Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is separated with 3 parts of countries; there are Kalimantan is part of Indonesia, along with Brunei and, Sabah and Sarawak is a part of Malaysia. Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island.
Sandakan city was the former capital of British North Borneo from the years 1884-1946. Sandakan was one of the largest towns in Sabah in the early years with traders from Europe to Africa, from Arabia to China, from the Indies to Java and from local tribes to the Japanese.
After WWII, the capital was transferred to Jesselton (now known as Kota Kinabalu). In the early years, Sandakan served as a major port for early settlers to Sabah, and most Chinese came through this port. With the many Chinese from Canton, Sandakan once earned the nickname of "Little Hong Kong".
Sandakan is one of those places whose names have a magical ring, promising all kinds of exotic surprises. Sandakan not only has an intriguing past but is the gateway to the rich wildlife of Sabah. Within less than a couple of hours of the town lies an incredible variety, both on land and in the ocean, including a forest reserve where orangutan are helped to re-adjust to life in the wild; islands where endangered marine turtles come ashore to lay their eggs; limestone caves where a rare delicacy, birds' nests, have been gathered for centuries; an island paradise in the Sulu Sea offering exciting scuba diving and Malaysia's largest freshwater swamp forest or wetlands, along the Kinabatangan River, which is teeming with wildlife.
Sandakan is rated as the must-visit area due to its attraction of wildlife, such as Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Center, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Turtle Island, and many more to come.
You surely not be disappointed when you come to Sandakan, as Sandakan offers a great diversity in wildlife, flora and fauna, as well as culture and the people itself. We are always welcoming you in Sandakan and we wish you have a great time exploration here.