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The HQ of Kinabalu Park lies at an elevation of 1,563 meters (5,128 feet) on the
Park’s southern boundary. The 80 kilometers drive along a sealed road takes
about 2 hours from Kota Kinabalu but not until the road passes the
Tamparuli
small town. After about 40 minutes, it started to rise. The secondary scrub,
bananas and the occasional fruit tree are interspersed with rubber trees grown
by smallholders on the lower slopes and introduced softwood acacias are planted
along much of the roadside.
As you are in the car, the view constantly changing as the roads winds up and
up. Shifting cultivation covers most of the hills around here, and at kilometer
33 the roadside stalls of Pekan Nabalu are well stocked with local produce. This
is a regular tourist stop where a variety of good quality handicrafts can be
purchased as well as the deliciously nutty flavored brown hill rice. Many
different varieties of bananas are also sold here.
  At kilometer 29, at the turn-off to Kampung Kiau, the air is already cooler and
yellow daisies become increasingly common, scattered through the grass at the
edge of the road. Soon you pass the Kiau Nabalu restaurant
on the roadside, 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the Kinabalu Park HQ. If the day is
clear there are also excellent views of the long trailing waterfall of the
Kadamaian from here onwards to the Tenompok Pass. At the Tenompok Pass, just
after the kilometer 22 mark, you cross over to the main massif and within 5
minutes reach the impressive arched entrance of the Kinabalu Park HQ.
   The Park HQ can sleep a total of 228 persons in a variety of accommodation types
ranging from hostels with only basic facilities to more luxurious individual
chalets. An intercom system links the chalets to the reception office. Most have
self –catering facilities but there are also 2 restaurants serving both western
and oriental food. Fireplaces are provided in some chalets and firewood can be
purchased from the Reception office at HQ. The park has its own generator and
electricity is provided 24 hours a day. There is small souvenir and sundries
shop and public phones. Guided walk and audio-visual shows are presented by the
interpretation staff. A nominal fee is charged for some of these programs, as
well as a fee to enter the park.
Usually, most climbers when arrive at the Park HQ, they will stay here and start
the Summit Trial at the next morning.
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