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Destinations
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Travel Agencies |
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Places of Interest |
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Kota Kinabalu. Sabah ’s capital
city was severely destroyed during World War II. The northeastern corner of the
town is known as Old KK among the locals. Kota Kinabalu features a mixture of
old and new buildings. |
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Penampang. This is a Kadazan
village, 13 km from Kota Kinabalu. The Kadazan are the rice growers of the
region. Each year, they celebrate harvest festivals lasting for several days
accompanied by a great deal of rejoicing and merry-making, in hopes of a good
harvest. They make their own potent rice-wine, the deceptively strong tapai,
for the occasion. |
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Tenom. From Kota Kinabalu, you
can travel west on the main highway by express bus, passing through Papar,
Bongawan and Kimanis before reaching Beaufort. From here, visitors take the
train to Tenom, a scenic four-hour railroad journey that snakes along the Padas
River, giving passengers a spectacular view of the Padas Gorge.
The Padas River offers a challenging experience to rafting enthusiasts. The
Murut in Tenom live in longhouses and are a generous, hospitable people who
take up any excuse to let loose with song and dance. They have traditionally
depended on shifting agriculture and hunting.
A major attraction is the Tenom Orchid Center which has more than 600 species
of orchids. From Tenom, excursions to other Murut settlements in the
neighboring areas can be arranged.
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Sandakan. This was Sabah’s former
capital and is situated about 33km from Kota Kinabalu. There is a domestic
airport in Sandakan, which is also the jump-off point to Turtle Island Park and
the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. If you visit this town, you
should not miss St. Michael’s and the All Angels Churches, the Sam Sing Kung
Temple, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the Japanese Cemetery and the Australian
Memorial. |
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Kota Belud. Kota Belud is
situated 75km northeast of Kota Kinabalu. It comes alive every Sunday with the
Tamu (open market) at Jalan Hasbollah. Soak in the carnival atmosphere of the
market as well as glimpse into the lives of indigenous people such as the
Bajau, Rungus and Kadazan-Dusun. Horsemen from these tribes, dressed in their
traditional costumes, usually ride in from the countryside to sell their wares. |
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Kudat Peninsular. A long way from
Kota Kinabalu (238 km), Kudat is worth a visit. The journey to the village is
an attraction in its own right, winding through the region's varied terrain of
mountains, valleys, and jungles. There are also some clean and quiet beaches
such as Bak Bak Bangau and Kelambu Beaches. Home to the colourful Rungus tribe,
visitors get to check out their longhouses at Kampung Tinanggol, Kampung
Mattungong and Kampung Mompilis. |
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Tambunan. Situated 80km from Kota
Kinabalu, the journey is an interesting one as you travel along a spectacular
road that twists and turns up the 1650-metre high Sensuron Pass. You will also
be able to see live specimens of the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, at
the Rafflesia Complex situated about five kilometres after the pass. Just
outside Tambunan, there are endless tracks of bamboo grooves on the exquisite
Tambunan Plain. However, Gunung Trusmadi, Sabah’s second highest mountain, will
definitely grab your attention because it enhances the beauty of the scenery.
Other attractions here include the Tambunan Handicraft Centre and Mawah
Waterfall. |
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Sapulut. Longhouse communities
use Sapulut as the departure point for river safaris in the interior. You can
also go on an hour’s boat ride to these villages – Kampung Pagalongan, Kampung
Pensiangan or Kampung Silungai. Most people usually make a trip from Sapulut to
visit the village of Batu Punggal, the site of the Tinahas Caves.
If you are interested in gaining some knowledge in horticulture, you should
visit the Agriculture Research Station in Tenom. The Orchid Centre offers
visitors a glimpse of the many types of orchids found here. And you will also
see rows of fruit trees at the Crop Museum. There are also two Mulut villages
here worth a visit. Situated 30km south of Tenom, they are Kampung Mamai and
Kampung Kaparungan.
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Water Villages. Penambawang is
one of the water villages situated at Kampung Surusup. There is another village
called the Bajau Village of Mengkabong, which is situated at Tuaran. The
thatched houses in these villages stretch out to the bay and are surrounded by
mangrove swamps.
