Brunei is an independent Islamic sultanate in south East Asia. Brunei is very low on population but very high on per capita income. Brunei is one of the wealthy sources of oil in the world. It’s a beautiful and peaceful country with lovely and colorful people around. Visitors, Tourists, or any other foreign nationals welcomed in Brunei respectfully.
So, if you want to explore or you want to develop your cultural sensitivity Brunei is one of the best options you have. There are some best places to visit in Brunei that can increase your quest to explore more.
# Omar Ali Saifuddin MosqueIt is one of the most beautiful architectural mosques in the Asia pacific situated in the capital of Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan). This beautiful mosque is one of the major historical sites and popular places to visit in Brunei. Well, you must have seen this place in various photos because this is a contouring landmark and a symbol of national pride, most probably because it really reflects the immense wealth of Brunei and on the other side it highlights the importance of religion to the people. If you are walking around in the capital Bander Seri Begawan, you impossibly can’t miss this place as it is visible basically from every corner.
The prayer room interior presents an abundance of precious carpets from Belgium and Saudi Arabia, and it is estimated that around 3000 people can worship together in this humongous prayer hall. Non-Muslims are only allowed access when no prayers are taking place.
Snow white Italian marble from Italy is used as a building material with granite from Shanghai in the museum. It has gem crystal fixtures from England, lavish rugs from Saudi Arabia, and a principal vault of unadulterated gold. The memorable moment is when your vision came across a massive golden dome that shine out in the sky. This mosque is a masterpiece of Malay and Mogul architecture. The best time to visit the mosque is during sunset.
# Sunset at Empire HotelThis must be one of the best places to visit in Brunei during your visit. This place is a bit far from the capital, therefore, you need to go there by cab. Once you enter this hotel you soon get overwhelmed by its magnificent interior. Its name will no longer surprise you, as you truly will feel that you are standing in a palace. The best thing about this place is that tourists can enter the hotel and its beach for free. You should really not miss out on the visit here. Experiencing the picturesque sunset from the beach is a lifetime experience.
# Jame’ Asr Hassanal Bolkiah MosqueThe mosque was built in 1994 is surrounded by beautiful gardens, landscapes, and fountains. This worship place is named after the current sultan of Brunei. This is another popular place to visit in Brunei. This beautiful mosque is a bit outside of the heart of bander Seri Begawan; however, you can easily access this place by taking a cab. The suitable time to come here is during the sunset and definitely, you will not regret coming here.
# Kampong Ayer – Venice of EastIf you would like to explore the traditions of Brunei, then kampong Ayer is the place to go. It’s an old floating village near Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. Brunei tourism board call this place Venice of East. It is one of the best places to visit in Brunei to dive into the traditional Malay lifestyle. If you are lucky, you can even see one of the people practicing traditional fishing. It is highly recommended to visit the southwestern side of Kampong Ayer as walking on the pier you would come across traditional Malay houses as well as schools, police stations, or even floating mosques. You can also experience this beautiful place in Brunei by taking water taxis.
# Mangrove Forest TourThis place in Brunei provides an impression of different things. This tour is a must for all nature lovers. Tour starts by first passing through the modern side of kampong Ayer by boat and all the way taken to Brunei’s ancient mangrove forests. Once you reach there soon you going to appreciate the beauty of this natural habitat, listening to the sounds of jungles and shadows of the trees, you probably going to be calm and relax. There are sky-high temperature and high humidity. If you are lucky you may even spot one of the famous species of monkeys known for their noses. It’s an amazingly different world to visit once in a lifetime.