Sabah
Sabah enjoys the reputation of Land Below the Wind. As the second largest state in Malaysia, it is located in the Northern part of Bomeo in East Malaysia. It was once called North Bomeo. In 1881, United Kingdom took over it. On September 16, 1963, it achieved independence from United Kingdom with Sarawak. Then, combined with Malaya and Singapore, Malaysia was established. Now Sabah becomes a federal territory and the only offshore financial center of Malaysia.
1. Mabul Island
Located in Semporna of Malaysia, Mabul Island lies in the sea between the Philippines and East Malaysia with a population of 2,000. The outside sea of Mabul is suitable for snorkeling and leisure activities. It is one of the top places of the world for muck diving. The island is surrounded by sand beaches, away from the northwest of a 200-hectare reef. There live a vast number of marine tiny organisms and various of creatures including shrimp, eel and goby.
2.Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Kota Kinbalu City Mosque is a typical modern muslin architecture in LikasBay. This is one of the largest mosques in the city, even around the country. It has the most splendid sunset. It is built on the man-made body of water. It looks like a mosque floating on the water. This amazing white building melts itself perfectly into the blue sky. It is as beautiful as Nabawi, the famous mosque in Medina of Saudi Arab.
3.Semporna
Semporna, located in the eastern shore of Sabah of East Malasia, is a small town with a small population. However, it is a convenient tourist town. Thanks to its position as the gateway to Sipadan, the diving paradise, its economy develops fast and it has a lot of dive shops, restaurants and hotels.
4.Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu is located in the well-known Mount Kinabalu Park of world’s natural relics. Here grow various plantings and flowers. With a height of 4,095 meters (13,435 feet), Mount Kinabalu is the highest between the Himalayas and New Guinea. This mountain is called as Kinabalu by local people. Its name comes from the native language of Aki Nabulu, with the meaning of a place respecting the dead. This is the safest mountain which can be easily conquered.
In Sabah, there are many succulent fruits and saliva-stimulating seafood. Visiting here, you need a strong stomach. Some places including roadside market, SUGARBUN, famous restaurants also offer specials such as Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines.
1.Bak Kut Teh
Bak Kut Teh is a kind of Malaysian cuisine. It is famous for its unique flavor and the soup made by pork, bones and herbs. The pork is permeated with the smell of thick garlic and herbs. Lean pork is chosen to make this cuisine so it is unnecessary to worry about picking up weight.
Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh ( Jalan Gaya )
Address: 74 Jalan Gaya, KotaKinabalu, Sabah
Telephone number: 60 88 221192
2.Tuaran Mee
Tuaran Mee from Tuaran is the pride of people in Sabah. Turan Mee is made by hands. The traditional manufacturing process makes noodle full of the smell of eggs and elasticity. After stewing, firing or boiling, with barbecued pork, egg roll, vegetables and other fixings, Tuaran Mee can be enjoyed perfectly. In Tuaran, every Chinese restaurant offers it and it can be enjoyed in the city or other places.
3.Charcoal-grilled Sataykebab
Satay is a native roast with Malaysian flavor, otherwise known as kebab. In Sabah, Satay stall-keepers can be found everywhere. After being sliced into thin flakes,the meat needs to be pickled. Then, it needs to be broached on coconut sticks and grilled with charcoal fire. You are supposed to eat it when it is still hot with peanut butter pasted on. At the same time, having it with the glutinous rice processed by coconut milk will be the best choice.
4.Tiger Prawn
With fresh flesh and elasticity, tiger prawn lives up to its name of the king of prawn. From the perspective of hangers-on who are fond of seafood, there is no way to really enjoy Sabah cuisine without eating tiger prawns. The name of tiger prawn derives from its huge bode and tiger-striped surface. Those who love seafood should never miss it.
Shopping in Sabah is not a good choice because the price here is relatively high. However, local handicrafts are delicate and worth buying. There are a lot of handicrafts including bag, purse, wooden photo frame, doll in national costumes, wind bell, bracelet, ring and other adornments. Obviously, there is also Badib underwear. You can also buy some T-shirts in various kinds with the word “Sabah” printed on.
Sabah owns accommodations of different levels from five-star hotels, relax resorts to economical hotels. Luxury hotels and island resorts cost 800-plus RM/day, and some even 8,000RM/day. Generally, ordinary hotels (below three stars) cost 100 to 300 RM/day. There are also many hotels in Sabah away from downtown. The price is from 20 to 100 RM/day. The price in Kota Kinabalu is higher than that in Sandakan and Tawau.
1.Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort
Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort is 30 minutes away from the center of the downtown by car or bus. It owns a big private beach and golf course. Especially, it has a sea wing in which bath tube on balconyare installed. Therefore, visitors could enjoy the sunset and the sea when bathing. It costs 1,000 RM/day, which isrecommended for those who can afford the price.
2.Gaya Island
There are several resorts on the island including GAYA ISLAND RESORT, GAYANA ECO RESORT and BUNGA RAYA RESORT. However, only guests living on the island can enter these resorts. They are not open to the public. The island has a very good scenery. If you want a quiet vacation, to live here will be a good choice.
3.Penampang
Penampang is located in the border of airport area and the south of the wharf. Even though this region is not near the sea but it’s a suburb of Sabah. The environment is peaceful and the amenities is good.Many people choose to live in the downtown of Sabah or the seaside, but with a relatively low price and a short distance to the airport, Penampang is also a cost-effective choice.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is small. After entering the hall, you can see the custom department. After fulfilling the disembarkation card, you can enter without being asked a single word. In airport exit is a taxi stand. You can buy taxi tickets to different places. If you do not want to take a taxi, you can go to the downtown by bus-Line 16A. It is extremely cheap, costing only 1RM. The terminal is near Gayastreet. You can also get off at any time (In front of your seat there is a red button. If you want to get off, you can press it.)
Transportation in Kota Kinabalu
Mini Bus: In major cities of Sabah, mini bus is the transportation tool which goes across fixed routes. The bus routes are printed on its body. Because of its low price and frequent trips, mini bus is an ideal transportation tool. However, it is small and has no air conditioner. Besides, it is crowded in busy hours, and not as comfortable as taxi.
Taxi: If you have no idea about the way and do not want to explore, either, you can think about taxi. You can find taxi stand near many restaurants, shopping malls and shopping centers. Taxis in Malaysia have black-yellow or red-white bodies. With words of “Teksi”, “Teksi Bermeter” or “Kereta Sewa” on them, most taxis have air conditioners.
Intercity Transportation in Sabah
Most intercity buses have air conditioners and comfortable seats. Therefore, they are the choice of most people. In bus station, there are ticket counters of different companies. The prices of the tickets are nearly equal. The bus stations are open at around 7 a.m. Some small buses will not depart until they are full. The transportation situation is sound with littletraffic jam. When purchasing tickets at the station, you can inquiry and arrange the returning trip tickets and the boarding location. You can also buy round-trip tickets there.