The Chimney, Labuan

Labuan’s Chimney Tower is the Federal Territory’s answer to Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers, in the sense that you need to visit it to validate your trip to Labuan.


The Chimney is located within Chimney Museum along Jalan Merdeka. The museum is under the administration of Department of Museums Malaysia. This museum documents the early history of Labuan’s Tanjung Kubong and its coal mining activities. There are 7 galleries in the Chimney Information Centre of the museum, with extensive background information regarding the chimney, including its restoration process. Highlight of the centre is the replica of an underground coal mine scene.


The Chimney, also known as Chimney Tower, is the iconic landmark of Tanjung Kubong during the golden era (1847 to 1911) of coal mining (or black gold) in Labuan and has become a symbol of pride to its people, when it was awarded “The International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice” and “Sustainable Development 2013” accolade in the category of Heritage buildings by Green Organisation, United Kingdom.


The Chimney tower, recently restored, is a rectangular structure 32 metres in height and wholly built from 23,000 pieces of raw red bricks imported from England. This tower, believed to be constructed in the 1880s, exceeds a century old in age and is one of the relics of coal mining activities in Labuan. It is a historical symbol of pride because of its uniqueness and strong foundation. To date, it is still an unsolved mystery about its actual usage or purpose.


When you are here, spare a few hours to participate in the Chimney Walking Trail, a fairly new tourism product in the area. Stretching a distance of 2km from the Chimney Tower right up to Gedung Ubat (ammunition store), deemed to be where the Imperial Japanese Army stored their armament and ammunition during World War II, visitors can enjoy panoramas of Tanjung Kubong, including South China Sea far in the horizon.


These photos were taken from my visit to Chimney Museum, Chimney Tower and Chimney Walking Trail. Let me know if such historical facts interest you as much as they did to me.

Chimney Museum (Muzium Chimney)
Add: Lot 2, Tingkat Bawah, Bangunan Tabung Haji, Jalan Kesuma, 87008 Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, Malaysia.
Tel: +6087-463 603
Fax: +6087-414 462
Email: pr.mc@jmm.gov.my
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Wah , never know about Labuan more. This is such a interesting entry for me to get to know better about this place. Only know that Labuan famous with seafood.
I practically stayed in Labuan but I did not visit here. Thanks for sharing the history with the world.
Never have I imagined, more than just a museum, there’s a hill full of amazing views behind it! Missing the journey and this place so much la! Labuan definitely has so much to offer!
Wow..this is interesting, i also don’t know about the history of the Chimney Labuan but i know there are coal mine there and i wish i could visit Labuan because of the seafood heaven..hehehe…Nice sharing Emily!!
seumur godup kak nowa x peenah jejak lg ke Kububg Labuan ni. Dua kali kaki jejak Labuan. aekali dilahirkan disana.. kedua stop by kejap balik dr KK. itu jerlah..
Cantik dan best utk hiking.. must be there nanti..
Never been there. Nak juga datang Labuan sebab dengar kawan cerita Labuan banyak tempat menarik yang kita boleh visit. Pemandangan pun cantik
uish first time tahu pasal ni .something good and new! boleh jadikan sebagai destinasi melancong! sabah ok bah
Haven’t gone to Labuan, Emily. Nice view. Nice facts. We must know the history of each place, then we will appreciate what we have, right?