Bandar Seri Begawan Things to Do

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The Brunei Museum is situated several kilometres east of Bandar Seri Begawan, and purple bus numbers 11 and 39 pass by the museum ($1 Brunei dollars). This museum if free of charge, and contains several different galleries in a 2 storey building. These include a gallery on the natural flora and fauna of Brunei, oil refineries, Muslim art, cultural heritage etc. Photograph is not allowed and you need to put your camera into a locker just next to the information counter in the main hall as you enter the museum. Opening hours are:

Saturday to Thursday - 9.30am to 5pm
Friday - 9am to 11.30am, 2.30pm to 5pm

The Brunei Museum is located just next to the Brunei River and you can see excellent views of the landscape as you walk down to the Malay Technology Museum (located next to the Brunei Museum, down the hill). Due to time constraint, I did not visit the Malay Technology Museum but it is supposed to have exhibits devoted to the traditional lifestyles and artisans of the Malays. Admission is also free and the opening hours are about the same as above.

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The Royal Regalia Museum is conveniently located along Jalan Sultan and Jalan Stoney, two of the main roads in Bandar Seri Begawan. Entrance if free of charge, and it is devoted to the Sultan of Brunei. There ae lots of photographs of the Sultan and other members of the royal family, as well as artefacts of the monarchy. The highlight of the museum is the royal regalia and ceremony items used by the Sultan during is coronation to the throne in the 1960s, as well as the royal regalia celebrating the 25th anniversary of his coronation in the 1980s. Also on display are the many gifts from other countries throughout the years. Photography is allowed in the main hall displaying the royal regalia items, but is forbidden in the inner museum chambers. You need to take off your shoes at the entrance before entering the museum, then proceed to the right to the information counter where you can place you camera and belongings in the lockers, as well as sign a guestbook. A brochure will be given to you and then you can start your tour. You need to spend a few hours here to truely see all the exhibits inside the museum. Opening hours are stated below and more photos are at the travelogue section of this VT page.

Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday - 9.45am to 11.30am, 2.30pm to 5.00pm
Saturday - 9.45am to 5.00pm

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Here are more photos of Kampong Ayer which I took during my trip there in July 2007. More photos are at the travelogue section of this VT page. It is not easy to take proper photos while you are on the speedboat as it is travelling very fast. If you want to take photos, just tell the boatman to slow down. They are friendly and can communicate in English.

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One of the highlights of Bandar Seri Begawan must surely be Kampong Ayer. This is huge and made up of about 30 water villages along the Brunei River housing about 30,000 people. These water villages have houses, schools, shops, eateries, petrol kiosks, mosques and everything else all built on water. In a way, it is something like the Venice of South-East Asia!

In order to visit Kampong Ayer, you can either go on a speedboat ride (see my transportation tip) which will cost about $20-$25 Brunei dollars per trip or take a walk along the bridges and wooden walkways used by the locals (see transportation tip). You need not worry as the local people are very friendly, and you will soon discover that many of the homes are rather beautiful and hi-tech inside (most of them has satellite antennas to receive cable TV channels). Please go to part 2 as well as see the photos at the travelogue section of this VT page.

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When you are at the mosque, besides admiring the interior architecture, do take time to walk around its compound. The man-made lagoon has a ceremonial stone boat sitting there which is a replica of a 16th century mahligai (royal) barge. You can walk to the barge via a bridge and it is free of charge.

The view of the mosque from this barge is excellent, and the barge itself is made from very colourful tiles. More photos are at the travelogue section of this VT page.

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This very famous landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei (Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien). It is opened to non-Muslims outside prayer times (see below) and it is important to dress appropriately. Also, you need to remove your shoes before entering and there is a designated path marked in red carpet for you to walk. You need to wear a black robe provided at the entrance and no photography or video are allowed. Admission is free.

Opening hours:
Saturday to Wednesday - 8.30am to 12 noon, 1.30pm to 3pm, 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Thursday - closed the whole day
Friday - 4.30 to 5pm

This mosque was built in 1958 and has a man-made lagoon next to it. The materials used are the finest marbles from Italy, stained glass from England and the carpets were flown in from Saudi Arabia and Belgium. See part 2 for more information, and more photos are at the travelogue section of this VT page.

The Tomb isn't anything huge and fancy, but u will feel very peaceful there. There is a notice board with the story about the couple.

The Summary of the story about the couple is like this (this is what i remember, correct me if i'm wrong): the Sultan Married this indonesian princess. Not sure if they were really loving each other, didn't heard that from my History Teacher. Somehow this princess has a golden needle with her which she brought from her home town. One Day she was playing around with the needle and accidentally poked the Sultan and he died. She felt panic and guilty, she left the palace and commited suicide at the Brunei Bay.

Think about it, i think the story shouldn't be so simple. But no doubt Sultan Bolkiah is one of the greatest King in Brunei.

It is free to get in here (almost everything in Brunei is free to visit except for Jerudong Park and Oil and Gas Discovery Center).

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Though I did not have the chance to go inside the mosque, I was so amazed with its structure and designs based on its outside view.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is worth a visit. You are allowed to enter the mosque as long as you are within the required dress regulations and that you are willing to leave your shoes at the entrance.

This famous landmark in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan have its distinctive golden dome that made it stand out among the city's skyline. It's truly an example of a modern Islamic architecture and the most beautiful in the world.