Sabah - Home of the Kinabalu Mountains

SABAH - Places of Interest

Orang Utan Sanctuary
Located at the virgin forest reserve in Sepilok, this is the one of the only tour orang utan sanctuaries in the world. It is accessible after a 25-km drive from Sandakan. Orphaned and injured Orang Utans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life. These gentle great apes are very appealing. Trained orang utans may be cuddled for a memorable snapshot.




Sabah State Mosque, Kota Kinabalu

This resplendent structure, with its majestic dome s and gold inlay motifs, is a spectacular sight,ideally located as a place of worship for Kota Kinabalu's Muslim inhabitants and visitors.

Sabah Foundation Building, Kota Kinabalu
The 30-story circular glass building, supported by high tensile steel rods emanating from a central building, is an architectural and engineering feat. It is one of only four such buildings in the world.

Kota Belud
Kota Belud is a small town located 77 km from Kota Kinabalu. Every Sunday it comes alive in a scene of blazing, riotous colour when the "Tamu," or open market, takes place.

Tuaran
Tuaran is the location of the region's agricultural station. Nearby is Mengkabong, a Bajau village built over water. Also close by is Tamparuli, a town specializing in the production of local handicrafts.

Penampang
Another village that offers an insight into Sabah's varied ethnic groups, Penampang is home to the Kadazan people. The village is located 13 km south of Kota Kinabalu.

Sipadan Island
a diving paradise, Sipadan Island is some 30 km off the coast of Semporna, a small town in the southeast coast of Sabah. The mushroom-shaped Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, offering myriads of colourful tropical fish and corals in its crystal clear waters.

Kinabalu Park And Mt Kinabalu
The journey by road to the Kinabalu Park takes some 11 and half hours. It is a natural haven for
a variety of plant and animal species and a must for nature lovers. The mighty Mount Kinabalu
at 4095.2 meters is within the park. This is the biggest tourist attraction in Sabah, luring flocks
of mountaineers to scale to the summit. There is a thermal —pool system at Poring Hot
Springs to offer a Japanese- style hot spring bath in the open air.




Sandakan
Sandakan is busy port on the Sulu Sea, about 386 km from Kota Kinabalu. The forestry exhibition in Sandakan showcases the astounding variety of flowers and plants found in Sabah; the Sandakan Orchid House has a collection of rare orchids. Along the Labuk Road from Sandakan is a crocodile farm, housing about 1,000 crocodiles of various sizes.

Gomantong Caves
situated at 32 km south of Sandakan, the marvelous Gomantong Caves are the home to hundreds of thousands of swifts. They build their nests high on cave walls and roofs. Twice a year, nest collectors come to the caves and climb on tall bamboo poles to collect the nests, which are considered a delicacy. Besides swifts, the caves are also inhabited by millions of bats, which have become a spectacular sight to many tourists.

Semporna
Located on the southeast coast of Sabah, Semporna is the jumping-off point for Pulau Sipadan, a diving paradise, and Pulau Gaya, the island where Sabah pearls are cultured.

Kudat
A long way from Kota Kinabalu (238 km), Kudat is, nevertheless, worth a visit, as it is home to the colourful Rungus tribe. The journey to the village is an attraction in its own right, winding through the region's varied terrain of mountains, valleys, and jungles.

Kota Kinabalu
The State capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu has a population of 300,000. The town was built from the ruins of the Second World War.

Sabah State Museum
located in Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Museum boasts good collections of tribal and historical artifacts of the ancient people of Borneo and exhibits of flora and fauna, including rare birds, reptiles, animals and fish only found in Sabah.

Mengkabong Water Village
about some half an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, is the famous Mengkabong Water Village where houses are built on stilt and linked by a maze of rickety plankwalks. An ever increasing population has seen the water village gradually expanding into the sea.

Tanjung Arau Beach
the scenic Tanjung Arau Beach is lined with palm trees and masson pine.

Sarawak - The Land of The Hornbills

INTRODUCTION

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state situated on the island of Borneo. In Kuching city, you will be astonished by the beauty of the green environment. The people here
are kind and friendly and will assist tourist who needs help. The tourist attractions are located nearby and there’s no need to take a taxi or bus to enjoy the wonders of Kuching.

In the city, there is a river separating the north and south called the “Sarawak River”. Riding a sampan along the Sarawak River is an unforgettable experience. From the river, you can get a spectacular view of Malay Kampungs (Villages) with a gorgeous mountainous background. You also get to see a far distant view of the 19th century Chinese shop houses, the Malay mosque, the square tower and the attractive Margherita Fort.

