Sights in Brunei Darussalam
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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 recreations 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. Gallery 3 shows the tools and techniques used by the indigenous tribes of the interior for food gathering, agriculture and hunting.
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A
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Named after the 28th sultan of Brunei (the late father of the current sultan), the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque was built in 1958 at a cost of about US$5 million, and stands next to Sungai Kedayan in its own artificial lagoon. The 44m minaret makes it the tallest building in central BSB, and woe betide anyone who tries to outdo it – apparently the Islamic Bank of Brunei building nearby originally exceeded this height, and consequently had to have its top storey removed by order of the sultan. Listen for the call to prayer that echoes throughout the city centre, starting before dawn or at dusk.
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Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
The largest mosque in the country, Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, was built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the current sultan’s reign. While some prefer the facade of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the interior here is best described as jaw-dropping. The sheer volume is in itself amazing, not to mention the myriad woven rugs scattered across the men’s prayer hall. At the grand opening, the sultan gave every attendee a gold-embroidered prayer rug.
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Brunei Museum
Sitting on a bluff overlooking Sungai Brunei, the Brunei Museum is 4.5km east of central BSB. The main building contains the excellent Islamic Art Gallery, which has some wonderful illuminated (decorated) copies of the Quran, as well as an incredible model of the Dome of the Rock, executed in mother of pearl and abalone shell.
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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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Arts & Handicrafts Centre
Built to help develop local craftwork, the Arts & Handicrafts Centre sits on the waterfront towards the Brunei Museum like an aged Floridian timeshare. It’s visible from town and within easy walking distance. While the concept of such a centre is a marvellous idea, it’s a little disappointing if you’re interested in traditional crafts; only new silverwork and weaving produced by the students are available, and some items are very expensive. If you’re really serious about investing some cash, you can pick up the Directory of Handicraft Entrepreneurs here.
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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.
Another road by the gate leads to a 15-minute uphill walk to a view over the reservoir.
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Twelve Roofs House
The gabled Twelve Roofs House was once the residence of the British High Commissioners. Today the complex displays photos illustrating British involvement in Brunei and the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries. After centuries as a local hegemony, Brunei gradually lost its grip and was taken over by the British. The sultanate gained complete autonomy in 1984, but keeps close ties with Queen Elizabeth II.
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Ulu Temburong National Park
Brunei's main national park is worth seeing, but sluggish permit procedures mean it's easier to go on an organised tour than independently. Go to Bangar's tourist office and try to haggle for a spare seat when tour groups come through. The park has steps through the jungle and a canopy walkway provides a high-level perspective on the rainforest.
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B
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 1st 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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Tasek Merimbun
Tasek Merimbun, also known as Merimbun Heritage Park, is 27km (17mi) inland from Tutong, and contains Brunei's largest lake. It's a pretty, tranquil spot surrounded by forest, with a couple of walking trails and two islands which can be visited using the services of local boatmen. The blackwater lake is the only one of its kind in Borneo.
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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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C
Ratna Dina Arif Gallery
Ratna Dina Arif Gallery, a small art studio, is located on the 2nd floor of Yayasan Complex exhibiting a slew of paintings by local artists.
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Silver Jubilee Park
Silver Jubilee Park
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Istana Nurul Iman
The best way to measure the grandeur of a structure is by counting the bathrooms. The sultan’s Istana Nurul Iman has 257, making it the largest residential palace in the world. With a price tag of over US$350 million, this 1788-room behemoth is, if you can believe it, more than four times the size of the Palace of Versailles and three times larger than Buckingham Palace.
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