SABAH
Sabah is known as the ‘Land Below the Wind’ and once out of Kota Kinabalu (KK) the capital, much of the state remains forested. There are over 32 ethnic communities speaking 80 dialects in Sabah. The main festival here is Ka’amatan when the KadazanDusun, Sabah’s largest ethnic group, offer thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest to the spirit of the paddy.
Kota Kinabalu is a vibrant city on Sabah’s west coast and the gateway to eco-adventures like mountain climbing, white-water rafting, caving, diving and river cruising.
Sabah is a global wildlife sanctuary with the Kinabalu National Park being Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. The 754sq km park has one of the world’s richest assemblages of plants and the two-day return walk to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, challenges intrepid climbers. The nearby Poring Hot Springs and canopy walkway will rejuvenate your body and mind.
Sarawak, the ‘Land of the Hornbills‘ is the country’s largest state forming part of East Malaysia in Borneo. It’s characterised by distinctive ethnic groups many of whom still live in riverside settlements.
Fondly known as ‘Cat City’, Kuching, the capital, is located on the Sarawak River. Its tourist belt is the waterfront and Main Bazaar which features old shophouses selling local pepper, artefacts, antiques, birds’ nests and exotic forest products. The State Mosque is perched on the riverbank and nearby markets offer a mind-boggling range of produce. At the other end of the Main Bazaar, Tua Pek Kong Temple built in 1876 is an important place of worship for Chinese.