Fish and General Market. This
place bustles to life at dawn as people bargain for seafood, meat and fresh
vegetables. The market is situated at Jalan Gaya and faces the waterfront. |
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Kampung Monsopiad. Kampung
Monsopiad’s main attraction is the Monsopiad Cultural Village, named after the
headhunter and warrior Monsopiad. His collection of over 40 skulls is the main
attraction here. If you would like to watch Sabah’s cultural performances, head
for the main hall during show time. |
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Water World |
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Sipadan Island. This island is
about 30km south of Semporna Island in the Celebes Sea. For scuba divers,
Sipadan is the jewel of Sabah’s dive sites. Indeed, it is the crown of a
volcano turret, which was formed millions of years ago. The famous Jacques
Cousteau once described this island as an “untouched piece of art.” For divers
interested in underwater caves, Turtle Cavern, Whitetip Avenue and the
Barracuda Point are a must as they are filled to the brim with splendid corals
and exotic fishes. Read more.. |
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Turtle Island Parks. Like Pulau
Tiga, there are three islands in this park. They are Pulau Selingan, Pulau
Bakungan Kecil and Pulau Gelisan. They are about 40km from Sandakan in the Sulu
Sea, off the east coast of Sabah. Turtle Island Parks was registered as a
marine park in 1977 in a bid to protect green and hawksbill turtles, which come
ashore to lay their eggs. The park covers about 1,740 hectares and has
hatcheries to conserve these turtle species.
Pulau Selingan is the main nesting area for green turtles while the hawksbill
prefer Pulau Gulisan. The best time to catch a glimpse of these turtles is
between July and October although they lay their eggs throughout the year.
Their eggs are collected by the park staff and brought to the hatcheries. The
30-inch deep holes at the hatcheries are fenced around with wire mesh and
bamboo with serial numbers, collection dates and the number of eggs to mark the
nest for identification. After a 50-day incubation, the hatchlings dig their
way up to the surface — usually at night when the sand is cooler and are
released into sea. Read more.. |
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Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Spanning
an area of about 4,929 ha, there are five islands located between three and
eight kilometres off Kota Kinabalu that were banded as a national park. They
are Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug. Pulau
Gaya is the largest. A large portion of the island and the whole of Pulau Sapi
were declared the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in 1974. It covers an area of 3,638
hectares. In 1979, the other three islands became part of the park.
There are various species of plants here like Keruing, Seraya and Nibong palm.
You can also see wildlife like scaly pangolins and the Bearded Pig. The Burung
Tambun (Megapode) species is one of the most interesting bird species here.
Read more.. |
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Snorkelling, diving and swimming are a must at
these islands. The best coral reefs can also be found between Pulau Sapi and
Pulau Gaya. There are many marine creatures here such as butterfly fish,
barracudas, clown fishes and others. |
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Bujilong Bay, a popular dive site also known
as ‘ Police Bay’ is situated at the north of Pulau Gaya. Large table, brain and
stag horn corals can be seen at a dive site near Pulau Sapi called Clement
Reef. Another popular dive site is Mid Reef, which is a submerged reef detached
from the island and located at the east of Pulau Manukan.
Read more.. |
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Pulau Mabul. This island is home
to a diverse range of macro ecology that inhabits its coral rubble and sea
grass sites. It is about 30 minutes from Semporna. There are a few well-known
dive sites around Pulau Mabul like Ray Point and Eel Garden, which is one of
the deeper sites around the area. Read more..
Layang-Layang. The Layang-Layang
Atoll boasts an airstrip and a three-star resort. Here, meet the ocean’s
denizens such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays, moray eels and hawksbill
turtles. The island is also a haven for thousands of migratory birds.
Read more..
Pulau Tiga Park. There are three
islands in this park, namely Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kelampunian Besar and Pulau
Kelampunian Damit. Lies opposite Beaufort, Pulau Tiga has mud volcanoes. The
island is also the only island that provides accommodation.
Read more.. |
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Beaches.
The islands off Sabah are famous for their diversity of interesting and
spectacular underwater life with Tanjung Aru being the best. About 15 minutes
from Kota Kinabalu, this stretch is famous for its beautiful seascape and
offshore islands. The Kinabalu Yacht Club and the Prince Phillip Park are the
focal points for evening activities here. |
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Nature's Trail |
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Kinabalu Park.
Mount Kinabalu is 4,095 metres high and is the focal point of the park.
Stretching an area of about 7,537 square kilometres, it is a favourite spot
among rock climbers, botanists, bird watchers and adventure seekers. It was
registered as a park in 1964 because of its marvellous collection of flora and
fauna.
Trekking here is the ultimate experience as well as the main attraction. There
are several trails that lead to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. It takes at least
two days and a night to reach the peak. For bird watchers, this park is a
must-visit as there are more than 300 species of birds. There are also some
5,000 to 6,000 species of vascular plants here, about 1,000 species of orchids,
30 species of wild ginger, over 600 species of ferns and two species of
Rafflesia. Rare plants like slipper orchids, medicinal plants, and pitcher
plants are found in the Kinabalu Mountain Garden.
