Istana Nurul Iman

view from the taman damuan

Its is the residence of our beloved Sultan Brunei, which is verified by Gunniess Book of World Records as the world largest palace. Its is located on a leafy, riverside sprawl of hills on the banks of the Brunei River, a few kilometers south of Bandar Seri Begawan.

The name "Istana Nurul Iman" is taken from Persian Astane and Arabic Nur-ol Imaan and means Palace of the Light of Faith.

It was designed by the Filipino architect Leandro V. Locsin, who utilized the architectural motif of golden domes and vaulted roofs to echo Brunei's Islamic and Malay influences.

The palace contains 1,788 rooms, which includes 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 5,000 guests, a mosque accommodating 1,500 people and also  a 110-car garage, an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies, and 5 swimming pools. Because the palace is a massive huge, the sultan takes his official audiences at the palace. The palace is also used for all the State functions of the government of Brunei.

While the palace is open to the public during  the annual Islamic celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month) when the palace receives about 110,000 visitors over a three-day period where the guests receive gifts of food as well as green packets containing money for young children. The palace is also open to Muslims during 10 days of the Ramadhan period for the Bertedarus prayer gathering.

Brunei Museum

The Brunei Museum is located on the bank of the Brunei River, about 6.5 Km from the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, stretches then elongated of the Brunei Museum. Brunei Museum was first established in 1965.

Its collection includes Borneo Ethnography and Natural History display as well as Islamic Art documenting the origins of much of Brunei’s cultures from their softly lit niches, illuminated intricate renderings of the Holy Quran and centuries of glassware, ceramic, jewellery, tapestries and military artifacts. Bear silent witness to the artisan’s skill and devotion. Other displays include offshore oil pipeline survey and an oil and gallery.

While the museum is open for public and the time visiting the museum is on monday to sunday from 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-11.30am and be continue at 2.30pm - 5pm

Kampung Ayer

Kampung Ayer is a village built on the water in Brunei, or dubbed as VENICE OF THE EAST by  Antonio Pigafetta.

39,000 people live in the Water Village. This represents roughly ten percent of the nation's total population! The Water Village is really made up of small villages linked together by more than 29,140 meters of foot-bridges, consisting of over 4200 structures including homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a hospital. 36 kilometers of boardwalks connect the buildings.

Actually another way of going to one of these water villages by Water Taxis or Speedboats, the local speedboats charge you 10-15BNR for taking a cruise around the water village for 2 hr. Its the tradition way how exploring the village. 

If you feel your trip to water village not satisfying, well the water taxi bring you out to interesting place around the rivers, you might find out some unique things. :) 

Royal Regalia

When its come to Royal Regalia, there is a exhibition of the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armoury, the jewel encrusted crowns used during the coronation and a replica of the throne, which is used by the Sultan on state occasions and a fully documents the history of the constitution of Brunei. 

 Royal Regalia is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, which is near with the RTB, Tamu Selera and Lapau dan Dewan Majlis.

The building is open to the public every day of the week (on Friday the opening hours are shorter than the rest of the week)

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Well guys, SOAS mosque is the most interesting you should come to visit Brunei. If you're not, your trip to Brunei is considered incomplete trip without visiting this historical icon.

The mosque is located just across Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, a shopping complex, and Taman Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, a public park. This is why Brunei rocks: all sorts of buildings (tourists attractions, malls, food outlets) are located side-by-side, so you don’t waste much time in getting to your destination. This saves the country millions of dollars by not having to spend it on building an efficient transportation system.

Masjid SOAS in the way of bruneian called it is a royal islamic mosque and considered as one of the most beautiful mosque in the Asia Pacific and also it is a major landmark and tourist attraction of Brunei.

Here's some article picked up from the Brunei Times ; 

“POSITIONED majestically on an artificial lagoon near the banks of the Brunei River, the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque stands as among the most magnificent mosques ever built in the world.

With its golden dome and soaring white minarets, the mosque is often pictured as an oasis of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Bandar Seri Begawan. The celebration of its golden anniversary heralds the mosque’s unique long-standing status as the heart of the capital and the symbol of Brunei’s deeply-rooted Islamic faith.

The mosque also incorporates Italian and Renaissance architectural styles, but with craftsmanship that reflects classical Islamic architecture. This makes the mosque as one of the most unique Islamic places of worship across the world. The mosque took four years to complete, from 4 February 1954 until 26 September 1958. His Highness Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien is remembered as the “Architect of Modern Brunei”. During his reign from 1950 until his abdication in 1967, the Sultan steered Brunei safely through the turbulent years following WWII, establishing the foundation for the nation’s independence and sovereignty. Through his determination and dedication, he had implemented the foundation to build the infrastructure, society and economy of modern Brunei and also ensuring the preservation of an independent Malay Muslim Monarchy in the modern world.”

And lastly the opening hours of the mosque (meaning entry into the building, not compound) are from Sunday to Wednesday at 8am – 12pm, 1.30-3pm and 4.30 – 5.30pm, Friday at 4.30-5.30pm, while being closed to non Muslims on Thursdays.

Its begin....

Welcome to my blog!!!, Since this is my first post on blog, showing off and appreciating my hometown is my priority...
So today i am going  to share with you some  "Must-Visit" places in Brunei Darussalam where you can pack these places to your desire time as you wish. These Brunei Must-Visit places cover sightseeing, shopping, enjoy nightlife, learn the culture and history of Brunei and try different kinds of delectable dishes and drinks. Make out of this information and plan a short trip to Brunei