The peak of Mount Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Photo: Alamy
Sabah: the good, bad and ugly sides to the Malaysian state on the island of Borneo
- Whether it’s snorkelling in translucent turquoise waters or hiking to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah has something for everyone
- There are troubles in paradise, though, including deforestation and the risk of getting kidnapped by militants
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Travel pros and cons
The peak of Mount Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Photo: Alamy
Chinese tourists look at wildlife from boats on the Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia. There are fears that the Chinese tourism boom in Sabah may end up doing more harm than good. Photo: Alamy
Malaysian Borneo, natural wonder: will Chinese tourist boom destroy it, and kill the holiday trade in Sabah too?
- Nearly 600,000 Chinese tourists visited Sabah in eastern Malaysia – one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots – last year, sparking fears of overtourism
- An influx of illegal Chinese tour operators has also become a major problem for many local travel agents and guides
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Asia travel
Chinese tourists look at wildlife from boats on the Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia. There are fears that the Chinese tourism boom in Sabah may end up doing more harm than good. Photo: Alamy