Top Kota Kinabalu Cultural Tours

Explore Borneo's indigenous cultures on a half-day trip from Kota Kinabalu to Mari Mari Cultural Village, which features traditional houses, crafts, and bushcraft recreated by members of each tribe in Sabah. You'll see local people making blowpipes and kindling bamboo fires, then learn the symbolism behind Sabah's long tradition of tattooing. With pickup and drop-off at hotels in Kota Kinabalu, this tour includes entrance fees and lunch.

Cruise through the mangrove forests near Kota Kinabalu on this evening excursion in search of local wildlife. Listen to educational commentary on local species, such as proboscis monkeys, silver leaf moneys, macaque long tail monkeys, monitor lizards, and native birds. Once the sun sets, enjoy the sights of fireflies blinking in the twilight.

Escape the city and delve deeper into Borneo’s indigenous culture on a day trip to Tuaran from Kota Kinabalu. A great introduction for first-time visitors, this package saves you the stress of advance planning by taking care of transport and activities, and offering the inside scoop on Sabah’s culture and history.

Check off Kota Kinabalu’s key sights in just half a day on this comprehensive guided door-to-door tour. Soak up sweeping views of the city from Signal Hill, learn about Chinese Buddhism at Pu Toh Tze Temple, and explore Sabah’s rich heritage at the Sabah State Museum. Along the way, see the Sabah State Mosque, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, and the 30-story Menara Tun Mustapha.

Learn about the seafaring skills of the Bajau Laut people, a tribal group of Malaysia commonly referred to as ‘sea gypsies.’ This day trip to Gayang village includes a cruise past their houses built on stilts. Go crab catching and observe main livelihoods, such as fishing and pearl farming, then try your hand at batik painting and keep your creation to take home as a souvenir. Light refreshments are included along with round-trip transport from Kota Kinabalu hotels.

Located on the Klias Peninsula is the Klias Wetland, a Mangrove Forest Reserve. With the bizarre-looking proboscis monkey gaining as much popularity with the tourists as the orang utan, the Klias Wetland with its large proboscis population is fast becoming the latest ecotourism destination in Sabah. Get those camera, binoculars on stand-by and keep your eyes peeled for the shy creatures in between the branches. As dusk settles in with a sunset, enjoy the sights and sounds in a natural setting as you have a sumptuous village style dinner. Show’s not over yet though, there is one more trip through the mangrove swamp, but this time it is graced by the secret rhythm of fireflies and their flickering lights. However, as much as we hate to disappoint, we are entering a natural habitat where sightings are common, but it is NOT GUARANTEED :)

Labuan the Pearl of Borneo, is a Federal Territory of Malaysia. It comprise of one large and six smaller islands (Pulau Daat , Pulau Burung , Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan , Pulau Rusukan Besar , Pulau Rusukan Kecil ) in East Malaysia. Labuan is an Island with an estimated population of 100,000 people. It's quite a close community where everyone knows everyone. The main town is known as Labuan Town (Bandar Labuan in Malay)but was formerly known as Victoria during the colonial era. Labuan Town is among the cleanest towns in Malaysia. You will observe the Labuan Corporation (local authority) workers diligently doing their job.

Explore both the popular highlights and some lesser-known spots of Kota Kinabalu city on this small-group day tour. A highlight is the unusual Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, a floating temple surrounded by a lagoon. Visit a produce market selling everything from seafood to flowers, and ask your guide for local food recommendations for lunch. Plus, you'll get the best views of  Kota Kinabalu Crocker Range National Park from a viewpoint.

Join this private night cultural tour while in Kota Kinabalu . Round trip hotel pickup and drop off included

Sabah’s gateway to Borneo has long been on the radar for those eager seeing more of the natural splendour of Malaysia’s green heart. However, the city has blossomed over the years, where it once did not have a prominent position on the tourism map. Called KK by its residents, Kota Kinabalu has turned into a melting pot of culture, food and a strong affinity towards that what keeps the city such a pleasure to wander through. Its demands to follow in the footsteps of the 21st century are there, but holding tight to its historical values, sights and landmarks makes it an excellent example of old versus new. Turn your Malaysia Borneo exploration complete with our half-day touring the sights, sounds and cultural aspects of one of Malaysia’s thriving travel hubs.

