Brunei Darussalam - Tourism

Eco Tourism

The Government of Brunei has conserved nearly 32,000 hectares of forest reserves and allocated 50,000 hectares for national parks which are some of the finest in Asia. Borneo is the third largest island in the world.

  • Ulu Temburong National Park: Is the leading Eco Tourism spot in Brunei with a range of wilderness habitats, from lowland forests and jungle rainforests to mountain forests and waterfalls. Thousands of unique species of plants and animals are found in this park. Temburong river offers rapids, making rafting and kayaking action-packed add-on options.
  • Bandar Seri Begawan: Is the centre of Brunei’s commerce, finance and government. In many ways, it is also the heart of Brunei’s cultural landscape, housing some of the nation’s most revered landmarks.
  • Tutong: Is abundant in natural beauty, from the white sands and rocky outcroppings of Pantai Seri Kenangan beach all the way inland to the scenic and somewhat mysterious feel of Tasek Merimbun, a serpentine lake surrounded by swamps and 15th century burial grounds.
  • Kuala Belait: Birthplace of the nation's wealth, Kuala Belait is the Home of the oil industry. It is Brunei's economic heartland.

Beaches

Brunei has a long coastline merging into the South China Sea in the northwest of the country. The coast is attractive with its sun kissed beaches, warm sand, enrapturing sunrises and sunsets Naturally the whole coastal region is very popular with the locals as well as the tourists. There are several beaches. Of them the Meragang beach, the Serasa beach, the Muara beach, the Lumut beach and the Pantai Seri Kenangan beach are well known. The beaches in Brunei serve as popular spots for outings and picnics.

  • Serasa Beach is the favorite destination for lovers of water sports. The water, the sands and the entire natural setting seem to beckon the people of Brunei as well as tourists from abroad. A mere 10-minute drive from Muara, lively Serasa Beach is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The Serasa Water sports Complex provides comprehensive facilities for sporting and recreational activities that are up to international competition level standards, including jet skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, regatta sailing, power boat racing, aqua sports training and water skiing.
  • Muara Beach in Brunei is located close to Bandar Seri Begawan; the capital city of Brunei. The beach is at an approximate distance of 27 kilometers from the capital. The Muara Beach is the perfect getaway for a family outing. There is no other way to spend an enjoyable weekend than going out for a picnic at the beach with family and friends. There is a playground for children. The beaches are provided with changing rooms and washrooms where one can change after a swimming session in the sea. The experience of watching the sun go down in the western horizon is ecstatic. The waters of the South China Sea when touched by the rays of the sun glimmer and reflect heavenly beauty. Less than 27km from Bandar Seri Begawan’s city centre, Muara Beach’s long, quiet esplanade invites visitors for leisurely strolling and is an ideal destination for a family outing. Amenities here include a well-equipped picnic area, toilet facilities and also weekend food and soft drink stalls.
     
  • The Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach in Brunei is located in the Tutong District. Though there are four other beaches in the district, each of them is different from one another. The Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach is undoubtedly the most popular beach here. Its location within a short distance of the Kampong Penabia, Kampong Sengkarai and the Kampong Kuala Tutong plays an instrumental role in drawing crowds. The popular activities on the beach include swimming, fishing, picnicking or even a leisurely stroll for that matter. Literally, the unforgettable beach, with its scenic locale is naturally one of the most popular recreation spots in Kuala Tutong. Here, the beauty of the beach is enhanced by a narrow strip of land with the South China Sea on one side and the Tutong River on the other. The beach is a five minute drive from Tutong town.
     
  • Lumut Beach: For those who prefer a day of sun and sand while in Belait, Lumut Beach is the natural choice. Located about 100km from Seria’s town centre, it offers complete facilities for picnicking, jogging and family outings. The added features here are the huts and shelters especially designed for good relaxation.

Night Life

Nightlife in Brunei is very subdued Brunei being an Islamic state sale and public consumption of alcohol are not allowed. With the people leading a calm and peaceful lifestyle,

Nightlife in Brunei refers mostly to eating out, catching a movie at one of the cineplexes, playing a round of bowling, or even night golf, or just having a nice relaxing time with friends sitting at one of the many coffee shops, tea houses or late night eateries

Cuisine

The cuisine of Brunei has been greatly influenced by the neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the many ethnic Chinese living there .European food is served in hotels and large restaurants, along with Malaysian, Chinese and Indian dishes. Local food is similar to Malay cuisine with fresh fish and rice, often quite spicy.

