Shopping in Malaysian Borneo – Sabah
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A
Night Market
KK’s brilliant Night Market is a place of delicious contrasts: it huddles beneath the imposing Le Meridien as venders hawk their knock-off wares. The market is divided into two main sections: the southwest end is given over mostly to produce, while the northeast end (the area around the main entrance) is a huge hawker centre, where you can eat your way right through the entire Malay gastronomy. If you’ve never seen a proper Southeast Asian market, this place will be a revelation.
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Tamu
Every Sunday a huge tamu takes place on the outskirts of this small, sleepy town. The market is a congested, colourful and dusty melee of vendors, hagglers, browsers, gawpers and hawkers, all brought together by a slew of everyday goods in a bustle that consumes the whole town each and every week. A smaller version takes place on Wednesday.
A tamu is not simply a market where villagers gather to sell their farm produce and to buy manufactured goods from traders; it's also a social occasion where news and stories are exchanged. Sadly tourists now often outnumber buffalo, and the fascinating local Bajau horsemen have mostly moved away from the car park, though some do put…
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B
Filipino Market
Sandwiched between the Central Market and the Night Market, the Filipino Market is a good place to shop for inexpensive souvenirs. Offerings include pearls, textiles, seashell crafts, jewellery and bamboo goods, some from the Philippines, some from Malaysia and some from other parts of Asia. Needless to say, bargaining is possible here and you should be wary of fake pearls etc. Next door, there is a fruit market that stays open until late.
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Handicraft Market
The Handicraft Market is a good place to shop for inexpensive souvenirs. Offerings include pearls, textiles, seashell crafts, jewellery and bamboo goods, some from the Philippines, some from Malaysia and some from other parts of Asia. Needless to say, bargaining is a must!
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C
Central Market
KK’s vast Central Market occupies a long stretch of waterfront real estate in the middle of town. It’s fun to wander the aisles and watch as locals transact their daily business.
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Servay Department Store
Self-caterers should try the Servay Department Store, across from the Old Central Market, for everything from picnic lunches to DVDs of dubious authenticity.
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Mah Fung Enterprise
Mah Fung Enterprise, across from the turn-off to the Rainforest Discovery Centre, sells cold drinks, snacks, sunscreen and insect repellent.
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D
Borneo Books 2
A brilliant selection of Borneo-related books, maps & a small used-book section. Plenty of those useful Lonely Planet guides too. Wink.
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E
7-Eleven
Stock up on picnic items and hiking snacks at the 7-Eleven which is conveniently open throughout the evening.
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F
Times Books & Magazines
This new bookstore has a good variety of English-language titles, including books on Borneo and travel guides.
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Milimewa Superstore
Stock up on picnic items and hiking snacks at the centrally located Milimewa Superstore.
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H
Iwase Books
Iwase has a great selection of new fiction and nonfiction titles as well as lots of Borneo titles.
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Millemewa Shopping Centre
You can self-cater from Millemewa Shopping Centre on the west side of the main shopping square.
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Tenom Superstore
Self-caterers can stock up here. It's a bit east of the main street, in the centre of town.
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I
Tong Hing Supermarket
Stock up on picnic items and hiking snacks at the Tong Hing Supermarket.
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J
Borneo Trading Post
Upmarket tribal art and souvenirs are available at Borneo Trading Post.
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Milimewa Supermarket
Conveniently located right in the middle of the city, on the west side of the highway.
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K
Syarikat Teck Siong
Self-caterers can do their grocery shopping at Syarikat Teck Siong.
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Milimewa Superstore
This is the bigger store. There is another near the fish market.
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Covered Market
Forms the divide between the east and the west side.
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Harrisons Travel
Handy and reputable travel agency.
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Morning Market
Good for fresh produce.
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Sedco Shopping Complex
Two rows of shophouses.
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L
Milimewa Superstore
For self-catering.
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