Introduction
The state of Sabah is a special treasure amongst the Malaysian states. It is home to over 30 distinct ethnic races with almost three times the dialects. Sabah, known as 'The Land Below The Wind', is home of the world's oldest jungles and one of South-East Asia's highest peaks, Mount Kinabalu. The name comes from Borneo's geographic location below the typhoon belt and outside the volcanic Pacific rim of fire.
.jpg)
Culture The main native groups are the Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau, Suluk, Bisaya and Orang Sungai. The most important festival among the non-Muslim native groups of Sabah is Kaamatan or Harvest Festival. This usually takes place in May and the last two days of the month are public holidays in the state. The most popular event is the unduk ngadau or Harvest Queen in Kadazan, where girls throughout the state compete for the crown. A lot of drinking and general merry-making accompanies the festival.
Attraction
Kota Kinabalu 
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the State Sabah, known by the locals as KK, is situated by the sea, against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Kinabalu and within easy reach of the mountainous inlands. It is a relatively new town as most of its original buildings were destroyed during World War II. Only the north-eastern corner of the town remained and is known as 'Old KK' among the locals today. Previously known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling, relaxed township of more than 13,000 inhabitants.
STATE MOSQUE
In Kota Kinabalu, this gold-domed state mosque is centrally positioned and overlooks most of the town. On prayer day, the mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 visitors, with a special balcony for up to 500 women to pray, and women only.
State Museum
The Sabah State Museum was built in 1985, where the British Governor’s palace on stood in Kota Kinabalu. Located on Bukit Istana Lama, a hill behind the State Mosque, this museum was built in the longhouse style of the Rungus and Murut tribes. It is a complex composed of different-themed exhibits including the Main Building, Science and Education Centre, Heritage Village, Sabah Art Gallery and Museum of Islamic Civilization. Some of the collections on display here are ceramics, traditional weapons and costumes that reflect the diversity of the State's culture and record Sabah’s historical links with neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia and even China. Within the complex are a restaurant, coffee-house and an ethno-botanical garden with an artificial lake and a souvenir shop..
Monsopiad Cultural Village
Named after a famous Kadazan Warrior and head-hunter, the cultural village was built on the very same land he lived upon centuries ago. The traditional village is a historical site and the only cultural village in Sabah. The Village is run by the direct descendants of Monsopiad. You can also watch cultural dances and try using a blowpipe.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the State Sabah, known by the locals as KK, is situated by the sea, against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Kinabalu and within easy reach of the mountainous inlands. It is a relatively new town as most of its original buildings were destroyed during World War II. Only the north-eastern corner of the town remained and is known as 'Old KK' among the locals today. Previously known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling, relaxed township of more than 13,000 inhabitants.
STATE MOSQUE In Kota Kinabalu, this gold-domed state mosque is centrally positioned and overlooks most of the town. On prayer day, the mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 visitors, with a special balcony for up to 500 women to pray, and women only.
State Museum
The Sabah State Museum was built in 1985, where the British Governor’s palace on stood in Kota Kinabalu. Located on Bukit Istana Lama, a hill behind the State Mosque, this museum was built in the longhouse style of the Rungus and Murut tribes. It is a complex composed of different-themed exhibits including the Main Building, Science and Education Centre, Heritage Village, Sabah Art Gallery and Museum of Islamic Civilization. Some of the collections on display here are ceramics, traditional weapons and costumes that reflect the diversity of the State's culture and record Sabah’s historical links with neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia and even China. Within the complex are a restaurant, coffee-house and an ethno-botanical garden with an artificial lake and a souvenir shop..
Monsopiad Cultural VillageNamed after a famous Kadazan Warrior and head-hunter, the cultural village was built on the very same land he lived upon centuries ago. The traditional village is a historical site and the only cultural village in Sabah. The Village is run by the direct descendants of Monsopiad. You can also watch cultural dances and try using a blowpipe.
Water Villages
Visit a settlement of the local "Bajau", descendants of pirates who set foot on the land in the early 19th Century. Presently, these people are fishermen who reside in a village built on water. The spectacular sights are the houses which stand on stilts in the water and are connected by narrow wooden planks.
Visit a settlement of the local "Bajau", descendants of pirates who set foot on the land in the early 19th Century. Presently, these people are fishermen who reside in a village built on water. The spectacular sights are the houses which stand on stilts in the water and are connected by narrow wooden planks.
