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Sabah is rugged. Mt. Kinabalu rises 4,101 metres, dominating the surrounding landscape. It has a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Off Sabah's coast, the waters are diving enthusiasts' dream. Located at the north-east corner of Borneo, it was named 'Land Below The Wind' by maritime traders during the ancient days because it lies below the typhoon belt.
Sumazau-Dance of Kadazan people
Its people are from 32 various indigenous groups. Amongst them are Kadazans, Muruts, Bajaus, Kedayans, Sulu, Bisaya, Rumanau, Minokok and Rungus.
Its capital,Kota Kinabalu, receives flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Brunei. Jakarta, Seoul and Taipei. Being a vast state, domestic travelling is via daily flights covering Labuan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau. Large areas are still inaccessible. A rail network stretches from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom. Buses, taxis and boats are other modes of transport available.
Sabah State Mosque
This resplendent structure, with its majestic domes and gold inlay motifs', is a spectacular sight. More important, it is ideally located as a place of worship for Kota Kinabalu's Muslim inhabitants and visitors.
Sabah Foundation Building
The 30-storey circular glass building supported by high tensile steel rods through a central building is an architectural and engineering feat. It is one of only four such buildings in the world.
The camera buff's favourite town because every Sunday, a scene of riotous colour comes ablaze when the 'Tamu' or open market takes place. Kota Belud is a small town, 77km from Kota Kinabalu.
Tamparuli Suspension Bridge
Of interest in this town is the agricultural station, and Mengkabong, a Bajau village built over water, and a handicraft shopping centre in Tamparuli.
Another village that offers an insight into Sabah's varied ethnic groups-this time of the Kadazan's lifestyle. The village is located 13km south of Kota Kinabalu.
A long way from Kota Kinabalu 238 km. Nevertheless, Kudat is worth it. Home of the colourful Rungus tribe, get your film ready when the journey passes through a picturesque scenery of mountains, valleys and jungles.
A busy port facing the Sulu Sea about 386 km from Kota Kinabalu. Visit the forestry exhibition in Sandakan for an insight into flowers and plants found in Sabah. The Sandakan Orchid House has a collection of rare orchids. Along the 7th mile Labuk Road from Sandakan, there is a crocodile farm which has about 1 000 crocodiles of various sizes for before being sent back to the forest.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation
Centre Take a boat-ride across the bay from Sandakan, then a land-rover through the 16 km journey through jungles to get to Gomantong Caves. The journey takes a whole day. Arrange with the Forest Department in Sabah or a travel agency. Within the caves, swifts build their nests high on cave walls and roofs. These nests are considered a delicacy and are collected by men climbing on tall bamboo poles.
Located on the southeast coast of Sabah, Semporna is better known as the 'jump-off' point for Pulau Sipadan, the diving paradise, and Pulau Gaya, the island where Sabah pearls are cultured.
Mt Kinabalu rises 4,101 metres above a vegetation that ranges from the rich lowland dipterocarp zone through the montane oak, rhododendron and conifer forests to alpine meadow plants and stunted bushes of the summit zone.
It is an area that probably has one of the richest flora in the world. The incredibly rich biodiversity on this mountain, the key feature within Kinabalu Park, includes 700 species of orchids-more than of all orchids known for Borneo.
The largest flower in the
world-Rafflesia
Mount Kinabalu is the most outstanding landmark of Borneo. A magnet to visitors and scientists from near and far, Kinabalu epitomises the incredible richness of tropical rain forest at its best Allow about 2-3 days to reach the summit. You need to get a permit to climb the mountain, and you'd have to make arrangements for accommodation and transportation. It has to be made at least a week in advance. Book early during the school holidays. Not to be missed here is the Poring Hot Springs.
6 km from Kota Kinabalu is the seaside resort of Tanjung Aru. Accommodation in the form of international class hotels or budget chalets is available.
Shaped like a 'shitake' mushroom, Pulau Sipadan draws diving enthusiasts due to its exceptional water clarity and seascape.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a park with a difference! It comprises five idyllic islands which are only 10 to 25 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu by speedboat. These islands - Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sulug, offer stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and some of the most diverse coral reefs and marine life in the world. They are ideal spots for picnicking, diving and snorkerlling, particularly Sapi and Manukan which have picnic facilities and Mamutik where cabins are available for rental.
Pulau Layang-Layang is located 165 miles northwest of Kota Kinabalu. The island was once a coral atoll in the South China Sea. Soil was brought in from the mainland and sand pumped out from the sea bed. That was in 1991. Today, the island attracts scuba divers and anglers. There is a 5,000 to 6,000 ft drop all around the reef which makes excellent dive sites. Above, on land, the 1.2 km long sq kin wide island is the sanctuary of thousands of terns. Comfortable chalet type of accommodation is available.
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