In Kuching, there are old Chinese temples, Brooke era buildings with unique architecture, waterfront park, observation towers and museums. There is a wide range of accommodations ranging from budget hotels to luxury 5 star hotels. After a long day, you can feast
yourself with local delicacies such as seafood, chicken rice, Malay nasi lemak and Chinese noodles.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Kuching Waterfront

Kuching Waterfront, a major restoration and land reclamation project, has become the most popular meeting place in the city. Drab warehouse have been replaced with an almost 900 m long esplanade, beautifully landscaped and dotted with wooden benches, food stalls,
restaurants and entertainment facilities. A number of older buildings have been preserved and incorporated into the design, including the Chinese History Museum, the Sarawak Steamship Building, an open air theatre and the Square Tower. Modern additions to the Waterfront include a restored Chinese pavilion, colourful musical fountains, and a number of modern sculptures. During the daytime, the Waterfront offers excellent views of the Astana, Fort Margherita and the Malay kampung which line the north bank of the river, but at night-time it really comes alive; it seems like half of Kuching is out meeting friends, watching a show or just taking the air.



Longhouse

Longhouse, is almost a crime to come to Sarawak without visiting an Iban longhouse. Iban hospitality is legendary and visitors are guaranteed a good time. A longhouse is basically a terraced street of separate dwellings covered by one roof, under the authority of a headman or tuai rumah. Each family lives in its separate apartment or rooms and communal activities take place outside on the verandah or ruai. This is also where single male visitors spend the night. Female visitors and couples will be invited to stay inside the room with the family.

Most longhouse are busy, modern farming communities, and people wear practical clothes like jeans and T-shirts when they are at work. Traditional costumes and head-dresses are usually only worn for special festivals like gawai dayak (the Iban harvest festival, 1st June) gawai antu (the ancestors festival, very rare) and weddings. If you want to see traditional rituals, customs and dances, then unless your are very lucky it is best to go with an organized tour group.

Tour groups are usually greeted with a glass of tuak (rice wine) and a welcome dance. They are then shown around and treated to various cultural performances, including dancing and drumming. You will usually be invited to attempt the ngajat dance. Do not try to refuse as guest are expected to contribute to the entertainment just like the host. If you know any dances, folk songs or poems from your own country, you will make some lifelong friends, no matter how badly you perform. Normally you will be able to stay in the longhouse overnight, but if you prefer some privacy, many tour operators have their own guesthouses near the longhouses.




Fort Margherita

Fort Margherita, it is built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret, it is an extremely attractive and interesting building. The fort houses a Police Museum, with fascinating exhibits of Brooke military, weapons captured during the communist insurgency and the famous “laughing skulls”. As the Fort is situated within the police training barracks, visitors may be asked for some form ID.




Sarawak Cultural Village
Sarawak Cultural Village - “Explore Sarawak In Half A Day” is the claim made by Sarawak
Cultural Village, a unique award -winning living museum offering an excellent introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. Tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km away from Kuching is Sarawak’s fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning “Sarawak Cultural Village”. This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation.
Here, it is possible to see Sarawak’s ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramic. The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss out during your visit
to Sarawak.




Gua Niah
Gua Niah National Park, located on the Sungai (river) Niah, about 3 km from the small town of Batu Niah, a 110 km to the south-west of Miri in northern Sarawak. The park was first gazetted as a National Historic Monument in 1958, gazetted as National Park on 23 November 1974 and was published to the public on 1 January 1975. The park is one of Sarawak’s smaller national park, but it is certainly one of the most important and has some of the most unusual visitors attractions.

The park’s main claim to fame is its role as one of the birthplaces of civilization in the region. The oldest modern human remains discovered in Southeast Asia were found at Niah, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Forty thousand years ago, the Niah Great Cave sheltered human life. Here lies the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia, along with many other relics of prehistoric man. Today the Cave is home only to
bats, swift lets and other specially adapted forms of life. However, a few locals still venture into the dark interior to collect guano (bird and bat droppings used as fertilizer) and bird’s nest.

The famous Painted Cave is another highlight of the visit to Niah Cave. Here, little human-like figures drawn in red hematite watch over a gravesite where the bodies of the dead were each laid in its own boat - shape coffin. The Great Cave and Painted Cave have been declared
as National Historical Monuments.

