I find Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia a livable city (even better than some cities in Peninsula) with a nice chilled out vibe. While other towns are choked with souvenir-selling tourist traps, KK has a variety of shops to fulfill the needs of her inhabitants. We can find elevated walkways placed in various locations throughout the city, presumedly to improve walkability. But better consideration could be given to accessibilty for the disabled to these amenities.
The coastal town is vibrant with fishing activities. It feeds directly into the market right by the sea. The abundant (and very affordable!) seafood is one of the main tourist attraction here.
The blocks of shophouses are quite distinct, not found in West Malaysia. Shop fronts go up to the 2nd floor, and faces inwards to create a sort of atrium of semi enclosed outdoor comunal spaces. Though typologically interesting, the effectiveness of such spaces vary.
Kota Kinabalu feels to me like a well-kept secret. And I hope it thrives in its own laid-back way.
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