JalanMakanMain: The Land below Wind (Sabah)

Sabah is situated in the north-eastern part of the borneo island. It is bounded by brunei and Sarawak to the west and by indonesian kalimantan to the south. It has a coastline of 1440 km in length and in area is the second largest state in malaysia being approximately the same size as ireland. Most of the west coast is sandy and the east coast is mainly mangrove. There are in addition 38 islands with a total fringing reef of about 320 km.

Foundation Building

One of the few hanging structure in the world, the Sabah Foundation Building is a magnificent glass-shrouded tower of 72 sides rising 30 storeys into the sky domination the landscape. It is located at likas bay, about 10 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, and is a must on any visitor's itinerary. This proud, imposing building is symbol of Sabah, dynamic, innovatived spirit.

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sabah is one of the must-visit places when you are in Sabah, Malaysian. The Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary was set up in 1964 in the 4,300 hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve which is looked after by the Wildlife Department of Sabah. The main reason for this center is to rehabilitate orphaned baby orangutans who have been either captured as pets or found without their mothers. Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary also has a reception center, information center, and animal clinic, a quarantine area, a nursery and an enclosure for various endangered animals which are found in Sabah.

The best time to visit is at 10.00 am and again at 2.30 pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk. You can see the orang utans being fed from a platform in the centre. Nicknamed the 'Wild Man of Borneo', the orang utans are returned to the forest when they can fend for themselves. Aside from the orang utan, over 200 species of birds and a variety of wild plants can be found within the 5.666 hectares of forest reserve.

Opening Hours:
Security Gate: Daily from 8.00am till 5.00pm
Reception & Ticketing Counter: Daily from 9.00am till 11.00am and 2.00pm till 3.30pm
Exhibition Hall: Daily (except Fridays) from 9.00am till 4.30pm
Centre: Daily from 9.00am till 12.00pm and 2.00pm till 4.00pm Fridays 9.00am till 11.00am, 2.00pm till 4.00pm

Admission Rates:
Below 18 years old MyKad Holders
Adult RM5.00 RM2.00
Others RM30.00 RM15.00
Use of Cameras, camcorders, camera phones etc will be charged RM10.00

Kinabalu Park

Dominating the Sabah skyline from every perspective is Mount Kinabalu, which at 4,101 metres is one of the highest mountain south-east asia. The mountain and the surrounding area make up the Kinabalu Park, a reserve covering an area of 754 sq km (291 sq miles). This park, which is only a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu,is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna, including the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world and the nepenthes (picther plant) and More than 1,000 species of orchids.

There are two ways of exploring this nature's treasure trove. The More energetic and adventurous one can hike up the summit trail to the peak of Mount Kinabalu. The ascent and descent will take two days. Those with a More leisurely visit in mind could stay for a few days at the park's chalets .

Click me for the Kinabalu Park package detail

Longhouses

You can see typical Longhouses in the northern and interior parts of Sabah as you journey away from the town. Each longhouse is divided into apartments for individual families. Cooking, weaving, beading and rice winnowing all take place within the longhouse. The Longhouses of the rungus people are located near kudat, three hours' drive north of Kota Kinabalu. It is possible to visit and even stay in these Longhouses. It is polite to repay their hospitality with gifts.

Mengkabong Water Village

Thirty minutes away from Kota Kinabalu is the famous Mengkabong village which is a remarkable sight - a village built on water. The houses are built on stilts and connected by narrow, wooden planks, the houses extend further out to seal.

Mount Kinabalu

The outstanding attraction of Kinabalu Park is 4,101 metres high summit of Mount Kinabalu. Kinabalu was born only 11/2 million years ago; when a mass of granitic rock that had been cooling and hardening under the surface for several million years began to rise and break through the overlying crusts of softer rocks.

Madai Caves

The Madai Caves are special because of the nests of the Swiftlets birds which are built here. The nests are harvested annually by the Idahan tribe, for exporting them to China for cooking a delicacy called the ‘bird’s nest soup’. Every year a festival is held by the tribe at the entrance of the main cave, when the male members of the tribe remove the nests from the high cave roof by risking their lives. This ritual and the rights to the Madai caves have been held by the Idahan tribe for over twenty generations and one has to obtain their permission to visit the caves.

Address: Sabah Tourism Board, 51 Gaya Street, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Tel: +60 88 212121

Fax: +60 88 212075

Turtle Island Park

The Turtle Island Marine Park was started in 1977 to protect endangered species of turtles and consists of three islands Selingan, Gulisan, and Bakungan Kechil. The Park encompasses a total area of 1,740 hectares which includes the islands, seas and the surrounding reefs. Its main attractions are the ‘Greens’ and ‘Hawkbill’s’ turtles which come ashore every night to lay their eggs. Hatcheries on the islands take care of the eggs and see to that after they hatch the turtles are left in their natural environment. Along with the turtles, the coral reefs are also famous for water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling.