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Known as the hometown of the Bajau cowboys who are Sabah's own horsemen, this quaint little town is famous for its illustrious tamu market which shatters the monotony of Kota Belud's bucolic surroundings. The word "tamu," meaning rendezvous, is a place where traders from Kudat and Sandakan come together to trade and discuss the latest events.
Far from the industrial zone and commercial buildings of Kota Kinabalu, the town's scenic rice paddies, rubber plantation and large ferns and palm trees lining the road welcome the visitors. At the heart of the town, wooden native houses on poles, free-range chickens and undulant landscape are framed by the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
Visitors can try their bargaining skills at the open markets or simply observe the natives trade their wares. Many vendors just sit on the ground with their merchandise laid out on newspapers. Goats, ducks, fish and crabs are sold side by side with house wares, jewelry, and colorful clothes.
It's best to visit Kota Belud during the fourth weekend of October. The annual event of Tamu Besar Kota Belud gives the visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse culture of the town. The event showcases the much-lauded customs and tradition of the West Coast Bajau horsemanship.
South of Kota Belud is the Mengkabong water village, home to the Bajau fishermen whose houses are built on stilts over the water. Visitors can explore the village on foot to feel the traditional lifestyle of fishermen before retracing the route to Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu.