Kampong Buli Sim Sim

Sandakan


This traditional Malay stilt village, located about 3km east of the city centre, is the original settlement Sandakan grew from back in 1879. It's still an atmospheric (and pungent) place to wander around, even though the houses have air-con and the wooden walkways have largely been replaced with concrete ones. Locals come here to haggle over fresh and dried fish and to dine at the likes of Sim Sim Restaurant. A taxi/Grab ride should cost around RM20/6.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sandakan attractions

1. Japanese Cemetery

0.86 MILES

A poignant piece of Sandakan's ethnic puzzle, this cemetery was founded in the 1890s by Kinoshita Kuni, known as the successful madam-manager of Sandakan…

2. Chinese Cemetery

0.95 MILES

Sandakan's Chinese Cemetery is huge. As you wander along the cemetery, you'll notice the graves become older and more decrepit – many have been claimed by…

3. Agnes Keith House

1.24 MILES

This atmospheric two-storey colonial villa, Newlands, tells the story of American writer Agnes Keith and her British husband Harry, the Conservator of…

4. Sandakan Heritage Museum

1.37 MILES

This small museum near the beginning of the Heritage Walk is a bit neglected but worth a look for the old photos and memorabilia of Sandakan's tumultuous…

5. Sam Sing Kung

1.42 MILES

The Sam Sing Kung temple (also pronounced 'Sam Sing Gong') dates from 1887, making it the oldest building in Sandakan. The temple itself is a smallish, if…

6. Malaysia Fountain

1.44 MILES

The fountain commemorates the independence of Sabah on 16 September 1963 with the departure of the last Governor of British North Borneo.

7. St Michael's & All Angels Church

1.5 MILES

One of the very few surviving pre-WWII buildings, this pretty stone church (1893) sits as a relic of colonial times and a monument to Christian worship on…

8. Puu Jih Syh Temple

3.27 MILES

Wrapped in the usual firework display of reds, golds and twining dragons, festooned with lanterns illuminating the grounds like a swarm of fireflies, this…