Resorts & Excursions
There are beaches with facilities at Kuala Belait, Lumut Beach
near Tutong and at Muara. Brunei is a heavily forested state,
and most activity is either on the coast or at the estuaries.
Bandar Seri Begawan
The principal tourist sights in the capital are: the minaret
crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque,
which stands in the middle of its own artificial lagoon, affording
a fine view over the town and stilt village; the Churchill Memorial,
incorporating the Churchill Museum and Aquarium; the ancient
Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah, the fifth sultan, known as the 'singing
admiral' for his love of both music and conquest; the Brunei
Museum; and the Malay Technology Museum showing traditional
crafts. Kampong Ayer is the water village on the outskirts of
the capital, reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations
in the world; visitors can walk freely around the wooden walkways
between the houses, which combine traditional architecture with
modern facilities such as Internet connections.
Excursions
Outside the capital within the Brunei-Muara district, Jerudong
Theme Park, best reached by road, offers free modern amusements
and rides next to a beach. Other beaches can be found at Muara
and Serasa, where watersports are popular. Local travel agents
offer half-day boat tours to Pulau Selirong, a mangrove island
45 minutes from Muara by boat, where wildlife includes proboscis
monkeys, macaques, kingfishers and eagles. Other islands in
Brunei Bay offer beaches and watersports.
Elsewhere
Tasek Merimbun, Brunei's largest lake, is in a hill resort in
the Tutong District just over an hour's drive from Bandar Seri
Begawan; it offers peaceful picnicking, birdwatching facilities
and jungle trails. Many unspoiled jungle areas in other districts
are accessible only by boat. There are splendid traditional
longhouses in the Temburong district, which contains large tracts
of virgin rainforest. Travel agents offer day or overnight tours
to the Ulu Temburong National Park with forest canopy trails
on wooden walkways; trips can include rafting and swimming.
In the Belait district near Kampong Labi, there are more traditional
longhouses including Rampayoh. River safaris up the Belait River
offer opportunities to visit remote forest communities, longhouses,
hot springs and waterfalls. Recreational parks in Belait district
include Luagan Lalak, where there is a picnic area and a wooden
walkway across the lake. The Billionth Barrel Monument near
Kuala Belait is a testament to the continuing importance of
oil to Brunei's economy. |
Brunei Airport Guide
