Brunei is a typical country in the Islamic world, with virtually no nightlife and strict rules of conduct in public places. Most tourists come here only to get acquainted with the traditions of the East and its history. The Brunei Muara metropolitan area is often visited due to its cultural identity, Western Tutong and Bela are renowned centers of Brunei’s oil and gas industry, and the Eastern Temburong district is widely known for its virgin forests.
Bandar Seri Begawan, the country’s capital and only major city, lies on the northern bank of the Brunei-Sung River. This is a very neat, clean and modern city with wide streets and modern high-rise public buildings, many mosques and markets. And at the same time, the national character can be seen everywhere here, as most of the houses are made in the typical oriental style, with parks and gardens framed by numerous religious buildings, palaces and banks. Modern places are combined with numerous old buildings, reminiscent of the country’s history before the oil boom era.
The main attraction of the city is the magnificent palace of the sultan, Istana Nurul-Iman. It is the largest residential palace in the world, located in a picturesque location on the coastal strip 4 kilometers west of the city center. The palace stands as an elegant combination of Islamic architecture, local traditions and cutting-edge design. The marble for the construction of the palace was brought from Italy, the granite originated from Shanghai, and the chandeliers were transported from England. Here you will also see the world’s largest private collection of cars, among which there are rare and unique examples, many of which were created by the world’s leading manufacturers and exist in a single copy. In accordance with tradition, the palace is open to the public at the end of Ramadan.
Another of the main attractions of the capital is a colossal mosque, Omar Ali Saifuddin, one of the most impressive and beautiful modern mosques in the Orient. This huge building with golden domes and intricately curved design is decorated with beautiful mosaics, a 44-meter-high minaret and numerous architectural decorative elements, which stands on the shore of the artificial lagoon. The interior of the mosque is also very luxurious.
The traditional Brunei Museum is famous for its Islamic Art Gallery, and exhibits include ancient copies of the Koran from India, Iran, Egypt, and Turkey, a lavish weapons collection, numerous ethnographic collections, sunken ships, and exhibits on the history of the oil industry. Near the museum is the mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah, who reigned so successfully that the country reached its highest point.
Another attraction of the capital is the wonderful Jerudong Park, which is a large green area converted into a sports and entertainment complex under the personal patronage of the Sultan. It is characterized by world-class stadiums, a luxurious pitch, a golf course, a world-class croquet pitch, a go-kart track and other sporting facilities. Tasek Recreation Park is one of the oldest parks in the city, not far from the royal ceremonial hall. This is a beautiful park with more than 200 varieties of trees and shrubs, as well as a natural waterfall and lake.
The Kampung Ayer area is very popular among tourists due to its ancient and very colorful architecture and a historical collection of 28 traditional villages built by local residents near the Sung-Brunei River.
The eastern region is one of the main environmental areas of the country, full of evergreen humid forests, rivers and estuaries, which provide shelter for millions of living beings. The Bela district is the center of the oil and gas industry. The third largest in the country, Tutong District is the least populated area of Brunei. This territory is the most diverse in ethnic composition, which makes it possible to get acquainted with the distinctive local tribes and their customs.
