Sabah

Sabah: ECO Treaure Trove

Fondly called “The Land Below the Wind’, as it lies below the typhoon and monsoon belt, the State of Sabah is a nature lovers paradise come true. Sheltered from the more extreme quirks of tropical weather it is home to diverse flora and fauna it its majestic mountains, great swathes of lush tropical rainforests and beautiful, beguiling islands off its coastline. Peopled by around 32 colourful ethnic communities with unique cultures of their own, Sabah offers an unforgettable mix of pleasures.

Getting There & About

Being located on a large island, the main access to Sabah is by air. The main airport in Sabah is the international airport terminal in Kota Kinabalu. In addition to this there is also a budget terminal nearby. The two terminals are referred to as Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 respectively. Being a large sprawling state travel within the state is chiefly through air and water transportation with regul...

Heritage Discovery

Sabah State Museum Located on Bukit Istana Lama, the Sabah State Museum holds a wealth of historical and tribal treasures and handicrafts made by the indigenous peoples. It also has an art gallery, a Science Centre and an ethno-botanical garden. The major highlights are the exhibits of life-size traditional houses belonging to six ethnic groups. Atkinson Clock tower Built in 1903 in ...

Arts & Cultural Exploration

Kampung Monsopiad (Monsopiad Cultural Village) The Monsopiad Cultural Village, named after the Kadazan headhunter and warrior, Monsopiad, is run by his direct descendents. The chief attraction is the Siou Do Mohoing, or the House of Skulls, where all 42 skulls hang from the rafters. Other attractions are ceramic jars, padi grinders, bamboo items as well as the costume of Bobohizan Inai Bianti, a d...

Coasts & Beaches

Tanjung Aru Beach Located about 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, the Tanjung Aru beach stretch is famous for its beautiful seascape and offshore islands. Taking its name from the casuarinas or aru trees that fringe the fine white sandy it is an ideal location for swimming, windsurfing and boating or watching the glorious sunset. Sipadan Island Sipadan Island is the jewel in the crown o...

Cool Retreats & Eco-Adventures

National Parks & Reserves Kinabalu Park Covering 754 square kilometers, the Kinabalu National Park with the 4,101m high Mount Kinabalu as the focal point, is one of Sabah’s star attractions. The name Kinabalu is derived from the Kadazandusun words aki and nabalu, where aki literally means 'ancestor' and 'nabalu' is the Kadazandusun word for 'mountain'. The local Kadazandusu...

Agrotourism attractions

Sabah Agriculture Park Located about 150km from Kota Kinabalu in Tenom, the Sabah Agriculture Park provides educational and recreational facilities. There are a variety of attractions such as the specially-designed gardens. The Evolution Garden showcases the different stages of plant evolution from as far as 4.5 billion years ago. The Giant Water Lily (Victoria amazonica), is one of the main attra...

Other Natural Wonders

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary Set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre is the world’s largest sanctuary for the Orang Utans. Some 25km from Sandakan, this shelter houses orphaned and once illegally confined primates. They are rehabilitated until able to go back to living in the wild. The best time to visit is during feeding time from 10.00 am to 2.30pm when the prim...

Events, Fiestas, Fairs & Festivals

Pesta Kaamatan The most well-known of the myriad celebrations in Sabah is Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival which is celebrated throughout Sabah. Of major importance to this thanksgiving ceremony is the Magavau - a ritual to invite Bambaazon (the Rice Spirit) to the festivities and which can only be conducted by the Bobohizan or high priestess. Festivities cannot proceed without the presence of B...

Tourist Information Centre

The Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation (STPC) 51 Jalan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu. Tel : 088-212121

Sabah Adventure Quests

CLIMB MOUNT KINABALUAdrenaline junkies will adore the challenge of hiking up this summit, which many use as atraining point before attempting to scale Mount Everest. Located in Kinabalu Park, which wasdeclared Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site in 2000, the park teems with wildlife and floraand as such attracts bird watchers, botanists and rock climbers. It also houses two speciesof Rafflesia,...