Top 5 Bandar Seri Begawan Attractions

City: Bandar Seri Begawan
State: Brunei Muara
Country: Brunei

The capital and most populated (relatively) city in Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan in the district of Brunei Muara is the economic and financial capital of this oil rich country. Despite being focused more heavily on the oil and gas industry, there are a few tourist attractions of note in Bandar Seri Begawan. Formerly known as Brunei Town, it was renamed to Bandar Seri Begawan as a legacy to Al-Marhum Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Maulana Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien III (Omar Ali Saifuddien III), the 28th Sultan of Brunei.

Here are the Top 5 Tourist Attractions to visit in Bandar Seri Begawan, all of which hold important cultural or historical significance. All these are permanent locations which can be visited and viewed at any time throughout the year.


1. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

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Named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is an iconic landmark in the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. Built on an artificial lagoon and surrounded by landscaped floral gardens, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is considered among the most beautiful and extravagant structures in the world, with a dome of pure gold, stained glass windows, marble columns, crystal chandeliers and intricately hand woven carpets. Visitors can get a panoramic view of the city from the tallest minaret.



2. Brunei Museum

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The Brunei Museum traces the history and culture of the Borneo island, and the growth of Bandar Seri Begawan and the country. Divided into 4 main galleries, the Brunei Museum highlights include ceramics, manuscripts and blown glass in the Islamic Art Gallery, displays of local rituals and the Brunei Ceremonial Cannons in the Brunei Traditional Culture Gallery, and the oil and gas technology exhibition.



3. Kampong Ayer

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Kampong Ayer is situated in the Brunei Bay, just off the coast of Bandar Seri Begawan, and houses an estimated 10% of the country's population. Consisting entirely of stilt houses connected by wooden walkways, foot bridges, and serviced by private water taxis, this cluster of 42 villages in Kampong Ayer include homes, restaurants, shops, schools, and a hospital. The largest water settlement in South-East Asia, the district is a culturally important part of Brunei that preserves the nation's river dwelling origins.



4. Royal Regalia Museum

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A landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Royal Regalia Museum houses a vast collection of opulent treasures, including replicas of the Brunei royal throne, crown, royal chariot, and garments. Elaborate and priceless gifts from various World leaders and heads of state are displayed here, including tributes of ivory, jade and crystal. The eye-opening experience of extravagant luxury leads one to wonder if the Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's richest men, truely has everything.



5. Cement Wreck

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Brunei is known for its excellent diving spots, and the majority of them are located just off the coast from Bandar Seri Begawan. The Cement Wreck is among the most highly recommended diving spots, suitable even for novice divers. At a depth of just 9 metres to 32 metres, the wreck is covered in corals and abundant with various marine life. Considered among the most photogenic wrecks in the world due to the clear visibility underwater.





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Bandar Seri Begawan Street Food


Bandar Seri Begawan Street Food, and cuisine in Brunei, share many similarities with the neighbouring Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak, due to their shared heritage as part of Borneo. Thus, Brunei itself doesn't have a distinct food identity, and many of the dishes served in Bandar Seri Begawan can also be found in Malaysia.

Food in Bandar Seri Begawan can be found along in small cafes, in mid-range restaurants and fine-dining establishments. There rarely are any street side stalls. Bornean Malay cuisine is defined by the use of spices, and popular method of cooking include stir frying, deep frying and steaming. Common ingredients used in many Borneo / Brunei dishes include beef, chicken, fish, rice, wheat, egg, corn, sago, tapioca, soy beans, bean sprouts, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cucumber, tomatoes, cloves, pepper, mango, pineapple, banana, rambutan, jackfruit, squid, cuttlefish, clams, cockles and more.

Bandar Seri Begawan Street Food is particulary hygenic, and dining at most places is safe, though the tap water should be boiled before consumption. Thai cuisine is increasingly popular in Brunei, though most other major international cuisines have yet to catch on. Bandar Seri Begawan has very few uniquely Brunei dishes.


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The Caramelised Pineapple Cake consists of pineapples, which are grown locally in Bandar Seri Begawan, layered between a vanilla sponge cake.

Caramelised Pineapple Cake 01

Caramelised Pineapple Cake 02

Caramelised Pineapple Cake 03

The Coconut Mousse Cake is made with young coconut meat, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, all purpose flour, baking powder, milk and butter. It is garnished with strawberry chocolate and slices of mandarin orange. The tartness of the mandarin orange cuts through the smooth and heavy sweetness of the coconut mousse.

