Kinabalu Park in Sabah was inscribed as a UNESCO heritage site in year 2000 under the Natural Site category. The Park meets the criteria No. (ix) and (x) set out by the World Heritage Committee, viz
ix) to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
x) to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
For more details on the listing criteria , please visit selection criteria
Kinabalu Park is one of the 2 sites in Malaysia inscribed as a World Heritage under the Natural Site category. The other is Gunung Mulu National Park of Sarawak, which was also inscribed in the same year.
Mt Kinabalu
At a recent trip to the Park, I found some nice species of wild parasitic plants. This was when we were hiking up 550M through the jungle trails. The paths have become distinctly identifiable steps as tourists flock to experience the natural wonders.
We were lucky on the day as the sun was shining brightly, enabling me to take good pictures of the plants there. There was no rain on the way up. Otherwise the water coming down the trails would have made the paths slippery and difficult to climb. But it did pour after we came down and reached Poring, the site of a hot spring
There was an Aussie couple, one age 70+ and his wife 65 in the group. Both made it to the the 550M level, albeit 25 minutes later. But one could hear them panting heavily every step of the way up. At this level, we could only take the hanging bridges to go back. There were 4 sections, each tied to 2 towering trees. Every where around us, the tree trunks were truly plumb. I had no idea how tall they were. I guess they must be over 200 feet.
The first station was the longest, I believe. Fortunately, even though the hanging bridge was 100 feet above ground, it did not swing that badly. The bridges were well designed and well maintained. So everyone enjoyed the crossing. Even the Aussie couple could make it through nicely.
Mystical Mt Kinabalu
On the way up - Observation tower at Nabalu -
man made convenience vs nature
Almost there
Spicy Ginger flower stalk, great for curry & asam laksa
Natural resort
Hanging Bridge
close up of bridge construction
Lunch retreat at Fairy Garden Resort
Gate to a treasure trove of botany
Aspleniaceae Specie
Hah! this is not a light bulb
Zingiberaceae specie
Poring Hotspring Map
