Orang Utan Sanctuary
Located at the virgin forest reserve in Sepilok, this is the one of the only tour orang utan sanctuaries in the world. It is accessible after a 25-km drive from Sandakan. Orphaned and injured Orang Utans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life. These gentle great apes are very appealing. Trained orang utans may be cuddled for a memorable snapshot.
Sabah State Mosque, Kota Kinabalu
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 Muslim inhabitan3ts and visitors.
Sabah Foundation Building, Kota Kinabalu
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.
Kota Belud
Kota Belud is a small town located 77 km from Kota Kinabalu. Every Sunday it comes alive in a scene of blazing, riotous colour when the "Tamu," or open market, takes place.
Tuaran
Tuaran is the location of the region's agricultural station. Nearby is Mengkabong, a Bajau village built over water. Also close by is Tamparuli, a town specializing in the production of local handicrafts.
Penampang
Another village that offers an insight into Sabah's varied ethnic groups, Penampang is home to the Kadazan people. The village is located 13 km south of Kota Kinabalu.
Sipadan Island
a diving paradise, Sipadan Island is some 30 km off the coast of Semporna, a small town in the southeast coast of Sabah. The mushroom-shaped Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, offering myriads of colourful tropical fish and corals in its c:ystal clear waters
Sandakan
Sandakan is busy port on the Sulu Sea, about 386 km from Kota Kinabalu. The forestry exhibition in Sandakan showcases the astounding variety of flowers and plants found in Sabah; the Sandakan Orchid House has a collection of rare orchids. Along the Labuk Road from Sandakan is a crocodile farm, housing about 1,000 crocodiles of various sizes.
Gomantong Caves
situated at 32 km south of Sandakan, the marvelous Gomantong Caves are the home to hundreds of thousands of swifts. They build their nests high on cave walls and roofs. Twice a year, nest collectors come to the caves and climb on tall bamboo poles to collect the nests, which are considered a delicacy. Besides swifts, the caves are also inhabited by millions of bats, which have become a spectacular sight to many tourists.
Semporna
Located on the southeast coast of Sabah, Semporna is the jumping-off point for Pulau Sipadan, a diving paradise, and Pulau Gaya, the island where Sabah pearls are cultured.
Sabah State Museum
Located in Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Museum boasts good collections of tribal and historical artifacts of the ancient people of Borneo and exhibits of flora and fauna, including rare birds, reptiles, animals and fish only found in Sabah.
Mengkabong Water Village
About some half an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, is the famous Mengkabong Water Village where houses are built on stilt and linked by a maze of rickety plankwalks. An ever increasing population has seen the water village gradually expanding into the sea.
Tanjung Arau Beach
The best place to view sunset, the nearest beach to swim and a great place to hang out with family and friends. Although the main activity start at 3 PM , one can still go for sun bathing as early as they wish in which it is quieter. Later during the day, food stalls that sell tidbits such as maize coated with margarine and salt, sweet boiled peanuts and Coconut juice. A restaurant with cultural performance will also start their business and visitors may catch a glimpse of the local dances being performed. The newest hit in town is that people may also try out their surfing skills with an average level of waves.
The City Waterfront (Anjung Samudra)
The newly completed Anjung Samudra is already popularly known as 'The Waterfront'. During the day you will find some fine foods, and maybe the best seafood restaurant in Sabah, the Port View. The Borneo Trading Post is a lofty and inspirational souvenir shop with a local twist, not to be missed either. The place really comes to life in the night: it is the place to be and to be seen, for locals and visitors alike. The Waterfront boasts some of the best nightclubs in town, and a wide variety of pubs with an excellent choice of music, drinks and food.
Mall Warisan Square
Standing gracefully on 3.75 acres of prime land in the heart of the capital city, Warisan Square is set to change the concept of retail shopping in the city centre. A "street mall" concept is exquisitely etched into its design and set up so as to create an integrated synergy between the shop office blocks and the central building. Set amidst the bustling city centre overlooking the vibrant tourism-belt "KK Waterfront" and the idyllic islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, it is the mall where city folks and tourists flock to for something new and hip.
Key international and regional retailers as well as café operators have gained a foothold into the KK retail scene with their first outlet here at Warisan Square.
Likas Wetlands - Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary
Designed as a bird sanctuary in September 1996, this 24 hectare remnant patch of mangrove forest is located just two kilometers north east of Kota Kinabalu. The sanctuary is the only remaining patch of an extensive mangrove forest that once covered most of the coastal area where now Kota Kinabalu is. Maintained and developed by WWF Malaysia, this sanctuary is a refuge and feeding ground for many species of birds, as well as several migratory species from Northern Asia. The sanctuary is a much needed green lung for the city, and strategically located as an environmental education centre, serving the public at large.
Gaya Street Sunday Market
If you are in town on Sunday, the colourful Gaya Street Sunday Market is a must! Come as early as seven in the morning and you find all sorts of items available for sale by locals. Some come from the far interior of Sabah to offer their produce. Here you find also a rich assortment of antiques, handicraft, potteries, batiks, fruits, pets, plants, flowers and much more. Local fast foods and snacks are also available. If you like a local breakfast, try out the variety of shops along the street : Laksa, Nasi Lemak, Noodles, Dim Sum... the list goes on and on. The street gets very crowded, but by midday the fair is over!
