Beaufort, Sabah

Beaufort meaning "The Beautiful Fort" in old French, it is a town and a district located in Interior Division of Sabah in east Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Its population was estimated to be around 61,698 in 2000. It is a quiet provincial town about 90 kilometres south of Kota Kinabalu, with shophouses built high above the roads to avoid the periodic floods of the Padas River (Sungai Padas). The population of Beaufort is composed mainly of Malays, Kadazans and Chinese (mainly Hakkas). Like Papar, Malaysia, Beaufort was one of the major initial Hakka population centers in Sabah and boasts a large Hakka minority to this day.

Originally set up to help economic development of the interior of Sabah, Beaufort's early prosperity was closely linked to rubber cultivation. During World War II, it was the site of one of the most important skirmishes of the war between the Japanese and Australians. Its current prosperity depends on the booming palm oil industry.

Beaufort is a stop on the North Borneo Railway operated by Sutera Harbour Resort. The railway station in Beaufort dates from 1905. The normal daily service is operated by the Sabah State Railway Department (Jabatan Keretapi Negeri Sabah).

Medical services are provided by the 140 bedded government hospital which has primary care and basic secondary care services. There are three private practitioners within the town area.

Beaufort is usually visited by tourists for white-water rafting through the nearby Padas Gorge on the Padas River which is rated as a Grade 2 to 4 river.

The open-air market, locally known as tamu is held weekly on every Friday evening until Saturday afternoon. Local produce such as fresh fruits, vegetable, fresh meat and live poultry are sold. The days of this weekly community occasion differ from district to district. Beaufort is also known in Sabah for its Chinese dish called Beaufort Mee, a noodle dish served either dry or with soup. It is also famous for its Beaufort oranges, which are featured as 3 large sculptures in the centre of the town.