Tamparuli is the primary gateway to Mount Kinabalu from Sabah's west coast, located along the first portion of the east coast highway to Sandakan. Nestled at the foothills of Crocker Range about 30km north of KK, Tamparuli was first made famous by a Kadazandusun folk song celebrating its iconic hanging bridge across Tuaran River that meanders past town.
Today, it's also a tourist attraction for whitewater rafting activities at Sungai Kiulu, an upstream stretch of the river between 10 and 20km away from town in the outskirts. Visitors can also explore a fish sanctuary at Poturidong Village (along Kiulu), local 'Tamu' market (Wednesdays) and eat local noodles in restaurants around town.