Kota Kinabalu 4D3N Lazy Travel Guide: Full Itinerary to Avoid Tourist Traps

🌴 Day 1 Special Forces Rush Day
06:00 Arrive in Kota Kinabalu, take a Grab to Gaya Street
07:00 Breakfast at Yee Fung Tea Room
✅ Summary: Overall, not my taste, but since I’m here…
09:00 Luggage storage at the hotel (The Shore by Homesuite)
✅ Strong recommendation: 180° floor-to-ceiling windows for lying and watching the sunset
⚠ Need to communicate in English for check-in (prepare translation software in advance)
11:00 Water Mosque
📍 Location: Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
✅ 5 Ringgit for panoramic photos on the surrounding lawn (taking photos from the road will get you caught)
⚠ The tickets for the surroundings and inside are different, make sure to ask clearly before purchasing
14:00 Lunch at Shi Quan Shi Mei
📍 Location: Hilltop restaurant
✅ Must-try: Salted egg yolk fried crab + pepper salt squid
⚠ Beware: There is a minimum spend (the second time I went, the waiter who served seafood had a bad attitude, holding a grudge)
16:00 Return to the hotel to rest and wait for the sunset
▫ Seaview room allows you to watch the sunset from the hotel (a different experience)
▫ 5-minute walk to the free pier viewing platform
19:30 Yuan Tea Room
✅ Banana chocolate toast & Indian fried noodles are delicious
⚠ Many stores in Kota Kinabalu are closed during the Chinese New Year (pay attention to business hours)

🏝 Day 2 Manukan Island Impact Day
06:50 Gather at the pier –> 11:00 First snorkeling experience –> 12:30 Camp lunch –> 13:00 Free time –> 13:40 Prepare to return to the pier –> 17:00 Tanjung Aru Sunset –> 19:30 Xin Ji Bak Kut Teh
Experience Summary:
✅ Take seasickness medicine half an hour before boarding!

⚠ Caution: Must apply sunscreen when snorkeling! (Wear a jellyfish suit for physical sun protection)
✅ Free route to watch the sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach: Locate Zing Sunset Bar, get off the car, go through a small corridor, then through the restaurant directly to the beach

🌌 Day 3 Firefly Healing Day
We didn’t see the proboscis monkeys, went straight to see fireflies by private car
12:00 Grill Fish for lunch
✅ Must-try: Creamy tiger prawns (Udang Butter) + fried squid rings
⚠ Summary: Super large portions, too much fried food can be greasy (suggest eating according to your capacity)
14:00 Check-in at Pacific Sutera Hotel
✅ Surprise: Private pier for watching the sunset!

The outdoor environment is breathtakingly beautiful
▫ Free perks: Can check in early, or watch the sunset from the lounge chairs at the hotel pier
14:40 Depart for the mangrove forest
16:30 Watch the sunset at the mangrove beach
▫ Extremely beautiful sunset + digging for crabs on the beach (super fun)
▫ Enjoy dinner while watching the sunset (very relaxing)
18:30 Firefly forest
✅ Summary: The atmosphere cannot be captured by a phone, you’ll regret coming, but also regret not coming

🛍 Day 4: A Leisurely Wrap-up
12:00 Souvenirs at a Creative Haven
📍 Location: Ulu-ulu Boutique & Studio
✅ Must-buy: Unique refrigerator magnets and charming proboscis monkey pendants

13:00 The Pink Mosque at Universiti Malaysia Sabah
📍 Location: Masjid UMS Kota Kinabalu
✅ After purchasing your ticket at the entrance, a driver will whisk you directly inside.
✅ Must-try: Indulge in Mr. Mang’s refreshing shaved ice, a local favorite!
⚠ Keep an eye out for geckos; they can be quite a surprise if you’re not expecting them.

14:00 A Second Visit to Shi Quan Shi Mei
▫ Savor one last salted egg yolk fried crab before you bid farewell to this culinary gem.

17:30 Return to the Airport
▫ Arrive two hours early to catch the stunning “salted egg yolk” sunset at the airport—a perfect, picturesque ending to your trip!