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A war memorial was erected in memory of the
24,000 Allied soldiers killed during World War II at Kundasang, a small town
about five kilometres from the main entrance of Kinabalu Park along the Ranau
Highway. |
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For golfers, there is a golf course at the
Pinasuk Plateau, accessible from Kundasang. Visitors should not miss Poring Hot
Springs, about 39km from the park headquarters with hot sulphur bath that has
curative properties. Read more.. |
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Crocker Range National Park. This
park is about 139,919 hectares in size and is made up of dense forest. It is
located in the craggy Range dividing the western coastal plains from the rest
of Sabah. The Rafflesia can also be found here with other flora and fauna.
Read more.. |
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Gomantang Caves. These famous
caves are situated south of Sandakan Bay. Also home to thousands of
swiflet birds, the best time to see their nests being harvested is between
February and April, and July and September. If you are feeling adventurous, you
can visit the Simud Hitam and Simud Putih Caves, as they are the easiest to
explore. |
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Sungai Kinabatangan (Kinabatangan River).
This mighty watercourse is 560km long. If you are interested in going on a
safari down river, it can be arranged in Sandakan. The jungle next to the river
is home to many different types of wildlife. There are also cabins in the
jungle at Sukau.
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Historical & Heritage |
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Sabah Foundation Building. The
30-story circular glass building, supported by high tensile steel rods
emanating from a central building, is an architectural and engineering feat. It
is one of only four such buildings in the world.
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Atkinson Clock Tower. Built in
1905 in memory of Francis George Atkinson, the first District Officer of Kota
Kinabalu. The quaint structure is made of wood and stands as the oldest
structure in the whole of Sabah. Indeed, it even survived World War II. |
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Sabah State Museum. The Sabah
State Museum marks the history of the state. The cluster of human skulls is a
grim reminder that some of its indigenous people were headhunters in the olden
days. The museum is indeed not merely a museum, as the site also houses an
ethnic botanic garden, a zoological garden and a heritage village. |
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Sabah State Mosque. Located at
Old Palace Hill (Bukit Istana Lama), five minutes from the city centre, the
mosque’s architecture is based on longhouses of the Murut and Rungu ethnic
groups. This resplendent structure, with its majestic domes and gold inlay
motifs, is a spectacular sight, ideally located as a place of worship for Kota
Kinabalu's Muslims and visitors. |
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St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
This is Sabah’s oldest church. Built in 1879, it is situated in Kampung Dabak,
which is only 10 km south of Kota Kinabalu.
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Flora & Fauna |
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Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary.
This is the world’s largest sanctuary for the Orang Utans.
Some 25km from Sandakan, this shelter houses orphaned and once illegally
confined primates. They are rehabilitated until able to go back to living in
the wild. |
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Sabah Agriculture Park. Located
about 150km from Kota Kinabalu in Tenom, this park provides educational and
recreational facilities and is an ideal place for the whole family to enjoy.
There are also a variety of activities and attractions like the specially
designed gardens at the Native Orchid Centre, Ornamental Garden, Hoya Garden,
Tenom Orchid Centre, Evolution and Adaption Garden and others. Visitors can
fish and boat at the man-made lake and there are hostels and campsites for
overnight stays.
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Orchid De Villa. Located at
Kampung Kawakaan, about 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu by road, Orchid De Villa
boasts an exotic collection of orchids displayed according to the Commercial
Orchids, Hybrids from Thailand and West Malaysia and Borneo Orchids sections.
The facility also has a fishing pond, a cactus garden, collections of indoor
plants, an old house, a canteen, accommodation and a swimming pool for visitors
who want to spend more time here. |
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Ethno Botanic Garden. This place
houses an abundance of tropical plants and herbs. There are also life-size
models of houses of Sabah’s ethnic groups. |
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Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Another area rich in wildlife is the Danum Valley Conservation Area, 83 km
southwest of Lahad Datu, where rare Sumatran rhinoceros, orang utans, gibbons,
mousedeer and bearded pigs roam. Some 270 species of
birds have been recorded in the area. The Danum Field Research Centre
is located within the confines of the 440sq km forest reserve. It also boasts
one of the first eco resorts known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge with a
restaurant, bar and comfortable chalets overlooking the Danum River. Jungle
treks, river swimming, bird watching, night jungle tours and excursions to
nearby logging sites and timber mills are some of the activities offered here. |
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Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Hailed as
one of the finest wildlife viewing areas in Borneo, Tabin is home to some of
the largest mammals in Sabah such as the Borneo Pygmy Elephant and Sumatran
rhino. A highlight here is the mud volcano, reputed to process healing
properties. |
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