Located in the Ranau district of Malaysian Borneo, Kundasang is a quaint little town hidden in the lap of the majestic Mount Kinabalu. The slow pace of life in the valley steeped in natural beauty will force you to look at life through rose-tinted glasses. Although Malaysian Borneo is a travellers’ delight, not many people know about Kundasang and its pristine beauty.
5 Places Must Go (or Do) in Kundasang, Sabah
A sanctuary away from the city, prep yourself before a Kundasang trip with our comprehensive guide on what to know and where to go for your next visit to the Land below the Wind.
Do not leave Kundasang without visiting these places:
1. Desa Dairy Farm - Feels Like Being in New Zealand
These lush green hills overlooking a dairy farm is not the New Zealand outback; this is Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang, Sabah. Still, you can get photos to trick almost anyone into believing that you were in New Zealand.
After a trip to watch the processing of milk and feeding the adorable calves with bottled milk, get some souvenirs, especially popular dairy products like fresh milk, natural cheese and gelato ice-cream.
2. Fresh Market of Kundasang
Once a quiet village, the now small town of Kundasang is home to independent traders selling produce harvested from the farmland nearby.
Visitors will not miss the Kundasang fresh market, a stretch of stalls along the Kundasang-Ranau highway.Other than local produce and flowers from the surrounding nurseries, drop by for souvenirs such as handicraft and clothes, all on sale at a good bargain.
3. Upside Down House
The Upside Down House will literally turn your world upside down. This building is situated along the main highway leading to Mount Kinabalu, Kiulu River rafting and all the districts on the east coast of Sabah (i.e Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau) in Kampung Telibong, Batu 21, Jalan Telibong, Tamparuli, district of Tuaran.
Today, you will be able to view a traditional Sabah kampung house fully equipped with kitchen, living room, bedrooms, toilet, veranda and garden in a new perspective – upside down!
Being the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, this architectural wonder has also been included in the Malaysia Book of Records. Best of all, the place is wheelchair-friendly!
Note: While indoor photography is prohibited, visitors are allowed to pose with outdoor upside-down attractions.
A visit to the upside-down house guarantees to be one of your most memorable experiences and it is a must-see attraction that you should cover in your Sabah itinerary.
More info about The Upside Down House in Kundasang, Sabah, do refer to their official website here - https://www.upsidedownhouse.com.my/
4. Sabah Tea Garden
Whether you’re a tea person or not, you will appreciate a trip to the sprawling tea plantation in the cool mountain air. Located 2,272 feet above sea levels, the harvests are 100% pesticide free as insects are drawn towards the 130 million-year-old rainforest surrounding the plantation.
Take a tour at the Tea Factory at an additional fee to watch how tea is processed. For the adventurous, trek along the trails to the peak of Kamunsu Hill in the early hours to catch a magnificent view of sunrise or embark on a night walk to check out unique insect species.
Save the best for the last – have a sip of Sabah’s finest tea without which your Sabah Tea Garden visit wouldn’t be complete. Take your pick from 8 flavors – cinnamon, ginger, geranium, lemongrass, pandan, tongkat ali and misai kucing.
5. Tandem Paragliding Ranau
To compulsive thrill seekers, the sky is the limit. With nothing between you and the sky, Tandem Paragliding Ranau gives you the wings to fly like a wild bird. Suspended in a harness some 700 metres or so above, fly on top of the lush Kokol Hill forest as you sing to R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly”.
Note: The key factor of a flight is ideal wind and weather conditions. There will be no refunds in case inclement weather persists. Instead, the session will be rescheduled to a later date.
Fee: RM190 (Malaysian), RM250 (non-Malaysian)
Ok. Some additional info for how to get to Kundasang, Sabah.
How to get to Kundasang?
The best way to get around Kundasang is to rent a car. Alternatively, a bus ride to Kundasang from Wawasan Terminal, Kota Kinabalu will cost you RM20.
How long does it take from KK to Kundasang?
Kota Kundasang is approximately 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.
The best time to visit Kundasang
Though Kundasang opens its doors all year round, the best time to visit the place is anytime between January and April. Heavy rainfall is expected from May to December.