{"id":2923,"date":"2018-10-15T04:54:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T04:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.borneoecotours.com\/blog\/?p=2923"},"modified":"2023-12-24T23:40:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T15:40:01","slug":"getting-to-know-sandakan-the-elopura-and-nature-city-of-sabah-borneo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.borneoecotours.com\/blog\/getting-to-know-sandakan-the-elopura-and-nature-city-of-sabah-borneo\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know Sandakan, the Elopura and Nature City of Sabah, Borneo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once a hustling and bustling hub for trading activities, Sandakan\u2019s port used to be a favourite
\nstopover for traders from different corners of the world. It\u2019s exciting to imagine that this peaceful
\nand easy-going city was once a busy gathering place for merchants, planters and explorers from
\nfaraway countries like Germany, India, China, Arab, Great Britain and Spain, just to name a few.
\nSandakan was the flourishing capital of North Borneo at that time, and it was called \u201cElopura\u201d during
\nits glory days which means \u201cbeautiful town\u201d. Sadly, this beautiful town has gone through some not-
\nso-beautiful events too, especially during World War II where it was part of a dark history back in the
\nearly 1940\u2019s. The infamous Death Marches commenced in Sandakan, which took the lives of 2,345
\nAllied Prisoners of War that were held captive by the Japanese army then. The horrific Prisoners of
\nWar (POW) Camp was also based in Sandakan during that time. Today, the prison camp has been
\ntransformed into a serenely beautiful Memorial Park in remembrance of all the fallen Allied
\nPrisoners of War.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sandakan War Memorial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another sad history in Sandakan was when the town was burned to the ground by the Alliance\u2019s
\nbombing and also retaliation from the Japanese. It was an attempt by the British to drive out the
\nJapanese invaders at that time, which left the once beautiful and lively town in desolation and near-
\nruins.<\/p>\n

The time that it would take to rebuild Sandakan right after World War II had simmered down would
\ntake years, and the cost of restoring the town was too much to bear. It was then decided by the
\nBritish that Jesselton Town (Kota Kinabalu presently) be made the capital of North Borneo instead.
\nThis is why up to this day, Kota Kinabalu remains as the capital of the state of Sabah, Malaysian
\nBorneo.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say that Sandakan was left in a desolated state. Three years after the war destroyed
\nthe town, Sandakan was slowly restored and reoccupied, and many of the town\u2019s facilities were also
\nrevived. The timber industry there began to thrive, which really contributed to the economic growth
\nof the town. The luckiest lot was of course the timber businessmen of Sandakan, who benefitted the
\nmost from the booming industry.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other than Elopura, Sandakan went by many other names. The city also used to be known as
\nKampung German (meaning German Village) at one point of time because of the presence of several
\nGerman bases there. It was also given the nickname Little Hong Kong due to the settlement of
\nChinese planters and traders from Hong Kong around the town. After a few name changes
\nthroughout history, the ever-expanding city was finally settled to be called and remain as Sandakan,
\nwhich in Suluk means \u201cthe place that was pawned\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sandakan\u2019s enthralling history, both bitter and sweet, has helped to shape the town into the
\nwonderful city it is today. Even though the city is no longer a busy hub for foreign merchants and
\nvoyagers, Sandakan city is currently ever flourishing because of the growing tourism industry here in
\nSabah.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The city has been declared as a Nature City since the year 2004 because of its amazing nature and
\nwildlife scenes. When in Sandakan, travellers will have access to the Orangutan and Sun Bear
\nConservation Centres, Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, as well as a
\nselection of island destinations, including Selingan Turtle Island.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, Sandakan is also rich in history. The Memorial Park makes a great stop for those who
\nwant to learn more about the Prisoners of War and Death Marches. A poignant ceremony is held
\nthere every year to celebrate Anzac Day on 25 April in remembrance of those who have suffered and
\nfallen during the war.<\/p>\n

Sandakan is definitely a gateway to some of the world\u2019s most exciting tourist destinations, and
\nwhatever your interest may be, Sandakan definitely has a lot to offer, even for day trippers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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