3 Best Shopping in Malaysia

For a little local flavor, the city's Central Market is your best bet. In this bustling bazaar-like setting on the far left of the waterfront, you'll at least find gifts, crafts, souvenirs, sarongs, jewelry, a large food market with all the local food specialties, fresh fruit, and spices, along with discount shoes, bags, and cosmetics on the main floor and authentic food stands on the second floor.

This is a lively, chaotic market on the waterfront with discount items from China, some local crafts, and tons of hawker stalls and vendors peddling everything from fresh tropical fruit to flat screen TVs.

The largest shopping area by far in Sandakan—part of the Sandakan Harbor renewal project, linking the city and harbor—this bright contemporary mall offers 20,000 square feet of retail space over five floors. You'll find all the usual chain stores, entertainment, and dining.