2025 Membakut Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

🇲🇾Malaysia is truly my new happy home! I've been here 3 times and it's still fun! Great value for money, rich scenery and food, and little language barrier! ✈️Taking advantage of the off-season, I set out decisively. This time I unlocked Sabah in East Malaysia. The feeling here is totally different from West Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu + Semporna, 5 days and 4 nights, NT$2,500 per person! Friends who want to go, you can keep this guide in mind. ------ 🗺️Itinerary: DAY1: Land in Kota Kinabalu, transfer to Tawau, stroll around Semporna town DAY2: Semporna snorkeling or scuba diving island hopping day trip DAY3: Kota Kinabalu shopping and eating + Tanjong Aru Beach sunset DAY4: Look for proboscis monkeys in the mangroves + firefly night tour DAY5: University of Sabah, Floating Mosque ------ 📗【About Semporna】 Located in Tawau Province, it takes about 40 minutes to fly from Kota Kinabalu. There are many flights and the prices are very reasonable. After landing, it takes about an hour to drive to Semporna town. I personally feel that Semporna Town is like a small fishing village. Not much to walk around. There is a place near the pier where there are almost no tourists. A small fish market, you can go and have a look if you are interested. Location: Pasar Ikan Kecil Semporna 🟡The must-experience here is island hopping! I chose: snorkeling in the 3 islands of Mataking, Don't be afraid if you can't swim, there will be a coach to guide you. The underwater world is so beautiful. You can see the glass sea and rich corals and underwater creatures. I was also lucky enough to see a big turtle. If you are on a boat, sit on the left side so you won't be so exposed to the sun. ------ 📗【About Kota Kinabalu】 The capital of Sabah State is probably the most prosperous city in East Malaysia. The supporting facilities are complete, the transportation is convenient and the playability is high. 📍Tanjung Aru Beach: There are three of the world's top sunsets here, and you can see them on any sunny day. It is recommended to check the sunset time in advance and arrive half an hour in advance. The clouds change differently every minute, and it is even more amazing 15 minutes after the sun sets below the sea level! 📍One-day tour to the mangrove forest: I went to the Turtle Garden Mangrove Forest. It’s about an hour’s drive from the city. We will take a boat to look for proboscis monkeys. Walking on the river, we saw crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, It feels like an adventure in the Amazon jungle. The fireflies at night are also amazing. The trees on both sides seem to be hung with small lights. Twinkling, romantic and healing. 📍University of Sabah: The campus is very large and you can arrange half a day to explore it. There is a pink mosque that is very photogenic and has a fresh feel. 📍Location: UMS Mosque In addition to the mosque, you can also visit the University of Sabah The swing on the beach, Positioning: UMS ODEC beach The clock tower and colorful staircase of the University of Sabah You can check in together and it’s also very photogenic. Positioning: UMS clock tower ------ ⚠️Game Tips: The overall accommodation conditions in Semporna Town are average. Just choose one that is closer to the pier. Basically, I just sleep and go island hopping during the day. When you go island hopping in Semporna, you must pay attention to sun protection. The best surfing suit is a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with sun protection. Otherwise, whatever you paint will turn out black! Don't ask me how I know. For shopping, you can go to Imago or Suria Sabah Shopping Mall on Gaya Street. There is a night market on Gaya Street on Saturdays and a market on Sunday mornings, where you can go for a stroll.

#Local Tours #Overseas Tours Sabah’s special attractions: Watch the Christmas tree in hot weather 🎄, and watch the legendary big nose 👃🏻 love saint---the proboscis monkey up close

#April2025 Best Places to Go **Klias Wetlands** Langkawi Wetlands is about a 2-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu and is suitable for ecotourism. Visitors can take night tours to see wildlife such as fireflies and rainbow ibis. The natural scenery here is spectacular and it is a great place to photograph natural beauty. There are restaurants nearby serving local cuisine, especially fresh seafood.

💞Recommendation reason: The first tour arranged after landing! I was invited to join the group the night before, and received information about the car and other pick-up information on the morning of the trip. The process went very smoothly! We took the bus all the way to Yinghe River. When we got off the bus and felt hungry, we had afternoon tea right away ☕️ which was great! Then we took a very stable double-decker boat and saw the funny looking proboscis monkeys. After dinner, we saw a sky full of fireflies and the final iron flower show! Amazing❤️

A seven-day tour in Malaysia, exploring the beauty of Sabah and savoring the urban style of Kuala Lumpur, all in one guide! Come and start your Malay journey! -- 🌴Route Overview: Sabah & Semporna 7-Day Adventure🌊 D1: ✈️Arrive in Sabah and enjoy the personal airport pick-up service to start your journey easily. D2: Explore the wonders of Kawa mangroves - Wander along Gaya Street to experience the historical atmosphere - Interact closely with the cute turtles in the Turtle Garden mangroves. D3: Free travel in Sabah! 🥽Suggested experiences: exploring Mount Kinabalu Park, snorkeling at Mermaid Island or visiting Mari Mari Cultural Village. D4: ✈️Fly to Semporna and start your journey to paradise on earth. Pick you up at the airport by special car 🚗 for seamless connection. D5: Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery of Mabul Island and enjoy a day of tranquility and relaxation. D6: Free day in Semporna, or choose to participate in self-funded projects to explore more surprises. D7: ✈️Return to Sabah from Semporna, then transfer back to China, with a special car 🚗 to send you to the airport, ending a successful journey. -- Must-see attractions: Mabul Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia Opening hours: Open all day Duration: 1-2 days A snorkeling paradise with colorful corals, colorful starfish and various fish waiting for you to explore, and the mysteries of the underwater world are clearly visible. Gaya Street ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Address: Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening hours: Open all day Play time: 1-2 hours This place is not only a gathering place for delicious food, but also a display of local customs and culture. In addition to the bustling Sunday market, there are also unique cultural experiences waiting for you to discover. Kawa Mangroves ⭐⭐⭐ Address: 100 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu Opening hours: 15:00-21:00 Duration: 1 day The afterglow of the sunset on the mudflats and the faint light of fireflies at night interweave, as if taking you into a dreamlike and wonderful world. Turtle Court Mangroves ⭐⭐⭐ Address: Jalan Pantai Pimping, 89709, Membakut, Sabah, Malaysia Opening hours: All day Play time: 1-3 hours As night falls, fireflies dance gracefully; during the day, you can watch the rare proboscis monkeys up close and experience the wonderful harmony of nature. -- Travel preparation: 🧳Malaysia travel essentials checklist 📱Phone cards are a must, and it is more convenient to buy them locally so you can stay connected at any time. 🔌You need to bring a plug converter, the sockets in Malaysia are different, don’t forget! 🪪You only need a passport as your ID, and visa-free entry is super easy, so you can have fun without worry. 👕Short-sleeved shirts and shorts are enough. It’s not cold in December, so you can travel easily. 🔋Be sure to bring a charger with you. Taking photos and recording videos consumes the battery quickly, so charge it at any time. 🕶️Sunglasses are essential for sun protection. The tropical sun is strong, so protect yourself. -- Travel to Malaysia and enjoy the collision of food, beaches and culture. We look forward to your next visit to explore more exciting things!

If I learn more about photography, will I be able to properly capture the emotion of this beautiful sunset? I'm starting to get a little greedy.. A great photo makes memories more fond.