1. Sandakan, Malaysia

A tropical city in the Malaysian state of Sabah

This post is a part of my publication called About Places, where I randomly pick a place on Google Maps and write about what I find.

It’s a great exercise in knowing our world a little more, and imagining what life would be like living in one of these places.

Sandakan is on the Borneo island in the Malaysian state of Sabah

When you think of Malaysia, maybe you think of Kuala Lumpur. But this small city / town is quite a distance from KL. Let’s explore what seems like a quiet tropical town — Sandakan.

It’s lies on the eastern edge of the largest island in Asia — Borneo. It is also on the coast and overlooks the Sulu Sea.

About the Place

Now let’s talk about the city itself. Here is what it place looks like:

Sandakan on Google Maps — the satellite view

At the outset, it seems very green, and not too large by area. I could spot a couple of universities, Mosques, Temples, Hospitals and even a McDonald’s. There are also a few tiny islands close by called Turtle Islands.

Some pictures and places

1. Puu Jih Syh Temple

A chinese style Buddhist temple on a hill. It 4.5/5 ratings on Google Maps. While the temple iself seems nice and peaceful, the highlight of the temple is the view of the sea.

Seems like a peaceful place to get away and meditate

2. Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan Sepilok

There seems to be a famous Orangutan rehabilitation center. The Orangutans are free to roam and don’t seem to be in cages. The place seems like a full on rainforest as well.

3. Rainforest Discovery Center

There seem to be rainforests all around Sandakan! This RDC area has walking paths through the forest, what a treat for nature lovers.

Walking paths through the forest. There are lakes and stop points through the woods. Images from Google Street View

4. City, Roads, Some neighborhoods

From what I could see on street view, most neighborhoods were beautiful and clean. Even though the buildings in the city seemed a bit old, the neighborhoods seem well maintained and clean. Check out these street view captures.

Left: Downtown area with clean roads and not much traffic. Right: Around downtown near a roundabout. All the streets seem to be clean with good road quality and footpaths in busy areas. I’m very impressed how well maintained this city is.

Left: seems like an upscale neighborhood. Imagine living in one of those homes, how nice and quiet! Right: Another residential area, seem well maintained.

Left and Right: More residential areas. You can see throughout how clean each place is, no matter what type of housing there is.

Sandakan seems to be quite a beautiful little town to live in. I could totally imagine heading up the temple hill, hopping over to one of the turtle islands on a Ferry over the weekend, or living in one of these neighbourhoods.

Can you? Check out this city for yourself on Google Maps for more pictures and nice views.

This post is a part of my publication called About Places, where I randomly pick a place on Google Maps and write about what I find.

It’s a great exercise in knowing our world a little more, and imagining what life would be like living in one of these places.