193 / 246
189
VISITOR INFORMATION
Brunei-Muara
The Brunei-Muara District is Brunei Darussalam’s most populous district
out of the four despite being the smallest at 571 square kilometres. It is
home to more than 300,000 residents. It also houses the nation’s capital
Bandar Seri Begawan, where the country’s government and economic
activities are situated.
The district contains important landmarks and points of interest, such
as the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali
Saifuddien, the Royal Mausoleum, Lapau (Royal Ceremonial Hall), Dewan
Majlis (Parliament House), Brunei Museum, the Royal Regalia Museum,
Kampong Ayer and the Waterfront Promenade.
Not far from the capital is the Istana Nurul Iman, official home to His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. It is the
world’s largest residential palace. Other notable suburbs that comprise the
district are Gadong, Kiulap, Kiarong, Berakas, Jerudong and Muara. The
Jame ’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Brunei’s largest mosque, is situated in Kiarong.
Gadong and Kiulap are prominent commercial centres. These areas
accommodate a large concentration of businesses such as banks,
shopping malls, clinics, car workshops, car wash centres, laundry services,
restaurants and bakeries.
Brunei International Airport is located in Berakas, with popular shopping
centres Times Square, The Airport Mall and Citis Square nearby.
Located southwest of the district and 24 kilometres away from the capital
is Jerudong. While mainly a residential area, the Jerudong Park Playground
is located here, as well as three medical facilities, hotels, country clubs and
an equestrian centre.
Muara plays resident to the Muara Port, Brunei’s only deepwater port. Also
located in the area is the Muara Naval Base, headquarters of the country’s
naval defence force, the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN). Muara is also bookended
by the Muara Beach up north, facing the South China Sea and the Brunei
Bay down south.
Tutong
Tutong is 30 minutes away from the capital, and is the country’s most
ethnically diverse district. It is home to four Bornean ethnic groups: Tutong,
Kedayan, Dusun and Iban. Visitors often flock the district for its impressive
destinations which exhibit natural beauty such as Tasek Merimbun, Seri
Kenangan Beach, Bintudoh Greenspring Resort, Ukong Sago Factory, Wasai
Batu Mapan Recreational Park and Bukit Ambog.
Belait
Brunei’s largest district, Belait, is the source of the Sultanate’s wealth and
prosperity. Most of the country’s petroleum industry runs in this quiet oil
district, situated roughly 100 kilometres away from the capital. Seria and
Kuala Belait are the district’s largest towns.
Temburong
Temburong is the second largest district with a population of more than
10,000, separated from the other three districts and sitting adjoined to
Sarawak, Malaysia. The district is densely covered with lush rainforest,
parts of it conserved in reserve parks, making it a hotspot for ecotourism.
The Ulu Temburong National Park and the Sumbiling Eco Village are some
of the district’s points of interest and its main town is Bangar.