The Caves are accessible via a raised plank walk that winds through lowland forest vibrant with birds and butterflies. Apart from the Caves, visitors can explore several kilometers of forest trails to feel the richness of tropical rainforests, climb a 400m tall limestone ridge or visit an Iban longhouse located near the Park boundary. Visitors can also rent a boat or walk along the river from Park headquarters to Batu Niah town.

Johor - Southern Gateway

Mount Lambak Recreational Forest

Just 5km from Kluang town centre, the Mount Lambak Recreational Forest is a convenient destination for those seeking a nature-getaway. Located at the foothill of Mount Lambak, this recreational forest is perfect for picnics, swimming and mountain-climbing. There is also a small children's playground here.

At 510m above sea level, Mount Lambak is accessible via footpaths and wooden bridges which makes for a relaxing and rejuvenating trek uphill. Apart from the variety of wild flora and fauna, there are waterfalls for those wanting a refreshing dip. Modern chalets are available for those who wish to stay overnight here.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, with its amazing combination of Western neo-classical and Islamic architecture.

This mosque can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers at any one time. The mosque is strategically located on top of a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar, overlooking the Straits of Tebrau.

Sultan Abu Bakar mosque was named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the "Father of Modern Johor", who laid the foundation stone in 1892. Construction of the mosque was completed in 1900, a few years after his death. Today, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is listed as a protected heritage monument by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.

Pulau Tinggi / Tinggi Island

Pulau Tinggi or Tinggi Island is one of the many captivating tropical islands that nestles the East Coast of Johor. Its white, sandy beach surrounded by alluring blue waters makes it a perfect haven for those who want to escape from the mundane world.

Pulau Tinggi gets its name from a high hill rising 2,000 feet above sea level ("tinggi" is a Malay word for high). The island is painted green by the lush tropical forest that is rich with rattan, timber and other valuable plants.

Its surrounding waters is rich with exotic marine life and beautiful underwater flora fringing its coral reefs, providing a breathtaking underwater view for divers and snorkelling enthusiasts. The island is also blessed with natural fresh water and sheltered harbour, which explains its role as a stopover point for traders in the olden days.

Apart from its physical beauty, Pulau Tinggi is also famous for its mystical characters. The locals believe that Malay's most famous hero, Hang Tuah, had stopped here in one of his journeys. It is believed that his spirit still guards the island till these days.

Teluk Buih Beach

The long coastline at Air Papan makes its way southwards and meets a small craggy bay which the villagers have named Teluk Buih after foamy white surf that lashes on to its shores. Teluk Buih offers a sheltered stretch of fine sand and is a popular retreat for the villagers.

The beach is popular among picnickers especially on weekends and public holidays. They can swim in its blue water, play games on its wide beach or just sit back and relax under the shade of the verdant vegetation.

Tanjung Piai - Johor National Park


Dubbed the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, Tanjung Piai is a haven for a diverse species of flora and fauna, including those unique to mangrove areas such as mangrove crabs, beady-eyed mud skippers and crab-eating macaques. Tanjung Piai is also famous for being a hot spot for birdwatchers to visit during the migratory season which falls around September and March.

Located within the district of Pontian, Johor, Tanjung Piai is a place where the earth and sea, plant and animal life, live in blissful harmony. Tanjung Piai Johor National Park covers an area of over 926ha -- 526ha of which comprise of coastal mangroves. There are two entry points to Tanjung Piai - the one at Sungai Belukang and the other at Desa Sri Piai. Entry into the Tanjung Piai park requires a minimal fee of just RM3 for adults (Malaysians) and RM5 for foreign visitors, payable at Tanjung Piai's visitor's complex .

Orchid Valley

Located in the village of Kangkar Pulai, 30km northwest of Johor Bahru, Orchid Valley is a 40-ha. property at the foot of Gunung Pulai (Mount Pulai). Orchid Valley is reputedly the largest tropical orchid farm in the world. It has beautiful and exotic orchids from over 80 varieties. It is also internationally recognised, with some hybrids registered with the World Orchid Society in London.

Since its opening in February 1996, the Orchid Valley has become a popular attraction among tourists and orchid lovers especially from Singapore. Here, visitors can buy cut flowers or potted plants of exotic orchid breeds at very reasonable prices. The cool, fresh air and the scenic views with undulating hills in the backdrop are a welome change for urban visitors.

The farm consists of an orchid plantation, an educational corridor, a tourist centre and a research laboratory. Other facilities for visitors include a restaurant, a children's playground and viewing terraces. Waterfalls, lakes and fountains create a soothing ambience, and a tram ride around the farm lets visitors enjoy the breathtaking sights in comfort.

