The short answer
Atkinson Clock Tower: what visitors should know first
Yes, as a short stop. The tower is small and you only view the outside, so combine it with the Signal Hill walk or Gaya Street rather than making a separate trip.
History and context
The story behind Atkinson Clock Tower
The tower was dedicated to Francis George Atkinson, Jesselton's first district officer, who died of malaria in 1902 aged 28. His mother donated a clock for the town, and the tower was completed in 1905 and used as a landmark by ships into the 1950s.
Japanese machine-gun fire damaged the dial in the war and a local watch dealer repaired the clock afterwards. It was renovated in 1959, gazetted in 1983, and included among Sabah heritage sites gazetted in 2018.
Useful facts
Atkinson Clock Tower facts at a glance
- Location
- Signal Hill Road, above central Kota Kinabalu
- Built
- 1905
- Height
- About 15 m
- Named for
- Francis George Atkinson, first district officer
- Status
- Oldest standing structure in the city, gazetted heritage
Why it matters
Why Atkinson Clock Tower is worth your time
The clock tower is a rare physical link to the town's beginnings. It was completed in 1905, when Jesselton was a small trading port, and it survived Japanese gunfire and Allied bombing in the Second World War that destroyed most of the old town.
It also shows how residents have protected the city's history: it was gazetted as a heritage site in 1983, and public opposition shelved a proposal in 2017 to move it. For visitors it gives context to the modern city of glass towers below.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
A 1905 survivor
The tower outlasted the war that flattened most of Jesselton.
- 02
The Leeds clock
The two-faced clock was made in England and has been kept running by a local family.
- 03
Gateway to the walk
The Signal Hill walkway starts right beside it.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Approach the tower from the foot of Signal Hill and take your time on the climb, since the slope is steady and the air is humid. Stand back to see the proportions: a square timber tower about 15 metres tall, topped with a weather vane, standing alone against the sky.
Read the information board and the heritage plaque to understand what you are looking at. Then look at the two-faced clock and the belfry detail. The clock mechanism was made in Leeds and has been repaired by a local watch-dealing family for generations, which is the kind of detail a short guide or the board will help you notice.
From here the Signal Hill treetop walk begins, so this is a natural starting point. If you are not walking the trail, enjoy the view across the harbour for a few minutes and head down towards Gaya Street for coffee.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Combine with the Signal Hill walk
- Go early to avoid heat
- Read the heritage plaque
- Do not expect interior access
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Signal Hill Road, above the old town centre
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, or late afternoon for softer light
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The tower sits on a bluff reached by a short uphill walk, with few benches and little shade. Taking a taxi to the top and walking down is the easiest way.
- Tickets and access
- The tower is viewed from outside and is not usually open inside. It is a gazetted heritage site; follow any signs and do not climb on the structure.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Atkinson Clock Tower
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The tower sits on a bluff reached by a short uphill walk, with few benches and little shade. Taking a taxi to the top and walking down is the easiest way.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I go inside?
The tower is generally seen from outside, so plan a brief visit.
Why is it called Atkinson?
It is named for Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jesselton.
Is it far from Gaya Street?
It is a short walk from the Gaya Street area, but uphill.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
