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Visiting the City Mosque Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah in Malaysia is a vibrant city, and one well worth traveling to. There are several things to do, but the most educational, beautiful is the Floating Mosque of Kota Kinabalu or the City Mosque Kota Kinabalu. We’ll tell you when to go, how to dress, all the important info.


Looking for something a little different than the quaint villages of western Europe, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, spring break came along and we decided to venture back to Asia. We’ve been missing the tropical heat, the exotic landscapes, and of course the food. We decided to go back to Malaysia, but this time to Sabah. While we were in the vicinity we tagged on a couple of days in the rich Kingdom of Brunei as well. One of our first stops, in Kota Kinabalu, was the iconic floating mosque.

The famous floating mosque of Kota Kinabalu

Religion is one of the most distinctive cultural identities in any country, and we try to make it a practice to visit some local religious institutions everywhere we go. Therefore, it was a given that we would want to visit the famous floating mosque or City mosque of  Kota Kinabalu. Very much like some other mosques, like the Kairouan in Tunisia, you can only enter with a guide and of course proper attire.

Exterior view of the City Mosque of Kota Kinabalu.

I’ve visited many mosques, because in Turkey mosques have always been open to the public. In fact, I was shocked the first time I visited a Muslim country where non-Muslims were prohibited from entering. As a teacher and avid traveler, I believe that being open and sharing is the way to global understanding, so I do feel it a shame when there are any limitations put on travelers. I’ve also been to cities, such as Dubai, where you can take a guided visit to the Jumeirah Mosque and learn about Islam.

Additional Reading:
Mt. Kinabalu National Park
Visiting the Orang Utans at Sepilok
Driving in Eastern Malaysia (Sabah)
The Wildlife of Borneo, A Photo Essay
The Handicraft Villages of Kudat, Malaysia
The Stinky Rafflesia Flower
Durian, The Stinky Fruit You Must Try
Proboscis Monkeys at Labuk Bay

Interior view of City Mosque Kota Kinabalu.

At the City Mosque, visitors must first check in at the kiosk where they register. At the same time, if you do not have appropriate clothing, you can rent it from the shop. To enter a mosque, one should be dressed very conservatively. Women must cover their head, hair, shoulders, arms to wrists, legs to ankles. The outfits to lend are a plum purple cape and hood that easily fits over the clothes you are wearing.  n Malaysia, it is so hot and humid that most non-Muslim women are not dressed conservatively enough to enter the mosque.

The mosque's washing area.

The day before we visited, Devon and I stopped by a Muslim dress shop that was located right next to our hostel. We talked to the sales girls and each bought a headscarf called a “Tudung,” which is a one-piece, somewhat elastic, scarf you can easily pull over your head.  So we brought these along with us to the mosque, and of course we were wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.

When we produced the tudungs to the officials, they took them from us and helped us put them on correctly. We were then inspected by the lead man and given the okay to enter the mosque with our guide without having to rent an outfit. It was very evident from their conversation and smiles that they were very impressed that we had made the effort in attaining the appropriate attire, and that in turn made our day as well.

A young woman offered to guide us into the mosque. Her role was mainly to make sure we didn’t commit any faux pas, but along the way she also told us a few details about the building. It was opened in 2000, the same year that Kota Kinabalu was granted city status.

Interior view of City Mosque Kota Kinabalu.

She led us around for about 20 minutes, showing us the entry, the washing areas, the main prayer halls, and left us to our own after a while letting us know that we were welcome to just sit or lay down, taking a rest from the oppressive heat outside. I thought this was a very welcoming gesture, and there were a few people just lounging around enjoying the quiet.

After our fill of the inside of the mosque, we left the building and went on a walk around the man-made lagoon, enjoying the deep blue onion domes on the minarets.

City Mosque Kota Kinabalu reflected in the pool outside the mosque.

We completely enjoyed our visit to one of Malaysia’s most beautiful and well-known mosques. We found the people welcoming and helpful, and the vibe very calm and peaceful. I would highly recommend visiting it to any future travelers.

Devon and Corinne inside the City Mosque Kota Kinabalu.

Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Penang. Malaysia has so many fantastic cities to visit. We love them all.

Have you been to Kota Kinabalu? Did you visit the floating mosque? What did you think?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Mike

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

I never thought about the restrictions that would be in place to go into a mosque, Corinne. It makes total sense after reading this. As far as women covering their heads...Phoenix makes me cover mine when we go into the pet store :)

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

Mike, As Phoenix is obviously well aware, it's a sign of respect! LOL

Michelle

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

I wanted to see the tudung and voila, there it was at the end of the photos. Good pictures.

Michelle

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

Michelle, I don't think it's my best look, but I do think we did the non-Muslim world proud!

Freya

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

I did not have the chance yet to visit but would love to, it looks really beautiful and interesting

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 4th of March 2014

Freya, It was beautiful. I hope you get there soon!

Agness

Monday 3rd of March 2014

This place is enormous and so stunning!

Corinne Vail

Monday 3rd of March 2014

Agness, Have you been there? I thought it was impressive on the exterior and very peaceful on the interior as well as a little understated.

Catherine

Monday 3rd of March 2014

It looks so beautiful and tranquil. Glad you enjoyed your time there :)

Corinne Vail

Monday 3rd of March 2014

Catherine, That's exactly it. According the our young guide, many people went there to relax and she wished on us that same sense of peace. It was really serene.