Malaysia | Chasing the Most Beautiful Sunset in Kota Kinabalu

In April, I expected continuous rain in Malaysia but was pleasantly surprised by three days of stunning sunsets and one sunrise. At that moment, all fatigue vanished! The crystal-clear waters of Mermaid Island were absolutely breathtaking, with different shades of blue merging like nature's palette. We even went scuba diving—super thrilling! Check out the video in my previous post.

✈️ Malaysia Visa-Free Entry Guide
Passport: Must be valid for over 6 months. Don’t forget to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MADC) three days in advance.
Stay Duration: Visa-free for up to 30 days—don’t overstay!
Entry Tip: Make sure your passport gets stamped by customs upon arrival, or you might face fines and delays.

🚗 Use Grab for rides—super convenient! Just link it to Alipay.
☎️ I got a Celcom SIM card, and the signal 📶 was full throughout. You can buy it in advance on Taobao or at the airport.

🗓️ 5-Day Itinerary Revealed
**Day 01**
03:25: Landed! Withdrew 2,000 MYR from the airport ATM to start the trip.
05:30: Sunrise paddleboarding + snorkeling at Tanjung Aru Beach—few people, super relaxing, and the sunrise paddle was gorgeous.
09:00: Dropped luggage at the hotel, had breakfast, and shopped at Imago Mall.
15:00: Checked into the hotel to rest. Explored Gaya Street Night Market in the evening (open every Fri & Sat, 6:00 PM–12:00 AM—super lively!).

**Day 02**
07:00: Island-hopping to Mermaid Island, scuba diving to explore the underwater world, sunset on the beach, and firefly watching at the mangrove forest at night (wear long sleeves/pants to avoid mosquitoes!).

**Day 03**
Woke up naturally, then had a massage—so relaxing I fell asleep! Also did some post-sun skincare.
Afternoon: Watched the world’s Top 3 sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach (though the first day’s sunset was more stunning). Dinner was seafood and durian—pure satisfaction.

**Day 04**
07:00–07:30: Driver picked us up for a trip to Kinabalu Park’s viewpoint—breathtaking views!
Noon: Paragliding + ATV (warning: ATV rides can splash mud on your clothes). After lunch, visited a dairy farm to feed cows. At 16:00, saw the Rafflesia flower (self-paid).

**Day 05**
Returned to Guangdong, ending the wonderful trip.

🍲 Food Recs
**Zhen Gong Fu Bak Kut Teh**: The broth is rich and flavorful—one sip and I was hooked!
**Welcome Seafood**: A bit underwhelming, not as tasty as expected. Will try another spot next time.

Malaysia’s romance isn’t just about sunsets—it’s also in those magical moments. Hope my sharing inspires you to pack your bags and go!