Kudat, town in Sabah
Kudat is a small town on the northern coast of Borneo in Sabah with simple streets, colorful markets, and views of the sea. The town center features local shops, traditional wooden houses, and a quiet pace shaped by the daily rhythm of fishers and farmers.
Kudat was founded in the early 1800s when the British North Borneo Company arrived and made it one of Sabah's first settlements. Over time, different groups including the Rungus, Chinese, and Bajau communities settled here, shaping the town's cultural and architectural diversity today.
Kudat is the heart of Rungus culture, where traditions remain alive in villages surrounding the town. You can visit traditional longhouses, watch dance performances, and see local craftspeople making beadwork and weaving, offering a direct experience of the community's daily customs and skills.
Visitors reach Kudat best by car from Kota Kinabalu, a drive of about 3 hours through green landscapes. Bus connections and a small airport with direct flights are also available for those preferring alternative travel.
Kudat is known as the Tip of Borneo, marking the island's northern point where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea. This location offers visitors the rare chance to stand at a geographical border and see two seas at once.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
