| Kinabalu Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of Kinabalu Park in Malaysia | |
| Location | Sabah,Malaysia |
| Nearest city | Kota Kinabalu,Tuaran (Tamparuli),Kota Belud,Ranau |
| Coordinates | 6°09′N116°39′E / 6.15°N 116.65°E /6.15; 116.65 |
| Area | 754 km2 (291 sq mi) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Visitors | 611,624 (in 2010) |
| Governing body | Sabah Parks |
| Official name | Kinabalu Park |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | ix, x |
| Designated | 2000(24thsession) |
| Reference no. | 1012 |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
Kinabalu Park (Malay:Taman Kinabalu), established as one of the firstnational parks of Malaysia in 1964, is Malaysia's firstWorld Heritage Site designated byUNESCO in December 2000 for its "outstanding universal values" and the role as one of the most important biological sites in the world with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species,[1] and over 110 land snail species.[2]
Located on the west coast ofSabah,Malaysian Borneo, it covers an area of 754 square kilometres surroundingMount Kinabalu, which at 4,095.2 meters, is the highest mountain on the island ofBorneo.
The park is one of the most popular tourist spots in Sabah and Malaysia in general. In 2010, the park received 611,624 visitors, including 47,613 climbers.[3]
The site has been identified by UNESCO as a Centre of Plant Diversity for Southeast Asia, as it contains representatives from at least half of all Borneo’s plant species and is extremely rich in species with elements from China, Australia, the Himalayas, Malaysia and pan tropical floras.[4]
The region was designated as a national park in 1964. British colonial administrator and naturalistHugh Low led an expedition fromTuaran to the region in 1851. He also became the first recorded man to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu.[5] The highest peak of the mountain was later named after him—Low's Peak.
Kinabalu Park is situated on theCrocker Range on the western coast of Sabah. It is located within the district ofRanau, within theWest Coast Division. The park is not to be confused withCrocker Range National Park which is a separate park in the south.
The park headquarters is 88 kilometres away from the city ofKota Kinabalu. There are sealed roads leading towards the park headquarters from other parts of Sabah. It is situated on the southern boundary of Kinabalu Park, at an elevation of 1,563 m (5,128 ft).
This park is administered by an organisation calledSabah Parks. Accommodations in the form of chalets can be found in the park, mostly around the headquarters. Reservations for accommodation and mountain climbing guides are processed through Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, a private company. Every person who wishes to climb the mountain must be accompanied by a qualified guide. Sutera is now requiring hikers to stay one night at their lodge near the entrance, in addition to a required stay at Laban Rata. The cost to stay is considerably higher than at lodging just outside the park and includes a mandatory purchase of meals, etc.
The mountain summit trail begins at Timpohon. There is also an alternative route called theMesilau Trail.
A notable feature of the park isLow's Gully. It is a 1.6-kilometer deep ravine stretching 10 kilometres on the side of the mountain peak.
This botanical site contains a variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones; from richlowland dipterocarp forest through themontane oak,rhododendron, to theconiferous forests, to thealpine meadow plants, and to the stunted bushes of summit zone. The mountain is also known for its manycarnivorous plant andorchid species, most notablyNepenthes rajah.
It is also home to a multitude ofendemic animal species, including theKinabalu giant red leech andKinabalu giant earthworm. The park also plays host to a variety of birds, insects, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Mount Kinabalu is one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains in the world. It was formed within the last 10 to 35 million years. The mountain still grows at a rate of 5 millimetres a year
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