Go BackKota Marudu (GPS: 6.49582, 116.76096) is a small town within the Kudat Division of Sabah. It has a population of 59,000 people with the majority being the Dusun people and Chinese from the Hakka and Hokkien dialect groups. It is 130 km from Kota Kinabalu. Neighbouring towns include Kota Belud, which is a hour away, and Kudat, one and a half hours away.
Kota Marudu was originally known as Bandau, which in turn was derived from the Kadazan-Dusun word "mondou", a mystical buffalo-like creature feared by the locals. It was renamed Kota Marudu, after the fort built by local warrior Shariff Osman, to defend the place against British colonialisation.
Getting there
You can take a minivan or shared taxi to Kota Marudu from Kota Kinabalu. The journey will take about 2 hours.Festivity in Kota Marudu
Every November the town celebrates Pesta Jagung, or Maize Festival. It is a time for celebration, competitions and exhibitions. Traditional sports are played while a Pesta Jagung beauty pagent is also held.Tourist Attractions in Kota Marudu
- Sorinsim Waterfall
Kota Marudu is 
on the Map of Sabah
Return to Sabah Kudat Division main page; list of Towns in Sabah and Towns in Malaysia
Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips
Discover with Timothy videos on Sabah
What to see when in Sabah? Here are some suggestions from my videos.Disclaimer
Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.