It is known as the Chinatown of Sabah due to many Chinese coffee shops and restaurants situated there.
The Jesselton Harbour was the main gateway from North Borneo during when there is still no passenger planes.
[3] The market is once considered as the "heart" of Jesselton as major business activities was done there.
[4] Since then, farmers and ordinary folks from the interior and fishermen from the coastal areas would make their trip to sell agricultural produce and other crops in the market, this include the Chinese immigrants as well Filipino and Indonesian traders.
[3][5] Aside from agricultural products, local food, souvenirs, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and even pets are sold in the market.