Sabah Museum, State museum in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
The Sabah Museum is a complex spread across large grounds in Kota Kinabalu with several separate buildings and areas to explore. The main building houses permanent collections, while nearby sections include a science center, heritage village with traditional houses, ethnobotanical garden, and a dedicated space for Islamic civilization exhibits.
The museum was founded in 1965 and grew from a modest collection into a major institution. Its development reflects increasing efforts to preserve the heritage of Borneo's different peoples and the natural history of the region.
The museum displays traditional houses from different ethnic groups like the Bajau and Murut, which visitors can walk through and explore. These structures give a direct sense of how various communities in Sabah lived and built their homes.
The museum is located a few kilometers from the city center and is accessible by car or public transport. It helps to arrive early in the day to see everything comfortably, as the grounds are extensive and exhibitions are spread across multiple buildings.
The main building itself is designed to resemble a traditional Rungus longhouse, mirroring the architecture of the cultures whose heritage it preserves. This architectural choice makes the building a lesson in local construction styles.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
