Sabah

Region · 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Population 3,418,785

Area 74,368 km²

Time zone Asia/Kuching

Official website www.sabah.gov.my

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Featured Lists

Edelans / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sabah's Absolute Essentials

Sabah's landscape is defined by the 4,095-meter Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage site. The region features the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre near Sandakan, dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. In Kota Kinabalu, the City Mosque showcases contemporary Islamic architecture, while the Sabah State Museum documents local cultural history. Dense rainforests like Danum Valley and the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre offer access to ancient dipterocarp ecosystems and canopy walkways.

11 places

Ariel Steiner, Israel / CC BY 2.5

Editor's Choice Sabah

Sabah’s landscape is defined by the granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain and a centerpiece of the UNESCO-listed Kinabalu Park. The region offers diverse natural encounters, from the ancient lowland dipterocarp forests of the Danum Valley to the canopy walkways of the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre. Cultural and historical highlights include the floating architecture of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque and the Sabah State Museum’s ethnographic collections. For relaxation, the Poring Hot Springs provide therapeutic sulfur baths set within a tropical forest environment.

7 places

Wang Qingang / CC-BY-SA

Sabah's Hidden Gems

Beyond the coastal capital, Sabah offers a diverse range of natural and historical sites. This selection includes the high-altitude pastures of Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang and the 17-meter Mahua Waterfall in Tambunan. Historical significance is preserved at the Sandakan Memorial Park and Kundasang War Memorial, while wildlife conservation is centralized at the Sun Bear and Sepilok Orangutan centers. Cultural landmarks range from the hilltop Puu Jih Shi Buddhist Temple to the traditional mangrove ecosystems of the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre.

15 places

Dcubillas / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nature's Wonders

Sabah’s natural landscape is anchored by the granite massif of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rises to 4,095 meters. This collection highlights the region's diverse topography, from the high-altitude biodiversity of Kinabalu Park and the second-highest peak of Mount Trus Madi to the volcanic terrain of Mount Mostyn. It also includes critical conservation areas like the Bukit Piton First Class Reserve, a dedicated habitat for orangutan restoration, and various coastal viewpoints overlooking Kota Kinabalu and the Crocker Range.

15 places

Beaches and Marinas

This collection highlights diverse coastal features across Sabah, ranging from the recreational sandy shores of Pulau Sapi in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park to the functional fisherman jetties on the eastern coast. The list includes secluded swimming spots with clear waters and active maritime hubs used by local fishing communities for boat mooring and daily transit.

6 places

CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sacred Sites and Spiritual Landmarks

This collection showcases Sabah's diverse religious landscape, featuring significant architectural landmarks from the floating Kota Kinabalu City Mosque with its blue and gold dome to the hilltop Puu Jih Shi Buddhist Temple in Sandakan, which offers panoramic views of Sandakan Bay. The list includes the modern Sacred Heart Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, alongside traditional Chinese temples like the Lord Bao Temple and various local village mosques and churches that reflect the spiritual heritage of the region's communities.

13 places