Labuan
Pearl of Borneo
MAP OF LABUAN
PLACES OF INTEREST
LABUAN MUSEUM
Jalan Dewan
Housed in a pre-war colonial styled building, this museum chronicles the history of Labuan, beginning from World War II, to the British colonial days, to its declaration as a federal territory. Other interesting displays include information on Labuan’s socio- cultural landscape and the local communities.
LABUAN MARINE PARK
Located 2km off the southern tip of Labuan, the park comprises the islets of Kuraman, Rusukan Kecil and Rusukan Besar. It is famous for the four wreck diving sites; namely the American, Australian, Blue Water and Cement wrecks. Lovely reefs, white sandy beaches and quiet bays make it a great spot for sun-seekers. Visitors are required to adhere to the marine park regulations at all times. Activities that are permitted include scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, canoeing and jungle-trekking. Visitors are strictly prohibited from anchoring, fishing, polluting and carrying out other activities that can break or damage the corals and reefs.
THE CHIMNEY
Tanjung Kubong
Synonymous with Labuan, the Chimney is somewhat of a mystery. The 106-feet high structure was made from 23,000 pieces of red bricks imported from England. It was originally thought to be a ventilation stack. Recently, it was discovered that there are no traces of smoke within, thus making its purpose and existence a puzzle. The Chimney is situated at the Chimney Historical Complex. The Information Centre here details the coal mining industry in Tanjung Kubong since 1847.
LABUAN BIRD PARK
Tanjung Kubong
Situated near the Chimney, this park houses numerous species of Borneo’s birds. There are presently about 684 bird species, commonly found in rainforests, mangrove swamps, coastal areas as well as the highlands. They are housed in a walk-in aviary.
LABUAN INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB
Kiamsam
Labuan International Golf Club is the island’s newest 18-hole golf course. It is located atop a hill at Kiamsam, overlooking the South China Sea. Set amidst 200 acres of lush greenery, the Par 72 golf course provides enthusiasts with ample challenges. Facilities include a club house, a Muslim prayer room, changing rooms and a training area. It is also equipped with a Pro Shop and restaurant.
HOMESTAYS
Stay in a scenic Malay village, or live in a water village. To experience the lifestyle of the locals, visitors can participate in a homestay programme available at the following villages:
- Patau-patau II Water Village
- Bukit Kuda Village
- Sungai Labu Village
LABUAN MARINE MUSEUM
Jalan Tanjung Purun
Built to resemble a ship, the Labuan Marine Museum takes visitors into the intriguing world of marine wonders. Featuring 16 galleries, the museum showcases all manner of marine life, especially in the waters around Labuan. View a variety of marine heritage from sharks, to aquatic plants, artefacts from shipwrecks and preserved zooplanktons. In the interactive section, visitors can touch starfish and sea cucumbers. This museum is part of the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex. It also houses several eateries and offices.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
Jalan Tanjung Batu
The largest memorial in Malaysia, Labuan World War II Memorial is the final resting place of 3,908 soldiers who have perished in World War II. The World War II Memorial is the prime venue for Remembrance Day, an annual ceremony conducted in full military tradition to honour these war heroes.
WATER VILLAGES
A trip to Labuan would be incomplete without visiting the water villages. The main villages are Kampung Patau-patau 1 and Patau-patau II. These homes are built on stilts above the water and can be quite big. Most homes have airy, cooling verandahs that are decorated with potted plants and flowers. The villages are established by Malay fishermen and traders from Brunei.
BEACHES
Sun-kissed beaches and picture-postcard views are a beautiful facet of Labuan’s attractions. The beaches of Layang-layangan, Pancur Hitam and Pohon Batu are famed for their warm waters and scenic views. Enjoy cycling by the beach, sit back and watch the sunset or savour local food at the beachside stalls.
PULAU PAPAN (PAPAN ISLAND)
Accessible by a five-minute boat ride from Labuan Jetty, Pulau Papan has a breathtaking landscape and is watched over by an old colonial lighthouse. Pulau Papan attracts both locals and tourists looking for a weekend getaway. Activities here range from snorkeling in the clear waters to jungle-trekking to view small animals and the natural greenery. Chalets and campsites are available for overnight stays.
THERE’S MUCH MORE IN LABUAN
Despite the small size, Labuan has a number of places that would be of interest to tourists. Among them are:
- Labuan Square
- Museum Square
- Tanjung Kubong Tunnel
- Papan Island
- Jamek An’Nur Mosque
- Ba Xian Miao Temple
- Labuan Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh Temple)
- Labuan Central Market
- Labuan International Sea Sports Complex
- Kinabenuwa Eco Tourism
- Gedung Ubat (Bullet Store)
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
SHOPPING
Labuan enjoys a tax-free status that makes it the perfect place to find imported products at bargain prices. Visit this free-trade zone to choose from an assortment of perfumes, chocolates, cosmetics, liquor, cigarettes, textiles, leather goods, electrical appliances, electronic gadgets, pens and watches.
Among the popular shopping areas are:
- Jalan OKK Awang Besar
- Ferry Terminal area
- One Stop Duty Free at Victoria Point
- Financial Park Complex
- Labuan Mosque
- Labuan Weekend Tamu
(A bazaar held on Saturdays and Sundays at Labuan Walk)
DINING
Seafood is a major attraction in Labuan. Fresh fish, prawns, crabs, lobsters, squids and shellfish are found in abundance. Enjoy a delightful assortment of cooking styles, such as Western, Malay and Chinese. Visitors can also try some of the specialties of this island:
Coconut Pudding
Unique to Labuan and rarely found anywhere else, this pudding is made from steamed coconut water and jelly.
Lamban
Akin to the Chinese rice dumplings or the Malay ketupat, lamban is sweetened steamed rice that is wrapped in coconut leaves. It is eaten with a peanut sauce.
Punjung
A bite-size delight, punjung is made of rice flour. It contains a jelly filling. The cone-shape dessert is wrapped in banana leaves.
Jelurut
Ideal for the sweet-toothed, this dessert is made of rice flour, sugar and coconut milk. The jelly-like dessert is usually green in colour. It is sometimes flavoured with durian or yam.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting There
By Air
Labuan is well-linked by air. It is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), situated in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also accessible from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and Miri in Sarawak. Labuan is served by Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, AirAsia as well as Malindo Air.
By Sea
The Labuan International Ferry Terminal receives ferries from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam. The journey from Kota Kinabalu takes about 3 hours. From Brunei Darussalam, Labuan is accessible in only one hour.
Alternatively, visitors can take the speed boat or the passenger ferry (capable of accommodating vehicles) from Menumbok in Sabah.
Getting Around
Getting around Labuan is relatively easy. The island’s excellent road network links Labuan’s main town with other parts of the island. It takes about 1 hours to go around the island by road.
Taxis are the popular mode of transport. Alternatively, 24-hour Call Taxi Services are available. Car rentals for self-drives can be arranged.
| For more information, contact: | |
Tourism Malaysia Tourist Information Centre:
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+6087 423 445 |
