You can now enjoy Sandakan at your own pace. The Sandakan Heritage Trail is a comprehensive walk that covers the town's important and interesting sites which have contributed to her rich historical past. A leaflet will map out the entire trail for you and it covers about fifteen spots.

These include the 100-year old Masjid Jamek, the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer, the Tourist Information Centre, the World War II memorial and much more. Climbing the Stairs with a Hundred Steps will lead you to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay. It also brings you to the Agnes Keith House.

From restored colonial buildings like the Agnes Keith's House and the English Tea House, to places of worship - St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Sam Sing Kung (Three Saints) Temple and Goddess of Mercy Temple, this one hour walk takes you back to over 100 years. 

Agnes Keith House & English Tea House

This former British colonial government quarters, called Newlands, was once occupied by famous American writer, Agnes Newton Keith, who penned 'Land Below The Wind' in 1939. Two books followed her first success, 'Three Came Home' (1946) and 'White Man Returns' (1951). With the exception of her second book, 'Land Below The Wind' and 'White Man Returns' were written in the house on the hill where she had the best views of Sandakan Bay at the front and the Sulu Sea at the back. 

Today the house has been restored and turned into a heritage house by Sabah Museum, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Museums and Antiquities. It provides interesting insights to life during British North Borneo and is furnished with a reproduction of colonial furniture and antiques. A gallery on the first floor tells the story of this remarkable woman, her books and her family. A Keith time-line starts in 1873 and ends in 2004 tracing the past to the present Keith’s. 

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964 to return orphaned "apes back to the wild. The centre was being administered by the wildlife section of the Forestry Department which in 1988 was upgraded as a department under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development. All administration and management was given to the new Wildlife Department of Sabah.

Sepilok, renowned for its orangutan rehabilitation project, has stimulated a greater local and international awareness of the protection laws for endangered species, and the Centre has resulted in an increase in detection and confiscation of illegally held captive animals.

Puu Jii Sih Temple 

Puu Jih Shih Temple is one of the famous temple in Sandakan. Tribute to its location at the hilltop of Tanah Merah, many come here to have breathtaking panoramic view of Sandakan town and the harbour apart from religious duties. 

Quoted from source, this temple was built in 1987 which cost around US$ 2 millions. (That's huge sum of money at that era). The temple is in blaze of red and gold with writhing dragons, gilded Buddhas and hundreds of gleaming lamps. 

The oldest granite church in Malaysia, Parish of St. Michael's and All Angels 

 It is one of the oldest building in Sandakan dated more than 100 years and had survived from WW II in 1940. In fact, it's first construction began in 1893 and took almost 30 years to complete. The designer was Mr B. W. Mountfort.  

St. Michael’s and All Angels Church was one of Sabah’s few surviving pre-warstone building and was recognized as one of the world’s heritage since 2005. The beautiful stained glass windows in the church were donated by Australians to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

Sandakan Crocodile Farm

The Sandakan Crocodile Farm is Malaysia's largest with over 3000 of the reptiles. The original stock came from wild crocodiles found along the Kinabatangan River. The animals are farmed for their skins to be turned into shoes and bags. Besides offering visitors an up-close look at Sabah's biggest reptiles, the farm hosts several other attractions as well, including crocodile and snake shows. It also features a mini zoo with a 100kg Amazonian fish, and a children's park.
Visiting Hours
Weekday show times (Crocodiles only)
11.45am & 4.00pm

Sunday & P. Holidays show times (Crocodiles & snakes)
11.45am, 2.00pm & 4.00pm

Daily feeding times 
from 9.30am onwards until 4.30pm
Admission Fees
MyCard Holder
Adults RM7.00
Children below 12 years RM4.00

Non-MyCard Holder
Adults RM10.00
Children below 12 years RM5.00  

Sandakan Crocodile Farm,
Mile 8, Jalan Labuk
Tel : 6 089 660666 (Farm) / 6 089 211391 , 6 089 217637 (Office)
Fax : 6 089 71448 

Balin Roof Garden

The oldest, purpose-built hotel in Sandakan. Family run since 1966. Retains the old and embraces the new - a hotel brimming with cultural detail and interest. You walk into a hotel with recollections of a time past but with strokes of a contemporary touch. With the romantic BALIN roof garden bar & bistro now open on the roof top, 8th floor; see the entire stretch of old Sandakan town, the tranquil coastline and the Sandakan skies and sunset….soak in the authentic atmosphere of this small town from a beautiful vantage point.

