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Brunei Museum
The Brunei Museum is 4.5km east of central BSB, sitting on a bluff overlooking the Sungai Brunei. The main building contains the excellent Islamic Art Gallery, which has some wonderful illuminated (decorated) copies of the Koran, as well as an incredible model of the Dome of the Rock executed in mother of pearl and abalone shell.
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Brunei Traditional Culture Gallery
Don't miss the Brunei Traditional Culture Gallery, in the main building of the Brunei Museum. It's got good exhibits on all aspects of Bruneian culture, including a picture of two young fellows enjoying a spot of grass sledding - a sport we didn't know existed until we visited this museum.
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Istana Nurul Iman
The largest palace in the world, according to some calculations, Istana Nurul Iman, is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. It's a good thing that the sultan has a large staff, because the upkeep must be daunting - it contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and the floor area is around 200,000 square metres.
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Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque
The largest mosque in the country, Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, is a fine example of Islamic religious architecture. The four main minarets and two golden domes of the structure are a fantastic sight when illuminated in the evening. The mosque was built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the Sultan's reign. Non-Muslims are forbidden entry on Thursdays and Fridays. It's located en route to Gadong, about 2.5km northwest of the city centre.
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Malay Technology Museum
Descend the stairs from the car park behind the Brunei Museum, then turn right to reach the Malay Technology Museum. A pair of rooms here have interesting life-sized re-creations of stilt houses with accompanying information on traditional cultures. Gallery 1 features water villages and includes reconstructions of how kampung (village) architecture has evolved over the last 150 years. Gallery 2 has exhibits of handicrafts and fishing techniques practised by the people of the water villages.
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Oil and Gas Gallery
In the Brunei Museum, the Oil and Gas Gallery is surprisingly interesting. It answers all your questions about how they get the stuff from under the ground to your nearest gas pump.
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Named after the 28th sultan of Brunei, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque was built in 1958 at a cost of about US$5 million. The 44m minaret makes it the tallest building in central BSB. Listen for the call to prayer that echoes throughout the city centre, starting before dawn or at dusk.
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Royal Regalia Museum
A celebration of the sultan and all the trappings of Bruneian royalty, the Royal Regalia Museum belongs at the top of any Brunei itinerary. The first floor is dominated by a recreation of the sultan's coronation day parade, including a huge gilded royal cart, on which the newly crowned sultan was pulled through the streets of BSB.
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Taman Peranginan Tasek
Further out on the north side of town, Taman Peranginan Tasek is a more extensive green zone with picnic areas, and peaceful walks to a small waterfall and reservoir. If you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of proboscis monkeys in the early morning or late afternoon. The waterfalls are nicest in the wet season, when the water is deeper. You can swim here but women should remember that the usual rules of modesty apply; T-shirts and shorts are OK.
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Twelve Roofs House
One of BSB's most overlooked sights is the charming Twelve Roofs House, the former residence of the British High Commissioners, which now displays photos illustrating British involvement in Brunei and the 'special relationship' between the two countries.
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