Coconut Mousse Cake 01

Coconut Mousse Cake 02

Epok Epok from Brunei, very similar to Epok Epok / Curry Puff from Malaysia and Singapore. The difference in this Epok Epok from Bandar Seri Begawan is the more flaky crust.

Epok Epok 01

Epok Epok 02

Katilapam is a traditional savoury snack unique to Bandar Seri Begawan, and is made with rice flour, sugar, water, baking soda and fruit salt. The mixture is then steamed to make Katilapam. Alternative versions in Brunei are often treated with food colouring to make it more attractive.

Katilapam

Kerabu Udang And Mangga / Shrimp And Mango Salad is a fresh salad often eaten as an appetizer. It's made with fresh de-shelled prawns, fresh mango, cucumber, onions, lettuce and chili. Often, there is a simple sweet syrup that accompanies the dish.

Kerabu Udang And Mangga / Shrimp And Mango Salad

Brunei is famous for Keropok, which is a deep fried starch cracker often flavoured with other ingredients. The most popular varieties of Keropok are flavoured with prawn, fish or crab.

Keropok 01

Keropok 02

Keropok 03

Keropok 04

Keropok 05

Kuih Calak Beef is a traditional Borneo Malay savoury pastry, made with all purpose flour, eggs, coconut milk, sugar, minced beef, onions, salt, sugar, spring onions, curry powder, haricot beans and chili. Kuih Calak Beef is a popular snack eaten in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Kuih Calak Beef 01

Kuih Calak Beef 02

Kuih Cara Pusu is a traditional Borneo Malay savoury pastry often eaten as a snack. It's made with plain flour, powdered turmeric, eggs, salt, water, garlic, ginger, curry powder, dried shrimp, anchovies, spring onions and chili.

Kuih Cara Pusu

Kuih Cincin, which means Ring Cakes, is a Brunei / Bandar Seri Begawan snack, made with red palm extract, sugar, salt, rice flour, water, palm sugar / gula melaka, and then fried in vegetable oil till crisp.

Kuih Cincin 01

Kuih Cincin 02

The Mango Mousse Cake is made with mango, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, all purpose flour, baking powder, milk and butter. It is garnished with chocolate and slices of dragon fruit.

Mango Mousse Cake

Mee Goreng from Brunei, while bearing the same name as the version in Singapore, is very different in terms of ingredients. The use of soy sauce is more liberal here, resulting in a more savoury dish, and there are typically less garnishings than the Malaysia or Singapore version.

Mee Goreng 01

Mee Goreng 02

Nasi Goreng Istimewa, or Special Fried Rice, is a dish consisting of white rice, eggs, peas, carrot, corn, shallots, onions, garlic, powdered turmeric, kecap manis sweet soy sauce, spring onions and chili, stir fried together. It is garnished with sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, a fried egg, and usually fried chicken and keropok.

Nasi Goreng Istimewa 01

Nasi Goreng Istimewa 02

Nasi Lemak from Brunei, is very similar to those served in Singapore and Malaysia.

Nasi Lemak 01

Nasi Lemak 02

Rendang Beef Tok is a version of Rendang Beef, usually with a dry curry, and strongly spiced. According to tradition, Rendang Beef Tok is usually served to the Royal Family. It consists of beef cubes, marinated in a mix of spices such as cardamom, kaffir lime leaves, palm sugar, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, powdered turmeric, garlic, lemongrass, salt, powdered cumin, powdered coriander, powdered fennel, galangal / blue ginger, onions, shallots, coconut milk and chili. The resulting Rendang Beef is extremely tender, with a fragrant aroma.

Rendang Beef Tok 01

Rendang Beef Tok 02

Rojak Buah is a spicy sweet dish of mixed fruits, such as apples, pineapple and guava, tossed in a sticky mixture of tamarind paste, palm sugar, water, oyster sauce, belacan dried shrimp paste, chili and garnished with sesame seeds and roasted ground peanuts.

Rojak Buah

Roti Canai from Brunei, similar in style to those served in Malaysia, and resembling the Roti Prata in Singapore.

Roti Canai

Seafood Masak Lemak is a curry dish of fresh calamari squid and prawns, in a rich curry gravy made from shallots, garlic, candlenuts, lemongrass, powdered turmeric, galangal / blue ginger, belacan dried shrimp paste, coconut milk, groundnut oil and chili. It is garnished with roasted ground peanuts.

