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| SABAH - Malaysian Borneo | National Parks : Kinabalu Park |
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MOUNT KINABALU SUMMIT OF BORNEO Such is the importance of this mountain that the state capital Jesselton was renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1964. Sabah, Malaysian Borneo | 
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Mt Kinabalu, the majestic summit of Borneo is the focal point of the Park and the whole of Sabah. The highest mountain between the Himalayas and the Snow Mountains of Papua Barat (New Guinea Island), this magnificent granite massif stands at 4,095.2m (13,435ft) tall. The Kinabalu Park and the Kundasang War Memorial situated just on the fringe of the Park were both established in 1962 as commemorative symbols for the 2,428 Australian and British prisoners of war who suffered and died at Sandakan and the 3 forced death marches from Sandakan to Ranau, and the local people who risked their lives to help the prisoners. It was the inspiration of Major G.S. Carter D.S.O (Toby Carter) a New Zealander employed with Shell Oil Co. (Borneo) and enlisted with the Royal Australian Engineers and parachuted into Borneo in 1945. Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its outstanding universal values and role as one of the world most important biological sites. |
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KINABALU PARK MALAYSIA'S FIRST WORLD HERITAGE |
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Highways and sealed roads have made the Park easily accessible. It’s an easy two (2) hour scenic drive from Kota Kinabalu and is a popular getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city where visitors can enjoy the cool invigorating air. In 2004, more than 415.360 visited the Park with more than 43,430 climbers. |
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The Kinabalu Park covers a staggering area of 754 sq. km (300 sq. mile), from the Park Headquarters area all the way to Poring Hot Springs 40 Km (25 miles) away and northwards to Mandalon, almost reaching the Kudat Highway. It is bigger than Singapore island! Established as a state park in 1964, this botanical paradise is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones, from the rich lowland dipterocarp forest through the montane oak, rhododendron; the coniferous forests, to the alpine meadow plants ... and to the stunted bushes of the summit zone. Kinabalu Park has probably one of the richest flora collections in the world. |
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 | A minimal entrance fee is imposed at the entrance of the Kinabalu Park |
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While the focus of the Park is the mountain, about 80% of visitors don’t climb all the way to the peak but come simply to enjoy the serenity of this place. Kinabalu Park Headquarters is situated on the southern boundary, at an elevation of 1,563m (5,000 ft). Most of the Park’s facilities are located here including visitors’ accommodations, restaurants, exhibit centre, Park offices where overnight visitors and climbers must register. |
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MOUNTAIN RACE THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST |
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Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon will celebrate its 20th year in 2006. The Climbathon is also the race that determines the ultimate Champion of the 7-Series Federation for Sport at Altitudes (FSA) Skyrunning World Championship (racing on high altitude). |
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 | The Climbathon started as a Search & Rescue exercise for the Park’s rangers, mountain guides and porters is now world class event that brings the world’s best mountain runners to compete |
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Each year on the first weekend of October. The Record-holders for racing to the Summit of Mt Kinabalu and back to Finish Line at the Parks HQ in the Men Category is held by Italian Marco De Gasperi (2003) with a time of 02:36:59 hr and Women Category is by Czech Anna Pichrtova (2001) at 03.08.12 hr. Such incredible fitness as climbers normally takes 2 days! |
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| SABAH - Malaysian Borneo | National Parks : Kinabalu Park |
