Sandakan

Sandakan is a major city on the east coast of Sabah and served as the capital of British North Borneo until 1946. Its history is deeply marked by the events of World War World II, as it was the site of a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp and the starting point of the tragic Sandakan Death Marches. After the war, the capital was moved to Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) due to the extensive destruction the city suffered. Today, Sandakan has rebuilt itself into a key center for the export of timber, palm oil, and seafood, supported by its deep-water port in Sandakan Bay. The city is internationally famous as a gateway for eco-tourism, specifically for the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Visitors also frequent the nearby Turtle Islands Park and the Kinabatangan River for wildlife viewing. Landmarks such as the Agnes Keith House and St. Michael's and All Angels Church provide a glimpse into the city's colonial past. Sandakan remains a vital economic and cultural pillar of eastern Sabah, blending its historical legacy with modern conservation efforts.

Nearby cities

Kota Kinabalu

The capital of Sabah state, near Mount Kinabalu.

Tawau

A city in southeastern Sabah, a center for cocoa and palm oil production.

Lahad Datu

A town in Sabah, a center for the palm oil industry.

Tanjung Aru

A famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, renowned for its spectacular sunsets and soft white sand.

Semporna

The gateway to world-renowned diving sites and home to the Sea Gypsies (Bajau Laut).

Kundasang

A picturesque highland town in Sabah at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, known for its cool climate.

Mabul Island

A paradise for macro divers and a picturesque fishing village off the coast of Sabah.

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Bangau

A picturesque village in northern Sabah, near the 'Tip of Borneo', featuring stunning beaches.

Menggatal

A suburb of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, combining tradition with modern education and coastal proximity.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

A group of five idyllic islands just off Kota Kinabalu, ideal for water sports and relaxation.

History & landmarks

Sipadan Island

Malaysia's only oceanic island, rising from an extinct volcanic cone.

Nature

Kinabatangan River

The second longest river in Malaysia, its banks showcasing one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Southeast Asia.

Papar Coast

A coastal region in Sabah, known for its long sandy beaches and sunsets over the South China Sea.

More places

Agnes Keith House

A historic house in Sandakan, Sabah.

Sandakan Memorial Park

A memorial park dedicated to the prisoners of war who perished during the Sandakan Death Marches in World War II.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

A privately-run sanctuary in Sabah that offers visitors a unique chance to observe proboscis monkeys in their natural mangrove habitat.

Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre

A center in Sepilok, Sabah, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the sun bear, the world's smallest bear species.

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

An environmental education center in Sabah, famous for its impressive canopy walkway system and birdwatching opportunities.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

A relatively undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest area in Sabah, considered one of the best protected rainforest areas in the world.

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Sahabat Resettlement Plateau

A large land development scheme managed by FELDA, focusing on oil palm cultivation.

Semporna Islands Park

A marine park off the coast of Sabah, renowned for its exceptional underwater life and as one of the world's top diving locations.