{"id":193,"date":"2022-02-01T21:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T13:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=193"},"modified":"2023-11-27T16:54:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T08:54:27","slug":"tenom-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/tenom-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Guide to Tenom, the Coffee Town of Sabah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What’s your revenge travel plan for the new year? If you just want to relax and don’t want crowded destinations on a tight schedule, Tenom would fit your travel style. You can fully control your pace and live like a local there. And you won’t be short of interesting places and nice food to explore. If you don’t feel like doing anything, you can just sip a cup of Tenom coffee and read some books in this peaceful town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tenom<\/a>
Tenom town in mist. You can see Perkasa Hotel on the hill. The white building at the lower right is Tenom Market (Pasar Tenom). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About Tenom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tenom is a small town with a main street that cuts through the town centre, and everything you need is within walking distance. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and sits on a plain nurtured by Padas and Pagalan Rivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tenom<\/a>
You can see the Perkasa Hotel, sport field, train station and Al-Rahman mosque in this aerial shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Located about 185 Metres above sea level in Sabah’s interior, the temperature in Tenom is refreshing, the foggy hills in the morning and dusk are a common sight. Murut (52%), Kadazandusun (12%) and Chinese (8%) make up the majority of the population in Tenom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Special Things about Tenom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though seen as a low-profile destination and lacking personality, Tenom is very unique actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Coffee Town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tenom has been planting coffee for over 100 years, and Tenom Coffee is one of most well-known products of Sabah<\/strong>. The big three local coffee makers are Yit Foh (\u76ca\u548c), Fatt Choi (\u53d1\u8d22), and Tong Fah (\u4e1c\u6866). Public can learn the coffee processing at the factories of Yit Foh and Fatt Choi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Left:<\/a>
Left: the coffee bean sculpture roundabout in Tenom town centre. Right: enjoy my Ice Jelly Latte at Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Or you can enjoy the coffee at their parks. Most coffee planted in Tenom is of Robusta<\/em> breed, which has a distinctive earthy aroma, a taste that is strong and bold, with a lingering aftertaste, and more kick in caffeine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Fruit Capital of Sabah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The name \u201cTenom\u201d is probably coming from the Malay word Tanam<\/em> (means planting) being mispronounced by the British, the ex-ruler of North Borneo (now Sabah). The soil of Tenom is fertile and turns this district into an orchard base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Popular<\/a>
Popular fruits of Tenom, Avocado and Pomelo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every tropical fruit seems to grow well in Tenom. The most famous fruits of Tenom are Pomelo and Avocado<\/strong>. Many are sold out even before they reach the market in the city. During the fruiting months, tarap, durian, langsat, melon, pineapple and various seasonal fruits will spoil fruit lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Swiftlet City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swiftlet City (\u71d5\u57ce) is another nickname of Tenom. Go for cover when dusk approaches Tenom town. Around 6:30pm, flock after flock of birds, most of them are glossy swiftlet, Asian glossy starling and barn swallow (migrant from North Asia), will swarm Tenom town. The only thing you can hear is their chirping echoed loudly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Thousands<\/a>
Thousands of Glossy Swiflet look for perching point to overnight in Tenom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The birds congregate and spend a night on the trees and electrical wires. Whoever parks their cars under the tree or wire will find their cars covered in bird droppings the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Padas<\/a>
Padas River of Tenom and the iron bridge that connects to Keningau town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Places to Go and Things to Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The following is a summary of activities and attractions to experience in Tenom. Please note most of them charge an entry or ticket fee, or require booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train Ride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tenom is the last terminal station of Sabah train service<\/a>, the only railway in Borneo. The popular Malaysian movie Ola Bola<\/em> featured the train ride to Tenom in the opening scene, with mesmerising views of the majestic Padas River and gorges along the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sabah<\/a>
Sabah State Railway, the only train service in Borneo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, if you plan to travel around Tenom district, I strongly advise you to bring your own car. Besides, the train service from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom is disrupted occasionally. You can follow the Facebook of Sabah State Railway<\/a> for update and latest schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White Water Rafting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Personally I rate the 9-Kilometre Grade IV white water rafting in Padas River<\/a> as the most exciting activity for adrenaline junkies<\/strong>. Your challenge is to paddle through rapids with nasty nicknames such as Cobra and Washing Machine. In the rainy season, the waves are so rough that the raft is like fighting against the Tsunami. This tour package would include a train ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"White<\/a>
