Tamparuli Suspension Bridge — Attraction in Sabah

The most famous bridge in Sabah with a song dedicated to it. However this current 200m suspension bridge was not the original one crossing Tamparuli river. The old suspension bridge was swept away by flood in 1999.

The walk along suspension bridge is not too unnerving as there is a limit to the numbers of people allowed at any one time. The view of the river, Pekan Tamparuli and the surrounding is spectacular from the bridge centre.

Interesting is the folklore connected to the old bridge built by the British in 1930s, concerns the sacrifice of a maiden to appease the river spirit. Her body was supposedly buried alive under the first pier of the bridge. How's that for a macabre story!

Today the bridge is well visited by tourists. A volunteer(?) group from a local cultural NGO provides traditional dance performance at the western bank start point of the bridge. No fees collected but donations are most welcomed.

Visitors can park their cars at an open space near the river western bank. Else you can park in Pekan Tamparuli and approach the bridge from the eastern side， next to the...

Revisited on 5 August 2022. The wall under the bridge was beautifully painted. A few wood pieces on the bridge were replaced. The local youth cultural group is still performing and now they have a proper shed structure to house the performers and spectators. Good job... Spectators, please be generous by donating to the fund to support their cultural development activities.

Older review. You will pass this bridge on the way from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang. Park at the market area where they provide proper parking spaces. Pedestrians use Tamparulli bridge because it is convenient compared to walking by the road side. The bridge is sturdy but you can feel the sway especially when there are a lot of people walking on it at any one time. If you start from the market, you will see a group of local cultural group at the end end. They wear traditional costumes, sing and dance to local songs. Fantastic. They have a donation box for anyone who advocate local community...

Jambatan Tamparuli, the most famous hanging bridge of Sabah

The 200-Metre-long Tamparuli Suspension Bridge is made famous by the Kadazandusun - folk song “Jambatan Tamparuli” written by Justin Lusah in 1977. It’s also known as the Lover’s Bridge because of a heartbroken love story.

You could have a nice view of surrounding of Tamparuli town on Tamparuli Suspension Bridge. You also will find music performance at the Tamparuli Bridge.

Love story of Tamparuli bridge - the construction of old Tamparuli bridge posed a big challenge to British engineers in 1930s because it’s always destroyed by flood. Bobolian (local high priest) said that Tambuakar, the river spirit, was angry with the building of new bridge. To appease the spirit, a human sacrifice was demanded. Therefore, a fair maiden named Solungkoi was put into a jar and buried alive under the first pole of the bridge. After the offering, the bridge lasts until today, though it’s flooded by the rising river...