Kundasang is a hill station and town in the district of Ranau in Sabah, Malaysia that lies along the bank of Kundasang Valley within the Crocker Range, and also neighboring the town of Pekan Nabalu. It is located about 6 kilometres away from Kinabalu National Park, 15.6 kilometres from Ranau town and is renowned for its vegetable market which is open seven days a week. It is the closest town to Mount Kinabalu and has a panoramic view of the mountain. It is populated mainly by the native Dusun and a small population of Chinese people. Almost all the shops are operated by locals.

Kundasang
Rows of shoplots in Kundasang town.
Rows of shoplots in Kundasang town.
Location of Kundasang Town in Ranau District
Location of Kundasang Town in Ranau District
Kundasang is located in Borneo
Kundasang
Kundasang
Coordinates: 5°59′N 116°34′E / 5.983°N 116.567°E / 5.983; 116.567
Country Malaysia
State Sabah
DivisionWest Coast
DistrictRanau
Subdistrict
Kundasang
  • Ranau Subdistrict
  • 1. Nalapak
  • 2. Paginatan
  • 3. Kundasang
  • 4. Liwagu
  • 5. Lipasu
  • 6. Tagudon
  • 7. Karanaan
  • 8. Lohan
  • 9. Bongkud
  • 10. Timbua
  • 11. Malinsau
  • 12. Kaingaran
  • 13. Randagong
Government
 • DUNYang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Joachim Gunsalam (GRS-PBS) (Kundasang) Gabungan Rakyat Sabah
Elevation
1,900 m (6,200 ft)
Highest elevation
4,095 m (13,435 ft)
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
~10,000
Time zoneGMT +08:00
Weekly MarketFriday

At an elevation of almost 1,900 m (6,200 ft), it is the highest settlement in Malaysia. Kundasang is also famously known as the New Zealand of Borneo for its unique mountainous geographical terrain almost similar to New Zealand.

Mountain in Kundasang.

Attractions

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Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens

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A memorial for the Australian Army during the Death Marches in Kundasang War Memorial.

Kundasang War Memorial commemorates the 2,428 Australian and British prisoners who died during World War II at the Sandakan POW Camp, and the casualties of the three infamous forced death marches from Sandakan to Ranau. It also serves as a tribute to the many local people who risked their lives while aiding the prisoners of war. It has four gardens representing the homelands of those who died. ANZAC Memorial Services and private Memorial Services are welcomed with prior arrangements. The Memorial is open to visitors with minimal entrance fees charged. An access road with ramp allows easy access for wheelchair users.

Vegetable wholesale stalls

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Fruits such as rambutan, salak, oranges and lemons can also be found at the vegetable stalls in Kundasang.

Beside the main road vegetables wholesalers can be found in a long row of wooden stalls (Malay: gerai). Bulk buyers come from all over the state of Sabah, Sarawak and even Brunei for the fresh harvest. Pick up trucks are seen laden fully with harvest from the farms nearby the valley and delivered to the stalls. Passing tourists and travellers also stop by the road for shopping at a good bargain with the stalls are open seven days a week.

Golf course

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Mount Kinabalu Golf Club is located near the border of Kinabalu National Park at an altitude of approximately 2000 metres above sea level.

 
The golf club in Kundasang.

Villages

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There are several small villages in Kundasang.

No Village names
1 Kundasang Town (Main hub)
2 Kampung Lembah Permai
3 Kampung Cinta Mata
4 Kampung Kauluan
5 Kampung Mesilou
6 Kampung Mentoki
7 Kampung Bambangan
8 Kampung Desa Aman
9 Kampung Kinasaraban
10 Kampung Bundu Tuhan
11 Kampung Dumpiring
12 Kampung Desa Sunyi (Kundasang Lama)
13 Kampung Mohimboyon
14 Kampung Nosorob
15 Kampung Pinousok
16 Kampung Giman
17 Kampung Sinisian
18 Kampung Ratau
19 Kampung Karanaan
20 Kampung Kituntul
21 Kampung Lapai
22 Kampung Sinar
23 Kampung Liwagu
24 Kampung Muhibah
25 Kampung Kinandusan
26 Kampung Kiwawoi
27 Kampung Waang
28 Kampung Semuruh
29 Kampung Sosondoton
30 Kampung Tudan
31 Kampung Tinatasan

Education

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There are 13 primary schools and 2 secondary schools in Kundasang.

No School Names Types of School
1 SK Kundasang Elementary
2 SK Mesilou
3 SK Don Bosco
4 SK Bundu Tuhan
5 SK Kinasaraban
7 SK Kauluan
8 SK Lipasu
9 SK Mohimboyon
10 SK Waang
11 SK Pahu Himbaan
12 SK Tagudon Lama
13 SK Pinausuk
14 SMK Kundasang Secondary
15 SMK Bundu Tuhan

See also

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