Exploring Brunei's Most Popular Attractions And Traditions

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island divided between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Brunei is synonymous with opulence and oil money, with its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, home to just 50,000 people, featuring wondrous sights like the gold-tipped Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the colossal Istana Nurul Iman, the world's largest governmental building.

The country is also known for its dense rainforests and volcanic peaks, with national parks like Ulu Temburong offering a glimpse into its wild side.

When it comes to food, Brunei's cuisine is heavily influenced by the cuisines of neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and India. Ambuyat, the national dish, is a flavourless sago usually dipped in a sauce called cacah and served with other dishes like ikan goreng (fried fish) and hati buyah (beef lungs).

Other popular dishes include nasi katok (rice knock), a cheap and beloved dish consisting of rice, fried chicken, and sambal (dip), and ayam penyet, inspired by Indonesian cuisine, which includes rice, a chicken leg, and chilli sambal.

Brunei also has a vibrant street food culture, with satay (grilled skewered meat) and penyaram (deep-fried dough balls) being popular choices.

With its mix of cultural influences, natural beauty, and unique attractions, Brunei offers a range of experiences that make it a fascinating destination to explore.

Brunei's national dish, Ambuyat, is a flavourless sago that's usually dipped in a sauce called cacah

Brunei's national dish, Ambuyat, is a flavourless starchy substance derived from the interior trunk of the sago palm tree. It is usually served with a selection of side dishes, including fried fish, vegetables, beef lungs, beef rendang, and a dip called cacah. The dish is eaten with a special utensil called a candas, a V-shaped bamboo stick, which is used to twirl the sticky substance before dipping it into the sauce.

Ambuyat is a unique dish, with a glue-like appearance and texture, and is often an acquired taste for those who try it. It is served hot and becomes stickier as it cools, making it harder to eat with the candas. The savoury taste of the dip, or cacah, is what people tend to enjoy, and it is normal to swallow Ambuyat without chewing it.

The method of consuming Ambuyat is specific and is usually demonstrated to first-time eaters. The dish is an important part of Brunei's food culture, which is all about sharing and gathering to dine.

Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is home to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which is surrounded by a lake and sits at the heart of the country's Islamic faith

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital, is home to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which sits in the heart of the country's Islamic faith. The mosque is surrounded by a lake and is an iconic landmark in the city, with its golden dome soaring above the skyline. It was built in 1958 and named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who was also the father of the current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah.

The mosque is an impressive example of architectural beauty and spiritual ambience, featuring a glittering dome covered in real gold, luminous stained glass windows, Italian marble floors, Shanghai granite walls, British chandeliers, and Saudi Arabian carpets. The mosque brings together the world's finest materials in a fusion of Islamic and international influences. It is one of the most magnificent mosques in Southeast Asia and is a testament to the country's Islamic faith and architectural prowess.

The mosque is located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, which translates to "the abode of peace." The city is home to approximately 180,000 people and is the country's largest urban centre. It was once a seaside trading town but has since been transformed by the country's oil wealth, becoming the gilded epicentre of drilling and the home of the Sultan.

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a must-see destination for visitors to Brunei, offering a glimpse into the country's Islamic faith and cultural heritage. It is a place of worship and a symbol of the country's rich history and architectural splendour.

Kampong Ayer, the world's largest water village, is a part of Bandar Seri Begawan and is home to over 30,000 people

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, is home to Kampong Ayer, the world's largest water village. With a population of over 30,000 people, it is a prominent traditional settlement, entirely built on stilts above the Brunei River. Covering an area of about 10 square kilometres, the village comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools, mosques, restaurants, shops, and even a hospital.

Kampong Ayer, translated from Malay as "Water Village", is a treasured piece of living history in Brunei. Founded over a millennium ago, the village was first established by sea nomads who built homes above the river. Over time, the settlement expanded into a series of connected villages and neighbourhoods, eventually becoming the centre of the Bruneian Empire. People from all walks of life, from royalty to peasants, called Kampong Ayer their home.

Today, the village is a fascinating mix of old and new, with wooden houses and modern concrete buildings standing side by side. While some residents spend most of their lives in the village, others commute to the city centre for work. The village is accessible by boat or via an extensive network of wooden walkways, footbridges, and boardwalks.

The unique architecture of Kampong Ayer reflects both traditional and modern elements. The houses are typically made of wood, adopting the style of traditional Malay houses. Some homes are built privately, featuring individual designs, while others constructed under public housing initiatives have a more uniform style. The village also boasts an impressive network of walkways and pedestrian bridges connecting the different areas.

Kampong Ayer is more than just a tourist attraction; it is a living, breathing community where people continue to carry out traditional occupations such as fishing, weaving, pottery, and boat building. The village also has all the amenities of a modern town, including schools, mosques, a hospital, a police station, and a fire department.

Despite facing challenges such as population decline and environmental issues, Kampong Ayer remains a testament to Brunei's rich history and cultural heritage. It is a place where tradition and modernity coexist, offering visitors a glimpse into the past while still embracing the conveniences of the present.

Istana Nurul Iman is the world's largest residential palace, with 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall that can seat over 4,000 people, and five swimming pools

Istana Nurul Iman, or the Palace of the Light of Faith, is the world's largest residential palace. It is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government.

The palace is located on the banks of the Brunei River, a few kilometres southwest of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It was designed by Filipino Visayan architect Leandro V. Locsin, who incorporated Islamic and Malay influences in the design. The interior was designed by Khuan Chew, who also designed the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

The palace boasts 1,788 rooms, including 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests, a mosque with a capacity of 1,500 people, a 110-car garage, an air-conditioned stable for 200 polo ponies, and five swimming pools. It covers 200,000 square metres (2.15 million square feet) of area and features 44 staircases made from 38 types of marble.

The construction of Istana Nurul Iman was completed in 1984 at a total cost of around $1.4 billion. It is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest living residence of a state head.

Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park is a mecca for ecotourists and wildlife lovers, with 550 square kilometres of primeval rainforest

Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park is a nature reserve in the Temburong District in eastern Brunei. Covering 550 square kilometres of pristine rainforest, it is known as the "Green Jewel of Brunei" and is a mecca for ecotourists and wildlife lovers. The park is only accessible by boat, with the first leg of the journey being a 40-minute speedboat ride from the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar Town. Visitors then travel by road to Batang Duri, where they board traditional longboats and journey along the Temburong River into the park.

The park boasts an extensive network of boardwalks, bridges, and stairways, totalling 7 kilometres in length, allowing visitors to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The real highlight, however, is the canopy walkway, which rises 50 metres above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of the lush rainforest. The walkway is reached via a series of ladders, providing a challenging but rewarding experience.

The Ulu Temburong National Park is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including the Eastern grey gibbon, squirrels, black-spotted rock frogs, orchids, and snakes. The park is also known for its diverse butterfly species, with over 400 species recorded, including the rare Rajah Brooke's birdwing, named after James Brooke, who had private authority over the area during the colonial era.

The park offers a range of activities for visitors, including jungle trekking, swimming in natural pools, and visiting waterfalls. Spending the night at the environmentally friendly Ulu Ulu Resort is recommended to witness the mesmerising sunrise over the rainforest. The resort offers various room categories, including standard, superior, and deluxe options, and provides amenities such as a conference room, restaurant, and gift shop.

The journey to the Ulu Temburong National Park is an adventure in itself, and the park's remote location makes it a true backcountry experience. Visitors should be prepared for hot, humid, and sticky weather conditions and are advised to bring comfortable shoes, enough fluids, and a change of clothes.

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