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✅Transportation
From Kota Kinabalu, you can choose to fly directly to Sandakan, which takes only 40 minutes⏰. If you choose to take a bus🚌, you can book in advance through Easybook, and the fare is MYR 43. If you are departing from Semporna, you need to buy a bus ticket at the station one day in advance. There is a bus at 8 am, and the fare is MYR 50.
✅Accommodation recommendation👍
For independent travelers, we recommend staying at a youth hostel near the seaside port: Sandakan Backpackers Hostel. There are many shopping malls🛍️ and restaurants🍽️ nearby, making it a convenient place to stay.
✅Travel tips🌟
🌟Kinabatangan River Rainforest Adventure: This is the first choice for a trip to Sandakan. You can look for various wild animals in the rainforest, such as hornbills, proboscis monkeys🐒, and crocodiles🐊. The activity is suitable for visitors of all ages and is very safe. There are different itineraries to choose from, ranging from 1 to 3 days⏰. Please note that the entire tour is conducted in English, so visitors who are not fluent in English may have a less enjoyable experience.
🌟Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: This center takes in orphaned orangutans🦍, and you can see orangutans🦧, long-tailed monkeys, leaf monkeys, and other rare monkeys. Feeding activities are held twice a day, at 10 am and 3 pm, so we recommend visiting at these times. The ticket price is MYR 30, and only cash💴 is accepted. The center is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm⏰.
🌟Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre: Located opposite the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, tickets🎫 are MYR 50, and only cash💴 is accepted. The center is open daily from 9 am to 3:30 pm⏰.
✅Food recommendation👍
👍Jia Chuan Authentic Fried Meat and Rice Noodles: The fried meat is delicious and is a must-try dish recommended by locals. The average cost is about MYR 7 per person. Please note that the restaurant is open from 6 am to 11 am and is closed on Fridays.
👍H84 Snack Bar: The signature dishes include laksa century egg dumplings🥟 and fried meat🥩 slingshot noodles, which are popular with tourists. A serving costs about MYR 10. The century egg dumplings are rich and delicious, and the slingshot noodles are chewy. The restaurant has been in business for 23 years and is a famous local snack bar. Please note that the restaurant is open from 7 am to 2 pm and is closed on Sundays.
We hope this travel guide will help you plan a pleasant trip! Have a great trip😁