a guide around SabahSabah, Malaysian Borneo Pats PEO Find us on Facebook www facebook com/SabahMalaysianBorneo (0) Follow us on Instagram: Follow us on Wechat: @sabahtourism sabahtourismCONTENT Sabah Tourism Building 4+ Atkinson Clock Tower 5 Signal Hill Observatory Gaya Street Kota Kinabalu Central Market Handicraft Market Tunku Abdul Rahman Park 6 ‘Sabah State Museum Sabah Art Gallery State Mosque Kota Kinabalu City Mosque 7 North Borneo Railway Tanjung Aru Beach Menara Tun Mustapha UMS Marine Aquarium and Museum St Michael's Church & Lok Kawi Wildlife Park Monsopiad Cultural Village Rafting: Padas / Kiulu / Kadamaian Weston / Klas / Garama / Kota Belud River Cruise 9 Mari Mari Cultural Village Kinabalu Park Poring Hot Spring Sabah Tea Garden Malls 10 Kadaiku™ Dining Nightlife Tip of Bomeo:Kudat LL How to get to Kudat Gombizau Bee Farm ‘Sumangkap Gong Making Factory Tinangol Rungus Beads Centre East Coast : Sandakan - Nature Resort City 12 How to get to Sandakan Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Rainforest Discovery Centre 1.3 Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary Turtle Island and Lankayan Sandakan Heritage Trail map 14 Sandakan Heritage Trail 15 Libaran Island Gomantong Caves Lower Kinabatangan East Coast :Lahad Datu 16 How to get to Lahad Datu Danum Valley Conservation Area Tabin Wildlife Reserve 17 Tower of Heaven Madai Cave East Coast: Tawau 18 How to get to Tawau & Semporna Teck Guan Cocoa Museum Teck Guan Plantation Sipadan Mangrove Tawau Hills Park Bukit Gemok Balung Eco Resort East Coast-Sempoma 19) Bukit Tengkorak (Skull Hill) Proboscis Monkey River Cruise 20 Tun Sakaran Marine Park Kapalai Island Mabul Island Pom Pomisland 2 1. Mataking Island Sipadan Island travetnores 22SABAH The Best of Borneo Welcome to Land Below the Wind! Where a sacred mountain peak grazes the sky. Where flame-furred Orang Utans swing branch to branch. Where the Sulu and South China seas meet. Where a land of multifarious people celebrate their cultural heritage. This is Sabah ~ situated on the world’s third largest island, Borneo and one of Malaysia's 13 states. You are in Sabah, the nature-loving adventurer's paradise — trek, climb, dive, swim, paddle and explore Sabah’s beautiful varied terrain, rivers, caves and mountains. Home to a melting pot of, cultures, you can be sure a gastronomic adventure awaits you - be it seafood or sago worms! Explore Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah and make your way to quaint and charming districts, towns and villages around Sabah - from the longhouses of Kudat to the coastal town of Semporna, gateway to the islands of the East. For more ideas visit us at our Tourist Information Centre or log on to www.sabahtourism.com Sabah Tourism Board Building Situated at 51 Jalan Gaya, the building was constructed in 1916 to house the Printing Office and later the Treasury, Audit Office, Town Board, the District Office and the Attorney General's Office. It was one of only three buildings still standing after Allied bombings at the end of World War IL. From the 1950s until September 1986 the Post Office occupied the building. Fully restored, it was gazetted as a heritage building and officially became the Sabah Tourism Building in January 1991 and now serves as a Tourist Information Centre.On ahillock near the Padang or town green, the attractive white wooden Atkinson Clock Tower has been showing the time since 1905. It was erected in memory of Jesselton’s first district, officer, Francis George Atkinson, who died of malaria at the age of 28. As the city’s oldest structure, the Clock Tower was gazetted as a heritage building in 1983. In the heart of the city, Gaya Street has been the center of business for over a hundred years. Built in the 1950's and 1960's, the shophouses were used in the traditional way, with shops on the ground floor and residential units on the upper floor. Today, Gaya Street has the largest number of legal offices, banks and financial institutions of any street in Sabah, Sunday morning as early as 6.30am, the Sunday market offers arts and crafts, antiques and souvenirs, all sorts of foods, botanical goods, and even pets. Gaya Street Sunday Market: Sunday 6:30am to Ipm Behind the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Signal Hill Observatory Platform offers a view down over the city and out to the islands beyond. Pent ‘A few steps from the Handicraft Market, is the wet and dry central markets. Tropical fruits of all sorts, fresh vegetables and poultry can be found here. Drop by one free afternoon and discover fruits and vegetables foreign to that of your side of the world. The king of fruits, the Durian