Brunei Darussalam Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

• See the Sultan's lavish home in the capital - Istana Nurul Iman is a glittering example of Brunei's majestic royal heritage.

• Check out the other royal sites, including the ancient Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah, the fifth sultan, known as the ‘singing admiral' for his love of both music and conquest, and the Royal Regalia Building in the heart of the capital, home to a collection of ceremonial objects

• Spot the splendid traditional longhouses in the Temburong district, an area with large tracts of virgin rainforest.

• See the hot springs and waterfalls, along with remote forest communities and more longhouses, in the Belait district, near Kampong Labi. River safaris up the Belait River are the best way to experience these.

• Witness the continuing importance of oil to Brunei's economy - the Billionth Barrel Monument near Kuala Belait is a testament to it.

• See the architectural masterpiece that is the Empire Hotel & Country Club (website: www.empire.com.bn/main.htm), set in acres of tropical gardens at the doorstep of one of the oldest rainforests in southeast Asia. Its golf course has views over the South China Sea and it is Brunei's only beach resort.

Top Things to Do

• Discover the finest view in Bandar Seri Gegawan, the capital, from the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which stands in the middle of its own artificial lagoon.

• Still in the capital, don't miss the Brunei Museum and the Malay Technology Museum showing traditional crafts.

• Walk around the wooden walkways between the houses (which combine traditional architecture with modern facilities such as Internet connections) in Kampong Ayer, a water village on the outskirts of the capital, reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world.

• Enjoy free modern amusements right next to the beach just outside the capital, within the Brunei-Muara district - Jerudong Theme Park (website: www.jerudong-park.com) is best reached by road.

• Find more beaches at Muara, Serasa, Kuala Belait and Lumut Beach near Tutong, where watersports are popular.

• Try out traditional sporting activities, such as gasing, a game involving highly polished giant tops, and kite flying.

• Take a half-day boat tour to Pulau Selirong, a mangrove island 45 minutes from Muara by boat, where wildlife includes proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers and eagles.

• Drive out to Tasek Merimbun, Brunei's largest lake. Located in a hill resort in the Tutong District just over an hour's drive from Bandar Seri Begawan, peaceful picnicking, birdwatching and jungle trails await.

• Take a tour to the Ulu Temburong National Park, which has forest canopy trails on wooden walkways. Trips can include rafting and swimming.