Kundasang is in Sabah in Malaysian Borneo.
Located 6 km from Mount Kinabalu Park, it is also the location of the Kundasang War Memorial [http://www.sabahtourism.com/attraction.php?ID=49].
Understand
Kundasang is associated with the infamous death marches [http://www.sandakan-deathmarch.com/] which took place near the end of WWII in 1945. Over 2500 Australian & British POWs died in Sandakan and during the three forced death marches inland through the jungle towards Ranau.
Get in
Kundasang is located on the main road between Kota Kinabalu (~100km) and Ranau, 6km after the Mt Kinabalu Park entrance.
Self-Drive
Self-drive is easy from Kota Kinabalu with a mostly decent bitumen road and adequate sign posting. It does become mountainous and windy on approach but also very scenic. The journey from KK is about 90-100km and takes approximately 2 hours depending on how confident you are overtaking very slow trucks doing 20 km/hr. Exercise patience and caution as locals do overtake on blind corners, over double lines, and occasionally with on coming traffic.
Bus
Buses from Kota Kinabalu or Ranau are available.
Taxi
Long range taxis from Kota Kinabalu or Ranau are another option.
See
'''Kundasang War Memorial'''. This tranquil garden memorial was established by a New Zealander in 1962. It was one of the foundation memorials to commerate the tragic loss of Allied (mostly Australian and also British) POWs who died in 1945 during the infamous death marches from Sandakan to Ranau. Furthermore, it commerates the brave Sabahan people who, at grave risk to their own lives, tried to help the dying POWs. The memorial comprises a series of connected gardens - the first is the Australian Garden, followed by the English Garden and the Borneo Garden. There is a long reflection pool where ceremonies are held and also an uninterrupted view point of Mount Kinabalu from a balcony. A open air shelter has been erected where there are newspaper articles and other memorabilia. Here you will be offered a seat and there is also a short video (20 mins) of a recent Australian made news/current affair program about a re-enactment of the death march route (akin to the Kokado trail). Entry RM 10.
Do
Eco-tourism
World War II history
Buy
Eat
Kundasang is reknown for its fresh vegetables. In fact, merchants from all over Sabah and Northern Borneo come here to source vegetables. So eat your veggies!
The hotels/resorts have their own restaurants, which are mainly located on the main road, outside of the township. There are local open-air eateries in the township.
Drink
Alcohol is available at restaurants but may not be mentioned on the menu.
Sleep
'''Kinabalu Pine Resort''': situated on the main road between the Park and Ranau is a great place to take your photos of the mountain. Bookings online at[http://www.pinganchorage.com.my/malaysia_hotel/kota_kinabalu_kinabalu_pine_resort.htm] with their most expensive room RM130 (July 2007). Meals, including beer, are available at the restaurant. Credit cards are accepted.
Get out
Mount Kinabalu
Poring Hot Spring
Ranau War Memorial