is a seasonal favourite at the market. A must try for all tourist, however most hotels do notallow Durians. Bargaining skills come into play once more when you visit the Handicraft Market. A prime spot for handicrafts such as textiles, seashell crafts, wood works, jewellery and precious pearl. If you're looking for some inexpensive souvenirs to bring home, this is the place. At night there is a night market located beside the handicraft market selling fresh seafood and cheap local dishes.prc eumeubead The marine park is a cluster of five islands — Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug is about 20 minutes by speedboat from the citycenter. Take a dip in the water fora snorkel, a dive or some sea walking, or simply stay on the shore and bask in the sun with a picnic basket. Gaya Island also hosts private resorts such as the Gayana Eco Resort, Bunga Raya Resort and the Gaya Island Resort. You can also opt to stay on Manukan Island Resort. Marvel at the details of the unique ‘basket’ shaped building with decorative cultural motif panels of the indigenous people of Sabah. The building also happens to be the first Green building in Sabah and Borneo with silver accreditation by the Green Building Index Accreditation Panel in 2012. With over 3000 paintings, carvings, and sculptures featured, the gallery plans and showcases more than 12 exhibitions annually to showcase new artists, new themes as well as new approaches inart.If you are an art aficionado or just someone who appreciates art, this gallery is worth avis. Business hours (Daily 9am to Spm) ‘An elegant example of modern Islamic architecture, the Sabah State Mosque, opened in Sembulan in 1977, is a peaceful cast of grey. Its single minaret rises almost 66 metres, the huge golden dome is surrounded by 16 smaller golden domes. This large mosque can hold up to 5,000 worshippers. The Sabah State Museum is an ideal introduction to the history and people of Sabah. Located on a small hill where the colonial governors once resided, the Museum consists of several buildings. The main building, designed to resemble a Rungus longhouse, houses the permanent exhibits including the Ethnography Gallery (traditional costumes and artifacts) and a collection of brass heirlooms. There are many striking antique jars in the Ceramics Gallery, while the Pre-history Gallery contains a small replica of a typical bird’s-nest cave. Adjacent to the main building is the Science & Education Centre. The museum's fascinating Heritage Village is a collection of life-sized traditional houses of Sabah's many different ethnic groups, in a natural setting with typical fruit and herb gardens and even a hanging bridge. Business hours (Daily 9am to Spm)Pea moees Seeming to float within its large moat overlooking Likas Bay, the KK City Mosque is the largest mosque in Sabah and is inspired by the design of the Nabawi Mosque in Medina, Built in 1997, this imposing mosque can accommodate up to 12,000 during prayers. In the 1880's, when rubber and coffee plantations were cultivated in interior Sabah, the North Borneo Railway was established as a mode of transport. Today, it no longer carries produce but caters to scenic journeys, travelling back into the past. This train takes you on a trip to 3 quaint towns: starting from the main station at Tanjung Aru, its first stop Kinarut and ending in P apar. NBR only operates on Wednesdays & Saturdays. Transporting passengers into the British Colonial times as they pass through lush greenery, picturesque scenes and Pengalat Tunnel Business hours: Wednesday and Saturday rom 10am to 2pm) RU acacia Located 10 minutes from the city center, this place is close to the heart of locals. Taking its name from the Casuarinas or Aru trees that fringe its sandy shores, this is where the best sunsets are seen. Built in 1977, Menara Tun Mustapha has long been Kota Kinabalu’s iconic landmark. Standing 30 stories tall, a tower of steel and glass, itis one of the few buildings in the world that utilizes a single column structure, with 96 high-tensile steel rods supporting its steel radial brackets. Located 5 kilometers from the city center, this glistening tower houses an auditorium, theaters, an exhibition foyer, a gymnasium, a kindergarten and the Center for Borneo Studies—a Research Library. Rue) Located at a scenic seafront on the grounds of University Malaysia Sabah, the museum boast an array of colourful marine life. Facilities such as free standing exhibition tanks, live open and shallow water reef exhibition centre, a mangrove walk, an interactive multimedia information kiosk and a Sipadan deep dive diorama are not only spectacular but educational. Mon-Thurs & Sat: 9am — 12:30pm, 2pm - 4pm, Fri: 9am - 11:30am, 2pm - 4pm... Sun & Public Holiday: closedSt. Michael's Church in Penampang was initiated by Fr. August Wachter. The Foundation stone was laid on 29th September 1936, Nonetheless, the construction was postponed during the Second World War only to resume in 1947. The churchis located about 15 to 18 km from Kota Kinabalu, approximately 25-30 minutes drive away. Monsopiad Cultural Village is located in a rural setting some 16 km from the city, and is run by the descendants of a famous 18h-century warrior who took 42 heads. The House of Skulls, where these remains are still revered, is just one aspect of the village, which also features Kadazan traditions, games and food. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park Located along the Penampang-Papar old road, it consists of two components: zoological and botanical. Among the inhabitants of the zoo are the Bornean Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkey, Malayan Tiger as well as some species of deer. The botanical component features jungle trekking along the botanical trail Business hours Daily (9:30am to.4:30pm) The extreme sport of white water rafting is carried out either at the Kiulu River, Kadamaian River or Padas River. Kiulu river is located on the northwestern region of Sabah, an hour's drive to Kampung Pukak Kiulu, and is a class I Il river. With the stunning view of Mt. Kinabalu as your background, enjoy your rafting along the Kadamaian river at Kota Belud, While the more treacherous Padas river is located in the interior of the southwestern part, that is only accessible by train in Tenom. The lengthy 30 kilometres route makes it the longest rafting route in Borneo by far andit’s a class I-IV river, so expect rapids, rocks and lots of maneuveringrena Peon! The intriguing life of Borneo’s wetlands can be experience on a half-day trip (returning after dinner) to lias Peninsula, about 2 hours south of Kota Kinabalu or an hour half drive to north of Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud. Borneo's endemic proboscis monkey is the star of the swamps, joined by colourful birds and even twinkling fireflies dusk. Dacre The distinctive houses, costumes and traditional skills of 5 major Sabah ethnic groups are highlighted in Mari-Mari Cultural Village, sat in a narrow river valley about half an hour from the city. After crossing a suspension bridge, visitors will begin to explore each house, trying their hand ata range of activities including cooking food in a bamboo tube, using a blow pipe, making a fire from shaved bamboo, beating bark to make cloth and so on. A performance of traditional dances and a local meal brings the visit to an end. Tourtimes (Daily 10am, 2pm, 6pm) Cres The Kinabalu Park covers a huge area of 754 sq, km, from the Park headquarters areaall the way to Poring Hot Spring 40 km away and northwards to Mandalon, almost reaching the Kudat Highway. Established as a state park in 1964, this botanical paradise is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones. Highways and sealed roads have the Park easily accessible, and is a mere 2 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Temperatures ranges from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius, so pack warmly. 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. Visitors can opt to stay in a range of accommodation, be it a traditional long house, a cosy bungalow or-those who wish to sleep under the stars, a campsite. Other facilities include an event hall, restaurant, souvenir shop and a soccer field, Freshly-made tea pancakes and Sabah Tea Pandan teh tarik are popular menuitems available only at the Tea House Situated 40 km slightly northeast from the Parks HQ, Poring is located in the lowlands—a contrast to the Parks HQ, De-stress and soak away the sores and aches of your muscles in the spring's hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals, Other than the natural hot spring main attraction at Poring Hot Springs, there are also other interesting areas in the park to be visited such as the butterfly farm, the Poring Orchid Conservation Centre, the tropical garden, the Poring canopy walkway, and the Rafflesia flower site. Facility is open from 7am - 6pm daily.There are many tempting items to buy in Sabah’s capital city, ranging from handicrafts and souvenirs to unusual foods, clothing, shoes and many duty-free items. These include cosmetics, perfumes, jewellery, watches, cameras and electronic items. Major air- conditioned shopping centres within walking distance (or a short taxi ride) of each other include Wisma Merdeka, Suria Sabah, KK