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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Review: Monsopiad Cultural Village: The mystical Sabah you have to see in Penampang

4 of 5 starsReviewed by ichaview,  October 18, 2012
Before reading this review, I'd like to ket you know that I previously posted this in a wrong attraction which has similar name but it is in Borneo Indonesia. So, here is my review about Monsopiad Cultural Village which I visited in the end of August 2012.

I traveled to Kota Kinabalu in August 2012 and never regretted that I finally did it. I had a great trip that will last in my memories. I visited many interesting spots including Monsopiad Cultural Village. Actually this place was not in my list when deciding to hava vacation in KK. I just put Monsopiad as part of my travel itinerary in Sabah after meeting a local who recommended it as a place one must see. To make it short, I asked the hotel receptionist how to go there and found that place is quite far from the city. It is in Penampang where most Kadazan-Dusun people live. However, it can be accessed by mini bus from terminal Wawasan. It is far much cheaper than hiring taxi or renting a car. You just need to go to terminal Wawasan and take mini bus with signboard written Penampang. You only need to pay RM 3 or just USD 1 for that bus. Afterwards, you have to get off in the Penampang terminal which is next to to Dongguan market. From here, you have to take a mini van to Monsopiad. However, at that time of my visited, a local guy offered me a ride so I didn't use the mini van. The guy told me that not many public transportations go to Monsopiad , so the best way is to hire cab. Otherwise you will need to wait long, more than an hour.

The guy dropped me in Monsopiad . I arrived there too early at 08.30 am. The village opens at 09.00 am. To enter the village, you need to pay RM 75 for foreigners. For local, it is much cheaper. The price is to cover the guide fee, the show and the drinks. It is worth visiting because you will know better about the traditional life of Kadazan-Dusun people. Also you will have a chance to see the 42 skulls stored in Monsopiad house. Monsopiad is an excellent fighter who defended his village from criminals who had terrorized his village. he hunted down the criminals and killed them. As trophies, Monsopiad brought back their heads and hang them on the roof of his house which is located next to the Monsopiad entry gate. 

If you have time, after visiting Monsopiad Cultural Village, you can continue your journey to Dongguan Market to buy souvenirs (much cheaper than those sold in Monsopiad Village). Also, you can try some local food in some cafes in Dongguan. I recommended you to try the local noodle with meatballs and beef chunks.

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