Sabah State Museum

The Sabah State Museum is the main museum of Sabah located on Jalan Muzium in Kota Kinabalu. Situated on the former site of Istana Bukit Istana Lama, it serves as the state's principal institution for history, culture and natural history. The complex includes the main museum building, Heritage Village, science centre and botanical gardens. It is notable for extensive ethnographic, archaeological and natural history collections representing Sabah's diverse indigenous groups and colonial history.

Visitors can expect a large museum complex set on a hill with landscaped gardens. The main building houses galleries on natural history, archaeology, ethnography, ceramics and history. Outside, the Heritage Village features traditional houses of Sabah's ethnic groups including Bajau, Dusun, Murut and Rungus longhouses. The grounds also include a science and education centre, botanical garden, zoo area and exhibition halls. Visitors can explore indoor galleries and outdoor heritage structures on foot.

Established in 1965 and officially opened in 1985 at the former Istana site on Bukit Istana Lama. It was developed as Sabah's state museum to preserve and document the history, archaeology and natural heritage of Sabah following the formation of Malaysia.

Serves as the principal cultural institution of Sabah, showcasing the traditions, crafts, dwellings and customs of Sabah's more than 30 ethnic groups including Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Murut and Rungus, and promoting understanding of the state's cultural diversity.