• Understand
• Get around
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Sandakan, is in Sabah, Borneo.

[edit] Understand

Sandakan was the former capital of British North Borneo until 1946. The town prospered in the early days due to its port with visiting traders from about the world. Sandakan is an important town to Australian and British WWII history with the infamous Death Marches commencing here in 1945 [1] and [2]. After WWII the capital moved to Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). It is the gateway to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary [3] and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.

[edit] Get in

The most practical way for the short term visitor to get into Sandakan is by air. Self-drive, tour group or public bus are the other options.

[edit] By plane

Sandakan Airport (IATA code SDK) is connected directly daily with Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia [4], and to Kota Kinabalu by Malaysia Airlines [5] and its subsidiary MASWings [6] (which took over the rural air service from FlyAsian Express (FAX) on 1 October 2007). MASWings also has connecting flights with Tawau and Kudat.

[edit] By road

[edit] By bus

From Kota Kinabalu: *The bus will pass the junction to Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and you can ask to be dropped off here. The centre is about 4km down the road and costs 3-5 MYR pp by taxi to get to (drivers will be waiting at the bus drop-off).

1. KK city to KK North Bus Terminal in Inanam. By public bus, go to the bus station on Jalan Padang across from the State Library (1.50 MYR, 20 min), or by taxi (~20 MYR).
2. KK North Bus Station (Inanam) to Sandakan. Several bus companies depart between 7:00AM - 2:00PM, and 8:00PM (~5hrs, 33MYR).
   • Tung Ma Express (Tel: +60-(0)19-8827334 Mr Shim)-(buses from KK at 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:30, 14:00, 20:00pm.
   • Sida Express (Tel: +60-(0)12-816 5524 Ms. Sanita Binte Sapena) has departures from KK at 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 14:00, 20:00.
   • Bunga Raya Express (Tel: +60-(0)19-8999142 Ms. Suraidah Mohd) has departures from KK at 7:30, 9:30, 13:30 and 20:00.

[edit] By boat

how do we go from Sandakan to Zamboanga...

[edit] Get around

Taxi - travel by taxi out to places such as Sepilok or the War Memorial is easy, however fare negotiation will be required as meters are not commonly available.

Bus - there are buses and vans going everywhere in the areas around Sandakan, to the airport, Sepilok, Buli Sim Sim etc.

By foot - Sandakan is only a small town and it is easy to walk around. There is a walking trail which covers all the main sites.

[edit] See

[edit] In town

• Sandakan Memorial Park - Located 11km from city, the memorial park is situated on the original site of the Japanese Prisoner of War camp. The memorial park is dedicated to the men who lost their lives in the Borneo Death Marches during the Second World War. A small museum in the centre of the park provides a sombre look at the atrocities which occurred. Negotiate a taxi to take you there (15 min), and expect to pay around RM 30 including waiting time. Entry is free.
• Puu Gih Jih - a Chinese temple on top of a hill behind Sandakan where you can get beautiful views of Labuk Bay.
• St Michael and All Angels Cathedral - erected in the late 19th century, it is one of the oldest stone buildings in Sabah.
• Buli Sim Sim - a picturesque water village on stilts, 3km east of town past the big mosque. Vans go there from Sandakan.

[edit] Further afield

• Sepilok - The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is where orang utans rescued from plantations and also from being kept as pets are re-adapted to living in the jungle. Most popular are the twice daily feeding times when the orang utans come out from the jungle. See the Sepilok page for more details.
• Turtle Islands Park - Three islands in ths Sulu Sea where you can see turtles laying eggs and also turtle conservation at work. You can only stay on Selingan Island.
• Gomantong Caves - The massive cave is home to swiftlets and their nests are harvested as a Chinese delicacy. The harvesting processes involves people climbing to the roof of the caves with bamboo poles and ladders. Getting there/away: The easiest way to get to the caves is by car from Sandakan about 100km away. Using public transport is difficult. The caves are on the itinerary of some tour companies.

[edit] Do

• Go on a river cruise on the Kinabatangan - The 560km Kinabatangan River, the longest in the state, flows pass some of the richest ecosystems on earth, especially just before it meets the sea. The Lower Kinabatangan and Sukau areas are known for its mangrove swamps and flood plains, and is home to its most famous inhabitants, the proboscis monkeys. Up river, you will go past interesting villages where the river is still the main highway. There are also opportunities to view wildlife, including elephants. The best way to do this is through tour companies from Sandakan and even Kota Kinabalu.

