Kundasang and Ranau sit in Sabah's highland interior, at the base of Mount Kinabalu. At 1,500m+ elevation, it's the coolest part of Sabah — temperatures drop to 13°C at night. Locals call it "Sabah's Little New Zealand" for its rolling green hills, vegetable farms, and dairy cattle.
This is where you come to escape the coastal heat, base yourself for a Kinabalu climb, or spend a weekend eating strawberries and drinking fresh milk with Mount Kinabalu in the background.
Things to Do
- Kinabalu Park (UNESCO World Heritage) — The main attraction. Day visitors can explore the botanical gardens, mountain trail, and summit trail viewpoints. Park entrance: RM50 (foreign), RM10 (Malaysian).
- Mount Kinabalu 2D1N climb — Southeast Asia's highest peak (4,095m). Packages from RM1,999. Requires guide and advance booking. Full details in the Mount Kinabalu guide.
- Desa Dairy Farm — "Little New Zealand of Sabah." Green pastures, highland cattle, fresh milk and cheese products. RM5 entry. Great for families.
- Kundasang War Memorial — WWII memorial for the Sandakan Death March POWs. Beautifully maintained botanical gardens. Moving and peaceful.
- Poring Hot Springs — Natural sulphur hot springs within Kinabalu Park. Indoor pools RM15-20/hour. Note: Canopy walkway temporarily closed since Jul 30, 2025.
- Mesilau Nature Resort — Highland retreat and alternative starting point for the Kinabalu climb. Nature trails, cool forest walks.
- Kundasang Market (Tamu) — Wednesday is the main market day. Highland vegetables, strawberries, fruits, and produce you won't find at sea level.
- Strawberry farms — Pick-your-own strawberries at several farms around Kundasang. Seasonal but available most of the year.
Even if you don't climb the mountain, the sunrise view of Mount Kinabalu from Kundasang is spectacular on clear mornings. Best from the War Memorial or Desa Dairy Farm area around 6-7am.
Where to Eat
- Kundasang town restaurants — Local Kadazan and Malay food. Try soups and hotpots — perfect for the cool climate.
- Trout farm restaurants — Fresh highland trout served grilled, steamed, or fried. A Kundasang specialty.
- Desa Dairy Farm cafe — Fresh milk, yogurt, cheese. Good spot for a quick snack with mountain views.
- Roadside stalls — Corn on the cob, roasted chestnuts, fried bananas. Simple highland snacks.
- Nabalu market — On the KK-Kundasang road. Fresh fruit, honey, handicrafts. Good rest stop.
Getting There
- Drive from KK — ~90km, approximately 2 hours. Well-maintained highway with gradual elevation gain. Scenic drive.
- Minivan from KK — RM25-30/person from Inanam terminal. Shared minivans run in the morning.
- Tour package — Most Kinabalu climb packages include transport from KK.
- En route to Sandakan — Kundasang is a natural overnight stop on the KK-Sandakan road trip.
Accommodation
| Type | Style | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Budget homestays | Local houses with meals included | RM80-120/night |
| Mid-range lodges | Highland chalets, mountain views | RM150-350/night |
| Kinabalu Park lodges | Inside the park boundary | RM150-400/night |
| Mesilau Nature Resort | Secluded highland retreat | RM200-500/night |
Temperatures drop to 13°C at night (lower in Dec-Feb). Bring warm layers — most accommodation doesn't have heating. Hot water availability varies at budget places.
Practical Tips
- Best time to visit: February-May (driest, clearest Kinabalu views). Cloud cover increases in afternoon year-round.
- Pack warm: Hoodie or light jacket essential, even in daytime. Rain jacket recommended.
- Altitude: You're at 1,500m+. The Kinabalu climb goes to 4,095m. Mild altitude symptoms common above 2,500m. Diamox recommended for the summit climb.
- Weekend traffic: KK locals flock to Kundasang on weekends. Expect traffic on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
- Fuel up before leaving KK: Petrol stations exist along the route but can be sparse past Tamparuli.