Background of Sabah

Sabah is situated in the northern part of the island of Borneo, which is the world’s third largest island, after Greenland and Guinea. Sabah and Sarawak are the states that form East Malaysia. East and West Malaysia are separated from each other by the South China Sea.

Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia

Both Sabah and Sarawak are former British colonies. Sabah was known as North Borneo when it was ruled by the British. It changed its name to Sabah upon gaining independence from the British on September 16^th, 1963. On that date, together with its southern neighbor Sarawak, Sabah joined Malaya to form a federation of states called Malaysia.

Sabah is Malaysia’s second largest State after Sarawak. Its capital is Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Kota Kinabalu lies on Sabah’s West coast. Kota Kinabalu has a curious nickname among the locals. It is called Api-api. ‘Api’ means fire in the Malay language. The reason for this peculiar nickname is that in World War 2, the city of Jesselton was completely destroyed by fire. Thus the name Api-api. The entire city was re-built from ground up after the war. Other major towns are Sandakan and Tawau in the East and Kudat in the North.

People of Sabah

More than 3 million people make Sabah their home (I’m one of them!). You will be hard-pressed to meet any friendlier people in Malaysia than Sabahans. They are among the most genuine, warm, gentle and friendly people you can find anywhere (no kidding!). Sabahans comprise of about 35 different ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group is the Kadazans.

Old Kadazan Woman Plays The Sompoton in Sabah, Malaysia

The Kadazans have many common racial and cultural roots with another group, the Dusuns. Over time, these two ethnic groups have merged with one another and are now known as the Kadazandusun. Presently, they are the largest ethnic group in Sabah. Other ethnic groups are the Murut, Bajau, Iranun and many others.

Besides these local Sabahans, there are other races that came either from West Malaysia or other countries. The Chinese first came to Sabah around the mid-1800’s. They were mainly Hakka by dialect. Today, the Hakka Chinese is the largest Chinese dialect group in Sabah. Besides the Chinese, other races include the Malays and Indians (who largely came from West Malaysia). Over the years, these races have lived in peace and close proximity with one another in Sabah. In fact, they get along so well that inter-racial marriages are very common especially among the Chinese and the local Sabahans like the Kadazandusun.

Land of Sabah

Sabah is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, fertile soil and beautiful landscape. It is known as the Land Below the Wind. Sabah earned this appropriate title because it is located just below the typhoon belt that blows across its northern neighbor, the Philippines. Due to this, Sabah is spared of the torrential rains and floods every time the typhoon season hits this region.

Why is Sabah the Adventure Destination of Malaysia? It is because Sabah is an outdoor person’s paradise. Virtually all forms of outdoor activities can be done here, like snorkeling, scuba diving, white-water rafting, mountain climbing, jungle trekking, kayaking and many more. It is no surprise that tourism, in particular eco-tourism, is a major industry in Sabah.

Sabah, Adventure Land of Malaysia

By far the most famous tourist destination in Sabah is Mount Kinabalu. It is the tallest mountain in South-East Asia, standing at 4096 m or about 13,350 feet above sea level.

The Mighty Mount Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

More than 40,000 people climb Mount Kinabalu every year. You do not need specialized skills or snow equipment to climb to its summit. That’s because the climate at the peak of Mount Kinabalu is sub-alpine therefore the summit is not covered with snow. No plants can grow there, though. It’s all solid rock.

That's me near the summit of Mount Kinabalu

All you need is good health, reasonable fitness and strong determination to make it to the top. Once you are there, the scene is absolutely stunning! You are so high up that when you look down into the gorges, you cannot see the bottom. Most people try to reach the summit in time to see the sun rise. Believe me, the sunrise at the top of Mount Kinabalu is so beautiful, it makes the hard work of getting there worth it all.

Another adventurous experience is scuba diving in Sipadan Island which is off the East coast of Sabah, an island that the French explorer Jacques Cousteau once described as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.

Or you could go snorkeling at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a group of 5 islands just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.  The water is so crystal clear that when your motorboat is pulling up into the jetty, you just have to look down and you can see right to the sea floor where an abundance of corals and magnificently colorful fishes are found.

If you are an animal lover, go to the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sandakan town, the only rehabilitation center in Malaysia for the endangered orang utans.  Or you could go to the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, a zoo just outside the city of Kota Kinabalu.  You will see some fascinating animals like the peculiar Proboscis Monkey.

The unique Proboscis Monkey

Come up close and personal with nature by jungle trekking in Kinabalu National Park, located just above the foot of Mount Kinabalu.  Both the mountain and the park are designated as World Heritage Sites.

If you’re not afraid of heights, try walking the canopy walk between 200 feet tall trees in Poring Hot Springs.

Alternatively, you can watch turtles lay eggs in Turtle Island or go cascading down the fast-flowing Padas River in a rubber dinghy and lots more!

White water rafting down Padas River Sabah Malaysia

(photo courtesy of Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation, P O Box 112, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)

There’s more on all these exciting activities in my page, Sabah - What To Do And See.

But coming here is far more enjoyable than just reading about it.

So come to Malaysia and to Sabah for the most unforgettable adventure of your life!