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Sandakan's heritage trail
Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah facing the Sulu Sea, is a town rich in historical sites and heritage monuments. Western visitors in particular, come to visit its many historical monuments.
The Australian Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to some 2,700 Australian prisoners killed during World War II, especially those forced to go on the infamous death marches through the perilous jungles of Sabah. This is where WWII veterans come to pay homage to the fallen heroes.
The Japanese Cemetery
This is a cemetary in Jalan Istana where the remains of Japanese soldiers who fought and died in Sabah during WWII and those of Japanese women who died in Sandakan, are buried.
The Agnes Keith House
On a hill overlooking Sandakan is the English Tea House and next to it is the Agnes Keith House, restored to its former glory by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.
Agnes, an American author, lived in Sandakan with her British husband Harry G. Keith, and their children from 1934 to 1942.
In her book, Land Below the Wind (Negeri Di Bawah Bayu), Agnes coined the name that Sabah is famously known as today since it lies just below the typhoon belt.
Masjid Jamek
On a more local note, Masjid Jamek, built over a century ago in the 1890s, was the sole mosque serving the Indian-Muslim community then. During WWII, it served as a refuge for Muslims and even European officials.
As for the Chinese, there are many several shrines and temples. One is these is the Tham Kung Temple--said to be the "preservation of a temple within a temple" as the original shrine was lifted and transferred to inside the new temple.
Sam Sing Kung Temple
At the edge of the town's main field is the Sam Sing Kung Temple, or the 'Three Saints Temple'.
Inside are the effigies of the three deities-- Kuan Woon Cheung, the saint of righteousness; Tin Hou, protector of the fisherfolk; and Emperor Min Cheong, a patron of scholars.
But all is not old in Sandakan. For all all you nature lovers,the Crocodile Farm and the Forestry Headquarters, the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Selingan Turtle Island are all worth visiting. Or make a trip to Gomantong Cave for birds' nest and to see the two millions bats which have made their home in the cave.
The Sukau wildlife sanctuary, two hours by boat from Sandakan along the Kinabatangan River, is home to the proboscis monkey characterised by a pendulous nose, red face, orange fur and a long white tail. People from around the world come here to see this shy primate.
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