Explore Kudat area and learn about the Rungus people. Discover honey harvesting methods at a bee farm in Kampung Gombizau, and learn rich traditions at a Rungus longhouse. At the end of the day, catch the view from Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, or the Tip of Borneo - Day trip to the fascinating Kudat area of northern Borneo - Insights into the Bajau & Rungus peoples during your day - Chance to witness live beekeeping & learn about raw honey - Lunch & look into culture at a traditional Rungus longhouse - Views from Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, the Tip of Borneo

In northern Borneo, take in local color and atmosphere at Kota Belud Tamu, or the Kota Belud Sunday market. Observe the ornate outfits of the Bajau horsemen, which pop with bright shades of various colors, and peruse a vast array of stalls selling artisanal products. - Full day exploring Kota Belud's unique attractions - Wandering through the Kota Belud Tamu—Sunday market - Traditional & colorful costumes worn by Bajau horsemen - Deeper look at local farm products & handicraft production - Local buffaloes for sale & graceful beauty queens

Delve into Sabah’s cultural melting pot on a day trip to Mar Mari Cultural Village, where you can meet the people of indigenous Borneo and witness fire-starting and blowpipe-making demonstrations. Perfect for families and first-time visitors, this small-group tour is limited to 15 people to ensure personalized attention from your guide.

Visit a traditional longhouse and take in the view from the Tip of Borneo on a full-day excursion from Kota Kinabalu that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch in a Rungus village. Explore Borneo’s indigenous culture with a small group that’s limited to 12 participants for a personalized experience, and learn about Sabah farming, crafts, and history.

Unless you speak Malay, navigating the Kota Belud Sunday market can be a difficult task. Discover the best of the weekly shopping bonanza, and return home with the most memorable souvenirs, after a stress-free day trip from Kota Kinabalu. Exploring the market with a guide means that you'll have chance to practice your bargaining skills as well as gaining insight into the culture and history of Kota Belud. 

Malaysia’s deeply-rooted cultural heritage has long been a key reason for travellers exploring the Sabah side of Borneo. Spread across the vastness of the region, the cultural differences between the indigenous tribes and minorities, the awareness of the interesting sights and sounds of ethnicity slowly moves towards preservation. With Mari Mari Cultural Village, guests are now able to get a taste of the diversity of the Borneo side of the variety of Borneo without having to travel into all corners and directions and seeking out these interests. The set-up of this village is centralized around the values of Borneo minorities, each with their specific traditions and beliefs. With three departures each day, planned in such a way that engaged visitors will not miss some of the demonstrations of what is acclaimed to be one of the best set-ups of multi-cultural experiences.

Discover the world of the Kadazan people on a 3-hour tour to the Monsopiad Cultural Village. After transfer from your hotel, your visit to the village begins with a glass of local rice wine. Follow your guide to the House of the Skull where you learn about the legendary warrior, which the park is named for. Later, watch or join in a traditional Kadazan dance.

Shimmy through the sights, sounds and leafy streetscapes of Kota Kinabalu City. Architectural heritage, Buildings that withstand the WW2 and a view point of the whole city in all its unassuming charm, you might want to get your cameras ready for this one.

Visitors to Kota Kinabalu love venturing out of the city to get amongst nature and see the daily life of Malaysia’s indigenous communities. This 3-hour tour of the Mari Mari Cultural Village lets travelers explore tribal homes and watch a range of interactive demonstrations. With an expert guide to accompany you, this is the ideal activity for those who want to learn more about Malaysia’s rich history and culture.

Admire the Islam-inspired architectural design; Transfer services; Unique Tun Mustapha Building; Enjoy the stunning sunset; Instagram photo place: University of Sabah.

There is a strong cultural feel when you are in Kudat, located on the north coast from Kota Kinabalu Kudat welcomes her visitors with stretches of longhouses on stilts along the peninsula. The quiet town of Kudat is a serene fishing village and well-known for her beautiful beaches along its coast. Be with either exploring nature trails or simply have a lazy day on the beach, Kudat offers stunning sunsets that fill the entire skyline with colours and radiates the feel of repose leaving you enduring for more.

This tour provides you a chance to live in a local village. Sunusron is a old and quaint village in tambunan where you will get to experience the local culture of Sabah Borneo. From breathtaking views to home cooked food you will walk away from this tour with local knowledge you are sure to never forget.

The North Borneo Railway runs two weekly return departures (Wednesday & Saturday) from Kota Kinabalu to Papar, year round. Lasting approximately 4 hours, passengers experience the lush landscape of the coastal and rural regions of Sabah. A typical 'tiffin' colonial lunch will be served on the return trip.

Kota Kinabalu City is the gateway to the Land Below the Wind. It is the state capital of Sabah. At 0930 hrs or 1400, pick up at the City hotel and proceed with a guided tour around the city tour. Take a bird's eye view of the city from Signal Hill. Visit Tun Mustapha Building with its 32 Storey Building with its column of free floors. Visit Poh Toh Tse Buddhist Temple and drive through residential estates. Unravel Sabah's heritage at the State Mosque. Learn more about the rich heritage of Sabah at the State Museum.