Country guides
Asia
Things to do in Brunei
Known for its stunning mosques, its virgin rainforest and the world's largest floating village, this tiny Southeast Asian destination is tailor-made for short, unforgettable getaways. Many of Brunei's best attractions have to do with the outdoors, and nature lovers will find an abundance of fun activities.
Those who venture out into the lush, tropical rainforests (which are perhaps the best preserved in Asia) can enjoy canopy walks, firefly boat trips and encounters with fascinating endemic animal species such as the extremely shy proboscis monkey.
Stops at the country's breathtaking mosques should also be high on any visitor's to-do list. The wonderful, Moghul-style Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is worth seeing in particular. Other marvellous sights include the Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront, which is the ideal place for an evening stroll, and the Istana Nurul Iman. With almost 1, 800 rooms, the Istana Nurul Iman is officially the largest house in the world.
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is something of an anomaly for a capital built on oil money, where the cityscape is virtually free of showy places trumpeting wealth. All it has along the…
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is something of an anomaly for a capital built on oil money, where the cityscape is virtually free of showy places trumpeting wealth. All it has along these lines are a palace, an ostentatious hotel and a few enormous mosques. Still, it is the commercial and political centre of Brunei. The city's stunning mosques should feature in any sightseeing trip, and its many royal buildings are worth stopping at as well. No visit would be complete without seeing the Water Village (Kampong Ayer). Best reached by water taxi, the village comprises houses on stilts, with the community appearing to float on the water.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
The Mosque is named after the 28th Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddin, and took four years to build. Finally completed in 1958, its design takes much from the Mughal architecture of India,…
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
The Mosque is named after the 28th Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddin, and took four years to build. Finally completed in 1958, its design takes much from the Mughal architecture of India, with nothing but the finest materials used in its construction. Shanghai granite, Italian marble, stained glass and crystal chandeliers from England come together in this exquisite structure, along with fine trimmings such as carpets from Saudi Arabia, and a dome covered in gold leaf. The mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors every day bar Thursdays and Fridays. Silence must be observed at all times; visitors are forbidden to take photographs of people in prayer.
Temburong
Physically separated from the rest of Brunei by Sarawak's Limbang division, Temburong is the country's green jewel and a nature lover's dream destination. Just a short boat trip aw…
Temburong
Physically separated from the rest of Brunei by Sarawak's Limbang division, Temburong is the country's green jewel and a nature lover's dream destination. Just a short boat trip away from Bandar Seri Begawan via the mangrove-lined Brunei River, Temburong is home to breathtakingly beautiful flora and fauna, and eco lodges that promise tranquil escapes from everything. Things to do include visiting centuries-old botanical towers in Bangar Town, exploring the upper reaches of Brunei's rainforests on the Belalong Canopy Walkway, and relishing delectable local dishes such as salted duck eggs at the main market, Tamu Bangar.