  • Daging Masak Lada Hitam: Spicy beef cooked until very tender; then potatoes and beans are added.
  • Udang Sambal Serai Bersantan: Chilli prawns with coconut milk. It is a delicacy and is much in demand.

Hawker-style food is always a favorite throughout Southeast Asia.One can find these hawker stalls along the Brunei River in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan. Hawker stalls are also located in the complex next to Jerudong Park. There are of course many restaurants that offer good Chinese, Lebanese, Indonesian, Indian, Thai, Japanese and other specialty items such as seafood and Nonya food.

Many restaurants are family-run businesses and have a warm family welcoming ambiance. One can also find many kedai makan (local eating houses) at downtown Bandar. There are also good seafood restaurants along Jalan Muara and in Muara town. Other places with good food are Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait with their wide variety of restaurants. Chinese cuisine is popular in Brunei with many authentic Chinese restaurants there.

If someone wants to have fast food while in Brunei wander in to the Brunei branches of KFC, Pizza Hut, or McDonald's in the city and at Jerudong Park. Local fast food spots include Jollibee, Sugar Bun and Express Burgers.

  • Nipah Palm Fruit (Mangrove Palm) The fruit of the Nipah palm tree grows in large clusters, soccer ball size. It is very popular during both Chinese New Year and end of Ramadan. The fruit is called attapchee and has a chewy milky-white opaque seed that is often used in ice-kacang.
     
  • Ais kacang is a dessert served in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. It is sweet-tasting and is basically ice served with sweet flavoured syrup and jelly. The word Kacang means bean and " ais " is a transliteration of the English word "ice".

Originally red beans or corn were the main addition but now ais kacang comes in bright colours, and with different fruit cocktails and dressings. Evaporated milk is drizzled over the mountain of ice. To cater to the palates of the modern customer, some stalls have even introduced novelty toppings like durian, chocolate syrup and ice cream. There are also versions that are served with just a drizzling of gula melaka (sago palm) syrup. Many South-East Asian coffee shops, hawker centres and food courts offer this dessert.

Food in Brunei is generally rich and spicy with rice and noodles being the staple food. Brunei is famous for its great variety of food. Being a melting pot, one can have a great choice of food throughout the day.

Nature

  • Ulu Temburong National Park: Ulu Temburong National Park is located in Temburong district towards the eastern part of Brunei. The park is covered by pristine rainforest. It was formerly called the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. From the capital city of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, there’s a one hour journey by water taxi to reach this national park.. While taking a boat ride along the delta region of the lovely Limbang River one can enjoy the beauty of the mangrove forests. Do not miss out on the canopy walkway which is 50 meters high and offers a sweeping view of the forests around. From up here you can catch the tiger orchids and other types of flower dangling on the tree branches. The park is home to various types of animals and insects like lizards ,frogs, butterflies, forest ants, lanteren bugs etc.

The recreational forest has been developed within the 1,070 hectare Peradayan Forest Reserve about 15 km from Bangar. The best way to go there is by car, but only as far as the edge of the forest reserve goes. From here visitors travel on foot to get to the designated recreational forest. The hike does not only provide an exhilarating physical exercise but also an excellent opportunity for the visitors to appreciate the natural beauty, serenity and coolness of the forest, as it takes them along undulating path that leads to the Bukit Peradayan Summit, about 410 meters (1,225 feet) above sea level.

There is also another hill nearby called Bukit Patoi, which rises 310 meters (950 feet) above sea level. The recreational forest, which has an area of 997 square hectares, never fails to impress visitors with, apart from the hills, its naturally abundant flora and fauna as well as the unusual geological formation of its limestone and caves. On top of rocky Bukit Patoi there exists an open, flat land where, amid invigorating air, the visitors can have a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas including a magnificent range of mountains, villages, farms, part of neighbouring Sarawak, and the South China Sea. Due to its natural richness, the recreational forest is also visited by scientists and geologists from within and outside the country to carry out various research projects. As the forest is not merely confined to the provision of recreation but is also for other purposes such as conservation, education and research, leaving it undisturbed and to the nature is extremely important. With this in mind, the Forestry Department, which is responsible for all aspects of Brunei Darussalam's woodlands, has restricted its development to a handful of shelters for the weary and also the picnickers to sit and relax.