Capital of British North Borneo, (now Saba) because cof the deep water anchorage at Gaya Bay on the South China Sea. It is located in an area which is currently globally uncertain given the geo-political tensions with China claims to the South China Sea.

Residential and commercial buildings now crowd a narrow strip of land between a string of off-shore coral islands and the Crocker Range to the East.

The city was rerstablished having been burnt down in 1897, and was re-established as Jesselton in name of Sir Charles Jessel a former director of the British north Borneo company.

It was re-established and then re-named in 1968 as Kota Kinabalu or Fort of Kinabalu referring to the nearby Moutain named Mount Kinabalu which at 13,455 ft is the highest mountain in Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling city inhabited mainly by Ethnic Chinese and government services is the key occupation. A railway line North from Tenon carries coastal rubber for export via the Gaya Bay Harbour, which can accommodate medium size cargo vessels.

Light industry includes flour milling, woodworking, and the manufacture of furniture , soap and some plastic based industry.

The city has a busy international airport and forms the hub of of borneos best road network.

We have an enjoyable tour with a bus trip into the city and then after walking several kilometres visit Marriott Kota Kinabalu for a drink and morning refreshments and snacks overlooking thre beautiful beach areas.