Information
City: SandakanCountry: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Sandakan, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Here’s your in‑depth guide to Sandakan, where echoes of its storied past mix with lush rainforests and the scent of sea air in Sabah, Malaysia: 1.Sandakan sits on Sabah’s northeast coast, where the air smells faintly of salt, and it’s the state’s second-largest city.Sandakan, often called Malaysia’s “Nature City,” opens the door to Borneo’s famed wildlife sanctuaries, where you might spot an orangutan swinging through the trees.Its past brims with stories from the colonial era, the bustling timber trade, and the upheaval of World War II.Sabah, home to about 400,000 people, is often called “Nature City” or “Little Hong Kong” for its deep Chinese roots.Locals speak Malay, English, Chinese-mostly Cantonese and Hakka-along with Kadazan-Dusun and other indigenous tongues.The economy leans on tourism, palm oil farms, and the day’s catch from its busy fishing docks.From 1884 to 1946, Sandakan served as the capital of British North Borneo and bustled with timber exports, drawing Chinese traders, British officials, and indigenous families to its busy, salt-scented port.During World War II, the city was torn apart, its streets reduced to rubble, and it became infamous for the tragic Sandakan Death Marches, where thousands of Allied prisoners of war never made it home.Today, Sandakan feels calm, honoring its history while welcoming the lush green hills and bright blue sea that surround it.Three.The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the world’s most famous sanctuaries, where orphaned or injured orangutans learn to climb, forage, and eventually return to the rustling green canopy of the wild.At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, right next to Sepilok, you can watch feeding sessions, learn how experts rescue and rehabilitate the world’s smallest bear, and hear about efforts to protect it; nearby, the Rainforest Discovery Centre invites you up into the canopy, through lush gardens, and out with binoculars to spot hornbills and jewel-bright pittas, while Turtle Islands Park offers the rare chance to see turtles nest under moonlight and tiny hatchlings scurry toward the surf, and the Kinabatangan River winds on as one of Borneo’s longest, brimming with extraordinary wildlife at every bend.On the river, boat cruises bring you close to pygmy elephants, long-nosed proboscis monkeys, crocodiles resting on muddy banks, and flocks of bright kingfishers.Nearby, the Gomantong Caves-carved from ancient limestone-harbor swiftlets that build edible nests and clouds of chattering bats.Visitors can wander through the cool, echoing caves while discovering how locals harvest bird nests sustainably, then step into Sandakan Memorial Park, a quiet place that honors the prisoners of war lost in the Sandakan Death Marches.The park holds a small museum and quiet memorial plaques.Nearby stands St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, one of Sabah’s oldest stone buildings, its stained-glass windows glowing when the sun hits just right-a proud relic of Sandakan’s colonial past.A short walk away, the Agnes Keith House, once home to the American writer, now invites visitors inside to glimpse colonial life and Sabah’s rich history.Agnes wrote the acclaimed trilogy that includes *Land Below the Wind*, and visitors can explore sites like the serene Japanese Cemetery, where weathered stone markers honor pre–World War II migrants, the hilltop Puu Jih Shih Temple with sweeping views over Sandakan Bay, or the turquoise waters and coral gardens of Lankayan Island; nearby, Pulau Berhala offers sandy beaches and a lighthouse, while Sandakan Bay itself is perfect for sunset strolls, wildlife cruises along the Kinabatangan River, rainforest hikes, and sampling fresh seafood at the bustling Central Market.The city’s mix of cultures shows up on every plate, from fragrant curry to fresh-baked focaccia.Sink your teeth into Sandakan’s must-try flavors: crisp prawns, sweet crab, and tender squid fresh from the market; UFO tarts with buttery flakes, golden custard, and a cloud of meringue; rich Ngau Chap brimming with beef, tripe, and steaming broth; tangy hinava of lime-soaked fish, ginger, and chilies; crunchy kuih cincin rings of palm sugar and rice flour; and smoky satay skewers dipped in peanut sauce.Celebrate at the Sandakan Festival with music, dance, and feasts, or join Sabah Fest’s statewide cultural showcase.Mark Turtle Conservation Month at Turtle Islands Park, or savor the bounty at the Seafood Festival.Fly in via Sandakan Airport from Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur, drive the Pan Borneo Highway in six hours, or hop a boat to Pulau Selingan or Pulau Lankayan.Rest easy at Lankayan Island Dive Resort, choose comfort at Sabah Hotel or Four Points by Sheraton, or keep it simple at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel or Harbourside Backpackers.safe
Landmarks in sandakan
