| Sandakan,
The Nature City…… |
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| Sandakan, the
second largest town in Sabah, is located at the east coast of
Sabah. Nearly 1900km from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
With an estimated agricultural population of around 350,000
people, Sandakan's economy today has diversified into the agricultural
sector especially the oil palm industry. It has also ventured
into tourism industry, focusing on eco-tourism and wildlife
conservation. Sandakan is now also known as "the Gateway to
Borneo Wildlife". |
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| Sandakan is
the heaven for seafood. The variety of seafood available and
the inexpensive price will leave you jaw-dropping. For fruits
lovers, Sandakan offers a wide range of tropical fruits which
are easily available at local stalls and markets. The famous
of all, the king of fruits, Durian and the Queen, Mangosteen. |
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| If you are into
night life, Sandakan also features many popular night spots
from karaoke lounges, bars, disco and so forth. Discos welcome
energetic patrons as early as 8pm but the excitement of live
performances only starts around 10-11pm. Bandar Indah is the
happening place now where a lot of bars and pubs are having
happy hours from 5pm-8pm. |
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The tourist
hotspots of Sandakan… |
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Sepilok Orang
Utan Rehabilitation Centre |
| A visit to Sepilok
Orang Utan Sanctuary will allow you to come in close contact
with the "Man of the Jungle". It is exciting to watch as these
large red apes are astonishing gentle, highly intelligent and
will gaze at you with almost disconcerting frankness. |
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| Opening Hour
: 8:30am to 5pm |
| 40 minutes drive
from Sandakan town |
| Best time to
visit - All year round |
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Selingan Turtle
Island |
| The world famous
Turtle Island lies about 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu
Sea off Sabah's east coast. It includes three islands of Pulau
Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan. Pulau Selingan
is the main nesting area for green turtles, Chelonia Mydas,
while the hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys seem more attracted
to the shore of Pulau Gulisan. The two islands were gazetted
as Marine Park in 1977 for the protection of these two species
in order to save them from extinction. |
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| Opening Hour
: Daily |
| 2 hours boat
ride from Sandakan town |
| Best month to
visit - March to September |
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Sukau / Kinabatangan
River |
| To see wildlife
in their own habitat, Sukau is the place to be. You will be
amazed by the variety of wildlife that you could so easily spot
in this area. Orang Utans, Proboscis Monkeys, Asian Elephant,
Sumatrian Rhino, just to name a few. |
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| Opening Hour
: Daily |
| 2 hours drive
from Sandakan town |
| Best time to
visit - All year round |
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Other hotspots… |
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Agnes Keith House |
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Australian War
Memorial |
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Gomantong cave |
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Japanese Cemetery |
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Labuk Bay Proboscis
Monkey Sanctuary |
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Lankayan Island |
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Pu Jih Shi Chinese
Temple |
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Sandakan Crocodile
Farm |
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St. Michael's
and All Angels Church |
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The Sandakan
Heritage Trail....see
more |
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more
attractive places |
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| How to get
to Sandakan …… |
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| There are at
least 10 direct flights daily connecting Kuala Lumpur and Kota
Kinabalu to Sandakan. The flight services are provided by Malaysia
Airlines and Air Asia. There are also buses travelling between
Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan daily. The journey takes about 6-7
hours. |
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| Air Asia - www.airasia.com |
| MAS - www.malaysiaairlines.com |
