Brunei Darussalam – A Small Version of Dubai

Brunei is among the smallest nations on the planet comprised of two little pieces of land caught in the northern shoreline of Sarawak. The ultimate relics of a realm that at some point in the past covered the entire Borneo and the southwest Philippines, Brunei is famous for its fortune to hold some largest oil fields in Southeast Asia.

Offering many surprises, this country actually changed my opinion of it being a strict Muslim theocracy. Rather I would say that it is actually a small Dubai in itself with towering mosques, picturesque water hamlets, aforesaid rainforest, an exciting boat rides, and much more to add to this list of stunning sights and electrifying activities that can keep you indulge for a couple of days. I explored this country to feel in Dubai by joining a packaged tour along with my few friends.

Brunei Tourist Attractions

Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB)

This is the polite capital city holding many remarkable buildings in the silent centre. Its suburbs actually give you the idea of the riches that the city has preserved. We visited the following places here.

• The Brunei Museum:
  Located at a distance of 4.5 km east of central BSB perched on a bluff dominating the Sungai Brunei, this main edifice offers the worth visiting Islamic Art Gallery. This contains a few superb illuminated replicas of the Koran along with a hard to believe sculpt of the Dome of the Rock with pearl and abalone shell.
• Brunei Traditional Culture Gallery:
  This is another captivating building on the main edifice of the Brunei Museum. It offers a wonderful collection of all facets of the nation’s culture. In addition, here I also saw a picture of an unknown sport where two young people are taking pleasure at a setting of grass sledding.
• Oil and Gas Gallery:
  This is in the Brunei Museum that makes you familiar with how the underground resources reach your nearest gas pump.
• Istana Nurul Iman:
  Considered as the largest palace on the planet based on some calculations, this is the official dwelling place of the nation’s Sultan. Fitting a large staff, the palace holds 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and 200,000 sq. m of the floor area.
• Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque:
  This is the largest mosque in Brunei exhibiting a superb Islamic architecture since 1992 built to mark the Sultan’s 25th year of rule. Visit this in the evening when its four main minarets and two golden domes form a stunning view on being illuminated. However, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter on Thursdays and Fridays. This mosque is on the way to Gadong at 2.5 km from the city centre.

• Malay Technology Museum:
  To reach here, go down the stairs behind the Brunei Museum and head right. Here, you can view the appealing life-sized rebuilt stilt houses with related information on the traditions. In Gallery 1, there are water villages and rebuilding of how kampung (village) architecture evolved since 150 years. In Gallery 2, there are awesome displays of handicrafts of these villages.
• Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque:
  Built in 1958 that received its name from the 28th sultan of Brunei, the 44m minaret entitles it as the tallest building in central BSB. The prayer call reverberates all over the city centre before dawn and at dusk.

• Taman Peranginan Tasek:
  Located on the north side, this is a vast verdant land with picnic spots, tranquil walks, a small waterfall, and reservoir. In the early morning or late in the afternoon, you can even see proboscis monkeys. In the rainy season, the waterfalls are the best to experience as the water is deeper and can be tried for swimming with the rules of modesty in clothing.
• Twelve Roofs House:
  Do not miss this charming former residence of the British High Commissioners. Currently, you can now have a look at some stunning photos related to British association in the country.

Temburong

This is the district holding the natural attraction of the green stretch of intact main rainforest. Here, we visited the Peradayan Forest Reserve where we did some good walking, the Iban longhouse at Batang Duri, and Ulu Temburong National Park for a lavish forest experience in the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve covering the southern Temburong.

Ulu Temburong National Park

In this national park studded with flora and fauna, there are walking trails to explore its surroundings. The key trail takes you to one of the longest canopy path on Earth. If the environs are suitable, you can even take the expedition to the Sungai Apan waterfall or spend two days with a rocky walk to Bukit Belalong.

Next, the Kuala Belalong Rainforest Field Studies Centre is actually a research centre of rainforest for scientists and school groups with a stay permitted for visitors via a tour. The main attraction is the Outward Bound centre on Sungai Temburong famous for its outdoor adventure programs and activities.

If you are traveling independently without a tourism group, a permit is necessary to visit the reserve and contact the Forestry Department for finding about individual and overnight permits that is time consuming.

It is recommended to travel on a tourism as this excursion also requires taking up a boat ($150). The normal cost is $245 per person for a two-day visit with stay at a Murut village. For group rates and discounts, try to get the boat to the Bangar town on the banks of Sungai Temburong from the capital that is quite exciting or book at the tourist office ($85).

Brunei Best Time to Visit

Except for the heavy rainfall from September to January, the country experiences a warm to hot time.

Brunei Accommodation

• Ulu-Ulu Resort at the national park
• Lukut Intan Guesthouse at Temburong
• Intrepid Units – Guesthouse at Central Bandar Seri Begawan
• D’Anggerek Service Apartment in the capital
• The Rizqun International Hotel in the capital