Tuaran

Tuaran (Malay: Pekan Tuaran) is the town and capital of the Tuaran District in the West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located 34 kilometres (21 mi) north of the state capital Kota Kinabalu, and is strategically situated along the main highway linking Kota Kinabalu with the north of Sabah. Tuaran is famous for its 9-storey Ling-San Pagoda Tower, which serves as a symbol and landmark of the town. Tuaran town also famous for its Tuaran fried noodles, a dish that has been passed down through generations. Many people visit Tuaran specifically to try this delicious noodle dish, as it’s made with a special kind of noodle that’s different from the usual ones. Its population was estimated to be around 128,200 in 2019 with half the population consisting of ethnic Dusuns, most of the Lotud ethnic subgroup as well of Bajau descent. The remainder is mostly of the Malaysian Chinese community, particularly from the Hakka subgroup and Malay.

This town is a popular stopover destination for tourists and people traveling to and from northern Sabah cities such as Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Tenghilan, as well as those on their way to Kota Kinabalu. Tuaran has experienced significant urban expansion, but recently, this growth has faced some obstacles due to the limited topography of Tuaran, as the town is surrounded by rivers. The town is bordered on three sides by the Tuaran River.