Sandakan wears its history quietly. Once known as Little Hong Kong and the former capital of North Borneo, it was built on timber, plantations, and trade, shaped by sea routes and migration. The echoes of that past still live in its streets, its old halls, and its food culture. What was once a busy government city has softened into something more grounded and welcoming. Today, Sandakan is safer, calmer, and deeply family friendly, anchored by a strong naval and marine presence and a community that has lived here for generations. It is a place where parents slow down, children look closer, and stories feel real.
Beyond the city, nature takes over. Just 40 minutes from town, Sepilok is home to one of the world’s richest orangutan rehabilitation centres, where families come face to face with Sabah’s most iconic wildlife such as the elusive sun bear. Further along the Kinabatangan River, the landscape opens into a living documentary. Birdlife fills the sky, proboscis monkeys move through the trees, crocodiles rest along the banks, and if you are lucky, elephants appear at dusk. Days here are unhurried. Lunch in Sandakan, an afternoon with orangutans, river sightings into the evening, and night walks that reveal a different rhythm altogether. Wander from the historic, stone-carved arches of St. Michael’s and All Angels Church down to the vibrant, salt-aired waterfront, where a legacy of seafaring community and a calm naval presence make this one of the safest, most family-friendly gateways in Asia.
Today, Sandakan is recognized as a world-class gateway to nature, famously featured by National Geographic as a premier destination for wildlife and conservation. From the banks of the Kinabatangan River to the sanctuaries of Sepilok, the region’s biodiversity has earned it a place on global itineraries like the National Geographic Expeditions, and it even hosted the Sukau Rainforest Lodge as a “National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.” Safer, calmer, and deeply family-friendly, the town is anchored by a strong naval presence and a community that has lived here for generations. It is a place where parents step out, children look closer, and stories feel real.
Discover the best of Sandakan through our curated excursions designed for every type of traveler. For first-time visitors, the Sandakan Nature & Wildlife Discovery offers an essential introduction to endemic species with visits to Sepilok for an Orangutan feeding, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Guests seeking a deeper, full-day experience can choose the Borneo Wildlife Immersion, which combines Sepilok’s conservation efforts with an afternoon river cruise. If you prefer a relaxed, educational trip, the half-day Rainforest Discovery Centre features accessible canopy walkways, interpretive forest walks, and excellent birdwatching. Alternatively, step back in time on our half-day Heritage Trail to explore Sandakan’s colonial past, wartime legacy, and local culture through landmarks like the Agnes Keith House, St. Michael’s & All Angels Church, Sandakan War Memorial Park, Puu Jih Shih Temple, and the Central Market.
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