Brunei Darussalam：A Haven for Bountiful Wildlife

Brunei Darussalam is a country situated at the top of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Being an Islamic country, Brunei is home to several beautiful mosques found across the state, along with a number of stunning works of architecture. In this article, we've listed ten tourists attractions in Brunei perfect for sightseeing.

1. Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Known to be the largest mosque in the country of Brunei, the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is a mosque situated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Built on a 20-acre land, the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque was constructed starting 1988 under the leadership of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the present Sultan of Brunei. Being a large structure, the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque can accommodate around 5,000 devotees. It is also recognized as one of the two national mosques in the country, the other being the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. When sightseeing in the mosque, visitors will most likely recognize its 29 golden domes and four minarets.

2. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Also located in Bandar Seri Begawan is Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific. It is one of the two national mosques in Brunei, the other being the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. Named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the mosque serves as a place of worship for the Islamic community in Brunei. The mosque's most prominent feature is its golden dome which can be recognizable from anywhere in the city. Besides being a place of worship, the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is also a popular sightseeing attraction and a historic site.

3. Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer is a water village situated over Brunei Bay in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei. Around 39,000 people live in houses built on stilts above the body of water, making Kampong Ayer the largest water village in the world. Around 42 clusters of villages linked together by wooden walkways makeup Kampong Ayer. Aside from the houses where the inhabitants live, there are also several public and private structures built in the water village. They include schools, restaurants, shops, mosques, and even a hospital. For those who wish to go sightseeing in Kampong Ayer, you have to take a water taxi from the city proper to water village.

4. Kg Kianggeh Open Air Market (Bandar Seri Begawan)

Kg Kianggeh Open Air Market is a local market situated in the city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Several locals flock the open market where they buy daily necessities such as vegetables and fruits for their dishes, and clothing. Aside from the fresh commodities, street foods are also sold in the Kg Kianggeh Open Air Market. Tourists who are sightseeing at the place can experience tasting local cuisine and lifestyle. Several of the merchandise sold in the said open-air market are sold at a much cheaper price, making it ideal for locals to go shopping at the place.

5. Istana Nurul Iman

Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. Otherwise known as the Light of Faith Palace, Istana Nurul Iman situated on the banks of the Brunei River. Being the seat of the government of Brunei, Istana Nurul Iman often at the center of every royal even set by the state. Completed in 1984, the palace is regarded as the largest residential palace in the world because of its vast floor area. Fascinating features of the palace include more than 1,700 bedrooms and a banquet hall which can accommodate up to 5,000 guests. Being a private residence of the Sultan, the palace is not open for sightseeing except during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

6. Billionth Barrel Monument

The Billionth Barrel Monument is a monument located in Seria, Brunei. Built in 1991, the monument pays tribute to the production of the billionth barrel of crude oil which was produced in the oil field in Seria. Being a country which generates revenues from oil, the production of such barrel is seen as a great accomplishment and something which the locals can relate to. The historic landmark is characterized by six large pillars converging at the top. A golden symbol is placed on top of the monument. If you wish to go sightseeing at the monument, you need to travel around one hour from the city.

7. Malay Technology Museum

The Malay Technology Museum is a museum situated in Bandar Seri Begawan. It features several artifacts pertaining to the history and culture of the Brunei. The building where the museum is not placed was donated by the Royal Dutch/ Shell Group of Companies. The museum is divided into three exhibition rooms. The first hall is the Water Village Traditional House Gallery which displays how houses in Kampong Ayer during the 19th and 20th century. The second hall, the Water Village Traditional Technology Gallery shows several industries and handicrafts which are produced by the locals in Kampong Ayer. The third hall, Inland Traditional Technology Gallery, exhibits indigenous technologies of the locals. When sightseeing in Brunei, be sure to stop by Malay Technology Museum.

8. Brunei Museum

located at Kota Batu, Brunei Museum is the national museum of Brunei which features historic artifacts and Islamic art. The Brunei Museum is the largest museum in Brunei. The building of the museum contains an intricate design which is adapted from the Malay art. There are several galleries at Brunei Museum including a natural history gallery, a history gallery, and an Islamic art gallery, among others. Established in 1965, the Brunei Museum was transferred to its new location in 1972 where it stay at present. When sightseeing around the museum, you will surely learn a lot about the culture and history of Brunei.

9. Masjid kampong Pandan

The Masjid Kampong Pandan Mosque is a mosque situated in Kuala Belait, Brunei. It is a nice, quiet mosque where Muslims can go and worship. Its architecture is a marvel; the mosque gets more beautiful when it is lit after sunset. The mosque is surrounded by grassy patches of land, houses, and a lagoon. The mosque is air-conditioned, and it includes a two-story flooring to accommodate the devotees. There is not much to see in Kuala Belait, but the Masjid Kampong Pandan Mosque should be given top priority when sightseeing in the town.

10. Gadong Night Market

The Gadong Night Market is a popular night attraction in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Opening daily from around 4pm, the night market is a haven of local cuisine cooked and served by the locals. The dishes vary from regular cuisines such as chicken wings and grilled fish to native dishes such as fried kuey teow to traditional kueh melayu. The best part of every food is that everything is served hot. Aside from food stalls, there are several goods sold at the night market including clothes and accessories, vegetables and fruits, and a lot more. The Gadong Night Market is not usually crowded so tasting local cuisine and sightseeing can be easy.

Conclusion

Exploring Brunei gives us a glimpse of the rich spiritual devotion that the locals have through their mosques. Yet sightseeing every attraction allows you to get acquainted with the history of the country. Furthermore, experiencing local lifestyle through its markets is also a great idea when in Brunei. With a lot of attractions and things to do in Brunei, your stay will surely be fun and exciting.