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handicraft market

Before the arrival of the supermarkets and hypermarkets chains, the Kota Kinabalu markets are the most important markets for supplying fresh produce, vegetables, and seafood. Most of the daily consumption commodity for KK Lites can be found here. Even till today it is still very busy and buzzing with life. Many restaurants, kopitiams, and canteen- operators do their daily shopping for fresh ingredients at these markets regularly, if not daily. Even household aunties come and sort after fresh produces for their family daily meals.

dry salted fish and dry small prawn

Kota Kinabalu Markets are made up of five main buildings, the largest is the Central Market, immediately opposite the KK Plaza on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. Sandwich between the Central Market and the sea, is the Fish Market, which is painted with maroon on the outside. And next to the Central Market along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens are three smaller markets namely the Fruits Market, Handicraft Market, and the Dry Sea Product Market.

hand made crafts and souvenirs

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entrance to gaya street

Every Sunday the whole length of Gaya Street is closed down for one purpose, the Gaya Street Sunday Market. Traders of all kind will parade their crafts, produce, and wares on this historical street in Kota Kinabalu. For about a hundred years Gaya Street, formally known as Bond Street, has been the heart of commerce for the west coast of Sabah. Even as late as the early 60s, Traders from Kinarut, Papar, Beaufort, and as far as Tenom, would travel by train to Jesselton, former name of Kota Kinabalu. It was Bond street that they aimed for. It was here that they traded their produce and art-crafts and at the same time looked for supplies, materials, or any thing they could not get at their home town.

crowds looking for a bargain

All of the shoplots had been completely destroyed during the Second World War, and they were subsequently rebuilt after the war. Yet some of the shoplots at Gaya Street are still the oldest in Kota Kinabalu. For the pass two decades the role of Gaya Street as the commercial centre has deminised greatly as more new shops and malls have been built since. Great applause for the local authority for making this special Sunday Market at Gaya Street, so that the past glory of Gaya Street will live on for the future generations.

loaf of local handicrafts for souvenir

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