URBAN dwellers who need a breather from the hustle and bustle of city life do not have to look far. East Malaysia's Sarawak and Sabah are home to some of the best sites and sights of nature. Naturally, these are choice locations if you just want to rest, relax and reflect.

SARAWAK

Much has been said about Mulu National Park, a World Heritage Site that is the pride of Malaysia and joy of nature lovers.

The latest addition to this 52,864ha park is a 480m long Canopy Skywalk, hailed as the world's longest tree-based canopy skywalk. The park adheres to a strict conservation code - that is, no trail maps are provided, and the only way to explore the park is to take a guided tour.

It takes about an hour to complete the skywalk. From your skywalk perch, which hovers over the shallow Paku River, you can view the trail leading to the 2,376m-high Mount Mulu, which is the park's signature landmark.

Interestingly, the skywalk links 15 trees together via pillared platforms, which means, no damage is done to the trees. While on your trail, take time to smell the flowers and pick up some interesting facts about rainforest trees from the information signages.

SABAH

There is no dispute that Sabah lives up to its reputation as the 'land of eco-treasures'. Home to the largest orang utan sanctuary in the world, Sabah boasts one of the world's oldest rainforests, and is the perfect place for jungle trekking, cave exploration and white-water rafting.

The orang utan sanctuary "Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre" is a 40-minute drive from downtown Sandakan. The centre was started in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned orang utans found at logging sites, plantations and illegal hunting sites, before returning them to the wild later on.

Plan your visit at 10am or 3pm, and you will be able to spot orang utans jostling around for bananas and milk. You can get decent close-up shots of the orang utans, but to be safe, steer clear of any direct contact.

Orang utans are not the only eco-treasures in Sabah. If you are keen to get acquainted with other types of wildlife, travel further inland to the 560km long Kinabatangan River.

The lower part of this river is a wildlife sanctuary with a large concentration of hornbills, crocodiles, and wild pigs. It is also a haven for a rare breed of proboscis monkeys, which are distinguished by their big bellies, long noses and long white tails.

When you take a boat ride through the swamps during dawn or dusk, you might catch a glimpse of them swinging from tree to tree, or foraging for food.

Magdalene Lum is a freelance writer.

GETTING THERE: Atrium Eco Travel has tour packages to Sabah and Sarawak. Call 6536-9282 for more information.

SilkAir flies four times a week to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Website: www.silkair.com