Mount Kinabalu National Park Headquarters and Poring Hot Springs, Malaysia
Kinabalu Park was declared Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its exceptional plant diversity, with over 5,000 vascular plant species recorded, including more than 800 orchids and several Nepenthes pitcher plants. The park headquarters area at about 1,563 metres offers montane forest trails and botanical gardens without any need to climb the summit. Poring Hot Springs, on the park's eastern side near Ranau, was developed around sulphur springs first channelled by Japanese forces during the Second World War. The Kadazan-Dusun people regard Mount Kinabalu as the resting place of ancestral spirits.
Last updated: 19 Aug 2026
Places to visit
- Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden with pitcher plants and wild orchids
- Silau Silau and Liwagu nature trails at park headquarters
- Poring Hot Springs sulphur baths
- Poring Canopy Walkway at 41 metres above the forest floor
- Kipungit and Langanan waterfalls
- Kundasang war memorial and Desa Dairy Farm viewpoints nearby
Unique Aspects
- Cool climate at park HQ, often 15-20 degrees Celsius, a relief from coastal Sabah heat
- Clear morning views of Kinabalu's granite summit from Kundasang
- Rafflesia sighting possible in season around Poring
- Private and public open-air hot spring tubs
Things to do
- Guided botanical garden walk at park headquarters
- Short day hikes on marked montane trails
- Soaking in hot spring tubs at Poring
- Canopy walkway and butterfly farm at Poring
- Stopping at Nabalu market for tribal handicrafts and fruit
Best Time to Visit
February to April for the clearest mountain views; March to August is generally drier
Weather Conditions
Park headquarters 15-24 degrees Celsius with cold nights and frequent mist; Poring at lower altitude is 22-32 degrees Celsius and humid
Entry Fees & Permits
Kinabalu Park conservation fee for foreign adults about MYR 50 (approx INR 1,000), children MYR 25. Park open 7 am to 5 pm. Poring Hot Springs entry about MYR 20 for adults; canopy walkway around MYR 15 extra. Summit climbs require a separate permit and licensed guide booked months in advance.
Accessibility
About 88 km from Kota Kinabalu, roughly 2 hours by road via the Tamparuli-Ranau highway. Shared vans leave from Padang Merdeka terminal in Kota Kinabalu; most Indian travellers book a day tour combining park HQ and Poring.
Recommended Duration
Full day trip, or 2 days with a night in Kundasang
Clothing & Gear Tips
Light jacket or fleece for the highlands, walking shoes with grip, rain jacket, swimwear and towel for the hot springs, leech socks in wet weather
Local Food & Souvenirs
Try Sabah tea, Kundasang dairy products, hinava and Sabah-style noodles. Nabalu roadside market sells beaded Dusun crafts, pineapple and wild honey. Vegetarian Indian travellers will find rice and vegetable dishes at Ranau town restaurants.