Gaya Street Fair 
Held every Sunday on Signal Hill. This is a boisterous open-air market and the ‘Pasar Malam’ (night market), where you can polish up your bargaining skills. Jalan Gaya is situated in the Eastern edge of Kota Kinabalu old quarter of town.
The Central Market has two sections:
1) the waterfront area for fish and an area in front of the harbor for fruit and vegetables.
2) next to the main market on the waterfront is a market known locally as the Filipino Market, where the stalls are owned by Filipinos who sell a wide variety of handicrafts.
Tamu
Tamus are traditional open-air fairs where natives sell a wide variety of local food, agricultural produces, and traditional crafts. Rural Sabahans take this opportunity to peddle their wares for city folks to buy, barter, or trade. Tamus also acts as a social place for community members to meet and chat. It is indeed a colorful 'bazaar' that should not be missed.
Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary
The Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary is a fascinating place where visitors can observe trainers teaching apes to climb in their natural habitat. Orang Utan is the local name for a species of human-like apes found only in Borneo Island. It is important to understand, however, that the purpose of the Centre is to train young orang-utans, which for one reason or another have been held in captivity, so that they may learn to live unaided in the forest. The best time to visit is from 10.00 am to 2.30pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk.
Rafflesia Centre
The Rafflesia Centre in Tambunan is an educational centre dedicated to teaching visitors about the world’s largest flower. It provides facts and advice about the flower, including where, when, and how to see them. From the center, trails lead into the forest where the flowers can be found. The rafflesia is a parasite plant that grows hidden within its host, which are the stems of jungle vines, until it busts into bloom.
Held every Sunday on Signal Hill. This is a boisterous open-air market and the ‘Pasar Malam’ (night market), where you can polish up your bargaining skills. Jalan Gaya is situated in the Eastern edge of Kota Kinabalu old quarter of town.
The Central Market has two sections:
1) the waterfront area for fish and an area in front of the harbor for fruit and vegetables.
2) next to the main market on the waterfront is a market known locally as the Filipino Market, where the stalls are owned by Filipinos who sell a wide variety of handicrafts.
TamuTamus are traditional open-air fairs where natives sell a wide variety of local food, agricultural produces, and traditional crafts. Rural Sabahans take this opportunity to peddle their wares for city folks to buy, barter, or trade. Tamus also acts as a social place for community members to meet and chat. It is indeed a colorful 'bazaar' that should not be missed.
Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary
The Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary is a fascinating place where visitors can observe trainers teaching apes to climb in their natural habitat. Orang Utan is the local name for a species of human-like apes found only in Borneo Island. It is important to understand, however, that the purpose of the Centre is to train young orang-utans, which for one reason or another have been held in captivity, so that they may learn to live unaided in the forest. The best time to visit is from 10.00 am to 2.30pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk.
Rafflesia CentreThe Rafflesia Centre in Tambunan is an educational centre dedicated to teaching visitors about the world’s largest flower. It provides facts and advice about the flower, including where, when, and how to see them. From the center, trails lead into the forest where the flowers can be found. The rafflesia is a parasite plant that grows hidden within its host, which are the stems of jungle vines, until it busts into bloom.
Danum Valley 
The Danum Valley is an important conservation area for wildlife such as the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, Orang-Utans, gibbons and mouse deer. Some 270 species of birds have recorded here. Visitors will enjoy a myriad of activities such as jungle-trekking, river-swimming, night walks and bird-watching in this pristine rainforest. The Danum Field Research Centre is located within the confines of the 440sq km forest reserve. It also boasts one of the first eco resorts known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge with a restaurant, bar and comfortable chalets overlooking the Danum River.
Poring Hot Spring
Poring is a small town 19km east of Ranau and 39km east of Mount Kinabalu in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is mainly visited for the Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve which houses both open-air and private cabin baths whose water contains sulphur that is known for its skin-curative properties. In addition, there are facilities such as taps and chalets to cater for overnight visitors.
