【Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide】4D3N Itinerary: Explore Sabah’s Hidden Gems & Adventures!

Just back from Kota Kinabalu, here’s a comprehensive guide I put together with great effort! You can have an amazing time for just over 3k RMB per person; saving this post is all you need!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Classic city check-ins
Water Mosque (5 MYR for taking photos outside)
University of Sabah (Pink Mosque!

)
Tanjung Aru Beach (Top 3 sunset in the world!)
Dinner: Welcome Seafood (The creamy tiger prawns are incredible!)
Day 2: Island hopping + Mangrove tour
Manukan Island/Mamutik Island (Snorkeling + Parasailing)
Turtle Bay Mangrove (Proboscis monkeys + Enchanting fireflies)
Day 3: Mount Kinabalu day trip
Rent a car to go (2-hour drive)
Cow Farm (Must-try ice cream!

)
ATV off-roading/Paragliding (Super thrilling!)
On the way back, visit the Filipino Market (Fruits are super cheap)
Day 4: Leisure and shopping day
Imago Mall (Cosmetics are cheaper than in China)
Yee Fung Tea Room (Claypot chicken rice is the best)
Evening flight back
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Food list
Welcome Seafood (Around 80 MYR per person)
Yook Kee Bak Kut Teh (Strong herbal flavor)
Yee Fung Tea Room (Laksa + Pulled tea)
Durian Street (Opens at night!

Musang King is a must-try)
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Money-saving tips
Grab is half the price of a taxi
Buy seafood from the market and get it processed
Remember to bargain at the weekend market!
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Photo spots
Water Mosque (Best light in the afternoon)
Pink Mosque at University of Sabah (Wear light-colored clothes)
Tanjung Aru Sunset (Be there before 6 pm!

)
Kinabalu Ranch (Pretend you’re in New Zealand)
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Notes
Visa: E-visa is issued very quickly
Cash: Withdrawing cash from ATMs in the city is the most cost-effective
Sun protection: UV rays! Always carry sunscreen
Language: Many Chinese people, Mandarin is widely spoken
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Personal experience:
Kota Kinabalu really has a high cost-performance ratio!

The seafood is so cheap, the sunset is breathtakingly beautiful, and the fireflies are romantically stunning. Four days are not enough to fully enjoy it!
Open for questions! Ask me anything in the comments section if you want to know more!