The capital of the Tawau District in Sabah, Tawau is the state’s third-largest city and is one that boasts numerous natural attractions for its visitors to indulge in. Without further ado, let us explore the various sites that are local to this wonderful city!
Places to visit in Tawau
1. Take a Relaxing Stroll Along Tawau Waterfront
The Tawau Waterfront is an extensive waterfront that overlooks the calm, tranquil sea and serves as the perfect place to view sunrises and sunsets.
Visitors may also observe various boating activities with fishing vessels hauling in the fresh catch of the day and passenger boats filled with visitors traveling to and from Sebatik Island.
The Tawau Waterfront is a popular, frequently visited site for people to gather with their family and friends and simply relax in the serene environment.
2. Go Hiking at Tawau Hills Park
Tawau Hills Park is a popular attraction for tourists as well as local families and friends who visit it for their dose of recreational activities in the midst of nature.
Established for the purpose of conserving water catchment resources, Tawau Hills Park has been developed to offer many activities for its visitors from hiking to picnicking.
The park contains three main points of elevation; Mount Maria (1083 metres), Mount Lucia (1202 metres) and Mount Magdalena (1310 metres) so if you are an avid hiker or simply a visitor who would like to enjoy a recreational activity in nature then this is the place for you!
3. Immerse Yourself in Sankina Hot Spring Park
As the name suggests, the Sankina Hot Spring Park hosts a number of hot springs for visitors to dip their feet and soak their bodies in the naturally heated waters.
The Sankina Hot Spring Park contains additional facilities such as a family waterpark, a tea farm, a bakery and also a private dining lounge. The site has beautiful landscapes and views within and is overall a good location for families to spend a day together to unwind from life outside the park!
4. Bathe in the Waters of Table Waterfall
The Table Waterfall in Tawau is one of the most popular and frequently visited waterfalls in the region.
The beautiful scenery as well as the calm and serene environment makes this a great location for families and friends to share a relaxing day together whilst bathing in the cool waters under the cascading falls or having a picnic with a view. The Table Waterfall is a great place for a natural getaway!
5. Awe at the Columnar Basalt in Balung Cocos
Balung Cocos boasts one of the most unique natural formations in the nation of Malaysia; columnar basalt. Visitors are often awestruck at the incredulity of the distinguished formations which are believed be the result of the rapid cooling of lava flow from a volcano nearby.
With the cooling and calming Balung River flowing through, Columnar Basalt Balung Cocos is an ideal place to visit to experience this distinguished rock formation first-hand while soaking in the beautiful scenery.
6. Go on a Shopping Spree at Tawau Tanjung Market
When in Tawau, the Tawau Tanjung Market is a must-visit site! Hosting an incredible number of 6,000 stalls, this market is believed to be the largest indoor market in the entire nation of Malaysia.
The Tawau Tanjung Market offers a wide variety of diverse goods from local food products such as dried preserved anchovies and shrimp to handicrafts such as hand-woven baskets and placemats. The Tawau Tanjung Market is the best place in town for you to go shopping for local goods and delicacies to take back home for yourself or to gift to your family and friends!
7. Buy Souvenirs at Pasar Gantung
Pasar Gantung is yet another marketplace in Tawau that offers a vast range of goods for sale.
This market especially specializes in crafts and souvenirs so if you are in search of exquisite mementos to serve as reminders of your trip to Tawau or if you would like to go gift shopping for your family and friends back home then you are bound to find what you may be looking for at Pasar Gantung.
8. Visit Teck Guan Cocoa Village
Teck Guan Cocoa Village is Sabah’s main producer and distributor of cocoa and it is here that visitors have the chance to witness a cocoa plantation and experience the various processes that are involved in cultivating and harvesting the plants that give us our beloved treats.
There are many activities to be done within the Teck Guan Cocoa Village too so don’t miss out if you are in the area!
9. Learn How Chocolate is Made at Teck Guan Cocoa Museum
While the Teck Guan Cocoa Village enlightens visitors on the cultivation and harvest of cocoa, the Tech Guan Cocoa Museum is the place to learn about the processes that go into producing chocolate products!
Inclusive of a cocoa processing plant and a manufacturing factory, the Teck Guan Cocoa Museum enables visitors to get up close and personal with the process of converting cocoa into delicious chocolate and even offers several chocolate products for sale for you to take home and enjoy!
Wrapping-up
We hope that this list will help you make the most out of your next trip to Tawau!
The beautiful city has much to offer to its visitors and whether you are looking for a stay that is laid-back and leisurely or exciting and activity-packed, Tawau has something for you!