Kundasang - Your window to Mount Kinabalu

Hello people! So I've been to Kundasang, Sabah twice and I still have the urge to go there again. I just really love the cool and fresh mountainous air and the very beautiful scenery of the mountains and the country side wherever you look at. Of course, the jackpot is the unforgettable breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu peak which can be seen right exactly in front of your eyes. The view of the peak though, is only available at dawn and just before dusk, for in between, only on your luckiest day will you be able to see the peak without the mist surrounding it. I was lucky! =D Let's see whether you are as lucky as I was. Hehe.

By the way you do have to rent a car if you're planning to stay in Kundasang. We rented our automatic Perodua Viva for RM100 per day. Not that there are no other transportation going there but you simply need the car to get around and enjoy the surrounding area. I don't recommend you to just stay in your resort. You would die of sleeping. Haha. Unless you're there for your honeymoon! ;)

So on my first trip to Kundasang me and friends stayed at Mount Kinabalu Heritage and Spa Resort. We chose the chalet instead of the hotel lodging, which turned out that we made the right choice and I really recommend it! Very, very, very beautiful views from the chalet... Even from my bed! Since the very large windows are there to offer you the beauty of Mount Kinabalu. Well let's look at some of the pics below...

Our chalet located up a hill away from the main hotel building of the resort. Very rustic and very quiet.

Will you just look at our view. Awwwwww. So beautiful I almost cried. (:P)

The view of Mt. Kinabalu from our chalet. As you can see... no peak yet at 4.24pm.

Got lucky at 5pm! Mt. Kinabalu peak right in front of our eyes!

Mount Kinabalu peak...

Mr. Mon was here hehehe...

And then there's the mist again and it stayed there until sun down...

I couldn't remember how much I paid for the chalet but in Agoda now it costs around RM189++ for the chalet room. Request for chalet no.13 or the one beside it to get the same chalet as ours. The best views was from ours. That I can remember.

So that was the first time I went to Kundasang. The second time I was there me and friends chose to stay at Kiram's Village. A small resort but with very beautiful landscape full of flowers and pine trees surrounding it, and a pond in front of the chalets. We definitely loved our stay there. Of course the big part that contributed to our happiness was the very cool weather and the calmness of the place. Such a pleasant retreat after a few days in Kota Kinabalu. Not to forget the cost of the chalet which was only RM70 per nite for 2 person... Anyways... the pics...

In front of Kiram's Village...

Entrance to Kiram's Village. They have ample car park area.

Our chalet...

Two storey chalet beside ours...

Another two storey chalet beside ours...

Beautiful landscape...

Beautiful landscape...

View from our chalet...

View from our chalet...

So... that was where I stayed during my 2 trips to Kundasang. By the way... just some info, your drive to Kundasang will take 2 hours the most if you take a relaxed drive mode. Your drive won't be that challenging as you would imagine when driving up a mountain since the road was pretty good and not that snaky. There will be lots of stalls by the road side selling fruits and all types of unprocessed rice. Do stop by at Pekan Nabalu before arriving at Kundasang. A pit stop if you want to have some food or buy some souvenirs and you also get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings since there is a lookout point here. I stopped here on the way to Kundasang and again on the way back to Kota Kinabalu hehe. There are about 10 souvenir shops here and as usual, do bargain before buying anything. Anyway below are the pics at Pekan Nabalu...

The magnificent view behind the row of shops selling food. Go though the small alley in between the shops. Don't miss this place please! :)

On the lookout point. You could have seen Mt. Kinabalu peak at the background if not for that cloud on the right.

The first time I was in Kundasang we went to this 'very busy for its standard' morning market. It's so nice to see the locals out and about doing their business. If you happen to be at the market too, please enjoy the crowd coz you're not gonna get it anywhere else around town! :P Kundasang town can be very very quiet at night. It was a bit of a challenge to even look for a restaurant for dinner. But don't worry Kundasang town is not big so you will find one after a short drive around. Don't forget to try the grilled chicken wings if you bump into a stall selling it! Dellllicious!

Busy morning market..

Fruits and vegetables for 'export' even until Brunei.

So happy to be shopping while enjoying Mt. Kinabalu view!

After you have checked out the market and tasted a fruit or two, you could drive to the Mesilau Nature Resort and just walk around the resort. Well just for a morning exercise and some walking in the wilderness. No real attractions here if you're not into nature. But they do have a mini museum about Mt. Kinabalu.

The road to Mesilau Nature Resort... (edit sket hehe)

Chalet at Mesilau Nature Resort. This place was so quiet. You are like practically sleeping in the jungle if you stayed here.

Long way down...

A lot of stairs here so really good for exercise!

If you're in Kundasang you should go to the cattle farm. Very New Zealandish! :D 

Can you see the cows? They were a bit shy today...

From the cattle farm you can see a waterfall at a distance. Can you see it in this picture??? :)

If you have some time to spare, go to Poring Hot Springs and the Canopy Walk which are both at the same place. It's around 45km from Kundasang towards Ranau. During Malaysia public holidays these place will be packed. So depending on your preference, plan your trip. The more the merrier to me! :)

When entering Poring Hot Springs

At Poring Hot Springs

Love it! :)

So guys...there is actually quite a number of things to do in Kundasang if you're the type who loves nature. Even if you don't love nature you must love the cool weather right? Oh yeah of course most people will be in Kundasang as a pit stop before climbing Mount Kinabalu. So people, you should spend a night in Kundasang to explore its surroundings. Just give Kundasang a chance like I did and you will too agree that Kundasang, is the window to Mount Kinabalu... :) Till next entry...