Useful tips for traveling in Brunei, the small Sultanate of Borneo, from the waterside village of Kampong Ayer to the Ulu Temburong national park.
Located on the northwestern coast of Borneo, sandwiched between the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea, the Sultanate of Brunei it is among the richest and smallest sovereign states in the world, extending across the low coastal plain behind which rainforests and hills spread.
A very rich state, called Nagara Brunei Darussalam, i.e. "Home of Peace", which presents wonderful landscapes that will certainly enchant the visitor. The Sultanate, in the history of Borneo, played a decisive role, as for a long period it extended its hegemony in vast regions to the north and south of the island, from the coastal areas of the modern Malay states of Sarawak and Sabah to the Sulu archipelago, to the islands off the northwest tip of Borneo to Manila.
Having become an absolute monarchy in 1962, it always maintained a certain autonomy and refused to join the Federation of Malaysia. Afterwards, the current one Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, head of the oldest hereditary monarchy, declared independence from the British Empire. Today the sultan is the supreme political and religious leader; among other things, in 2015 to preserve the country's predominantly Muslim identity and religious character, he banned traditional Christmas celebrations.
Brunei is divided into two parts by the Limbang Valley, which belongs to the Malaysian state of Sarawak: the smaller eastern district of Temburong, an area of âânatural beauty; and larger western region, which includes the Brunei Muara, with its capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Tutong, an agricultural region with beaches and parks, and the Belait, the oil patch. Today, wealth, grandeur and traditions mix in this prosperous strip of land, above all thanks to the vast oil fields, off the western coast, to which the country owes its economy. The Sultan of Brunei uses part of this immense wealth by guaranteeing health services and free education for all.
The tour to the sultanate can start from its majestic capital Bandar Seri Begawan. There are many things to see in the city; first of all the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, erected in 1958 and dedicated to the 28th sultan of Brunei. The mosque is a classic example of Islamic architecture, a sacred place with its towers and the 52 meter golden dome reflecting on the surrounding lagoon is a remarkable sight. The campus of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam is also located a short distance from the capital.
Also worth a visit Nur-ul-Iman Palace palazzo, official seat of the sultan: it is considered the largest building in the world, with its 2 thousand rooms, a sumptuous throne room and a party room that can accommodate over 4 thousand people; and the Royal Regalia museum, dedicated to the Sultan of Brunei, with a vast exhibition of objects belonging to the monarchy and the collection of sumptuous gifts that the Sultan - owner of six exclusive examples of the Ferrari 456 Venice designed by Pininfarina - received from the powerful of the world.
Nature enthusiasts can find several ecotourism options, ranging from rainforests, coral reefs, mangrove-covered islands to white beaches. Excursions are recommended Berakas Forest Recreation Park located 18 kilometers from the capital, humid tropical forest called âKerangasâ where you can discover many species of native trees; or, in the Temburong district, at Bukit Pagon, the highest peak in Brunei, with a height of approximately 1850 m in the Ulu Temburong National Park.
Il Ulu Temburong National Park, in the eastern Temburong district, is the main nature reserve of Brunei and from its path in the trees, the Canopy Walkway, a steel structure that rises to about fifty meters, you can admire the authentic and wild jungle and many species of Proboscis monkeys, monkeys with proboscis, in a riot of colors and mangroves that intertwine in the tropical forest.
A must see is the Lake Merimbun the largest lake in the country, in the Tutong district, for a trip out of town and a picnic in the countryside, but above all for birdwatching: crossing a wooden walkway you can reach a small wooded island where it is common to spot eagles and falcons.
In the Brunei-Muara district, however, it is possible to immerse yourself in Malay culture and history while remaining in the urban area of ââthe capital. We suggest a boat or boat tour among the canals at Kampong Yesterday, the âvillage on the waterâ, which the Italian explorer Antonio Pigafetta defined as the Venice of the East. It is actually a group of 28 small villages - in which almost 40 thousand people live - connected to each other by wooden bridges and paths delimited by stilts that form a complex labyrinth navigable by water taxis. Here the community reflects the traditional lifestyle of the country.
Brunei also has a stunning coastal area and beautiful beaches; we recommend, in the Tutong district, those of Pantai Seri Kenangan, a short distance from the center of the city of Tutong, overlooking the South China Sea. In the Brunei-Muara district, Pantai Muara beach, a few kilometers away from Bandar Seri Begawan, perfect for swimming with the whole family; or Serasa Beach, particularly appreciated for those who practice water sports such as windsurfing or sailing due to the winds that blow there; here diving enthusiasts can find diving centers that organize excursions and courses to obtain certifications (PADI).
Brunei is a state that offers interesting tourist attractions; can be reached from Italy with scheduled flights, which stop in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, or in Bangkok or Singapore, with the final destination being Brunei international airport, which is just 11 kilometers from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Its warm and humid climate all year round and its rainy period concentrated from November to March make it a good destination for all seasons, or almost all seasons. Keep in mind that during Ramadan, the Muslim ritual fasting period, all daytime activities stop.
