The most distinctive landmark in Kota Kinabalu is the Atkinson Clock Tower on Signal Hill Road. This early 1900s tower was built in honour of the city's first District Officer, FG Atkinson, by his mother, Mary Atkinson, after he died from malaria. The lofty tower measures in at 16 metres / 52 feet high and sits up on a hill, where it has a clock face on the sides that face the city.

Located just out of town amid a striking lagoon, and even more impressive than the State Mosque, is the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. Built at the turn of the new millennium and situated within the Kampung Likas area, some 4 km / 2.5 miles to the north of the city centre, the City Mosque has four minarets and a large dome, and boasts views out to the South China Sea. This landmark is noticeably larger than the State Mosque and can hold as many as 12,000 worshippers at any one time.

The largest shopping centre in Kota Kinabalu is the Centre Point. It is located on a 4-acre site in the centre of KK and adjacent to the regional bus terminal. It has been operational since the early 90s and offers the largest choice. Centre Point Sabah is a one-stop shopping, dining, office, car park and amusement complex serving the State Capital.

Wisma Merdeka, is one of Kota Kinabalu's most successful shopping centres offering a wide range of merchandise. This is certainly the place for visitors to look for souvenirs whether it is batik, handicrafts, antiques, local interest books or other souvenirs. The complex has wine shops, a wide range of shops selling wearing apparel, shoes for the beach or mountain and bargain denim to take home. Possibly Kota Kinabalu's best food centre is to be found on the second floor but there are also fast food outlets and some of the best coffee in town.

Originally named Bond Street, Gaya Street located in the Kota Kinabalu Central Business District has been the centre of business for over a hundred years. Every Sunday morning, the length of Gaya Street is closed off to traffic to make way for the Fair. Shop for anything under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, like batik sarongs, fruits and flowers, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and souvenirs, cakes, even pets and herbs! This is the best place to experience the cross-section of the local population when entire families enjoy a Sunday outing.

Kota Kinabalu’s Night market is located off Jalan Kampung Air. Near to the old Filipino craft market. It is open from late afternoon (5.30) until the last paying customer is ready to leave. The market is divided into two main sections: the southwest end is given over mostly to produce, while the northeast end (the area around the main entrance) is a huge hawker centre, where you can eat your way right through the entire Malay gastronomy. If you’ve never seen a proper Southeast Asian market, this place will be a revelation. Indonesian, Filipino, Chinese and of course Malay foods are most prominent. With seafood stalls taking up the largest area. Further into the market you’ll come across fruit stalls, vegetable stalls and fresh fish stalls.

The Sabah State Mosque is one of beautiful domes and motifs, and is a haven of peace just outside the main bustle of the city centre. It lies to the south, close to the Kampung Air stilt village, and displays modern Islamic architecture which looks at its most stunning when the sun is setting, especially when viewed from behind the pond that flanks it. Tourists can visit the State Mosque (adhering to the strict dress code and removing their shoes before entering), but it is best to avoid Fridays, as this is prayer day when it frequently gets super-busy.

Located close to the Museum of Islamic Civilisation and just off the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Sacred Heart Cathedral replaced the old Pro Cathedral, which stood on this spot and dated back to 1953, being built after the earlier church was destroyed during WWII. Due to structural problems, it was decided to demolish the Pro Cathedral and leading architects of the time combined forces to create this striking modern place of worship. The foundations were laid in 1979 and work was completed at the end of 1981, with the cathedral being able to accommodate 1,200 parishioners on its ground floor and a further 250 upstairs on the balcony. Interesting features include a concrete bell tower measuring 40 metres / 130 feet, a cross-shaped baptismal pool and an onsite book shop. A large car park fronts the building, with plenty of spaces for visitors to use.

Kopi Ping Café is located at Damai Plaza 4 in Kota Kinabalu, part of a new breed of clean and well-appointed coffee shops to open around town. It is nice place to go for a quick drink. This café is also popular for serving delicious authentic Malaysian dishes. The homemade coffee and lemon soda are among the best sellers. Certainly, it is a good option for after dinner sip of the sweet stuff.

Restoran Sempelang is an authentic Malay restaurant situated in Block D of the Sinsuran Complex in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. There's a lot to like about this bustling Malay eatery: giant fresh fruit juices, English menu, good seafood barbeque, a canopy to keep off the rain, and a vibrant atmosphere. A wide range of traditional Malay cuisines such as 'Nasi Goreng' which is fried rice and the 'Mee Goreng' which is fried mee awaits the visitor’s taste buds. Apart from that, a variety of seafood is also at abundance with the most notable 'Ikan Bakar' or fried fish and tiger prawns, the popular choice.

The Northern Bus Terminal at Inanam is the largest bus station in Kota Kinabalu, and it has proper facilities like ticket counters, small sundry shops and washrooms. There are also many eateries and a few budget hotels around the area. Coaches here generally travel to destinations in the east coast of Sabah, which include Telupid, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. Coach schedules are throughout the whole day. There are also coaches travelling at night, where one can sleep and reach the destination the next day. These modern coaches are all equipped with comfortable seats and air conditioning systems. Some even have built in toilets.

The Wawasan Terminal on Jalan Kemajuan is located at the southern end of the city, and it is opposite to the Wawasan Shopping centre. Many bus companies are found here and they provide internal bus services towards different parts of the city and its outskirts. Local suburbs like Inanam, KK Airports, Kepayan, Likas, Luyang, Penampang, Putatan, One Borneo, and Tanjung Aru, can be reached from here. On the north route the buses here reach as far as Sepangar Bay, while going down south the furthest is Papar.