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Sabah
The state of Sabah occupies the northern
coastal region of the island of Borneo. Despite being separated from
Peninsular Malaysia 950 miles by the South China Sea, Sabah can
be reached by direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei,
Kaohsiung, Seoul, Manila, Hong Kong.
 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. A
large part of the ascent can be made by road, but the final part must be climbed
on foot. The region also offers excellent opportunities for expeditions and
technical rock climbing. The Mount Kinabalu Sabah Park is famous for
containing over 500 species of birds and over 800 species of orchids. Kinabalu
Park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO at the 24th Annual
Session of the World Heritage Committee, held at Cairns, Australia on
November 30th, 2000, making Kinabalu Park Malaysia’s first ever
World Heritage site. Overnight
accommodation is available.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital and main gateway, is a new city built upon the
ruins of Jesselton, which was badly damaged during the Second World War. From Signal
Hill there is a good view of the city.
Just south of Kota Kinabalu is the resort of Sutera Harbour, where the
recently opened beach complex has been designed with both business traveller and
holidaymaker in mind. As well as conference and meeting facilities, there is
also a ferry-shuttle service into the town.
Tuaran is half an hour's drive from Kota Kinabalu. The road runs through
lush valleys, forested hills and rubber plantations. The town has a good 'Tamu'
(market).
Sandakan, nearly 400km (250 miles) from Kota
Kinabalu, is the old capital of Borneo. 24km (15 miles) from the town is the Sepilok
Sanctuary, home of the 'wild men of Borneo', the world's largest orang-utan
population.
Tenom region can be reached from Kota Kinabalu
by Sabah's only railway line. A spectacular and thrilling experience, it follows
the Padas River up through narrow jungle gorges in the Crocker Range.
Tenom town is renowned for its style of longhouse building, unchanged in
centuries, and for the traditional songs and dances performed there.
Most people who live in Sabah use the intricate network of buses to get about.
Visitors are encouraged to do so too, although taxis and hire cars are available
in the larger towns for those who prefer more conventional means of transport.
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