5 Reasons to Visit Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu

As you embark on an adventurous expedition of Malaysia, a visit to Mount Kinabalu in Sabah should definitely be on your list of must-do activities. There are so many reasons why you should visit Mount Kinabalu, for instance this mountain is the highest peak in the Crocker Range of Borneo. It is the highest mountain in Malaysia, and also based on topographic prominence, this mountain is ranked the 20th most prominent mountains in the world. As such, climbing Mount Kinabalu will be an unforgettable experience that you would treasure for the rest of your life. We have put together a list of top reasons to visit Mount Kinabalu during your next vacation.

Image Credit: Pixy

 

This could be by far one of the top reasons to visit Mount Kinabalu. All you adrenaline junkies or those of you who are looking for an opportunity to challenge yourself, climbing Mount Kinabalu would prove to be quite rewarding. The summit reaches an amazing height of over 4,000 kilometers creating an ideal adventure spot for one of the most thrilling hiking and mountain climbing experiences. If you are looking for the ultimate challenge, you might want to join the ‘climbathon’ where every year, athletes race to the top of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah within a few hours.

Image Credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC-BY-SA-3.0, Wikipedia Commons

 

Another reason why you should visit Mount Kinabalu is that it is part of the Kinabalu National Park, one of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites of Malaysia. Owing to the unique mount Kinabalu weather and environment, the site has become a rich biodiversity reserve with over 5,000 species of plants, over 300 avian species, and over 100 mammals that make up a very rare collection of fauna and flora. Some of the most notable species you would be able to witness are Rafflesia plants and orangutans that thrive in abundance.

 

Image Credit: Reise Bazaar

 

When you visit Mount Kinabalu on a trip to Borneo, you will also get to know of some interesting folklore centered on the origin of the name of the mountain. In one such tale it is believed the mountain was named “Kinabalu” in remembrance of the everlasting love and loyalty demonstrated by the wife of a Chinese prince. It is even believed that following her death the spirit of the mountain turned her into stone facing the South China Sea.

 

Image Credit: Outside

 

The experience on climbing Mount Kinabalu only gets better as you reach the peak. After a very adventurous trek, you will reach the peak of the mountain where you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the surroundings. With dense clouds covering the surroundings, it might even seem as if a snowy blanket covers the entire area. If you wish to spend the night in the mountain huts, you can even get a summit-climbing permit together with an accommodation package.

Image Credit: Borneo Adventure

 

Once you are done climbing Mount Kinabalu, there are so many other amazing attractions in the vicinity that are waiting to be discovered. Out of these attractions, the Poring Hot Spring, also located in the Kinabalu Park is a great stop where you can soak your tired feet and enjoy a refreshing wash after the strenuous climb.