Brunei is a typical Islamic state with wild tropical nature and abundant with historical monuments. First mentions of the country are dating back to the Chinese chronicles of the XV century although the country was called by different names: Polo, Puni and Paulie. A little later, in the XVI century Brunei became the center of a powerful empire which included the island of Borneo (known as Kalimantan) and then part of the Philippines. To the end of the XIX century the Brunei empire was joined to the protectorate of Great Britain. The country has received the internal autonomy in 1959 and full independence since 1 January 1984. The royal family of Brunei is the oldest dynasty in the world; the first Bruneian Sultan Bolkiah came to power in 1405. The absolute power in the country – both the legislative and executive – belongs to sultan.
Sultan’s Palace of Istana Nurul-Iman is the biggest residential palace of the world located in the capital of Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan deserves special attention. Just because of its grandeur and magnificence, the palace is listed in the “Guinness Book of Records”. The style of construction combines Islamic architecture, local traditions and cutting-expensive decoration: Italian marble, granite from Shanghai, the British glass and the best Chinese silk. The palace has a total area of 205,000 m2 with 1788 rooms, throne rooms, 51,000 light fixtures, 18 elevators and 44 staircases, luxurious harem, garage with the world’s largest private collection of cars including unique individual copies on request of Sultan (200 Rolls-Royces only!), helipad, air-conditioned stables for 200 thoroughbreds of the ruler. In accordance with tradition, the palace is open to visitors at the end of Ramadan.
A modern mosque of Omar Ali Saifuddin, father of the ruling sultan is one of the largest mosques in the entire Muslim East.
Holidays in Brunei attract tourists with interesting excursions as there is no nightlife in Brunei.
Sightseeing tours of Brunei
In the capital city of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, attractions and showplaces will simply amaze you: the Brunei Museum containing old copies of the Koran from India, Iran, Egypt and Turkey, a collection of weapons, many ethnographic collections, decorated with fancy ornaments, ceramics, weapons, carpets, copper and glass and other curiosities such as Turkish boots with compass embedded in the toe; accurate pearl model of the “Holy Sepulchre” (Jerusalem) rotunda; a full set of chain armor and diamond-studded leather whip of Mughal times; a bowl to collect alms called “kashgul”.
Center of Arts and Crafts. The collection of crown jewels – the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial weapons, coronation crown inlaid with gemstones, a copy of the throne for formal occasions.
Malay Technologies Museum – exhibitions devoted to traditional rural architecture of Dayak, Kedayan, Murut and Dusun nationalities as well as to modern technologies.
Churchill Memorial with a museum and aquarium.
Brunei History Centre of genealogy and history of the royal family.
Mosques: Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque fascinating with dome covered with 24-carat gold and the world’s largest sculpture made of marble. Dzhame’Asr-Hassani-Bolkiah-Mosque or Kyarong-Mosque – Royal ceremonial hall of Lapau, the coronation place of the ruling sultan.
The Anglican Church of St. Andrew located in the Jalan Kumbang Pasang district is the place of the traditional settlement of Christians.
The Park of Miniatures Taman-Mini-Perayan-Kampong-Parit, a playground, lots of outdoor restaurants and cafes, mini park Kuala Belalong with a large lake (the space for the popular racing of radio-controlled vessels) are also located not far from the capital. Batang Duri Park on the shores of the crystal-clear river Temburong.
“The Long House” – a place of residence for Iban tribes (the “headhunters”) where you will be treated to a traditional drink (rice wine) and will be invited to a picnic on the banks of the river (where you can swim if you wish and a mini-zoo. Forest park of Bukitshahbandar. Dzheradong park – a mini-Disneyland of Brunei. Tasek Recreation Park.
Labuan – a beautiful island at the entrance to the Bay of Brunei. A visit to the Australian War Memorial, a golf club, a Malay village, souvenir shops and beautiful beaches.
Kuala Belalong- the most interesting place for nature lovers and general outdoor activities located deep in the jungles of Brunei. Simultaneously, Kuala Belalong is a major center of research conducted by the University of Brunei and the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain.
You will surprised with the house on piles in the “Village on the water” (Kampung Ayer) – colorful old architectural and historic collection of 28 traditional pile villages constructed by local people on the river of Sungei Brunei from immemorial times. IN spite of repeated attempts of the government to resettle the residents of Kampung Ayer on the land, about 30 thousand people still live in the emphasized area having their own clinics, mosques, schools, plumbing constructions and even police departments and fire departments. Traditional craft shops are still working based on the old technology creating a distinctive product of copper in Kampung Bukit Udzhong and graceful sarongs and boats in Kampung Darat Saba which are still the only means of transportation between the districts of Kampung Ayer. On the banks of the river Kyainge you can find an open market of Tamu Kyainge offering a wide variety of local handicrafts, foods, fruits, spices and flowers.
In the Rehabilitation Centre located in Sepilok (the oldest and largest in the world) you can communicate with the wild man of Borneo! Educational Center of Natural History is a good place to explore the exhibits and videos.
Brunei provinces will also delight the nature lovers with bright sun, sandy beaches and warm sea. Belait district is the center of the oil and gas industry in the country with a well-developed recreational infrastructure such as reserves and wildlife sanctuaries Sungai Liang, Sungai Mau and Luagan Lalak in Uasai-Wang-Qadir, rocky hills and hiking trails, Yubili Anduki park with lagoon with turquoise waters and relict coastal forests and Lumut beach. In Kuala Belait, it is worth of seeing the Sultan’s residence of Istana Mankeleda, Sunday market near the Jalan Padang and Silver Yubili Park. Rampayoh and Mendaram falls (in the vicinity of Belait) of extraordinary beauty and Lake Tasik Meribun will basically fascinate you.
Tutong is the most populated and ethnically diverse district of Brunei: people representing the nations of Tutong, Kedayan, Dusun, Iban as well as distinctive local tribes with their own customs and traditions are living here. Visit the Recreational Park of Sungai Basong, open markets of Tamu Tutong-Kampong-Serambagan, “Snake Lake” Tasek Merimbun surrounded by necropolis of the XV century, the cultural village of Rum-Budayya. Pantai Seri Kenangan or Pantai Tutong is a park and the beach on a small peninsula with smooth white sand and abundant greenery.
Hotel features of Brunei
Hotels of Brunei in any resort or urban areas are distinguished with high quality service and diverse ranking (from 1 to 5 stars) combining comfort, convenience and luxury. Most of them offer free transportation services for tourists to the beaches or shopping malls. Large hotel complexes of well-known hotel networks are also represented in the country.
It is forbidden to sunbathe naked and topless.
The most expensive hotel of the planet – the Empire – located on the island of Borneo is situated in Brunei. All the hotel’s plumbing, furniture and utensils are made of precious metals; crystal lamps from Austria, green marble from Sardinia, silk from China, silver from England, sound equipment in every guestroom and night club of Denmark, silver tableware with gold handles, Limoges porcelain; one of the world’s biggest of swimming pools with sea water.
