Mount Kinabalu is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the highest mountain (4,093 metres) in South East Asia. The origins of the name Kinabalu is also somewhat shrouded in mystery and myth. Some believe Kina-balu means Chinese widow. Kina being a corruption of China and Balu a widespread native dialectical term for widow.

Mount Kinabaly History

A story tells of a Chinese Prince seeking a huge pink pearl that exists at the very top of the mountain and guarded by a ferocious dragon. After a terrific battle he slayed the dragon and took the pearl, whereon he married a local Kadazan woman. Homesick himself he deserted his wife to return to China and the heartbroken wife wandered to the mountain and was turned to stone. But perhaps the most plausible explanation is that the name is derived from Aki Nabalu – meaning ‘The revered place of dead’, in local Dusunic languages.

Mount Kinabalu Location

Located conveniently about 90 km away from Kota Kinabalu along a good road, Mount Kinabalu, at 4,093 metres, is the highest Mountain Kinabalu mountain in Southeast Asia. The road journey which takes between 1 ½ to 2 hours climbs up to heights of 1,500 metres on the southern boundary. There is a bus service which runs past the Park Headquarter twice a day from Kota Kinabalu on the way to Ranau.