The Malaysian city of Sandakan is located in the northeast of the island of Kalimantan. It is the center of the Sabah region. The city is home to over 500,000 people. Sandakan often referred to as the “gateway to nature” of Borneo.
There are no ancient historical monuments, but sights are still present. Visit the Church of All Angels and the Church of St. Michael . The Buddhist temple called Pu Ji Shi , as well as the temple of the Goddess of Mercy, will be interesting to see .
Interesting enough sites to visit are the Japanese cemetery and the Australian memorial.
If you interested in the unique nature of the local area, then visit the forestry exhibition, which takes place in the center of Sandakan. The exhibition presents a collection of plants and flowers growing in the Sabah region, the center of which is the city. You can also admire the beautiful plants in the Orchid House.
Sanadkan is very convenient if you don’t like to sit still. There are three highways leading from the city. By the first of them, Labuk, you can get to Kota Kinabalu , while visiting the plantations along the way, admiring the fields and forests. The second highway – Leila – runs along the coast, so you can observe the amazing scenery with the sea and nearby islands from it. The third highway – Simsim – will direct you to shipyards and shrimp factories.
There is a busy seaport here. From Sandakan by boat, you can easily and quickly reach the Berkhala island . It is ideal for picnics, relaxing breaks and swimming. There is a lighthouse on the island, from which you can take excellent photos.
And 40 km from the city, in the Sulu Sea, there is a nature reserve, which consists of eight islands. The largest called Pulau Selingan . Two species of turtles come here from July to October to lay their eggs: bisses and green turtles. You can rent a chalet on Pulau Selingan if you want to stay there longer. The way to Sandakan will take about two hours.
Another interesting natural attraction is the Gomantong Caves . They are located 30 km from the city. The uniqueness of the caves is that more than 1,000,000 swifts live in them! Also noteworthy are the local stalactites and stalagmites.
You can stay in Sandakan in one of the many hotels. If you like to be in the center of city life then opt for the Sandakan Hotel. It is located in the city center and has three “stars”. The cost of rooms in it starts from $ 62 per person per night.
If you prefer peace and quiet, then the Sabah hotel is more suitable for you . Although located in the city center, it surrounded by greenery. A night in such a hotel will cost you from $ 65. The service in it corresponds to the 4 * level.
When visiting Sandakan, it is worth stopping by a seafood restaurant. There are many of them here, but the best reviews received by Kedai Makan Pukat and Ocean King . Lunch in such a restaurant will cost you from $ 10 per person. But not only seafood dishes are ready to feed tourists in Sandakan: here you will find cafes with European, Asian, Chinese, Indian and other cuisines. There are establishments that serve exclusively vegetarian dishes.
Having visited Malaysia, one cannot but visit Sandakan, because this city is one of the most beautiful places in the country.
