Best of Sandakan District

Sandakan Essentials

Sandakan serves as the primary hub for Borneo’s wildlife conservation and historical commemoration. This list features the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, both dedicated to rehabilitating native species. Visitors can observe endemic proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay and explore the canopy walkway at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The selection also includes the Gomantong Caves, known for traditional bird's nest harvesting, the Sandakan Memorial Park situated on a former WWII prisoner-of-war camp, and the hilltop Puu Jih Shi Temple.

Bernard DUPONT / CC BY-SA 2.0

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is located about 25 kilometres west of Sandakan in the state of Sabah, Malaysia.

Siew Te Wong, Thye Lim Tee, and Lin… / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a wildlife conservation and research centre for improving animal welfare and rehabilitation of…

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

See the unusual proboscis monkeys that live only on Borneo in this sanctuary. Their fast leaping among trees will leave you in awe.

CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)

Catered mainly towards students and teachers to educate them about rainforests, this centre opened its doors to the general public too.

Laura / CC BY 2.0

Gomantong Caves

The Gomantong Caves are an intricate cave system inside Gomantong Hill in Sandakan Division, Sabah, Malaysia.

Sandakan Memorial Park

Almost 2,400 Australian and British soldiers were killed here by the Japanese in 1945.

Puu Jih Shi Buddhist Temple

Located on a hilltop overlooking Sandakan Bay, this brightly colored temple features intricate dragon-wrapped pillars and traditional Chinese architecture. Built in 1987, it offers panoramic views of the Sulu Sea and serves as a significant spiritual site for the local community.