Sabah State Museum, Kota Kinabalu

Sabah State Museum, Kota Kinabalu Overview

Housing both historical and modern artefacts, Sabah State Museum is the state gallery of Sabah, Malaysia. The museum aims at collection and preservation of various items of importance to Sabah's culture, nature and history.

The several sections of the museum houses exhibits relating to science, technology, ethnography, archaeology, natural history, etc. The museum is simply not a building. It even has a wonderful ethno-botanical garden with lots of plants and an amazing heritage village.

Attractions at Sabah State Museum

Main Building
The architecture of the main museum is based on that of a traditional rungus longhouse. It houses 7 unique galleries:

Ceramic Gallery houses the best collection of ceramic pots and jars. Other items on display are spittoons, cosmetic jars and ceramic pillows.
Headhunting Gallery is stocked with a collection of real human skulls, the weapons used and containers for blowpipe poison, etc. along with detailed information regarding each.
Natural History Gallery gives one the opportunity of learning about different species that breathe in different ecosystems here. It displays a variety of species like pitta, mud lobster, Sumantan rhino, clouded leopard, Vampire squirrel, etc.
Marble Gallery houses the largest skeleton on display in Malaysia, that of the Bryde Whale. It is 18.6 metres in length.
History Gallery displays about 500 years of historical data through photographs, maps, information boards and antique items.
Archaeological Gallery displays prehistoric tools made of wood, clay, stones, shells and even bones! Pottery shreds, several artefacts, a 900-year coffin, a 2000 year old Vietnamese drum, etc are some of the interesting items on display.
Ethnography Gallery is dedicated to the diverse culture of the 32 indigeneous groups of Malaysia. The sound proof section of the gallery houses musical instruments.

The Ethno-Botanical Garden
It is a lush-green garden with plants pertaining to different uses- commercial, medicinal, food, botanical and ornamental- planted in a systematic manner.

Heritage Village
Within the Ethno-Botanical garden is the Heritage Village surrounded by a lovely pond. Check out various traditional houses of Sabah like the House of Skulls, Bamboo House, wedding dais, etc.

Science and Technology Centre
The Science and Technology Centre comprises of 3 exhibits:
North Borneo Railway Station
Oil and Gas production exhibition
Broadcasting exhibition

How to Reach Sabah State Museum

The museum is just about 2 kilometres from the Kota Kinabalu City Center. Take bus no. 13. The ticket costs RM 1. One can also hire a taxi from the City Centre which will cost around RM 10.