Sandakan formerly known at various times as Elopura, is the second-largest town in Sabah after the Kota Kinabalu City, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo in Malaysia. It is located on the east coast of the island in the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo.
Sandakan Sabah Sim Sim City Mosque
Quick Facts-Edit
Category : Cultural
Time Zone: (UTC+08:00)
Pincode: 90000
STD Code: 606 8
Info Website: N.A
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
HistoryEdit
N.A
Places to Visit
How to ReachEdit
By Air : Sandakan Airport (SA) (ICAO Code : WBKS) provides flights linking the town to other domestic destinations. As the town has a twin towns agreement with the Zamboanga City and for the ASEAN spirit in the BIMP-EAGA, there is an international route from Sandakan to Zamboanga International Airport. Local destinations for the airport including Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and many others. It is also one of the destinations for MASWings, which serves flights to other smaller towns or rural areas in East Malaysia. The airport is still undergoing upgrade and expansion for the comfort of air travellers.
By Train : N.A
By BuS : there are buses and vans going everywhere in the areas around Sandakan, to the airport, Sepilok, Buli Sim Sim etc.
By 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. Taxi to Sepilok wait and return 40myr. Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary 180myr. Airport from downtown 28myr.
By Other : There is one ferry terminal which connects the town with some parts in the Southern Philippines such as Zamboanga City, the Sulu Archipelago and Tawi-Tawi. At before, the state government are proposing to build a new Ferry Terminal in the town to attract more tourist particularly from the Philippines and also from Indonesia. However, soon the ferry service was later terminated due to the trouble in the southern Philippines which could spread to the state and there is also a call from the former Chief Minister of Sabah and the Current President of Sabah Progressive Party Yong Teck Lee to suspend the ferry service to counter the high level of people migration from the Philippines which now has become the major problem to Sabah when they overstaying in the state and becoming an illegal immigrants. Aleson Lines (089-216996, office at Ramai Ramai, Block G) runs ferries between Sandakan and Zamboanga, Mindanao (Philippines) weekly. Journey takes 22h and costs 283MR (economy), 303MR (air-con) and 323MR (cabin). (6/2014)
There used to be Weesam lines, but it has stopped operating. (6/2014) Motorbike can be hired from Sea View Sandakan Budget & Backpackers Hotel(Lot 126, 1st Floor, Harbour Square 14, 90000 Sandakan. Tel: (60) 089 – 221 221.
Top HotelsAdd
Budget – Up to Rs. 800
Sea View Sandakan Budget & Backpackers Hotel ; Lebuh Dua, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia ; Ph – N.A ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security.
Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200
Hotel Hsiang Garden ; Mile 1 1/2, Leila Road, P.O.Box1603, SA, 90000 Sandakan, Malaysia ; Ph – 60 89-273 122 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Elevators, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security.
Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200
Nak Hotel ; Jalan Pelabuhan Lama, 90000 Sandakan, SA, Malaysia ; Ph – 60 89-272 988 ; Facilities – Valet Parking, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call, Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning,Baby sitting, Conference facilities, Elevators,Free airport shuttle, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security.
Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above
Sabah Hotel Sandakan ; Jalan Utara, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia ; Ph – 60 89-213 299 ; Facilities – Health Club, Massage Services, Valet Parking, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call, Disco, Beauty salon,Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour roomservice,Airconditioning, Baby sitting, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Wheel chair access, 24-Hour Security, Body Treatments.
Top RestaurantsAdd
- English Tea House and Restaurant ; No. 2002, Jalan Istana, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia ; M – 60 89-222 545 ; Food Serve : Malaysia,Chinese
- Siang Siang Restaurants ; Lot 11,Block A, Ground Floor, Liberty Parade, Batu 4, Bandar Kim Fung. 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia ; M – 60 12-883 4408 ; Food Serve : Malaysia,Chinese
- Nam Chai Restaurant Bah Kut Teh ; Ground Floor, Blok D, Jalan Leila, Bandar Nam Tung, 90000, Sandakan, Sabah, 90000, Malaysia ; M – 60 89-612 603 ; Food Serve : Malaysia,Chinese
Must Eat FoodAdd
Dry style noodles, Soupy version – Central Market Sandakan ; Original Homemade Kueh Teow with Deep-fried Pork Level 3 . ; Ph/M – N.A ; Cost – N.A ; Famous for – Famous For Eat
Hakka Mee, Fish Noodles – Kopitiam ; Kedai Makan Kong Teck Jalan Pak Tak, Mile 790000 Sandakan, Sabah. ; Ph/M – 016-826-4977 ; Cost – N.A ; Famous for – Famous For Eat
Must Do ActivitiesAdd
Must ShopAdd
Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add
SpaAdd
2 Inn 1 Boutique Hotel & Spa ; Lot 1-7, Block B, Bandar Fajar, Jalan Leila,, 90000 Sandakan, Malaysia ; Ph/M – 60 89-202 121 ; Cost: N.A ; Services – N.A
Sabah Hotel Sandakan ; Jalan Utara, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia ; Ph/M – 60 89-213 299 ; Cost: N.A ; Services – N.A
FestivalAdd
Rimba Wildlife Festival ; Venue: Sandakan ; Period : October 3 and 4 ; Details: The first Borneo Rhythms of Rimba Wildlife Festival (ROR) will come alive on October 3 and 4 in the nature destination town of Sandakan.
Safety / WarningEdit
- Beware of pickpockets as Sandakan is a major tourist city in Malaysia.
HelplineEdit
- Police & Ambulance 999
- Fire Brigade 999
ItineraryEdit
N.A