Kinabalu Park (Mount Kinabalu)

Kinabalu Park is Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ranau District, Sabah, at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia at 4,095 metres. Established in 1964, the 754 sq km park encompasses diverse montane ecosystems ranging from lowland rainforest to alpine meadows. It is renowned for exceptional botanical diversity, endemic flora and fauna, and as the gateway for climbing Mount Kinabalu.

Visitors can expect a cool montane environment at around 1,500 metres elevation with headquarters, exhibition centre, and botanical garden near the park entrance. The park offers paved nature trails, forest walks, and viewpoints of Mount Kinabalu. Most visitors explore the botanical garden, visitor centre, and short trails, while climbers register for the guided 2-day summit trail to Low's Peak. Surroundings include dense rainforest, mountain streams, and highland villages.

Established as a national park in 1964, Kinabalu Park was Sabah's first national park. It was gazetted to protect Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding ecosystems. In December 2000, it became Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding biological diversity and geological significance.

Mount Kinabalu is known as Aki Nabalu and is regarded as sacred by the Kadazan-Dusun people, who consider it the resting place of spirits. The mountain features in local legends and traditions and remains an important cultural symbol for communities in Sabah.