Penampang Bah Ni!

Modern life has caught up with many ethnic groups in Sabah. However, for the Kadazan ethnic group of Penampang, most of them still maintain the traditions and customs of their elders. The Penampang district is a 20-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu and Donggongon is its main town.

Penampang has a wide range of local attractions that will keep you entertained! Looking for instagrammable spots to get the likes rolling in? Penampang got you covered! Plus, a bunch of these locations are fun places to hangout!

So if you think there aren’t many attractions in Penampang, then think again!

Here, we’ll let the pictures do the talking! ????

Pogun Bakau River Lodge & Recreation

Credit: PogunBakau River Lodge & Recreation FB

The exciting part is, you have to cross a hanging bridge to get to this lodge. There is an outdoor kitchen and swimming pools. Water and land activities are also available.

Crocker Range Inobong Sub Station

Credit: sabahbah.com

This beautiful retreat provides an incredible view of the city, coast and sea from 600 meters above sea-level. A well-kept secret that not many locals even know about.

Fook Tet Kung Temple

Credit: Penampang Tourism Association FB

The temple has a beautiful tile roof with Chinese design at the edges and amazing interior with its several beautifully decorated deities.

Pogunon Community Museum

Credit: John Kong FB

It was previously a graveyard, and it was at this site that archaeologists discovered multiple treasures from the past including ceramics, antique plates and actual human bones.

St. Michael’s Church

Credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

It is the oldest church in the district of Penampang and the second oldest stone church in Sabah, after St. Michael’s and All Angels Church in Sandakan.

J Borneo Native Village

Credit: J Borneo Native Village FB

J Borneo Native Village is designed to be environmentally-friendly and nature-oriented that entice people to get close to nature.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

Credit: sabahbah.com

Among the inhabitants of the wildlife park are the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkey, Malayan tiger, as well as some different species of deer.

Tagal Tinopikon

Credit: Tagal Tinopikon Park Sabah FB

The highlight of this place is the Tagal, which simply means ‘no fishing zone’. The friendly Pelian (toothless) fishes will welcome you with a massage session, if you’d like to meet them.

Monsopiad Cultural Village

Credit: Monsopiad Heritage Village FB

There are many traditional buildings that make up the Monsopiad Cultural village. Monsopiad’s Main House is dedicated to the life and times of Monsopiad (a fearsome warrior) and his descendants.

Hongkod Koisaan (Unity Centre) of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).

Credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

The Grand Finale for Tadau Kaamatan is on the 30th and 31st of May and it’s happening here. So take a trip to Hongkod Koisaan KDCA as there will be long line of stalls selling all kinds of food.

Sinilou Kibambangan Water Park

Credit: Sinilou Kibambangan Water Park FB

If you are looking for a weekend activity, head out to Sinilou Kibambangan Water Park where you can enjoy swimming in segmented rivers, and gather together in a hut for a barbeque.

So, do you believe us now? 

There are a lot of things to see and do in Penampang, (and trust us) you can’t cover them in just one day!

Wait no more, spend a night or two in one of our partner hotels in Penampang so you’ll get the chance to see all these top sights and attractions. Check them out below!