Sandakan Rainforest Park

Sandakan Rainforest Park (SRFP) is located about 9 km away from the centre of the coastal town of Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia. The Park, covering an area of 148.6 hectares, is situated at a site where some of the earliest botanical explorations in Borneo were carried out. The Park is the locality of about 110 type specimens; as such, it a very important site for research on plant diversity in Borneo.  The core area of this Park is still in pristine condition. Many lowland species of flora and fauna of Borneo are found in this forest.

visit http://www.sandakanrfp.sabah.gov.my for more detail

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary 

In the centre of the mangrove forests of Semawang is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you can see Borneo's indigenous proboscis monkeys. This privately-owned sanctuary located within an oil palm estate gives you the chance to observe these animals up close and personal. 

Take a night tour for a chance to see wild boars, flying squirrels, fireflies and crocodiles. The sanctuary also has a lodge with aircondtioned twin or double rooms, family chalet and dormitaries for those who wish to stay overnight. 

Hours / Feeding times
Platform A : 09:30am & 02:30pm Daily 
Platform B : 11:30am & 04.30pm Daily 

Admission Fees 
MyKad Holders  
Adult  RM15.00  
Below 12 yrs old  RM5.00  
Others
Adult RM60.00  
Below 12 yrs old RM30.00  

Sandakan War Memorial Park

Sandakan War Memorial or Sandakan Memorial Park is located in the outskirts of Sandakan, Sabah Borneo. The site is just next to the actual POW (Prisoners of War) camp which was set up during the World War Two Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945 which witnessed the death of 2400 Australian and British POW held by the Japanese here. This war memorial was officially opened on the 15th February 1999 and the memorial park is dedicated to the men who lost their lives in the Borneo Death Marches during the Second World War. 

Hokkien Temple Jee Deck Dian 

Very nice and full of chinese buddha statues, with very well designed temple.

Turtle Island Park 

The Turtle Island Park (gazetted 1977) lies 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea and consists of Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan islands. The park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings. Selingan, the largest of the islands, houses the park's headquarters, a turtle hatchery, tourist accommodation and basic facilities. The other two islands are more for conservation activities.

As turtle landings usually occur after dusk, an overnight stay would be the best plan to see the turtles as they come ashore to lay their eggs, but shining a light on them or using camera flashes should be avoided as either can be stressful on the creatures.

Turtles lay their eggs throughout the year, but the best time to head there is between July and October when the sea is calmer. Observe the collection of eggs, tagging of mother turtles and releasing of baby turtles into the sea.

Getting There
The boat from the Sabah Parks jetty at Jalan Buli Buli Sim leaves at 9.30am and the ride to Selingan takes an hour.

Visiting Period
Throughout the year

Fees
Adult - RM10.00
Children - RM6.00
Night photography of turtle landing (unaided by flash) - RM10.00 
http://www.sabahparks.org.my 

Kim Fung Night Market (Saturdays)

Kim Fung Saturday Night Market is a brand new spot for Sandakan night activity during Saturday. It was an idea of a group of businessman at Kim Fung Satellite Town to provide a place of interest for the both domestic and foreign tourist. With assist of the N.45 Elopura Sabah State Assemblyman, Y.B. Au Kam Wah, this market was started on 20th November 2010. You can find variety of delicious local food, handcraft and pets here. If you want to see a lion dance performance, this market offer your 2 times of lion dance performance on EVERY Saturday Night here 

For Foodies! Try Our Local Delicacies!

There are a lot of local delights! If you never try them. You are never been to Sandakan!