• Visit Sukau Rainforest Lodge and experience the rivercruise along Kinabatangan river. URL : http://www.sukau.com You can count on the Award Winning Ecotourism Tour Operator - Borneo Eco Tours (URL: http://www.borneoecotours.com). Specialising in nature based tours including exotic cultures, botanical and bird watching, adventure, wildlife river safari, and jungle trekking, and diving.

[edit] Buy

Fancy for "Salted Fish"? Prawn crackers & dried shrimps are tasty and available at local market.

Dried "Ikan Bilis" is also a local produced product available at most shops or even in Airport available to bring back as gifts.

[edit] Eat

Sandakan has good and fresh seafood.

• Habeb Restaurant, at the third avenue in the town. Serve nice indian and local food. Please remember to taste the Roti Cobra here.

• Imperial Bay View, in the newly develop Habour Square- Serve nice Chinese food with reasonable price.

• Ocean King Seafood Restaurant, Pasir Putih. A pier-like structure over the water, with indoor and outdoor seating. No menus, just pick your creature from the tanks and tell the waitress/chef how you want it prepared.

• Restaurant 2020, at Mile 4. A favorite for the local's rich and famous.

• English Tea House, at mile 1 of Jalan Utara, nice ambience and serve traditional English Food.

• Tomato Sandakan- A casual restaurant serving local and western food. The menu is extensive and prices are very reasonable. Popular with locals and centrally located in town.

About seven kilometres outside of town in a few strip malls, there's a number of entirely or partially Chinese vegetarian restaurants serving mock meat dishes. It's a good place to stop on your way back from the Memorial Park.

[edit] Drink

Try down beside the waterfront as this is being developed with new places opening.

[edit] Sleep

Hotel Seafront, Block 43, Fourth Land, Leila Rd, Sandakan, Tel: +089 222 233, [7]. Located 5 mins walk to the water front. This hotel offers modern, clean and comfortable rooms suitable for the independent traveller wanting something mid-range. Internet is available in the foyer. Bookings can made via the website. Note that the hotel is 4 storeys and there is no lift.

Hotel London In the heart of the city ,is a great deal for budget traveller. It is the best budget hotel. The room is clean and beautiful as it is newly renovated. There is also Internet Connection in room for traveller with laptop. Room rates start from RM 55 to RM 75. There is also a magnificent rooftop garden for traveller to relax while listening the sound from the fish pond. Other facilities include tour arrangement, internet access corner, all rooms are equip with television with satellite channel, DVD player upon request, and the hotel is backup by generator in case of power outage.

PAT'S Bed and Breakfast Lodge, Mile 1½ North Road, between bus station and city. Tel: 60 019 5843895 or 60 016 8345488. Manageress: Patricia Pascua. Family home atmosphere, clean dormitory rooms with fan or A/C. RM19 per pax. Comfortable living room and nice balcony. Kitchen for your own use. Laundry service available.

Sandakan Backpackers. New backpacker guesthouse with small dorm rooms at R25 and private rooms starting at R55, many with harbour views. All with A/C. Lobby/lounge overlooks harbour. Internet is R4/hr, while laundry runs at RM 15 per kilo. Run by the owner, Zaina, who doubles as a travel agent. On Harbour Square between Gentingmas Mall and the market. Same building as the KFC. Well-kept.

Sandakan Harbour Square B&B. New guesthouse with small dorm (fan) rooms at R18 and private rooms starting at R50. Simple "breakfast" of white bread and instant coffee. Views of the harbour. Internet temporarily not available. Owned by Ms. Rosa from Zamboanga. On Harbour Square right next to Gentingmas Mall, across the way from KFC.

NAK Hotel, [8]. The oldest, purpose-built hotel in Sandakan. Family run since 1966. A mix of history and the contemporary. Recently refurbished to offer excellent facilities in a rich, intimate environment. Rooms are thematically designed, with views of the sea. Located in Town Centre; among commercial buildings, banks, airline offices, central market & bus station.

Winho Lodge [9]The new lodging in Sandakan City Centre, Sabah, Malaysia. Budget Stay with Private & Family Rooms Dorms for Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Backpackers All rooms with 24-hrs Air-Conditioning Clean, Affordable, Spacious, Comfort ...for everyone can stay... We are located in the heart of Sandakan Nature City, walking distance from places of interest, shopping centres, restaurants, banks, and public transport. The popular Sunday Street Market is at your doorstep.

[edit] Get out

Tour Groups - there are many outfits offering tours to Sepilok via Sandakan and will take is the other nearby attractions.

Turtle eggs, while illegal, is obtainable at the local wet market at a very cheap rate. Bringing it out, or even buying it, when found by the custom officers or wildlife officers can really ruin your trip as they will press charges again you. Do not try!