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Sabah

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Bornean Orangutan female baby hanging

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Overview

Sabah occupies a relatively small chunk of the world鈥檚 third-largest island, Borneo, yet what a punch it packs: the treasure of turquoise-fringed desert islands with coral reefs swarming with marine biodiversity; trekkers' paradise Mt Kinabalu reaching 13435ft (4095m) into the clouds; and jungles pulsing with a menagerie of bug-eyed tarsiers, gibbons, pythons, clouded leopards and huge crocs. Around 55% of Sabah is forest, and protected areas such as the Maliau Basin and the Danum Valley Conservation Area are more accessible than ever.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • View of waterfall at Tawau Hills Park, Sabah, Malaysia

    Tawau Hills Park

    Sabah

    This small reserve has forested hills rising dramatically from the surrounding plain. If getting into the Maliau Basin or Danum Valley feels like too much鈥�

  • Kinabatangan Sabah Malaysia May 9, 2016 : Carved coffin made from belian tree believed to be about 500-690 years old at ancient burial cave Agop Batu Tulug in Kinabatangan Sabah.; Shutterstock ID 419637439; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Vastine; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: BiA Imagery

    Agop Batu Tulug

    Sabah

    This hill, 2km north of the Batuh Putih bridge, features three caves housing the ancestors of local Orang Sungai (People of the River). Because the鈥�

  • Pantai Tempurung

    Pantai Tempurung

    Sabah

    Borneo's loveliest beach is a long, almost-pristine stretch of white sand, lapped at by clear waters. The waves are gentle and great for swimming. You鈥�

  • Gomantong Caves Beauty - Borneo Sabah Malaysia

    Gomantong Caves

    Sabah

    Imagine a cathedral-like inner chamber shot with splinters of sunlight and a cave floor swarming with cockroaches, and you have the Gomantong Caves. The鈥�

  • Rungus longhouse, KK, Sabah, Malaysia

    Sabah Museum

    Kota Kinabalu

    About 2km south of the city centre, this museum provides an introduction to Sabah's indigenous cultures, with displays focusing on the traditional attire,鈥�

  • Sipitang Sabah Malaysia - Aug 30, 2014:Murut lady in traditional costume with colorful beads during folklore festival in Sipitang Sabah.Murut is among the largest ethnic group in Sabah interior.; Shutterstock ID 369534461; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    Mari Mari Cultural Village

    Kota Kinabalu

    With its three-hour tours, Mari Mari showcases various traditional homes of Sabahan ethnic communities 鈥� the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun 鈥撯��

  • Agnes Newton Keith (July 4, 1901 ? March 30, 1982) was an American author best known for her three autobiographical accounts of life in North Borneo (now Sabah) before, during, and after the Second World War. The second of these, Three Came Home, tells of her time in Japanese POW and civilian internee camps in North Borneo and Sarawak, and was made into a film of the same name in 1950. She published seven books in all.Sabah, Borneo

    Agnes Keith House

    Sandakan

    This atmospheric two-storey colonial villa, Newlands, tells the story of American writer Agnes Keith and her British husband Harry, the Conservator of鈥�

  • Monsopiad woman shows tourists around traditional house at Kadazan-Dusun Monsopiad Cultural Village.

    Monsopiad Cultural Village

    Kota Kinabalu

    Monsopiad is named after a legendary warrior and headhunter. The highlight of this tacky but fun place is the House of Skulls, which supposedly contains鈥�

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Sabah and beyond

Beyond Sabah