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Brunei Darussalam

The tiny sultanate of Brunei is a remnant of a naval empire that once controlled all of Borneo and part of the present-day Philippines. Nevertheless this quiet darussalam (Arabic for 'abode of peace') has the largest oilfields in Southeast Asia (though they're due to run dry in 30 years).

Look beneath the surface of this tightly regulated sultanate and you'll see the wisely conserved wildness of its natural environment, thanks in part to the money generated by the oilfields. Old-growth, primary forest abounds, especially in verdant Ulu Temburong National Park.

However, the introduction of a strict interpretation of sharia law in April 2019 has prompted global criticism and concern. Under the new legislation, adultery and homosexual acts are punishable by death by stoning, and theft is punishable by the amputation of limbs. As the world struggles to come to terms with Brunei's new direction, the future of tourism is uncertain.

Explore Brunei Darussalam

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Brunei Darussalam.

  • Mosque

    Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

    Built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the current sultan's reign, Brunei's largest mosque dominates its surroundings. It's impossible to miss the…

  • Museum

    Royal Regalia Museum

    When called upon to present a gift to the sultan of Brunei, you must inevitably confront the question: what do you give a man who has everything? At this…

  • Mosque

    Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

    Named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei (the late father of the current sultan), Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien is surrounded by an artificial lagoon that…

  • Museum

    Malay Technology Museum

    This absorbing museum focuses on the traditional lifestyle and artisanship of Brunei's ethnic groups, using re-creations of tribal villages from across…

  • Village

    Kampong Ayer

    Home to around 30,000 people, Kampong Ayer consists of 42 contiguous stilt villages built along both banks of the Sungai Brunei (Brunei River). A century…

  • Museum

    Brunei Museum

    Brunei's interesting national museum has an Islamic art gallery, exhibits depicting Brunei's role in Southeast Asian history from the arrival of the…

  • Palace

    Istana Nurul Iman

    The sultan's official residence, the world's largest residential palace, is more than four times the size of the Palace of Versailles. It has 1788 rooms,…

  • Notable Building

    Labi Longhouses

    Labi is a small Iban settlement about 40km south of the coastal road with four longhouses: Rampayoh, Mendaram Besar, Mendaram Kecil and, at the end of the…

  • Museum

    Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum

    The skeleton of a 15th-century Chinese sailing ship, lined with ceramic vessels, greets you as you step into the main hall inside this gleaming building…

  • Nature Reserve

    Pulau Selirong Recreational Park

    At the northern tip of Temburong District lies this 25-sq-km mangrove-forested island reachable only by boat (45 minutes from BSB). Intrepid Tours runs…

  • Gallery

    Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery

    A good place to start a visit to Kampong Ayer – and get acquainted with Brunei's pre-oil boom culture – is this interesting museum and cultural centre,…

  • Museum

    Forestry Museum

    The Forestry Museum is a small, simple place with seriously thorough information about the local forest. Exhibits detail the history of logging and…

  • Park

    Taman Peranginan Tasek

    If you need a reminder that just beyond BSB's air-conditioned malls lies the Bornean jungle, this city park, with its background chorus of buzzing,…

  • Nature Reserve

    Luagan Lalak Recreation Park

    If you're craving peace and serenity this is the place to find it: a trident of wooden walkways extend across alluvial freshwater swamp, with tufts of…

  • Market

    Tamu Kianggeh

    The covered market set amid canals to the east of the waterfront is a lively place in the mornings, when locals gather to buy ingredients – strange and…

  • Beach

    Pantai Seri Kenangan

    Set on a spit of land, with the South China Sea on one side and Sungai Tutong on the other, this casuarina-lined beach is arguably the best in Brunei,…

  • Lake

    Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park

    Tasek Merimbun is Brunei's largest lake and supports ample birdlife. Near the lake there's a small visitor centre that isn't always open. When it is you…

  • Archaeological Site

    Taman Arkeologi Kota Batu

    This often overlooked site preserves the ruins of ancient Kota Batu, the capital of Brunei from the 14th to the 17th century. Among the excavations are…

  • Park

    Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas Park

    On dry evenings, locals head to this pretty park on reclaimed land at the back of the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque to walk, jog, fly kites and amble around…

  • Waterfall

    Waterfalls

    In the jungle beyond the Teraja longhouse, there are around 40 waterfalls. You can enlist a guide from the longhouse to take you to two falls that are…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Brunei Darussalam.

  • Activities