White water rafting on Padas River is thrilling and challenging<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sabah Agriculture Park (Taman Pertanian Sabah)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Want to see over 20 collections of flowers, fruits, and crops from Borneo and tropical zones of America, Asia and Africa? This mega garden is a suitable outdoor classroom for family and school groups to learn about plants. Read more\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The tram-train and lake gardens of Sabah Agriculture Park (Taman Pertanian Sabah)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Murut Cultural Centre (Pusat Kebudayaan Sabah)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tenom is the unofficial HQ of Murut people, the headhunters of Borneo in the past. Murut Cultural Centre<\/a>, which is also the largest ironwood building of Borneo, is where the Murut heritage and artifacts are exhibited, for example, the burial jar and headhunter sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Murut<\/a>
Murut Cultural Centre (Pusat Kebudayaan Sabah) is only 13 Kilometres away from Tenom town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shopping in Local Markets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The quickest way to learn the culture and lifestyle of the locals is by looking at their markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tenom Central Market<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can buy almost everything at Tenom Central Market (Pasar Tenom), to list a few, fruits & vegetables, snacks, seafood, meats, coffee powder, clothing. On the top floor is a food court divided into halal and non-halal sections. I always go there for my favourite meatball & spring roll breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tenom<\/a>
Tenom Market (Pasar Tenom) in town centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Tamu Market<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tamu is an open-air native market that opens weekly or biweekly in the countryside. It was started as a barter trading site for farmers, fishermen, hunters and traders in the old days, so they could exchange goods. After hundreds of years, tamu is still around but more modern merchandise such as homemade bakery, electric appliances and clothing are available. The tamu of Tenom is open in the morning (6am to 12pm) every Wednesday and Sunday.<\/strong> By the way, cash only please.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tamu<\/a>
Tamu Market of Tenom. Besides fresh agriculture products, you also can find other items such as shoes, phone accessories, snacks, dried seafood, flowers, wild honey and homemade bakery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tenom always has a nostalgic vibe because of the old trees around. Local folks like to sit in the shade of big raintrees in the field next to the train station. The trees were planted about 100 years ago by the British.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trees<\/a>
Left: old raintrees at the field. Right: the hollow tree in Binai Village<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another cool tree is a 40-feet hollow tree (Holo Binai Tree<\/em>) in Kampung Binai, about 2 KM away from Tenom town. The tree survived a lightning bolt but its core is emptied by burning. Watch out for hornet nests in the tree hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can visit Yit Foh Coffee Park<\/a> or Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin<\/a> to sample some coffee and learn about coffee making. Both operators offer accommodation at their sites too. Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin is on a hill and provides a panoramic view of Tenom, wonderful as a sunrise and sunset viewpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Left:<\/a>
Left: Yit Foh Coffee Park. Right: view platform of Fatt Choi Coffee Cabin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Padas Farmstay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Padas Farmstay<\/a> employs a variety of environmental-friendly methods to make farming more sustainable and organic. They show you how crops and livestocks thrive better under green practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Left:<\/a>
Left: Padas Farmstay. Right: Antanom Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yong Farmstay (\u6768\u5bb6\u6751)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An old farm site with a mini museum that shows the traditional lifestyle of Chinese Hakka farmers in the past. Riding an ATV is also another fun activity at Yong Farmstay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Places of Interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You also can explore the following places in Tenom district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Pammos View Recreational Park<\/a>: a riverside park for swimming, BBQ and camping<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Antanom Museum<\/a>: exhibition on the history of the greatest Murut warrior, Ontoros Antanom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Rundum Highlands<\/a>: homestay at the original and historical site of Tenom town<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Marais Centre<\/a>: homestay to experience village life and Murut culture<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Lumuyu Rock Carving<\/a>: a 1,000-year-old rock carving by 6 brothers for their deceased youngest brother<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Tenom<\/a>
    Tenom coffee and spring rolls & meatball, the typical breakfast of Tenom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Food Hunting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most Chinese in Tenom are Hakka, the descendants of immigrants from Guangdong, China. Besides opening up new farmland, they also introduced some traditional food to Sabah. Some recommended dishes to try in Tenom are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n