Sabah

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Map of Sabah in Malaysia

Sabah [1] is the northeastern province of Malaysia in Borneo.

[edit] Regions

• Kudat Residency is located in the north of Sabah.
• West Coast Residency is located in the west of Sabah where Kota Kinabalu is located.
• Interior Residency is located in the south-west of Sabah.
• Sandakan Residency is located in the east of Sabah.
• Tawau Residency is located in the south-east of Sabah.

[edit] Cities

• Kota Kinabalu - capital city of Sabah and the largest city in East Malaysia.
• Sandakan - a town located in the east of Sabah and was formerly the capital of Sabah prior to WWII.
• Tawau - a town located in the east of Sabah, south of Sandakan.
• Semporna - a town located on the east coast, between Sandakan and Tawau.
• Lahad Datu - a town located on the east coast.
• Lembah Danum

[edit] Other destinations

• Mount Kinabalu - the tallest mountain in south-east Asia
• Poring Hot Spring - natural sulphur hot spring baths
• Mabul - one of the world's best muck diving locations
• Sipadan - one of the world's best dive spots with lots of large pelagic species (sea turtles, sharks, rays)
• Layang-Layang - an island off the west coast that offers spectacular diving.
• Lampaki

[edit] Understand

[edit] Talk

Most people in Sabah understand English. Major Chinese dialects are spoken in urban areas.

[edit] Get in

The primary airport for getting in and out of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI ICAO: WBKK).

Malaysia Airlines has connections to Kota Kinabalu from various countries and territories around the region, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and others. AirAsia provides connections from other parts of Malaysia, Macau, Philippines and Thailand. Dragonair operates flights between Hong Kong and Kota Kinabalu. Silkair operates code-share flights with Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu.

A more comprehensive list of airlines operating in and out of Kota Kinabalu can be found at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport link above.

[edit] Get around

From Kota Kinabalu International Airport taxis can be hired. Passengers are required to buy a taxi coupon from the counter in the arrival hall, currently at RM20 per taxi (as of July 2007). Within Kota Kinabalu, metered taxis are available, and expect some negotiation for non-metered taxis.

[edit] See

• Lok Kawi Wildlife Park near Kota Kinabalu. Contains many animals typical of Borneo and neighbouring regions, including Proboscis monkeys, Orang-utans, a Sumatran rhinoceros, some tigers, deer, leopards, and various birds.

• Monsopiad Cultural Village [2] near Kota Kinabalu, telling the story of Monsopiad, a warrior of the Kadazan ethnic group who lived some 300 years ago and slew 42 of his enemies. The skulls of these 42 are on exhibit in the Hall of Skulls.

• Orang-utans and proboscis monkeys (monkeys with very big noses) in the jungles near Sandakan in Sabah's east as well in the Klias Wetlands near Kota Klias in Sabah's south-west.

• The Rafflesia flower, the world's largest flower with nearly 1m in diameter. Its bud takes 12 months to grow, then blossoms for only a week before it dies.

[edit] Do

• Climbing Mount Kinabalu.
• Hiking in Kinabalu Park and elsewhere in the jungles that cover most of Sabah.
• Scuba diving and snorkeling at some of the world's best sites including Layang-Layang, Sipadan and Mabul. Other sites that offer good diving conditions include Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Tiga Island, Labuan Island, Mantanani Island and Kudat.
• Uncle Tan Wildlife Adventures [3]. A wildlife Safari run by private operators.

[edit] Eat

Soto ayam, roasted chicken wings, soto makassar.

[edit] Drink

Lime juice, mango juice, and other fresh fruit juices.

[edit] Stay safe

Most towns of Sabah are generally safe, but the general rule of not showing off your wealth openly in the public is advisable as pick-pocketing is a danger especially in poorer areas while robbery is rare. You can still shop safely around the towns and cities.

[edit] Get out

• By air from Kota Kinabalu airport to other parts of Malaysia or other countries in the region.

• By boat via Labuan island to Brunei.

• By coach overland to other parts of Borneo, including the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the Indonesian province of Kalimantan, or Brunei.

WikiPedia:Sabah

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