Sandakan Travel Guide
Wildlife Enthusiasts Delight
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Located on the eastern seaboard of Sabah, Sandakan is a city which is steeped in history and has a mixture of peoples, lifestyles, cultures, and faiths. Its character is shaped by the hinterland that embodies Sabah’s rich and diverse biodiversity in all its glory.
With little more than an hour’s journey outside this bustling port city, visitors will discover forest reserves rich in wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, brilliantly hued birds, crocodiles and elephants. Meanwhile, offshore is the famous Turtle Islands National Park where visitors are able to view rare endangered marine turtles, or scuba dive to indulge in the beauty of the underwater world. Sandakan is an wildlife enthusiasts delight.
Established as a settlement in the early 1870s by William Clarke Cowie, a Scottish adventurer and engineer, this trading post developed into a thriving town after the British North Borneo Chartered Company moved its capital here in 1883. All this came to an end when the Japanese invaded Borneo during World War II and Sandakan was subsequently bombed by the allies in order to liberate it, the Japanese burnt whatever had survived the bombings and consequently Sandakan virtually ceased to exist in June 1945.
The town was rebuilt and grew into Sabah's first and foremost port for the export of timber. Today, this natural resource has become depleted, and thankfully many areas are now protected reserves for plants and animals. Sandakan is now famous as the gateway to vast conservation areas of one of the world's oldest rainforest and Sabah's unique and rich flora & fauna.
Attractions in Sandakan
Close by is Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary – see separate ‘Place of Interest’.
Restored by the Sabah Museum, the Agnes Keith House was once a British colonial government quarters, called Newlands, and was once occupied by famous American writer, Agnes Newton Keith. One of the oldest buildings in Sandakan is St. Michael's and All Angels Church. The first stone building in Sabah, it was constructed in 1893 and completed in 1906. The Puu Gih Jih Chinese Temple is a majestic temple erected on top of a hill facing Sandakan Bay. Panoramic views can be had across the town and bay from the great Puu Jih Shih Buddhist temple.
Turtle Island Park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtles coming ashore. Meanwhile, Lankayan is a tiny jewel-shaped island located on the north eastern coast of Sabah, is part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) and is one of Sabah's top diving spots.
Gomantong Caves have been the focus for birds' nests since the 13th century. Chinese traders have come to the caves in search of the nests, a prized delicacy and valuable commodity, whilst with over 3000 crocodiles, the Sandakan Crocodile Farm is Malaysia's largest. The small island of Libaran lies off the northeast coast of Sandakan, with its long stretch of beach and crystal blue waters, it is the perfect place for some relaxation.
In the centre of the mangrove forests of Sumawang is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can see Borneo's indigenous proboscis monkeys.
Activities in Sandakan
Allow around 4 days is the area. Enjoy superb diving, turtle watching, trekking and wildlife watching in the jungle reserves. Spend a couple of days in Sandakan town exploring the sites.
Relaxing
Libaran Island with is stretch of sandy beach and clear blue waters is the perfect place for peace and relaxation.
Getting Around
Getting around Sandakan is easy as the city centre is small and can be easily covered by foot. Taxi is the popular mode of transport and charges range between RM3-RM5 for a 5km radius around the city centre, however it is advisable that you agree the price in advance.
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