The farm is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. A small entrance fee is applicable.

Old Port of Batu Pahat

The old trading port is situated along Batu Pahat River, near the wet market on Jalan Shahbandar. Batu Pahat River played a significant role in early trade, this old port acted was where all the barter trading took place centuries ago.

Today the river continues to exert its influence as a trading port. Nearby is the town's bustling wet market that must be visited to appreciate the local way of life and to sample local delicacies.

Plaza Seni Johor Bharu


The Plaza Seni Johor Bahru caters to the needs of modern shoppers. It revels in the richness and intricacies of Johor Heritage and culture. The place is a fiesta of art exhibitions and cultural performances.

A titillating choice of sensational and variegated food to tickle your taste buds. It comprises clothes, fashion accessories, travel agencies, gift shops, exotic goods, which is located on the 1st floor.

Spacious food, batik wax, clothing, fabrics, shops locate don the Ground Floor and smaller lots for small scale Entrepreneurs.

There are vast parking lots on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Floors.

Endau-Rompin - Johor National Park


Endau Rompin, located north of Johor and south of Pahang, is the second National Park proclaimed by the Government of Malaysia. It covers an area of approximately 50,000 hectares of rich flora and fauna, encompassing the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it derived its name.

The park is home to many species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects and many other wild animals, as well as varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees. A scientific expedition undertaken by the Malaysian Nature Society in 1985 uncovered some new and rare plant and animal species. One of the most spectacular discoveries was the fan palm (Livistona endauensis), endemic to the Ulu Endau area.

This centuries-old rainforest is also home to the largest surviving population of Sumatran Rhinos still left in Peninsular Malaysia. Primates, including the leaf monkey, the long-tail macaque and the white-handed gibbon are a common sight. Other wild animals inhabiting the area include tigers, leopards, elephants, and various types of deer and tapirs. There are also numerous rapids and falls awaiting adventure lovers and river trekkers here.

To protect the pristine environment, only limited areas of the park are open for ecotourism purposes. Entry to the park requires a special permit from the Johor National Park Corporation. Permits can also be obtained at the District Office, which is just alongside the Police Department in Kuala Rompin before reaching the FELDA Selendang turn off from Lanjut Beach. Upon entry to this park, trekkers will be guided by forest rangers to ensure safety at all times.

Penang - The Pearl Of Orient

Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi, Penang is one of the most preferred places. Such is the charm of the place that tourists plan frequent trips to Batu Ferringhi, Penang. The scenic beauty of the place, the culture, the crowd of place makes it one of the most favored places of tourism. It is one of the ideal tourist destinations in Malaysia. Locals believe that the place got its name because of its association with several foreign powers.
There is a lot to explore in Batu Ferringhi, Penang. In addition to sightseeing tourists can shop and dine in the locality. Walk along the vast stretches of the beaches. Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia is house of some of the best beaches of Penang. Walk on the golden sandy beaches and feel delighted to see the deep blue-green coves.
The region boasts of its multi-ethnicity. Visit the Chinese and the Malay fishing villages. The best time to visit the place is June. It is during this time that the Penang Beach Carnival is held. Indulge in the varied entertainment activities and participate in the competitions. Relish the impressive dishes and watch the varied cultural activities.
Stretching all along the road there are many bars and restaurants. Relish the tasty snacks served in the cafes and pamper your taste buds as you have the specialty dishes in the restaurants. Do not forget to purchase some beautiful souvenirs from the gift shops.
The sidewalk bazaar of the Batu Ferringhi in Malaysia is one of the major attractions for tourists. It starts every day from 6pm and continues until past midnight. As you walk through the area you can hear lots of haggling. While the buyer tries to get the best at an affordable price the seller looks how he can make maximum profit. Here you can get everything from designer jewelry to beautiful curios.
There are many ways to reach the Batu Ferringhi Malaysia. There are regular bus services from Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities to Penang. International tourists can reach Penang by airways. From the airport and the bus terminal you can reach Batu Ferringhi availing the varied means of transportation.


Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang is situated on the hill in Air Itam in Penang. It is a Buddhist temple and is one of the best known temples on the island of Penang. The temple construction started in 1893 which was inspired by the main monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple at Pitt Street. The consular representative of China in Penang gave support to the project through Manchu Emperor Guangxu. The emperor gave a table along with 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition books of the Buddhist Sutras. The main benefactor of the Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang in 1906 was Kapitan Chung Keng Quee.The construction work is still going on at the temple.
The founder as well as the first Abbot of Kek Lok Si was Beow Lean, who was born into a Buddhist family in the province of Fujian in 1844. On reaching the age of 33, he left his business and devoted himself to the teachings of Buddhism. In the year 1885, he came to Penang to obtain donations for the monastery in Fuzhou. But the trustees of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang gave him the position of the Chief Monk-in-residence. Seeing the devotion, he accepted the position and started his life in Penang.
The sevenstorey main pagoda of the temple was constructed in 1930 which houses the 10,000 Buddhas. The pagoda has the architecture embracing both Mahayana and Theravad Buddhism. The Pagoda is blend of the Chinese octagonal base and a middle tier of the famous Thai design along with a Burman crown. There was a further construction of 30.2m bronze stature of the Kyuan Yin in the year 2002. This statue is situated near the hillside over the Pagoda.
The temple has gardens, shrines, a pond for the turtles and many beautiful sculptures. On the way to the temple one finds many souvenir shops with good gift items. For the food lovers, the Air Itam market provides many such delicacies which are a gourmet's delight.


Penang Bridge

The Penang Bridge, Penang is one of the main attractions. The Penang Bridge, Penang was opened for the public viewing on 14th September 1985. The bridge now maintained by the Plus Expressway Berhad is one of the longest bridges of the world.
The Penang Bridge Malaysia is also known as the Jambatan Pulau Pinang. It has a total length of 13.5 kilometers and is a dual- transport toll bridge. The Penang Bridge, Penang connects Gelugor of the island of Penang with Seberang Prai. The Seberang Prai is located on located on the Malay Peninsula. The bridge is also connected to the North-South Expressway in Prai. The bridge is also linked to the Jelutong Expressway of Penang.
It is cable stayed bridge that stands 101.5 meters above waters. The Penang Bridge Malaysia is one of the architectural wonders of Penang. Ranking 5th in the world it is the 5th largest bridge of the world. Time taken to complete the bridge is 5 years. It won many awards. Some of the most famous ones are Grand Award in the United States of America Engineering Excellence Competition 1986 and FIABCI Special Award (Development and Construction Phase Category) of the International Real Estate Federation of Malaysia 1993.
With the passage of time the Penang Bridge in Malaysia has become one of the main Penang Tourist Attractions. It is one of the most important landmarks of Malaysia. It is presently one of the main bridges that handle daily traffic. Before the bridge was constructed the main traffic was dependent on ferry services.
The bridge is under construction. After the completion of the project the 4 lane bridge would become a 6 lane bridge. Because of the increasing traffic there are plans to construct a second Penang Bridge. The Bridge is important because it hosts the Penang Bridge International Marathon annually. The marathon was held for the first time on 1985. The event was started to celebrate the opening of the bridge and since then it has become one of the most important event in Penang. The main aim of the Penang Bridge International Marathon is to promote unity and a healthy living.


Penang Butterfly Farm

The Penang Butterfly Farm is one of the main places of attractions. The Penang Butterfly Farm shortly known as PBF was established in 1986. It is one of the main places of attraction that draws tourists of all ages. Though there are many museums theme parks in Malaysia, the Butterfly Farm is another major attraction for all.
The Penang Butterfly Farm was built with two main objectivities. It is one of the main centers that dedicate its service for a noble cause. It is a main educational and scientific research center. Besides, this it is one of the main tourist destinations that in other way encourage tourism in Penang. It is one of the well preserved and the best Butterfly houses in the world.
The Butterfly Farm in Penang is one of the pioneer butterfly farms of the world. It is located in the Telok Bahang. It is mainly a fishing village that is located north of the island. See the lovely creatures. Step into the dream world that has become a sanctuary for butterflies and some other species of insects. The Farm House is one of the best where you can spend some quality tome with your family.
See how they turn into Methuselahs. In natural habitat their average life span is only 3 days. But here in the protected settings they continue to live up to 14 days. There are more than 4000 butterflies in the Butterfly Farm in Penang. These are almost 120 species of butterflies. Some of the rare species housed in the Butterfly Farm are the Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena), Rajah Brooke's Birdwing and the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta).
Walk along with your child along the lush green garden of the park. On both sides of the pathways there are cages and fish ponds that are the home of about 70 fresh water fishes. Marvel at the beauty of the flowing fountains. Another major attraction of the Butterfly Park is the Caterpillar Club. In addition to the club here you can see exotic species of trees. There is also a Hide and Seek garden where you can see some species of insects. Before returning you can purchase from the gift shop.