Seafood Masak Lemak

Tea Contessa Grey is a blend of Ceylonese black tea, delicately fused with Mediterranean eucalyptus, Italian bergamot and Japanese shiso leaves. It has a medium body, with a fruity herbal aroma, and an elegant, soothing texture.

Tea Contessa Grey

Ikan Tenggiri Balado / Fish Mackerel Balado is a spicy savoury fish dish, using fresh mackerel fish, stir fried with onions, garlic, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, ginger, galangal / blue ginger, powdered turmeric, string beans, salt, lemon juice, tomato and chili. The dish is usually presented with the string beans and chili slightly covering the fish, and is quite spicy.

Ikan Tenggiri Balado / Fish Mackerel Balado

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The Empire Hotel And Country Club
Kampong Jerudong
Jerudong
Bandar Seri Begawan BG3122
Brunei


http://www.theempirehotel.com/






Nearby Attractions: Brunei Museum, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Kampong Ayer, Royal Regalia Museum, Cement Wreck, Jerudong Park Playground, Jame' Asri Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Istana Nurul Iman, Tomb Of Sharif Ali, Malay Technology Museum, Tomb Of Sultan Bolkiah, Australian Wreck, American Wreck, Rig Reef, Bolkiah Wreck, Blue Water Wreck


Hotel Facilities: Business Centre, Free & Paid Wi-Fi, Conference Rooms, Gymnasium, 2 Swimming Pools (Outdoor & Indoor), Laundry Service, 7 Restaurants (Atrium Cafe, Li Gong Chinese Restaurant, Bunker Bistro, Lobby Lounge, Pantai Restaurant & Zen Pavilion, Zest Cafe, Spaghettini Italian Restaurant), 1 Bar (Pool Deck), Cable TV, Executive Lounge, Theatre, Spa, Golf Course, Shops, Multi-Purpose Court, Tennis Court, Bowling Alley, Babysitting Service, Currency Exchange Service


Hotel Activities: Work Out, Internet Surfing, Swimming, Jacuzzi, Massage, Spa, Pedicure, Manicure, Body Scrub, Facial Treatment, Scalp Treatment, Shopping, Movie Watching, Golf, Badminton, Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash, Bowling, Kayaking






Introduction
Located about 20 - 30 minutes drive from Bandar Seri Begawan International airport, The Empire Hotel And Country Club in Brunei is more than just a hotel or a place to stay, it's a self-contained tourist attraction as well. Built by the Royal Family, The Empire Hotel And Country Club is the largest hotel in the country, the most popular destination due to its multiple activities and facilities, as well as the location of many business meetings and international conventions.


Ambience
Ambience within The Empire Hotel And Country Club befits its standing of the Royal Family of Brunei, with grand opulence and extravagance at every turn. The luxurious interior impresses upon first glance, and unlike many other places in Bandar Seri Begawan, The Empire Hotel And Country Club is well maintained and modern. Decor reflects both the traditional and contemporary in a unique blend, while the high ceilings, glass windows and ambient lighting showcase the beautiful beach front and the awesome view of the South China Sea.


Room
I stayed in the Deluxe Room of The Empire Hotel And Country Club. Rooms have a great view, and come fully equipped with amenities. Comfortable and feels luxurious, and the internet connectivity is pretty stable. You could also opt to stay in a Villa, or the Empress Suite / Emperor Suite. The gardens around the rooms lend a nice touch of natural greenery.


Food
Food at The Empire Hotel And Country Club Atrium Cafe is pretty good. I find the daily buffet more value for money than the ala-carte, as the range is quite varied, and taste is decent. There are many dining options at The Empire Hotel And Country Club, and by eating 1 meal in all the 7 different restaurants / cafes, you would take 2 days to sample al of them. Menus are quite extensive, though not all places are open for lunch or dinner.


Service
Service at The Empire Hotel And Country Club is excellent. Staff are friendly, welcoming, efficient and professional, as befits this hotel which constantly serves international guests of some esteem, and the Brunei Royal Family. The sprawling distance of the hotel ground is well covered by staff though, so you won't have to wait too long.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities at The Empire Hotel And Country Club are varied, and you'll never have to leave the grounds at all. Conference and Business facilities are well maintained and good, probably some of the best equipped in the country. There are a multitude of family and recreation lesiure activities, including golf and bowling. Entering the grounds is free, and many locals from Bandar Seri Begawan visit The Empire Hotel And Country Club to catch the gorgeous sunrise / sunset over the South China Sea.