The Pacific Sutera Hotel

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was established on 24 November 1994. His Royal Highness the Yang DiPertuan Agong proclaimed the establishment of UMS under Section 6(1) of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. The ninth public university in Malaysia expanded rapidly since its inception. The physical development of the permanent campus on a 999 acre piece of land began in August 1995. The University’s occupation of the permanent campus started in 1999 and was completed in 2000. In that same year, a branch campus was established in Labuan Island placing two Schools concentrating on International Offshore Banking and e-Commerce. In addition, UMS has three centres of excellence to support teaching, learning and research in the university such as Tropical Biology and Conservation Research Institute, Borneo Marine Research Institute and Biotechnology Research Institute. The Centre for The Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning was also established to support teaching, learning and research in the University. Today, UMS is proud of its 13 Schools that offer 64 degree programmes, with a total enrolment of more than 13,000 students.

Built on a 2.47 acres site at the Likas bay, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is exemplary of the Islamic contemporary architecture. Situated near the sea, this majestic white mosque boasts similar features to the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. This floating mosque has a prayer hall which houses three madrasahs and accommodates from 9, 000 to 12, 000 people at a time. By far the largest mosque in Kota Kinabalu, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is even possibly the most beautiful one in Malaysia – the man-made lagoon which surrounds it gives a serenely gorgeous and dramatic look to the mosque on a full moon night. The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is open for public visits daily except Fridays from 8am to 5pm. There are no fees charged on visitors.

Take a ride on the North Borneo Railway and relive the nostalgic romance of British North Borneo. Passengers hop on a steam train straight out of the 1900s, chugging along the tracks from Tanjung Aru, through Kinarut before arriving in the Rice Bowl of Sabah, Papar. Along the way, soak in the green vistas of sprawling paddy fields, traditional village homes on stilts and buffaloes ambling in the distance. On board, passengers are treated to a rare delight: A Tiffin-style breakfast and lunch, comprising of Asian and Continental cuisine. The train features five fully refurbished colonial-style passenger train carriages that can accommodate a total of 180 passengers. The North Borneo Railway is built and operated to the highest of international standards and is fully compliant with modern safety standards. The North Borneo Railway runs two weekly departures (Wednesday and Saturday) and a trip typically runs for 4 hours. An early booking of at least 1 (one) day before departure is required.

A mere 10-minute boat ride away is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The marine park, which comprise of 5 islands, offers the best island-hoping adventure with an extensive sea activities including snorkeling and diving. About 25km away (30 minute drive) is the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. Made up of two parts - the zoological and the botanical side - the park is just the perfect place to bring children for a fun-day out. Among the inhabitants of the zoo (zoological component) are the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger, as well as some different species of deer. The botanical component, on the other hand; offers visitors the opportunity to go jungle trekking along the botanical trail. Sabah is also home of the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia. Located 88km from the city centre, the mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with almost 6, 000 species of plants, 326 species of birds, and more than 100 mammalian species.

Located 8km from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the airport acts as the main gateway into the state of Sabah and into Borneo. Formerly known as JesseltonAirfield during World-War II, the airport has gone through various phases of upgrade. Today, it is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after KL International Airport. The airport has a variety of retail and duty-free outlets, cafés and restaurants, as well as premium passenger lounges for your travelling convenience and comfort. It has a single runway, offering five aerobridges plus three other parking stands and is equipped to handle large aircraft such as the Boeing 747. The airport has a capacity to handle 9 million passengers per year.

Gaya Street is closed off to traffic every Sunday morning to make way for the fair. You can buy almost everything here. There are stalls which sell arts, craft, food, fruits, antiques and so much more. This indeed is the best place to experience the culture and the lives of the Sabahan families on a Sunday outing. The Gaya Street Fair starts as early as 6am in the morning until 1pm in the afternoon.

BED (Best Entertainment Destination) is a nightlife spot in Kota Kinabalu’s Waterfront about as close to the western concept of a club as you can find in KK. The cavernous interior has a large stage as the main focus and an oblong bar that takes up a considerable amount of space right in the centre of the floor. High tables and chairs dot the bar, with 2 semi-closed off areas on either side of the stage. Opposite the stage is a multi-level area from where regulars and members lord it over the peasants below. BED usually has some or other band with scantily clad, gyrating members doing an ok job of belting out songs that are current and pop. DJs do their thing in between band sets. BED is a choice destination for hedonistic debauchery until the wee hours of pretty much any night in Kota Kinabalu.

Luxuriate in the fresh essence of a whole new shopping experience. Imago Shopping Mall is certainly the place to actualize your most intrinsic desires. Whether it's indulging in your tastes, lavishing yourself with pleasures or accentuating your individuality, Imago Shopping Mall delivers it all with an eloquence only few can match. With a range of international brand names offering an assortment of merchandise from the most unique and opulent; to the most frequently sought after, it certainly is a comforting enclave with something that entices the regular, and even the most discerning of tastes. And that signature of distinction is also apparent in the selection of delectable and exquisite dinning, fun filled activities for the children, and pampering indulgences. At Imago Shopping Mall, it’s about coming to a place that understands your most individual desires, whatever they are, whenever.