The Kundasang War Memorial, Kinabalu Park and Desa Cattle Dairy Farm give Kundasang three distinct points of interest: remembrance and gardens, a World Heritage Site, and locally produced dairy products. Nearby, you’ll also find Maragang Hill and the Kiau View Trail. When choosing accommodation in Kundasang, it helps to consider what you’re most interested in: cultural history, local produce and outdoor attractions each offer a different focus.

Remembrance and gardens at the War Memorial

The Kundasang War Memorial was built in 1962 as one of the first memorials to commemorate Australian and British prisoners of war who died in Sandakan and on the death marches to Ranau during the Second World War. Naming both locations gives the commemoration a specific historical context. The grounds include four gardens: the Australian Garden, the English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden with its pool. The first three names refer to Australia, England and Borneo; the pool is part of the Contemplation Garden. For travellers interested in history, the memorial is a clear focal point; the four garden areas add another dimension to a visit.

World Heritage Site and nearby trails

Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. This offers a different focus from the War Memorial when choosing places to visit: here, the emphasis is on World Heritage status, while the memorial commemorates the prisoners of war. Nearby, Maragang Hill stands 2,232 metres above sea level; it opened to the public in 2017. Another point of interest is the Kiau View Trail. It starts at the entrance to Kinabalu Park and is about 2.5 kilometres long. According to the tourism description, there is a high chance of spotting a pitcher plant along the trail. When comparing the destinations, it’s useful to consider what information you’re looking for: Maragang Hill is described by its elevation and opening year, while the Kiau View Trail is described by its starting point, approximate length and reported chance of spotting a pitcher plant. Those interested in observing plants will find a specific point of reference here; the elevation, in turn, describes the hill.

Local produce and getting there

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm produces fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese and gelato. The product range may change. This gives Kundasang a specific culinary connection alongside its memorial and outdoor attractions: the focus is on locally produced dairy products.

To travel towards Kundasang/Ranau, visitors can take a minibus or taxi from Jalan Padang Bus Station and ask the driver to drop them off in Kundasang. A hired vehicle is required to reach the Mesilou Ecotourism Association (META) office in Kg Mesilou. The directions refer to different destinations, so check before setting off whether you want to get off in Kundasang or go to the office in Kg Mesilou. Transport availability and routes may change; confirm them locally before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau, Kota Belud, Kuala Penyu, Menumbok.

For the broader travel overview: Sabah.