The contemporary, Kota Kinabalu is one of the rapidly growing cities in Malaysia and is well known as the capital of Sabah’s West Coast Division. With an approximate population of 579,304, Kota Kinabalu which got its name from Mount Kinabalu is the 6th largest urban centre of the country. The city that is also often referred to as K.K is a popular and key tourist destination. This modern capital city is famous for its tropical climate, amazing landscapes, warm hospitality, white sandy beaches, tropical rain forests, coral reefs and certainly the magnificent Mount Kinabalu. Another key reason that attracts large numbers of tourists to this part of Malaysia is its unparalleled shopping options.
Kota Kinabalu is home to numerous avant-garde shopping precincts and among the most renowned are Kompleks Karamunsing, Wisma Merdeka, Plaza Wawasan, City Mall, Centre Point, Warisan Square, KK Plaza and Kompleks Asia City. A majority of these malls offer attractive and reasonable yet fixed prices and are generally open for trading from 10 in the morning until 10 in the night. Meanwhile, the surrounding area of Karamunsing Complex boasts a broad selection of computer stores. Furthermore, a large number of new and modern shopping arcades are in the process of being built, offering the shopaholics with added choices when it comes to shopping in Kota Kinabalu.
This phenomenal city also offers the typical Asian style Street Markets providing the visitor the opportunity to shop whilst experiencing the local way of life. For instance, the Gaya Street Sunday Market is a gathering place for hawkers trading an extensive array of traditional products and food items. To purchase a precious piece of traditional handicraft and souvenir, the best place to visit is the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market which was previously known as the Filipino Market. Most villages and towns in Kota Kinabalu feature Sunday Flea Markets selling products from fruits, vegetables, orchids, arts and crafts to even traditional music instruments.
Kota Kinabalu is a well connected city offering the visitor with extensive public transportation facilities to get around conveniently. Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu provides discerning guests with an ideal location to access shopping districts, making shopping in Kota Kinabalu much more pleasing and convenient.