The City Waterfront Esplanade (Anjung Senja)
The City Waterfront Esplanade offers many side walk cafes and food stalls for everyone. Stop by here for drinks and food night and day and enjoy the sea front view of Kota Kinabalu, facing the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. To the left of the esplanade you will see the Sutera Harbour Resort and Golf Course. This is a great place to be if you are shopping around in the malls, and you need to catch a breath. The sunset from the esplanade is spectacular.
Kampung Air Night Market - Pasar Malam
The Night Market at Kampung Air is an exciting place to visit at night. Located next to the High Court, this night market boast a variety of bargain goods such as T-shirts, pants, shoes, and watches. A good place to shop if you want to look for items to bring back as gifts for your friends and relatives. It is just a stroll from the Centre Point Shopping Mall.
Handicraft Market (Filipino Market)
A hit amongst tourist, the Handicraft Market located near the Central Market is the place to purchase local, Indonesian and Filipino handicraft. Other items such as local fruits, shells, cascading macramé hangings, woven baskets, wood carvings and sunhats are also available here. Look through all the items and you never know you might find something you like for your friends or to decorate your house. Be sure to bargain!
Central Market
Open daily from dawn to 5 pm, the city Central Market is a place to visit. Wander through this market and you will find all sorts of foods, vegetables and essential items that Sabahans eat and use. It is exciting as you may discover many tropical vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices that you have not seen before. Climb upstairs and there are food stalls and a dry market where you can have your breakfast or lunch.
Signal Hill Observatory
A 15 minutes walk from the old quarters of Kota Kinabalu takes you to Signal Hill, a look out point from which you enjoy a breathtaking view over the whole city. This is the ideal place to take photographs of Kota Kinabalu. From the Signal Hill one can also see Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and some of the traditional villages built on stilts in the sea. The entrance is free.
The Atkinson Clock Tower
One of only two structures in Kota Kinabalu that has survived the World War II bombings, the Atkinson Tower was built in 1905 in memory of the town's first district officer who died of 'Borneo Fever' at the age 28. It is located in an area that was the first developed part of the city, then named Jesselton. Just below to the left of the tower is where a very well known hotel stood in the 1930s (now the old police station). The tower is also the land mark to look for if you wish to board a private long distance taxi or bus to destinations such as Kinabalu National Park, Kota Belud, and others.
Tun Mustapha (Yayasan Sabah) Building
This 30 storey circular glass building is supported by high tensile steel rods throughout its structure, an architectural and engineering marvel. It is one of only four such buildings in the world. It is also the the official office of the Chief Minister of Sabah.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
This unique park comprising five idyllic islands is only 20 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu by speed boat. It is home to a variety of flora & fauna, both land and water. With stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and diverse coral reefs, this is an ideal spot for divers and for snorkelling, as well for picnicking. Various tour operators are located on the islands and provide a myriad of water sports and other activities such as parasailing, sea walking, and BBQs.
Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
This extravagantly ornate temple offers a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. It is a blaze of red and gold, with writhing dragons, gilded Buddha's, hundreds of gleaming lamps and fragrance of burning incense.Situated on the hilltop above Tanah Merah, south of Sandakan town centre, the temple was built in 1987 at a cost of RM7 million. From here, you can catch a breahtaking view of Sanadakan Bay. The extravagantly ornate temple is a blaze of red and gold, with writhing dragons, gold gilded buddhas, hundreds of gleaming lamps.
Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary
Spread over 43 sq km, it is the largest orang utan (Literally means man of the forest’ in malay) sanctuary in the world. Sepilok is one of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world and one of Sabah’s major tourist attractions. Here, orang utans that have been abandoned by their mothers, or were formally in captivity, are rehabilitated until they are fit enough to be returned to the wild.
The apes are fed daily at a platform about 10 minutes walk from the centre. The best time to visit is during 10 am to 3.00 pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk. To see everything you should arrive at 9am or 2pm. Admission is RM10.
Turtle Islands National Park
Taman Pulau Penyu comprises three small islands. Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan. The islands are small Pulau Selingaan is just 20 acres in area two years ago, the park was linked with six nearby Philippine islands to become the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area - the world's first marine turtle conservation area straddling national boundaries
An area of 1,749 hectares includes the surrounding coral reefs and sea. The islands however are small - Pulau Selingaan is just 20 acres in area.
During the peak summer months, the turtles converge in the islands' shallow waters, and the males compete for breeding dominance.
Year-round, and especially from July to October, thousands of turtles heave themselves up onto the beaches of this and eight nearby islands to lay their eggs under cover of darkness. No one knows what strange yearning lures these ancient creatures back to the same beach where they were born.
