Pekan Nabalu is only 12 KM from Kinabalu Park, so many tourists stop here for toilet breaks or breakfast. Tourist buses love to prevent here due to the ample and spacious parking space in Nabalu. The 15-Meter watch tower of Nabalu is so prominent at the roadside that every motorist passing by will notice it. Nabalu town is one of the best spots to see Mt. Kinabalu and its adjacent landscape. Tour Guides also like bringing climbers here to preview the mountain before the climb.

Kinabalu Park has the world's largest variety of nepenthes, the carnivorous jug plant. The diversity of plant life in Kinabalu Park ranges over four climatic zones. Over 5,000 types of flowering plants including 1,200 species of orchids, 26 species of rhododendrons, over 80 species of fig trees as well as 60 species of oak and chestnut trees are found here. About 100 species of mammals and 326 species of birds are also known to reside in the sprawling park. The park covers 754 sq km (291 sq miles), with temperatures far cooler than on the coast. They ease to a gentle 20 C (68 F) at park headquarters and can drop to freezing point at the resthouse where climbers spend the night prior to their assault on the summit, so warm clothing is a must, as well as rainproof clothing for those climbing the mountain.

It is estimated that 75% of tropical rainforest animals spend most of their time in the forest canopy. The canopy layer is situated more than 20 metres above the ground and is a convenient natural hideout for many animals. The canopy walkway is the best way to observe such animals. Animals in the canopy appear less fearful of humans compared to when observed on the ground. The canopy walkway is essentially rope and steel cable suspension bridges that zig-zag through the crowns of the tallest strongest and long-lasting trees such as "Menggaris" (Kompassia excels) and 'Seraya' (Shorea sp).