Location: Sandakan
Top Things to do in Sandakan
The 7 Best Free Things to do in Sandakan, Sabah
Tropical Sandakan is a paradise for animal lovers. Watch turtles lay eggs at Turtle Islands Park, keep a giggly distance at a crocodile farm or share an impish smile with some of the residents at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The houses on stilts in the fishing village of Buli Sim Sim are perfect for sightseeing and photographing.
Restaurants in Sandakan
1. Sandakan Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In September and October 2017 my wife and I visited delightful Malaysian Borneo visiting attractions in both Sarawak and Sabah. Included in the Sabah section was a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park. A visit to the Sandakan Memorial Park is a reflective and very solemn experience for any visitor to Sandakan. It dedicates the memory of 1793 Australian and 641 British members of the armed forces whilst prisoners of war (POWs) in Borneo during World War II. It highlights the terrible atrocities inflicted upon those POWs who lost their lives on the infamous Death Marches from Sandakan to Ranau, around 220 kilometres inland and close to Kinabalu Park. Only 6 prisoners, all Australians, survived. To my mind it is an essential visit for any Australian traveller to Malaysian Borneo to gain an insight into this important aspect of Australian war history. The Park is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan POW camp. There are several memorial and interpretive stations around the park for visitors to explore at their own pace via an impressive walking track. The landscaping of the Park including the lake, gardens and trees is very beautifully maintained. The Commemorative Pavilion is also an important aspect of the Park displaying photographic exhibits that tell countless stories of the atrocities inflicted upon these brave POWs by their Japanese captors. A feature in this Pavilion is the decorative gates depicting flowers representing people of the three nations who suffered at Sandakan during the Second World War. Above all, the Park is a chilling reminder to all that in learning to forgive the wrongs of the past we must maintain Memorials such as Sandakan Memorial Park to make sure we never allow these wrongs to be repeated. It’s this reminder that makes this Park so essential to include in any Borneo visit. Equally impressive are the memorial stain glass windows installed since 2005 in St Michael’s Church, Sandakan in memory of the POWs imprisoned in Borneo. I would recommend a visit here also. You need to make arrangements with the Church Office to gain access inside the Church, for a small fee. Another must for travellers interested in this chapter of World War II history is the Sabah Tea Plantation at Ranau. The Plantation is on the very site where the Death Marches ended and viewing further impressive POW memorials is an added bonus to simply buying Sabah tea or enjoying lunch in the Plantation Restaurant. We were deeply moved by all three experiences. .
2. St.Mary's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
St.Mary's church was founded in 1883 and it is now 135 years old as of 2018, the oldest church in Sandakan.The first church was created as a small wooden structure.Its history dates back to May 1883 when Monsignor T.Jackson, the prefect Apostolic of the Mill Hill, England, order of Missionary Priest, bought five acres of land on a hill to set up a mission. Together with Father Prenger, they built a temporary hut made of 'Kajang' and dedicated the mission to the Blessed Mother and named it St.Mary's Hill. Msgr T.Jackson then asked Father Pundleider to join Father Prenger in Sandakan( used to be called as British North Borneo) and together they opened St.Mary's school on July 24, 1883. The first school in North Borneo with its first pupils, five in all, housed in the kajang hut. By October on the same year, there was a proper hostel for the boys to stay in and a small church.
3. Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By PlatOng - Kajang, Malaysia
I once visited Puu Jih Shih 10 years back with some of my friends too, the main attraction about this place is the view watching down from the observation deck. It has a beautiful view of the whole sandakan town. And not to forget once you made a turn to the entrance of Puu Jih Shih, you will be welcomed by alot of Buddha's statue. This temple have a history of 30 years, the inside of the temple is really beautiful especially the lotus like flower on the ceiling. You can spend a good 20 minutes here. After a wonderful temple visit, your next destination should head towards town area where you can visit St Michael's Church. See my post for St Michael's Church too!
4. Kg Pukat Fisherman Village
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By raven781 - Tokyo, Japan
I was told that here, we can get fresh seafood noodle and other stuff so I decided to be here as early as 7am. Simply tuck into a small jetty house and offered Mee Kicap without soup. It was a breath taking moment when the noodle came with plenty of seafood such as scallop, fish slice squid, prawn and fish cake thus barely cost RM6.50. Must try this in early morning folks
