Tawau Hotels from RM73

Found within the state of Sabah in the south-eastern corner of Malaysia is the town of Tawau on the island of Borneo. The placement of Tawau could not be better. It borders with the Indonesian province of North Kalimantan and also draws traffic from the Sulu Islands belonging to the Philippines. With an airport, a busy port and numerous buses and ferries traversing the region, this makes for a great holiday destination. Let’s take a look at the highlights of Tawau.

About Tawau

The areas surrounding Tawau are among the most beautiful in Borneo. It is the closest town to a dense forest area named the Maliau Basin. This pristine, untouched area is so remote and so massive that it is at times termed “The Lost World”. Within Tawau itself is a range of tourist attractions, supplying everything from good accommodation to cultural and spiritual landmarks.

Best Place to Stay in Tawau

The mid-range hospitality industry has places to stay at great prices. Check out the hotels ranging from basic rooms to luxurious and comfortable suites in the conveniently situated Fajar Commercial Centre, everything here is close to public transport routes and the quality overall is outstanding.

Most of the cheaper accommodation in Tawau is found in the area nearby to the port. Look for small but well-priced hotel rooms, good quality guesthouses and even hostel accommodation. Given that many tourists visit Tawau to take advantage of the diving, these providers make for a good option.

Top Attractions of Tawau

The Tawau Hills National Park takes you into the pristine forest areas of this region. Within the park you will find picnic areas, a massive camping area and a range of cabins. Notable locations within the park include a range of amazing waterfalls, a hot spring and the highest point in the locality, Gunung Magdalena towering at 1310 metres, or 4297 feet. The rugged terrain, lowland dipterocarp forest and many oil and cocoa plantations contrasting the volcanic landscape makes this a truly beautiful place to explore.

Tawau is filled with sacred sites that are fascinating to explore while also granting some fantastic photo opportunities. Don’t miss the Al-Kauthar Mosque which is the largest in Sabah. Carrying a maximum capacity of 17,000 people, this is a huge site of worship. The Pu Zhao Temple is a Buddhist lodge found here as well. Visit during the early evening to be awarded with a bright, colourful glimpse at this traditional structure. The Thirumurugan Temple is a Hindu place of worship which greets you with gigantic statues of the patron deity, Murugan, philosopher warrior God of Hinduism.

The Bell Tower of Tawau is the only building in the town to survive World War II. While the tower today carries no bell, the wooden structure is otherwise well-preserved. Be sure to ask the locals about the legend concerning the missing bell. There are many tales told about where it could have disappeared to but the truth of the matter remains a mystery to this day.

Food & Shopping in Tawau

The central market is known as the Pasar Sri Tanjung Tawau has an excellent range of goods. Both Nunukan and Tarakan supply handicrafts and fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables. The Tawau Bazaar is also nearby which is the best place to look for clothing, cosmetics and a range of other handicrafts at unbeatable rates.