The Kinabalu Mystery Unfolds

Don't you guys think that Kinabalu is a unique name? Well,there’s a secret behind its mysterious name. It was originated from the Kadazan words, ‘Aki Nabalu’, which means ‘the revered place of the dead’. The local Kadazan people strongly believe that spirits reside on the top of the mountain. 

According to another urban myth, the name Kinabalu actually means Cina Balu which translates into ‘Chinese widow’. Legend tells that a Chinese prince climbed the mountain in search of an enormous pearl secured by a barbarous dragon. 

After he managed to fulfil the pursuit, he got married with a Kadazan woman. But he soon abandoned her and returned to his homeland, China. His wife brokenheartedly wandered to the mountains to weep. After that, she turned into stone.

Mount Kinabalu is situated on the east coast of Sabah, on the island of Borneo. It is peculiar and temperamental, but always a breath-taking view, this mount has seized the visions of locals and explorers for a long time.

This mountain is surrounded with a park full of various kinds of habitats, from wealthy tropical lowland and hill rainforest to tropical mountain forest, sub-alpine forest and heath on the higher elevations. 

In 2000, Mount Kinabalu was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List to uphold and maintain its natural heritage. It has also been entitled as the Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia.


The Great Wonders of Mount Kinabalu