Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and is the royal city of the Sultanate of Brunei. The interesting museums and free-to-the-public mosques throughout this ... read more...entire nation, which are largely ignored by visitors, make it a cool spot to visit. Let's take a look at the best places to visit in Bandar Seri Begawan.
-
Right in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan is the Royal Regalia Museum. It is located very close to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and was officially opened in 1992, by His Majesty the Sultan. During the first 25 years after its founding, the Royal Regalia Museum was awarded a number of international awards. Among them is the "Best Attraction" category of the Asia Travel and Tourism Innovation Awards 2006, and most recently was declared an Asian destination in August 2017 to mark the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN.
From the outside, Royal Regalia Museum makes a strong impression with its distinctive golden dome and dome. When you step inside, you will be amazed at the vastness and colourful colours everywhere. The museum displays and preserves a large number of royal artefacts and monuments that have been inherited from generations, along with replicas of the throne and artefacts used in royal ceremonies such as costumes, weapons, and even jewellery.
Visitor numbers are also among the highest among museums in the country and over the past eight years have attracted more than 100,000 visitors a year, of which 70% are foreign visitors. The Royal Regalia Museum has a very strict rule about cleanliness so you must remove your shoes before entering, a pair of white sandals placed on the shoe rack is recommended if you do not feel comfortable walking with your feet bare. It will take you about 2 hours to visit the whole museum, and this place is totally worth a visit when on Bandar Seri Begawan tour.Location: Jalan Perdana Menteri, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.visitsoutheastasia.travel/top-sights/ash-shaliheen-mosque/
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.8/5 -
James Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. This is one of two national mosques, the other being the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. James Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque was inaugurated and used on July 14, 1994. From this sacred sanctuary, you can see downtown Gadong and the roads leading to Bandar Seri Begawan. The mosque can accommodate about 4,500 worshippers, more than one-tenth of the population of Brunei.
Jamer Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is built in a modern mosque architectural style. The roof is decorated with a gold dome made of pure gold. There are two golden domes in total. The large dome is part of the prayer hall. All four corners form a steeply high minaret. The walls around the minarets are decorated with geometric patterns on different floors. The top apex is made up of four small gold domes. The inner structure and the outer courtyard are all marble and decorated with mosaics. Flower bushes and fountains were also built along the path leading into the inner hall.
Downstairs at the Bolkiah Mosque, there is a library dedicated to studying Islam in different languages to help visitors explore the history of the knowledge of the faith with love and respect. There are a few rules when entering the church: you don't wear shoes and you also have to wear a black robe if you want to go inside. Visitors are also forbidden to take photographs of people in prayer.Location: Simpang 127, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://mosqpedia.org/en/mosque/812
Hour: 8:00 AM - 15:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.7/5 -
Located on the banks of the Brunei River, next to the floating village of Kampong Ayer in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and Muara districts, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a great mosque built by the royal family in the mid-1950s. The mosque is named after the 28th Sultan of the Sultanate of Brunei: Omar Ali Saifuddin III. The Sultan Omar Mosque serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei and dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The mosque stands 52 m high and can be seen from virtually anywhere.
In the Sultan Mosque, the main minaret is its tallest feature. In a unique way, it mixes Renaissance and Italian architectural styles. The minaret has an elevator to the top, where a visitor can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The interior of the mosque is for prayer only, with features such as stained glass windows, arches, semi-domes and marble columns. Nearly all the materials used for the Sultan Mosque were imported from abroad: the marble from Italy, the granite from Shanghai, the crystal chandeliers from England, and the carpets from Saudi Arabia.
Location: Jalan McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.alluringworld.com/sultan-omar-ali-saifuddin-mosque/
Hour: 8:30 AM - 17:30 PM
Google Rating: 4.7/5
-
Stretching for approximately one kilometre along the Brunei River, Ulu Temburong National Park is a favourite spot for local families. When the sun dips, the monkeys come out to play. Travellers might catch a glimpse of the rare proboscis monkeys that are found only in Borneo. Ulu Temburong National Park is perhaps Brunei’s best tourism attraction. The park covers approximately 50,000 hectares of pristine rainforest.
Ulu Temburong’s locality and steep terrain have limited human impact on the area and helped preserve the area’s rich biodiversity. The park is accessed via a longboat and the journey to the park is part of the whole Temburong travel experience. A series of forest trails and plank walkways allow visitors to get the most out of the park. For many visitors, the highlight of a trip to Ulu Temburong is the canopy walkway. It takes approximately 2 hours to get to the park.
The first stage of the journey is a 45-minute speed boat ride from Bandar Seri Begawan to the small town of Bangar. After travelling a short distance along the Brunei River you will enter Brunei Bay before heading up the Temburong River and arriving in Bangar. Then depart the Ulu Temburong National Park by long boat and upon reaching Batangduri you will be picked up and sent back to Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://borneoadventure.com/destinations/ulu-temburong/
Hour: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5
-
Located at Bandar Seri Begawan, Tasek Lama Recreational Park is a beautifully constructed park housing a natural waterfall and a lake which are a source of the city’s drinking water. Also referred to as the Waterfall Park, it has jungle trails, picnic spots and an observation tower. It is easy to spot a wide array of flora and fauna in the park such as cheeky macaque monkeys and beautiful flowers. The Tasek Lama Recreational Park's popular with joggers and hikers.
Visitors can enjoy the views from the hill, soak in the beauty of the waterfall during the wet season, and receive a foot massage by walking the reflexology track. Other facilities in Tasek Park include kids’ playgrounds, exercise equipment, and a climbing wall. If you plan to use the trail system, you can take a photo of the map at the entrance for reference. For avid adventurers, pack up your hiking gear and hit the jungle trails of Sarang Helang or Bukit Markuching. Be sure to stop by the waterfall which you can enjoy on the wooden deck.
