Gaya street
[2025 Kota Kinabalu Attraction] Explore Guide for Gaya Lane (Updated Jul)
Kota Kinabalu is stunning, but not recommended in June because...
In-depth Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide: Comprehensive Land, Sea & Breeze Experiences I. Pre-trip Preparation Visa & Entry: Finalize MDAC entry card 3 days prior, print hotel and round-trip flight itineraries. Passport validity must outdo 6 months; new passports allow direct entry. Essentials: - Sun protection: Upper SPF sunscreen, UV clothing, sunglasses, wide-brim hat - Diving gear: Rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen (for snorkeling/diving) - Electronics: UK plug adapter, power bank, waterproof phone case - Cash: Carry 500 MYR; VISA/UnionPay accepted, some durian stalls take Alipay Transport & Communication: - Ride-hailing: Clutch app (citywide coverage, accepts Visa/cash) - SIM card: Celcom recommended (available at airport/convenience stores) - Navigation: Google Maps (accurate for city & attractions) II. Must-Visit Attractions 1. Spontaneous Wonders - Tanjung Aru Beach: Top 3 global sunset spot (free common access). Shangri-La's Sunset Lock offers premium viewing. - Kinabalu Park: Southeast Asia's highest peak. Book paragliding (10-15min) or ATV
Why Maybank Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu Is the Hottest Photo Spot in Sabah
In the heart of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, an unassuming bank branch has become a social media sensation. The Maybank branch on Gaya Lane, once a regular fixture of the city’s financial district, is now a must-visit spot for tourists eager to snap the perfect photo. But what has turned this everyday bank into an Instagrammable landmark?
Let's dive into the reasons behind its viral appeal and why you should join our Gaya Street Maybank & 9 Banks Photo Spot Walking Tour to experience it for yourself.
The Rise of Maybank Gaya Street as a Viral Photo Spot
The trend began on Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese social media platform, where users mutual their striking photos in front of the Maybank branch. The buzz posthaste spread to Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, where the bank’s modern plan and the vibrant highway life of Gaya Avenue made it an irresistible backdrop for OOTD (Outfit of the Day) shots.
But why is this particular spot so captivating? Part of its charm lies in the unique contrast between the sleek, latest architecture of the bank and t
Street market in Malaysian Borneo
I love visiting local road markets on my travels and the Gaya Street Market on Sundays is the best known and most popular market in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the Sabah province in Malaysian Borneo.
Colourful umbrellas shade a multitude of stalls selling fresh produce, crafts and more. The most popular stalls include an old man writing people’s names in exquisite calligraphy and the fresh coffee sellers, each with a little generator running a grinder and bagging up the fragrant coffee on the spot.
My daughter loved the hair clips, the fake Hello Kitty bags and the animals. At first I was hesitant, thinking these may be sold for food as you see often elsewhere in Asia. But no, the fluffy bunnies, kittens, puppies, birds and fish are all at pop-up pet stalls.
Against the side of the street a line of blind people sits, providing massages on low stools. The atmosphere is bright in Kota Kinabalu, the sky sky all morning, the sea glitters and the enclosing jungle is emerald leafy. I just wish the masseuses could see it.
Here are a few of my favourite photographs of the Sunday Gaya Highway Market in Kota Kinabalu:
Happy travel d
Gaya Street – The Sensational Weekend Street
Suppose you are planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. There is a good possibility that locals would guide you to spend some time in Gaya Highway, more specifically during the Gaya Sunday Market, which takes place, as the name suggests, every Sunday, along Gaya Street.
The weekly hype happening on this street actually begins on Friday evening. Api-Api Darkness Food Market is a food fair happening every Friday and Saturday nighttime. The night market was inaugurated in December 2018 but reopened in 2020 after the COVID pandemic improved. By 6 pm on Friday, vehicle owners will start to vacate the parking bays along the street and the pitter-patter of vendors can be heard as they start to set up their tent. The entire Gaya Street will be closed for the Api-Api Night Food Market from 6 pm to 12 midnight. enabling visitors to walk freely along the road and enjoy the food siesta.
Whiff the inhale of aromatic satay creature grilled, murtabak, wok hei char kuey teow, otak-otak, oyster omelette, fried chicken, local kuih-muih, fruit juice, and so much more. It’s a food exhibit galore from one terminate to another showcasing multiracial v
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