Travel

One of the earth's last frontiers of wilderness, this is a natural paradise. The park is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna including the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. Situated in Sabah, the park covers an area of 754 sq. km. Towering 4,101 meters (13,455 ft) above the mysterious tropical jungles, Mount Kinabalu is the majestic center piece of Kinabalu Park and is also the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. The majestic mountain has a fascinating geological history. It began approximately a million years ago when the granite core lying beneath the earth's crust was solidifying. This granite massif was later thrust upwards through the crust to the surface. Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of overlying sand and mud stone, thus exposing this massif. During the Ice-Age, glaciers running through the summit plateau smoothed it out, but jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected by these cosmetic touches and retained their extremely ragged surfaces. Today, the allure of this awe inspiring mountain and its great heights act like a powerful magnet and challenge, which attracts eager climbers from all corners of the world. About 30,000 people scale the mountain each year, including more than 10,000 foreigners. Despite its intimidating size, Mt. Kinabalu is the one of the easiest mountains in the world to climb. No special skills or equipment are needed and each year, thousand of visitors climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu's Low Peak. Keep in mind, however, that the ascent is a physically tough and challenging climb, requiring a minimum of two days to reach the summit.

Poring Hot Springs

The Park’s station is located 39 km northward at Poring Hot Springs and chartering is the only way to get there. Numerous interesting activities await you at Poring Hot Springs. For example, you can soak yourself in the skin-curative properties of a hot sulfur bath. Or explore the various trails that lead to rich lowland forest, mountain streams, waterfalls and bat caves? If you are the sporty type, there is always the playing field and volleyball court to expend pent up energy.

If you are blessed by the lucky stars, you may even see a Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, in bloom at the Poring Hot Springs. Then there is the Orchid garden, which contains a wide selection of local floral species, some of which are very rare and endemic to the area. Butterflies and moths are also seen around the area and bird watching is a common activity. Have an adventurous walk along the swaying tree top canopy walkway and be rewarded with new insights of the tropical forest and an eye-to-eye view of the tree tip denizens. Looking down, you might even see an iridescent cloud or a host of butterflies fluttering their colored wings, reflecting the sunlight that filters through the verdant forest leaves.

If you plan to stay overnight, there are two cabins and a youth hostel available at Poring Hot Springs. Alternatively, there is also a camping ground for those who wish to rough it out. Bring your own food though.