Plaza, Centrepoint, Warisan Square, Oceanus Waterfront Mall and Imago Shopping Mall About 7 km from the city, 1Borneo bills itself as, Borneo's largest hypermall, and offers a wide range of local and international fashion brands, digital goods, home wares and other items. Housing an extensive collection of local handicraft and souvenirs, its mission is to promote Sabah’s handicrafts by producing quality products for purchase. Specializing in 100% authentic traditional handicrafts. Customised gifts and hampers are also made available upon request for festive and private events, Kadaiku Flagship Store Monday to Friday (8am to Spm) Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday (10am to 6pm) STB Kiosk: Monday to Friday (Bam to Spm) Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday (9am to 4pm) Airport Kiosk (International Departure}: Daily (L0am to 1am) Dine to anarray of tastes, from the spicy Thai to the warm Italian as Kota Kinabalu embraces not only local favourites but many taste of the world. A must try is the local seafood. As a city by the seafront, it should be no surprise that Kota Kinabalu hosts and abundance of fresh produce straight from its waters. Within the city center, you will find good options of seafood eateries. Located at Kg. Air is an open air food court styled restaurant: Sedco Square's Seri Selera, Choose from many stalls that offer their array of seafood. A few blocks away is Welcome Seafood located at the ground floor of the Asia City Complex. A selection of diverse dishes ranging from Chinese, Malay to the tradition Kadazan Dusun specialities make up the local Sabahan food. The best option is to go to a crowded restaurant and ask the next table what they recommend, as each Sabahan has their favourites. Give the popular local favourites such as nasi lemak, ngiu chap, soto, rojak and hinava atry. Strobe lights, a booming sound system, live music or pioneering the microphone yourself, Kota Kinabalu has its fair share of bars, clubs and lounges to fit whatever your nightly mood maybe. Mostly located around the city center, it's fairly easy to arrange a full night out that begins with a sunset pint at the decks of Waterfront. Waterfront is a great location to begin the night, widely regarded as the main watering hole of Kota Kinabalu.Tip of Borneo : Kudat Kudat lies on the northern tip of Borneo Island. The town is inhabited mainly by the Rungus ethnic people, a sub-group of the indigenous Kadazan native. Kudat is famous for its Rungus long houses, traditional gong making villages and the Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, better known as the Tip of Borneo, where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea meet. Kudat is 190km from Kota Kinabalu and the journey by road will take approximately 3 hours. Air- conditioned buses and long-distance taxi from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat leaving from Padang Merdeka bus station at Jalan Padang. Founded over ten years ago, this bee farm produces honey both for the consumption of the local people as well as to be sold in bottles for those who are akin to the sweet taste of raw honey. For many generations, the people of Kampung Gombizau has been consuming raw honey as it is believed and has been proven to possess remedial properties; other than being able to lend its superior taste to food when used in cooking Visitors will be able to observe how a bee farm is managed. They will often get a taste of raw honey straight from the honeycomb, Other than that, there are also rubber trees planted at the bee farm. Therefore, visitors can also witness the traditional method of rubber tapping and rubber rolling, The gong is the most important Rungus musical instrument which is played during festivities and grand occasions such as weddings. The gongs that are sold in Kampung Sumangkap vary in sizes—visitors can expect to find tiny souvenirs ones with different shapes and unique designs as well as large ones that can reach up to 2meters wide in diameter. For large groups of visitors, the villagers of Kampung Sumangkap will often hold cultural performances in the Kampung Sumangkap Community Hall where the kulintangan (a set of different sized gongs producing different sounds) is to be played Here, visitors will also have the opportunity to witness the method of gong making by the professional gong makers in the village. The centre is about 10 minutes away from the Bavanggazo longhouse. The women here are beading experts, making beaded jewellery and weaving, The typical Rungus lady wears the Pinakol which is about 6 to 8cm in width across their chests and back. Each design has a significant meaning,