Bongawan

Bongawan
Pre-World War II shophouses in Bongawan town.
Etymology: Egrets
Location of Bongawan Town in Papar District
Bongawan
Coordinates: 5°32′20″N 115°51′17″E / 5.538949°N 115.854609°E / 5.538949; 115.854609
Country Malaysia
State Sabah
DivisionWest Coast
DistrictPapar
AdministrationPapar District Council
Government
  BodyPapar District Council
  DUNYang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Daud Bin Yusof (WARISAN)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
28,731
 Population around Bongawan.
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
Neighbourhood AreaKimanis, Membakut

Bongawan known as a historical town, is a town located in the Papar District, within the West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It is situated within the parliamentary constituency of Kimanis. The town center is 3 kilometers inland from the South China Sea and approximately 70 kilometers south of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital. It is located on the A2 highway connecting Kota Kinabalu and the southern part of Sabah, and Bongawan railway station is one of the stops for Sabah State Railway.

Bongawan is noted for its two blocks of wooden shoplots, which were completed in 1939. They are among a few surviving pre-World War II era shophouses surviving in Sabah. Most of the shops are operated by Chinese traders, most of whom belong to the Hakka dialect group.

The town is also noted for the Borneo Golf and Country Club, an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course plays 6546 metres off the championship tees and is spread out over 200 acres (81 ha) on a 900 acres (360 ha) site.