Atkinson Clock Tower
The Atkinson Clock Tower is a symbol of Kota Kinabalu's history and heritage.
The Atkinson Clock Tower is one of Kota Kinabalu’s oldest structures. Built in 1905, it commemorates Francis George Atkinson, Kota Kinabalu’s first district officer. The clock tower is one of the only 4 structures that survived World War II bombings.
Location
The Atkinson Clock Tower is a landmark on Signal Hill Road near Padang Merdeka. It is about 10 minutes’ walk away from the city centre of Kota Kinabalu.
Opening Days and Hours
Since the tower is out in the open, you can visit any time of the day.
Entry Fee and Bookings
There is no entry fee to view the clock tower.
How to Get There
You can get to Atkinson Clock Tower by car, motorcycle, taxi, or on foot if you are staying close to the city centre.
Suggested For
The Atkinson Clock Tower perfectly suits couples and groups of friends. Exploring the Clock Tower involves climbing some stairs, so families with young kids and seniors might find it a tad difficult to get to the tower. However, you can still view it from the street below.
Time to Spend
You can spend about 20 minutes exploring the tower site.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
You can sometimes find food stalls on the streets near the Clock Tower, however, you will have much better food choices at the city centre.
Nearby Attractions
You can continue on to the Signal Hill Observatory Platform for an overview of the city and islands nearby (about 20 minutes’ uphill walk), and shop and eat at Gaya Street (5 minute’s walk).
Stay
There are many accommodation options in Kota Kinabalu that you can choose from including budget hostels to luxury five star hotels. There are also homestays and Airbnb options too.
Good to Know
If you visit during a sunny day, make to bring some sun protection with you like sunscreen or a hat.