TANJUNG ARU BEACH
At the western fringe of Kota Kinabalu is 'Tanjung Aru Beach', which is lined with palm trees and casuarinas. Surrounded by white beaches and blue waters, it is a perfect place for swimming, wind-surfing and boating. In the evening, the beach affords a spectacular view of the sun burning into the background, painting the sky in red. Foodstalls serving local food and drinks are open till late at night. Enjoy coconut and sugarcane juice, chicken or beef satay and steamed peanuts and corn, or indulge in a full-course dinner at the seafood restaurant located there.
Lankayan Island
Pulau Lankayan promises an interesting holiday destination with white sandy beaches. It is one of Sabah's top diving spots. Enormous whale sharks are regularly sighted between March and May, and the island is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles.
Turtle Islands Park
Also known as Pulau Penyu National Park, this park comprises of three small islands; Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil, and Pulau Gulisan. The park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings. Turtles lay their eggs throughout the year, but the best time to head there is between July and October when the sea is calmer.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a park off the coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia made up of five islands: 5 islands; Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik. The islands are basically made up of sandstones and sedimentary rocks. According to some experts, about a million years ago during the Ice Age, major changes in the sea level causes portions of the mainland being cut off by the sea , thus forming the islands we see today. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park created to protect the natural enviroment, including the coral reefs, marine life, the fauna and flora.
Kinabatangan River
The Sungai Kinabatangan is the longest river in Sabah, measuring 560 km from its headwaters in the southwest side of the state to where it merges with the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. This is one of the best places to observe wildlife. The most famous creature here is the proboscis monkey with the males sporting a pendulous nose, fat belly and thick white tail. Wild orang utan, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, dozens of beautiful birds including several species of hornbill, crocodiles, civet cats and otters may all be viewed in this region.
The Danum Valley is an important conservation area for wildlife such as the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, Orang-Utans, gibbons and mouse deer. Some 270 species of birds have recorded here. Visitors will enjoy a myriad of activities such as jungle-trekking, river-swimming, night walks and bird-watching in this pristine rainforest. The Danum Field Research Centre is located within the confines of the 440sq km forest reserve. It also boasts one of the first eco resorts known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge with a restaurant, bar and comfortable chalets overlooking the Danum River.
Poring Hot SpringPoring is a small town 19km east of Ranau and 39km east of Mount Kinabalu in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is mainly visited for the Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve which houses both open-air and private cabin baths whose water contains sulphur that is known for its skin-curative properties. In addition, there are facilities such as taps and chalets to cater for overnight visitors.
TANJUNG ARU BEACH
At the western fringe of Kota Kinabalu is 'Tanjung Aru Beach', which is lined with palm trees and casuarinas. Surrounded by white beaches and blue waters, it is a perfect place for swimming, wind-surfing and boating. In the evening, the beach affords a spectacular view of the sun burning into the background, painting the sky in red. Foodstalls serving local food and drinks are open till late at night. Enjoy coconut and sugarcane juice, chicken or beef satay and steamed peanuts and corn, or indulge in a full-course dinner at the seafood restaurant located there.
Lankayan IslandPulau Lankayan promises an interesting holiday destination with white sandy beaches. It is one of Sabah's top diving spots. Enormous whale sharks are regularly sighted between March and May, and the island is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles.
Turtle Islands Park
Also known as Pulau Penyu National Park, this park comprises of three small islands; Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil, and Pulau Gulisan. The park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings. Turtles lay their eggs throughout the year, but the best time to head there is between July and October when the sea is calmer.
Tunku Abdul Rahman ParkTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a park off the coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia made up of five islands: 5 islands; Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik. The islands are basically made up of sandstones and sedimentary rocks. According to some experts, about a million years ago during the Ice Age, major changes in the sea level causes portions of the mainland being cut off by the sea , thus forming the islands we see today. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park created to protect the natural enviroment, including the coral reefs, marine life, the fauna and flora.
Kinabatangan River
The Sungai Kinabatangan is the longest river in Sabah, measuring 560 km from its headwaters in the southwest side of the state to where it merges with the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. This is one of the best places to observe wildlife. The most famous creature here is the proboscis monkey with the males sporting a pendulous nose, fat belly and thick white tail. Wild orang utan, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, dozens of beautiful birds including several species of hornbill, crocodiles, civet cats and otters may all be viewed in this region.
Contact
Sabah Tourism Board
51 Gaya Street
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah Malaysia
Tel: +6088 212121
Fax: +6088 212075
Email: info@sabahtourism.com
