About 3 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu, Ranau is a small place with big offerings. Make it a point to visit Ranau and its popular attractions:
Kundasang
The quaint district of Ranau is a getaway perfect for those who like cool climates and lush, mountainous landscapes. Enjoy the view on your journey there and stop at Kundasang’s little town to browse through it’s famous road-side market where you will find colourful rows of fresh vegetables, local fruits, fresh flowers and other local produce such as bottled honey and preserved tuhau.
Kinabalu Park
Kinabalu Park is located 1,585 metres above sea level and is hailed as a World Heritage Site. The Park is a great getaway whether for a day trip or week-long stays to explore the rare and infinite amount of eco-treasures of plants and wildlife found within. Numerous jungle paths wait to welcome the footprints of trekkers within the park, including the trail leading to the peak of South-east Asia, Mount Kinabalu. For inquiries, contact Sabah Parks at 088 211881 / 212719 or email info@sabahparks.org.my / sabahparks@sabah.gov.my.
Kundasang War Memorial
The Kundasang War Memorial, established in 1962, was the first memorial in Sabah to remember the Autralian and British POWs who died in Sandakan and the death marches to Ranau, as well as the people of North Borneo who risked and lost their lives for helping the POWs. The Kundasang War Memorial is located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu and has four Gardens. The Australian Garden, The English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool commemorate each of the nationalities involved in the war. The Memorial is open daily including public holidays. For information and inquiries, contact Sevee Charuruks at 019 8992041.
Poring Hot Springs
Located 39 km away from the Kinabalu Park headquarters is the Poring Hot Springs, where visitors can soak in the skin-curative properties of a hot sulphur bath, trek the various trails through the lowland forests, mountains streams and waterfalls or enjoy a day of bird-watching. You might even be lucky enough to catch a rare glimpse of the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, inside the vicinity of the Poring Hot Springs.
Poring offers affordable chalet and cabin accommodation including dormitory jostle-type accommodations and camping grounds for the more adventurous. To stay at the Poring Hot Springs, contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for reservations at 088 243629 or email info@suterasanctuarylodges.com. Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve can be contacted at 088 878801.
Sabah Tea Garden
Sabah Tea is the only organic tea farm in the whole of Borneo and one of the few in the world, and their plantation is within the vicinity of the Kinabalu Park in Ranau. Not just a plantation, the Sabah Tea Garden offers tea factory and plantation tours, courses on basic jungle survival skills, river trekking and even batik painting.
For reservations or enquiries, please contact them at 088 440882 or email info@sabahtea.net (Kota Kinabalu); 088 889220/ 889330 (Ranau).
Mesilau Nature Trail and Resort
The alternative route up to the peak of Mount Kinabalu is the Mesilau Trail - a formidable track that presents climbers with a longer, more testing terrain for avid climbers of Mount Kinabalu. The trail is also worth the effort for naturalists and researchers for the extraordinary flora and fauna that lay along its paths. Perhaps you’d like to slip away to the peaceful hideaway of the Mesilau Nature Resort, tucked away in the green mountainside of Mesilau. The resort is a popular venue for peaceful retreats from the bustle of cities and towns. For inquiries about the Mesiau Nature Resort contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for reservations at 088 243629 or email info@suterasanctuarylodges.com.
For inquiries about the Mesilau trail, contact Sabah Parks at 088 211881/212719 or email info@sabahparks.org.my / sabahparks@sabah.gov.my
