Poring Hot Springs - Kota Kinabalu Attractions (Sabah, Malaysia)

40 minutes from Pekan Nabalu, we arrived at the Poring Hot Springs area. Our guide bought us tickets and we went in. Toured us around and explained some stuff. By some, I mean, him, pointing out that the water is natural and came from the mountains. Our guide doesn't talk much. He showed us where the public and private bath is. We also walk passed the butterfly farm until we arrived at the canopy walk starting point.

Poring is situated in the lowlands -- a contrast to the parks HQ and a tourist resort in Sabah, Malaysia. This is one of the recommended place to go to when in Kota Kinabalu. After going to Gerai Pekan Nabalu, this route is on the way up to the Mount Kinabalu Park which is 40km away. The word "Poring" came from a bamboo species found in the area.

Photo source: Sabah tourism website

Apparently the locals and other tourists were earlier than us. When we arrived there, It was already crowded in the public hot springs area. When I saw the place, I had second thoughts of even dipping. It was just crowded and I was worried about hygiene so we decided that we decide again later after the climbing and walking.

Our guide bought tickets for us and off we go! Entrance is by the left side. I think the entrance was around RM15.00 /pax.

Canopy walk @ Poring Hot Springs
Not for the faint of heart, not for people afraid of heights and not for people who doesn't want to climb and hike or perspire much. The climb up was a good hike. It's a 1 kilometer mix of rocky trails, steep steps and leafy slopes.

Start of the Canopy Walkway

After 5 to 10 minutes of good hike, you'll see a wooden tower like structure. That is the start of the walkway and you will need to present your tickets that you paid for in the entrance. Otherwise, you'll just go back to the start. You'll also need tickets for your cameras. A camera, including mobile phones and video recorders will cost 5 RM each.
Tip: just pay for 1 camera OR (dirty tip), don't pay for any camera. Once you go pass the guy collecting tickets, no one else will check.

After around 6 bridges of around 100 meters in length, you'll reach another tower and you're hike going back where you started starts. The way back felt shorter and upon reaching the entrance, we congratulated our parents for not going with us because they will have a hard time.

Tip: Remember to look for the largest plant in the world, the Rafflesia. We didn't see one when we were there because,
1. We forgot about it
2. The tour guide didn't tell us

Also, better if you wear long pants to prevent mosquitoes from feasting on you. Bring camera, shades, insect repellent, cap and wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes if you're going to do the canopy walk. If you plan to try the hot springs, bring a set of extra clothes and your bathing suit/ shorts/ shirt. There are locker areas for you to use.

We were suppose to take a dip into the hot springs but our feet was tired and we didn't want to dip it in water. We just strolled around a bit and tried to enjoy the park.

Water that came from the mountains

A stream very much alive

Activities you can do here:

- Butterfly Farm (9am-4pm)

- Poring Orchid Conservation Center (11am/230pm/3pm)

- Kipungit Waterfall and Langanan Waterfall (9am-4pm)

- Tropical Garden (8am-4pm)

- Poring Canopy Walkway (8am to 4pm)

Tourist Entrance Fees are as follows:

Conservation Fee to enter the park - RM15.00 (Adults) / RM10.00 (Below 18y/o)

^The above includes bathing in the public baths 

Private Bath (Enclosed) - RM15.00 per hour (Standard) / RM20.00 per hour (Deluxe)

Canopy Walk - RM15.00 /pax

Camera (per unit, for the Canopy Walkway) - RM5.00*

Video Camera (per unit, for the Canopy Walkway) - RM30.00*

*To save money, read my tips about bringing in camera below.

How to go to Poring Hot Springs
Reminder: Bus and Taxi leaves when they are full

1) Taxi - Approximate Cost
RM160.00 /taxi if coming from Ranau Taxi Stand (Near Merdeka Field)
RM300.00 /taxi if coming from city hotel

2) Bus
KK to Ranau 730am-500pm (RM15.00 /pax) [Terminal Bas Bandaraya (Utara) City Bus Terminal, North]
Ranau to Poring 700am-300pm (RM6.00 /pax) [Change bus in Ranau to Poring Hot Springs]

More about Poring Hot Springs:
Poring Hot Springs Trip Advisor Review

Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve
Tel: 088-878801
Fax: 088-878801

We paid the travel agency RM 130.00 (Approx 1,800 pesos) per pax for this tour. Includes a tour of the Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs, lunch plus hotel-destination-hotel transfers.

All about Kota Kinabalu:
Shangri-La Rasa Ria Nature Reserve
Proboscis Monkey and Firefly tour
Island Hopping: Manukan Island and Mamutik Island
Little Italy Restaurant - Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu Shopping Malls and Market
Kinabalu Park and Wild Boar Experience
Poring Hot Springs
Best Western Kinabalu Daya Hotel
Pekan Nabalu Lookout Point

Cheftonio
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