This city is not that there were many attractions. Nevertheless, do not forget that sandakan is an important port city and he even was the capital of the British Northern Borneo from 1883 to 1946. During World War II, Sandakan bombed very much, and after that, the colonialists moved the capital to the city of Jessalton, who was later renamed Kota-Kinabalu.
Sandakan with its strategically advantageous location was captured by Japanese troops in 1942, and the Japanese had been staying there almost ido of hostilities in the Pacific Ocean, while they were not released by Australian assistants in October 1945. Also, perhaps you heard about Sandakan marches of death, which, as you can guess, took place on this territory. These marches of death are the movement of prisoners of war of the anti-Hitler coalition in the north Borneo, under the command of Japan, in 1945. During these transitions, approximately 2400 British and Australian soldiers and officers went to the light.
These people captured, for the most part, in Singapore, and they were on the island as a free power for the construction of the airfield. Later, the prisoners needed to move from Sandakan to Ranaau (district near Kota Kinapalu). Of all the number of prisoners survived only six, the locals helped them. Then the organizers of the marches were tried as war criminals. This is a very very sad event, which is remembered, but do not remind.
Today, the sandwich come to visit such famous in Sabah (not in Sandakan itself, and nearby) Attractions as a center for the rehabilitation of Orangutans Sepille, Gomantong caves or the "Cherepakh Islands" National Park. Or to wield along the Kinabatungan river. In the city itself there is a couple of not very famous sights, but you can visit AGNES KEITH HOUSE) - House, furnished with furniture of the colonial era and genuine antiques. The gallery on the first floor talks about the life of this wonderful writer (who wrote a book about life in Sabah before and after World War II). Also in the museum there are military artifacts.
However, the majority of tourists stay in this town a maximum day to stay a little, find an ATM, snack and take a hot shower before going to the wild jungle. All the necessary tourists of the institution are mainly located on the embankment of the Sandakan River.
There are a lot of travel agencies in the city, that is, there is almost every hotel, but for not biased information, try to contact the city tourist information center (Tourist Information Center), which is located in the city center (in the Wisma Warisan building on Lebuh Empat, works on schedule 08: 30-16: 30 from Monday to Friday). Ask there a guide (free) "Sandakan Heritage Trail Map" ("Sandakan Heritage Trail Map") to stroll on their own on those few sights of the city as the temples and memorials of the Great Patriotic War. And do not forget about the old market.
Intercity bus station, from where you can go to Kota-Kinabalu or SemoPong - however, quite uncomfortable, it is four kilometers north of the city center, but the minivans that are going to seclocks can be found near the embankment.
Well, what else to say, Sandakan is a fairly large city, only about 500 thousand people live here. In the Middle Ages, seaside tribes lived here, in the 15th century the beginning of the XV century above the territory of the rules of Sultanate Brunaya, and other events happened to this seaside town. And now is a major seaport, industrial and infrastructure center.For example, here actively produce palm oil and are engaged in fish-processing business. It can be called beautiful - numerous hills, small bays and bays, small rivers. Malayers live in the city, though, unlike other many cities of Malaysia, in a very small quantity, not more than 10%. Somewhere 30% of local residents - indigenous people of Sabah. And there is still many Chinese and Indonesians. The religious composition is also diverse - Muslim Sunni, Buddhists, Protestants and Catholics. Do not worry, as in many large and developed cities of the country, most local residents speak good English.
Here is such an interesting town!
