About Tawau

TAWAU Gateway to the islands

Close to the border of Kalimantan but still on Malaysian territory, Tawau can either be the first or last entry point. For tourists, it is the main departure point to three island resorts - Sipadan, Mabul and Pakalai.

Cross-border trading, new investments and tourism from neighbouring Kalimantan and Sulawesi have given added strength to the local economy.

As the East Asean Growth Area comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (BIMP-EAGA) steady progresses, Tawau is emerging as the centre of these economic activities.

Tawau has a great potential or rapid economic growth particularly in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and tourism.

Although Tawau has made tremendous progress in agriculture, aquaculture and tourism, it admittedly lacks quality retail outlets and hotel accommodation although it is the second most important town in Sabah after the State capital.

City of immigrants
For many travelers, Tawau can be considered as the last Malaysian frontier. On an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur, you will feel like you’re flying miles away as it takes close to three hours to reach the third largest city of Sabah. With a population of 235,000 inhabitants, Tawau is in a world of its own. You will be surprised to see many wooden houses from the airport with buffalo-style roofs or ornaments.

In fact, the city has one of the most active Bugis populations; they migrated from South Sulawesi to the East Coast from Kalimantan. Old women in typical Bugis outfits bantering away in typical Bugis language, skillfully preparing Bugis culinary specialties in the marketplace testifies the importance of this community. Do not miss the mansion in eclectic colours of one of the richest Bugis men while traveling from the airport.

The main entry point from Indonesia, Tawau boasts a colourful population and has numerous supermarkets that cater to visiting crowds, mainly from neighbouring Indonesia.

There are few historical traces of the remains of Tawau as the city developed mainly after the Second World War. However, several shophouses, all timber-built, still line Tawau’s heartbeat - Dunlop Street. Pay close attention to this street, the main focus being Man Cheong coffeeshop, the oldest kedai kopi operating today.

Attractions in Tawau

the waterfront may not be as glamorous as Kuching’s but you can witness the lives of local fishermen in their sampans and participate in the loading and unloading of goods from neighbouring islands onto sampans

visit the Chocolate Museum and the production plant, one of the largest in Southeast Asia and the largest in East Malaysia (experts claim the cocoa plants in Tawau are the most productive in the world)

view the new mosque with its green dome

shop for handicrafts and sample traditional food at the Central Market

Food & drinks
Seafood is a must! The hawker centre with seafood in abundance is located along the waterfront in the city centre. “Makanan Laut 101” serves excellent fried oysters and shells with vegetables at incredibly low prices. “Mongolian Chicken” on Jalan Chester offers one of the tastiest nasi ayam in town. The small outlet is always crowded! At night, numerous stalls set up around the city. Many sell the Sulawesi Soto Makassar (buffalo soup), a Bugis specialty.

Shopping
Frankly, Tawau is not venue for an unforgettable shopping experience! However, simple handicrafts like rattan baskets or mats are available at the Central Market. The best souvenir would be Hoko chocolate products, by and by about the largest cocoa producer in East Malaysia. Surprisingly, Tawau airport may just have the best selections of handicrafts in the area!

Beyond Tawau
Tawau is the main gateway to the group of islands of Mabul, Pakalai and Sipadan, all located in the Celebes Sea. The most famous island is Sipadan and lies 35 km south of Semporna, on Sabah's mainland. It is covered mainly by thick jungles and surrounded by sandy beaches where six resorts have been constructed. An oceanic island formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, Sipadan offers one of the most diverse marine habitats in the world with more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of corals.

The island is also famous for the gathering of green and hawksbill turtles. Lining the cities of Lahad Datu and Tawau, the Madai Caves are habitats to swiftlets; their nests are harvested twice a year to prepare the famous Chinese specialty, birds' nest soup. The nests are harvested by Ida'ans who have had this right for centuries.

Closer to Tawau, the Tawau Hills National Park offers a cool retreat for picnics, what with chalets and several waterfalls along the Tawau River.

The highest point of the park is Gunung Madalena at 1310 metres. From Bombalai Hill (530 metres), there is a panoramic view of cocoa and palm oil plantations, not to mention Tawau town. Further away, it is possible to catch a ferry to Nanukan and Tarakan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.