Sabah Museum, Kota Kinabalu

Nestled in the lush greenery of Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Museum offers a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Sabah's cultural heritage and natural history. This comprehensive institution, a beacon of knowledge in the heart of Malaysia's Borneo, serves as a custodian of the region's diverse stories, artifacts, and traditions.

The museum's main building, designed to resemble a Rungus longhouse, is an architectural nod to the indigenous communities of Sabah. Visitors stepping into this cultural haven will find an array of galleries that meticulously document the state's ethnographic, archaeological, historical, and natural wonders. The museum complex also includes the Science and Education Centre, the Heritage Village, an Ethno-Botanical Garden, and a Zoological Museum.

Exhibits within the Sabah Museum cover an extensive range of subjects. From the traditional costumes and intricate beadwork of the various ethnic groups to the prehistoric era's remnants, the displays are both informative and engaging. One can marvel at the ceremonial masks, weaponry, and the reconstructed ‘Lingzhi’ burial site, which provides insight into ancient burial practices.

The Heritage Village, set within the museum's grounds, is an open-air exhibit featuring authentic traditional houses from the ethnic communities of Sabah. These structures, built by descendants of the tribes they represent, offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the architectural diversity and cultural nuances first-hand.

The Ethno-Botanical Garden is a tribute to Borneo's lush biodiversity. It showcases a variety of indigenous plants used for medicinal purposes, food, and daily living, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between Sabah's people and their natural environment.

The Zoological Museum, albeit smaller, is a fascinating feature for wildlife enthusiasts, illustrating the spectrum of Borneo's fauna, from the smallest insects to the majestic elephants and the iconic Bornean orangutans.