Kudat town | district

Kudat in the north of Sabah is a place of great historical significance - though few nowadays even know that Kudat was actually Sabah's very first capital back in 1882! But there is yet to be discovered more!

Locally once known as Tomburungan because of the Tomburungan River, Kudat has for centuries been a trading point between the people of Borneo and the Chinese, Bruneis, and other seafarers and adventurers, quite a number amongst them Europeans. Most recent discoveries seem to prove that the area of Kudat was already a trading post during the Sung Dynasty, some 1000 years ago!

Unfortunately tracing Sabah's history is extremely difficult as there is very little else than oral history and legends that have survived. Thus we only know for sure that the English have indeed declared Kudat capital, but only for two years. Chronic water shortage - Kudat has always been Sabah's driest part - forced the British to move on and abandon their dreams of a 'Singapore on Borneo'. They moved to Sandakan where they established Sabah's administrative capital and this remained unchanged until WWII.

The indigenous people who live on the Kudat Peninsula and on the east side of Marudu Bay are the Rungus, and they traditionally they live in Longhouses inland. A sub-group of the Kadazandusun they remain one of Sabah's most traditionalist people and their women are skilled in rare handicrafts like intricately woven fabrics, bead works and fine basketry. Along the cost live Muslim tribes, notably the Bajau, Iranun, Suluk, Ubian and Kagayan. The Chinese that live in the Kudat area are mostly Hakka. Their forefathers came with the British in the late 19th century because of labour shortage. They developped farmlands and established coconut plantations, still a predominant feature of Kudat's landscape to-day.

Kudat itself is an attractive and clean town, with a distinct 'old' part, and the newer quarters. It is a happy blend of traditional fan-cooled coffee shops, mixed traders, workshops, boutiques and hotels. The road system is easy and never jammed - that is, until now! - and you never have to worry about finding a parking in Kudat. That is what I call great luxury, because Kudat is really worth a visit! Stroll through the wide pedestrian areas where you can mingle with old and young and observe the trends of life: the old people in turban, black, home woven skirts and beaded necklaces, rattan baskets and finely worked betel boxes, always ready for a chat... and the young people in jeans, t-shirt and hip earrings, hand phones always pressed to their ear...

Kudat is renowned for its seafood, and virtually any restaurant in town will serve you only the best fresh fish and prawns, at very attractive places. Popular eateries include the night markets that appear in the evening around the fish market, and 'The Ocean' at the far end of the Kudat Sidek Sea-front Esplanade.