Fun Tamu Markets - Shop & Swipe - Activities, Sabah Tourism Board Official Website (Sabah Malaysian Borneo)

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Fun Tamu Markets

On any day in Sabah, you’ll find a range of markets where you can pick up bargains on handmade crafts, crystals, antiques, the freshest seafood, local cakes, vegetables and exotic fruits. Mostly held in the outskirt towns such as Kota Belud, Tamparuli, Papar and Donggongon, these buzzing open-air markets or Tamu are not to be missed!

Apart from market goodies, the Tamu is a great way to meet the locals and to buy direct from the people who create, make or grow what they sell. Plus, each Tamu at the different location offers different sights, sounds or smells - for instance, the lovely aroma of fried keropok bantal (giant-sized sweet potato crisp) in Kota Belud; the soothing sounds of the sompoton in Tamparuli and sights of friendly sirih-stained teeth women everywhere.

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market
While in Kota Kinabalu, be sure to check out the Handicraft Market (opens from 7am - 9pm daily) which boasts exquisite pearl jewellry and a wide range of ethnic wares such as handbags, table runners, shell ornaments and carved wood furnishings. To stretch your dollar, be adventurous and pick up some local lingo!

Gaya Street Market
Located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, this is a popular site for locals and visitors to shop every Sunday. Antique gongs, handicrafts, potted plants, orchids, pets, crystals, ceramics, clothing and accessories, local cakes and biscuits are just some of the hundreds of items on offer.

Tawau & Sandakan
Tawau is where you’d be if you are on the way to Sipadan or the world-class dive sites in Sabah’s east coast. On the way back, be sure to pick up Tawau’s famous dried foods such as shrimps and fish. For the beauty and health-conscious, there is no better place than Sandakan to buy quality birds’ nests. These are harvested locally in Madai and Gomantong Caves.

Tamu Markets:

Kota Kinabalu
Gaya Street Fair, Sunday

Penampang
Donggongon, Thursday & Friday

Kota Belud
Tamu Ground, Sunday

Sandakan
Sandakan Town, Sunday & Kinabatangan township, Saturday

Semporna
Semporna township, Sunday

Papar
Lok Kawi Sabindo, Saturday & Taman OKK Mahali Papar, Saturday & Sunday

Kudat
Tamburungus, Tuesday & Wednesday

Beluran
Mile 30 (check point), Thursday & Telupid township, Sunday

Keningau
Keningau township, Sunday & Bingkor, Thursday

Tamparuli
Tamparuli township, Wednesday

Tawau
Tawau Town, Sunday & Mile 15, Jalan Apas, Sunday

Most Tamu markets operate as early as 6am and close by 2pm