Pekan Nabalu


Pekan Nabalu is a town and mukim of the Kota Belud District of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu and is a frequent stop for hikers en route to Kinabalu Park. It lies at the tripoint border of the districts of Kota Belud, Tuaran, and Ranau, and serves as a market hub for both locals and tourists.

Geography

Pekan Nabalu is situated by the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo. Located 12 kilometres from Kinabalu Park, Pekan Nabalu is a popular resting point for tourists making their way to the national park.
Administratively, Pekan Nabalu is a mukim of Kota Belud District in Sabah, located along Kota Belud District's tripoint border with the other districts of Tuaran and Ranau.

History

The origin of the name "Nabalu" for this town is taken from the name of the Nabalu flower which grows in the forests and hills surrounding this town.
Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the 16th queen consort of Malaysia, visited the town on 5 September 2023 as part of the 2,154-kilometre royal tour "".

Demographics

According to the last census in 2020, the population of Pekan Nabalu is estimated to have a population of around 8,188 with the majority of the population being Kadazan-Dusun who are Christian with a percentage of 90% and a minority of Kadazan-Dusun who are Muslim with a percentage of 10% of the population.

Economy

, handicrafts, and textiles are the main sources of income for the residents of the town. Tourism is another important source of income; the Nabalu Weekly Market is visited by locals and tourists alike for food and drink before the trek to Mount Kinabalu. There are also several restaurants in Pekan Nabalu with a view of Mount Kinabalu. In 2023, Joniston Bangkuai, Sabah's assistant tourism, culture and environment minister, proposed starting a pineapple and fruits festival in Pekan Nabalu to promote the area's local producers and agrotourism.

Education

The primary school is located near Pekan Nabalu and is the main educational facility serving the residents of Pekan Nabalu locally.