KOTA KINABALU: A visit to the state capital would not be complete if you do not walk on the iconic Tanjung Aru beach to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunset.
This appears to be the latest tagline used by tour companies to promote their packages, here, and the numbers don’t lie — judging from people who turn up everyday at the coastal stretch of the city.
South Korean student Park So-yeon, 22, said she found out about the sunset walk from reviews posted on the Internet and she was not disappointed.
“I came here with a friend from college at around 4pm and we have been here since then,” she said, recently, when met before the sunset, which normally takes place between 6pm and 6.30pm.
Foreign tourists make up the majority of those who turn up along the two kilometre stretch of the beach but locals too can be seen with their families, playing games and water sports.
Wang, from Shanghai, China, said visiting the beach was a rare treat for her.
“It’s not surprising that tourists from China flock to this place for the warm weather and the beautiful scenery,” she said.
Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the popularity of the beach and other coastal areas in Sabah has grown over the years.
“Our sunsets are among the best in the world,” he said in explaining the main reason behind its popularity.
“We, at the board have been promoting our beautiful sunsets, not just in Tanjung Aru, but all over Sabah through social media,” he said.