BEAUTY is in the eye of the beholder, as can be seen in a closed-down, graffiti-scrawled Maybank branch in Kota Kinabalu which became an unlikely tourist spot.
Trending mainly on Xiao Hong Shu, Chinese tourists could be seen snapping photos with the Maybank branch as a backdrop. Unsurprisingly, their actions left many Malaysians scratching their heads.
Looking through Xiao Hong Shu, it is seen that the Maybank branch has hilariously become a “must visit” destination in Kota Kinabalu, with many tourists including it as a spot in their travel itinerary.
According to WeirdKaya on Facebook, several tourists on Xiao Hong Shu explained that the lightning from the branch and the vibrant yellow Maybank logo appeals to urbanites. The link to the full article can be found here.
One netizen added that the dilapidated Maybank branch has not only garnered attention from the Chinese, but the Koreans as well.
The five-worded comment from a mystified netizen sums up the entire event. With all that noise in cyberspace, perhaps there is some marketing tip that can be derived from this Maybank Branch.
In answer to netizen Wan Riduan, the viral tourist spot is likely a product of herd mentality. An influencer on Xiao Hong Shu could have started it, and the action was picked up by many other followers, shared, picked up again, only to snowball into this unique event.
While the Maybank branch has its “charms,” we would also like to recommend some other tourist spots in Sabah:
1/ Le One Kokol Elf
Tourists who find the Maybank branch appealing will certainly be impressed by Malaysia’s very own Bali Swing, which happens to be in Sabah. Nestling amidst the lush rainforests of Menggatal, Le One Kokol Elf offers tourists and their camera lens a picturesque view of mount Kinabalu and sunset unlike any other.
They can either swing their way into the perfect photo shoot, ensconce themselves within the nests or sit up high in the hanging cocoon chairs.
2/ Polumpung Melangkap View Campsite
Perched on the picturesque hillside of Kota Belud, this campsite is about an hour from Kota Kinabalu. Featuring a crystal-clear river and stunning scenery that evokes the charm of New Zealand, it’s an ideal spot for adding some nature-themed flair to anyone’s Xiao Hong Shu feed.
3/ Lasau Podi
With light pollution everywhere across Malaysia, there are few places with night skies capable of capturing the beauty of the Milky Way. Situated approximately 90 km from Kota Kinabalu, the secluded Lasau Podi campsite offers our adventurous Xiao Hong Shu travellers a one-of-a-kind nighttime view.
The list is definitely not comprehensive, considering the many charms of Sabah. However, tourists from across the world are always welcome to discover new tourist attractions in Malaysia to be added into our already impressive travel book. – Aug 12, 2024
Main image:goodymy.com
