Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964 to help rehabilitate orangutans which had been orphaned. Just like a human baby, the orphaned young orangutan (which would normally live with its mother for 5-6 years) needs to be taught how to cope in the wild, while its health is carefully monitored during rehabilitation.

Visit the world’s smallest Sun Bear at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center at Sepilok, adjacent to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre opened in 2014 and aims to increase public awareness and release back into the forest individuals which can be rehabilitated or are still “wild”.

Sandakan Memorial Park witnessed the death of approximately 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the Sandakan POW camp, within the sight of Allied victory in the Pacific war. A must-see for history enthusiasts.

Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple at the south of the city is definitely the place that you do not want to miss, no matter you are a buddhist or not. It is located on the hilltop, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Sandakan Bay.

One of the oldest buildings is St. Michael’s Church. The building was first constructed with belian (ironwood) timber, followed by brick and finally stone, which is said to have from the nearby Buli Sim Sim, while the white stones that adorn the windows and doors are from Hong Kong. The Church avoided major damage during World War II in the 1940s and remains one of the very few stone buildings in the whole of Sabah. The beautiful stained glass windows in the church were donated by Australians to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Sandakan Central Market is one of the most important seafood landing ports of Sabah. There are variety of seafood such as fishes, crabs, rays, prawns, seashells and squids sold here.

Visit to the Agnes Keith Museum to learn about the life in the colonial days on Agnes & Harry Keith. Harry was the first conservator of the Forestry Department in Sabah and Agnes was the author of the three famous books called Land Below The Wind, Three Came Home and White Man Returns. Stop at the nearby English Tea House where you may have another spectacular view of Sandakan Nature City. Here, you may have your own choices of refreshment (own account).