I was at Kota Kinabalu (KK) over the weekend and managed to visit KK's Tamu.
Every Sunday the weekly 'Tamu' (open market) transforms the stretch urban center Chinatown into a mess of colourful stalls, noisy crowds and vibrant trading. Open from 6.00am to till 1.00pm.
Stalls stretch over half a kilometer with a stellar line up of local produce, local arts, souvenirs, travel knick-knacks, handmade crafts, Chinese herbs & medicine, pillows, clothes, blood pressure check up and etc... The best place for tourist shopping!
Wear your most comfortable attire and try to be at Gaya Street as early as you can. Crowds build up from 9.00am onwards and as the morning sun rises, it usually gets hot & stuffy.
Heres a glimpse of how it looks like.
Souvenirs
Antiques !
Local Fruits - Langsat & Rambutan
Locals choice - Durian (known as the world smelliest fruit)
Chinese Herbs
Pillows
Tenom Coffee - Freshly grown from the hills and grinded at Tamu
Ladies Choice !
Ice Fruit Juice (this will help cool you down in the humid weather)
Local Arts
Plants for sale
You can get your blood pressure check too
Gaya street is a packed yet pleasant and charming side of Kota Kinabalu, fundament to the whole “Borneo” experience. It's the best place to hunt and show off your negotiation skills!
Make sure not to missed this place when you are in Kota Kinabalu. Happy visiting!