Bongawan Hotels from RM158

The town of Bongawan is located within the West Coast Division of Sabah in Malaysia. Bongawan still retains much of its pre-World War II architecture and is a captivating place to visit. The area is famous for its many egrets which can be seen in great numbers across the many paddy fields which surround the town. The town is filled with numerous stores, most of which are ran by Chinese Hakka traders. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of Bongawan and the Sabah district.

About Bongawan

One of the most prominent attractions of the area is the massive Borneo Golf and Country Club. The 18-hole course was designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus, making Bongawan a popular destination for golfers. The town also has a beautiful array of pre-war shophouses carrying distinctive British colonial architecture. It is a great place to visit with both natural beauty and modern conveniences.

Best Place to Stay in Bongawan

The Borneo Golf and Country Club is among the most illustrious establishments in the entire Sabah region. There are two restaurants within the grounds and the rooms are air conditioned, clean, and comfortable. Private bathrooms with showers are available. The rates at this resort are reasonable, although much higher priced than the homestays in this area. If you prefer more a more luxurious option for lodging, this would be your best bet.

Top Attractions in and around Bongawan

Villages and plantations are within a short distance of Bongawan. The scenic locations offer a calming atmosphere and stunning scenery around. The far-reaching beauty of this land makes it a paradise for photographers.

Intrepid adventurers should ask the locals about a pre-war bungalow constructed by the British. It is said that stones resembling the form of a human mark the way, as does a crocodile shaped rock. This archaic site is believed to be haunted and is well worth a look.

History buffs wouldn’t want to miss visiting the two mosques near Bongawan. The Nurul Hidayah Pekan Bongawan mosque is a magnificent structure, and if you are willing to travel a little further, check out the Kuala Penyu Mosque. It is built to a far grander scale and rewards visitors with memorable photo opportunities. The Membatkut Chinese Temple is just 9.5 kilometres, or 5.9 miles, from Bongawan and is another spiritual site which you should not miss.

The Borneo Golf Resort in Bongawan has an outstanding range of facilities. There are no less than three outdoor pools, an additional children’s pool, two tennis courts, billiard and pool table facilities, kayaking, bicycle rentals and of course the golf course itself.

A highly popular Kadazandusun dish is Nonsom. Also known as Bosou, this dish is a mixture of fish and rice pickled with salt and pangi, an indigenous herb. This salty-tangy dish is full of flavour and should not be missed. Pinasakan is another delicacy which serves up braised basung fish mixed with a paste blend called takob akob. It is made with a local wild fruit and prepared with turmeric, slices of Bambangan, with a dash of salt. Try this with either rice or Ambuyat, a local dish made with the interior trunk of the sago palm.