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.bruneitourism.com/bruneiplaces/tasek-lama-recreational-park/
Hour: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.5/5
-
Istana Nurul Iman was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest living residence of a state head. This massive royal dwelling is several times larger than the Palace of Versailles and Buckingham Palace. It stands on the banks of the Bandar Seri Begawan River, several kilometres south of Brunei’s capital. The palace was built in two years and finished the attainment of Brunei’s independence from Britain on January 1st 1984.
Curved roofs of the buildings and the huge golden dome of the palace mosque rise over green trees. The traditional architecture is mixed with ultra-modern luxurious decor: Italian marble, granite from Shanghai, English glass and the best Chinese silk. Gold and marble were the main decoration materials of the Palace. There are 44 staircases made from marble. Istana Nurul Iman contains 1788 premises. The whole palace contains 200,000 square meters of space.
The mosque of the Istana Nurul Iman can accommodate up to 1500 people, while the banquet hall can provide space for over 5000 guests. The palace even has a helipad, five swimming pools and more than 250 bathrooms. The palace is the king's residence and is not open to the public. The only occasion people can enter in the year is the Hari Raya festival which takes place in 3 days. Normally, about 110,000 visitors will visit the Istana Nurul Iman during these three days. They will be given food or a small amount of money by the king.Location: Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: http://www.istananuruliman.org/
Tel: 673 862 3734
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.5/5
-
If you like long walks on the beach, there is no place better than Pantai Seri Kenangan. It sits beside a long spit of land just 5 minutes away from Tutong Town, with the Tutong River on one side and the South China Sea on the other. It can also be noted that clay soils were found in the areas around the beach. Translating to the ‘unforgettable beach’, Seri Kenangan lives up to its name. The Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach is also well known for its huge biodiversity.
It is here where you can feel the sea breeze on your skin and the warmth of pristine white sands on your feet. Where the gentle tides roll and crash as the flaring hues of the setting sun roll past the horizon. Besides, you´ll have the chance to choose your surfboard or stand-up paddle on Pantai Beach. On the other end of the long beach, you can enjoy fresh Brunei cuisine and regain your strength for the afternoon. In addition. you can enjoy this new Asian landscape right next to some modern hotspots that bring Pantai Seri Kenangan closer to the rest of Brunei.Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.bruneitourism.com/bruneiplaces/seri-kenangan-beach/
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.4/5 -
With a history of more than 1,300 years, Kampong Ayer is the pride of the people of Brunei. During its most prosperous period, it was the administrative centre, capital of the Brunei Empire and an important port in the region. Because Kampong Ayer is on the river, the wooden houses are limited in area but very sturdy and convenient. They are all built in a unique communication style; the walls are carved with patterns, the floor is carpeted, and there is a large yard to grow flowers and raise livestock and poultry in front. In front of each house, there is a pier for boats to dock.
In Kampong Ayer, there is also a beautifully decorated wedding room in the house because Islam allows a man to have up to four wives. The only public transport in this floating village is a “water taxi” or boat. The boat is made of special local wood, with an engine. Every day, "water taxis" transport civil servants to the mainland to work, serve tourists and trade on the river. The Kampong Ayer Village also has colourful flower fairs with stalls, costumes, textiles, traditional products, and food stalls selling attractive food.
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.holidify.com/places/brunei/kampong-ayer-sightseeing-1258353.html
Hour: Open all hours
Google Rating: 4.3/5
-
Malay Technology Museum, also known as Muzium Teknologi Melayu locally, is located on the Kota Batu Road in Bandar Seri Bengawan. Opened in 1988 by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah, this museum showcases traditional technology employed by the Kampong Ayer residents in their livelihood through a series of exhibits depicting the old Bruneian life in the water village. The building of the museum is said to be donated by the Shell Group of Companies in 1984.
In Malay Technology Museum, there are also displayed showcasing the development of traditional medicine and herbal remedies used by the Malay people, as well as the evolution of communication and information technology. This allows visitors to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Malay people. The museum's knowledgeable staff are also available to answer any questions and provide additional information about the exhibits. Malay Technology Museum is a great learning spot for all those interested in the history of Brunei.
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.bruneitourism.com/bruneiplaces/malay-technology-museum/
Hour: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.2/5
-
Located at Bandar Seri Begawan, Tamu Kianggeh Market is a roofed street market in Brunei presenting a wide array of shopping and entertainment options. It showcases all the distinguished goods of Brunei along with the traditional hand-woven handicrafts. In addition, there are also fisherman's day products that will ignite your shopping with the distinctive flavours of Brunei.
You will observe many locals making their way to the Tamu Kianggeh Market conveniently by water taxis before returning to the neighbouring water villages. Aside from the cheap bargains, the first thing visitors would typically look for at a market is street food! Tamu Kianggeh offers an incredible array of delectable local dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Nasi Sambal Tahai, Nasi Katok, Nasi Pulut, Mi Soto, concur, durians, colourful sweetened drinks, and sweet desserts known as kuih.
Gulingtangan, a traditional brass musical instrument is played by the local people at the market and the ancient goods and antiques which are almost dying out are at sale to preserve the culture. It is advisable to visit Tamu Kianggeh Market as early as 5 in the morning for the best experience. During dawn, the farmers begin displaying and organising their goods so you will get a better chance in choosing the best and freshest produce during this hour. It is also better to visit during the morning, as most of the stalls close around 4pm.
Location: Jln Sungai Kianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website: https://www.bruneitourism.com/bruneiplaces/tamu-kianggeh/
Hour: 8:00 AM - 17:30 PM
Google Rating: 4.1/5