Batang Kinabatangan
The Batang Kinabatangan is Sabah's longest river. Measuring about 500km, spanning from the interior in the south-west side of the state to where it empties into the Sulu Sea east of Sandakan. Logging and clearing for plantations have devastated the upper reaches of the river, but by a strange irony. The riverine forest near the coast is so hemmed in by oil palm plantations that an astonishing variety of wildlife is both common and easy to see.
Kundasang
Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens
Kundasang is a village in Sabah, Borneo that lies along the bank of Kundasang Valley. It is located just 6 kilometres away from Kinabalu National Park and is renowned for its vegetable market which is open seven days a week. It is the closest village to Mount Kinabalu and has a panoramic view of the Mountain. It is populated mainly by the native Dusun and a very small population of Chinese people. Almost 100% shops are operated by locals.
Located immediately behind the vegetable wholesale stalls is the Kundasang War Memorial & Gardens situated on the hill resembling a fort.
Major G.S. carter, D.S.O. (Toby Carter) a New Zealander employed with Shell Oil Co. (borneo) initiated the building of the Memorial in 1962, together with the launching of Kinabalu Park; to remember the 2,428 Australian and British prisoners who died during the World War II at the Sandakan POW Camp, and the casualties of the 3 infamous forced death marches i.e. Sandakan-Ranau Death March from Sandakan to Ranau. On top of that, it is also a tribute to the many locals who risked their lives while releasing the prisoners at war. Only 6 Australians recorded survived in this tragedy to tell their horror and no English survivors were recorded.
The 'fort-like' Memorial was designed by a local architect by the name of J.C. Robinson. It has 4 interlocking but separate gardens to represent the homelands of those who has died: an Australian Garden, a formal English Garden of roses, a Borneo Garden with wild flowers of Kinabalu and at the top level is the 'Comtemplation Garden' with a refection pool and pergola.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Memorial was beautifully restored in 2005 privately. The Gardens are replanted with flowers, particularly roses and rare orchids that includes the much sought after valuable Rothchilds slipper orchids.
ANZAC Memorial Service and private Memorial Services are welcomed with prior arrangements. The Memorial is open to visitors with minimal entrance fees charged.
Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a prominent mountain in Southeast Asia. It is located in Kinabalu National Park (a World Heritage Site) in the east Malaysian state of Sabah, which is on the island of Borneo in the tropics.
In 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit (known as Low’s Peak) height at 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) above sea level, which is some 6 metres (20 ft) less than the previously thought and hitherto published figure of 4,101 metres (13,455 ft).[1] The mountain is the third tallest in Southeast Asia behind Hkakabo Razi of Myanmar (Burma) and Puncak Jaya of New Guinea - Indonesia,[2] and is therefore also the tallest in Malaysia and on the island of Borneo, which Malaysia shares with Indonesia and Brunei.
The mountain and its surroundings feature a huge variety of flora, and is one of the world’s most important biological sites.
The main peak of the mountain (Low's Peak) can be relatively easily climbed by a person with a good physical condition, and requires no mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills.
Poring Hot Spring
Poring Hot Springs is part of the vast Kinabalu National Park. It is some 13 kilometres from Ranau, or about 40 kilometres from the Kinabalu National Park Head Quarters in Kundasang. First developed by the Japanese during World War II, it is now amongst Sabah’s top tourism destinations and very popular amongst foreigners and locals alike. The sulphuric, hot waters of the spring are piped into open-air Japanese-style baths, where you can rest your tired limbs after the climb of Mt Kinabalu.
Sabah Tea Garden
With its sprawling tea plantation surrounded by pristine rainforests in the cool mountain air, the Sabah Tea Garden beckons you to indulge in its beautiful surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. A mere 2-hour drive from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Tea Garden boasts a beautiful backdrop, Mount Kinabalu.
Sabah Tea is the only organic tea farm in Borneo and one of the few in the world. A trip to the tea garden is both educational and fun, one where visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as obstacle-crossing in the Sapaon Recreational Area, trekking along the trails to the peak of Kamunsu Hill or embarking on a night walk to check out the unique insect life. Highly recommended is the 2-day 1-night Sabah Tea Adventure package, which incorporates a tea factory and plantation tour, a course on basic jungle survival skills, understanding rivers and how to safely get across them and obstacle training. This package has been awarded the Best Tour Programme for Educational Tourism at the Malaysia Tourism Awards in Kuala Lumpur.
Kudat
Tip of Borneo
This dramatic headland is situated in the northern-most tip of BORNEO, the third largest island in the world, after Greenland and New Guinea. It is located in the Kudat Peninsula, about three and a half hours (or 215 kilometres) drive from Kota Kinabalu City.
Simpang Mengayau means 'lingering junction' as it is here that the South China Sea lingers and meets the Sulu Seas flowing from the east ... Enjoy the stunning view. The sunsets and full moons are just beautiful ... The Pulau Kalampunian lighthouse is a reminder of treacherous coastline and past shipwrecks. On the left is the beautiful beach of Pantai Kalampunian.
It's a lovely easy stroll to the flagpole, the Globe and the rocky outcrop that forms the "Tip of Borneo".
