K M Cheng-Travel Journal

Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan) Aug (2016)

Bandar Seri Begawan Map

Tourist Attractions in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

1) Taman Peranginan Tasik Lama - near the city center, popular trekking trail, a small park & a waterfall

2) Tamu Kianggeh - open market selling local fresh produce, potted plants , food & beverages

3) Pusat Belia (Youth Centre) - operates a youth hostel offering dorm beds for budget travelers

4) Chung Hwa Chinese School - a private secondary school

5) Chinese Temple

6) Radisson Hotel

7) Galeri Seni (Art Gallery)

8) Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mall

9) Bus Terminal, Jalan Cator - mini busses provide downtown services in and around the city & airport also to outstation towns like Muara, Limbang, Seria etc, each bus ride is B$1 for places in Bandar & Muara, B$6 for bus leaving Bandar to Seria

10) Bridges over the Sungai Kianggeh - water taxis ferry people to Kampong Ayer (Water Village)

11) Tamu Selera - an open food court serving local food & drinks in the evening, opposite the Royal Regalia Building

11) Pusat Sejarah Brunei (Brunei History Centre) - located next to the Royal Regalia Building, officially opened in 1982, good exhibits of pictures & write ups on the history of Brunei

12) Muzium Brunei (Brunei Museum) - closed until further notice, 5km from city centre

13) Muzium Maritim Brunei Darussalam - Located in Kota Batu, behind the Brunei Museum and opposite the Malay Technology Museum, a great display of ancient relics recovered from sunken ships

14) Muzium Teknologi Melayu (Malay Technology Museum) - behind Brunei Museum in Kota Batu, houses 3 exhibition halls - Water Village Traditional Housing Gallery, Water Village Traditional Technology Gallery & Inland Traditional Technology Gallery

15) Menara Jam (Clock Tower)

16) Gadong Central - modern shopping complexes, fast food, Gadong Mall

17) Pasar Gadong (Wet Market) & Pasar Malam (Night Market), within walking distance from Gadong Mall

18) Persiaran Damuan - a landscaped recreation park with a narrow square located between Jalan Tutong & Brunei River, built in 1986, a display of Asean sculptures, next to the Istana Nurul Iman

19) Kampong Ujong Bukit / Kampong Limbongan, Mukim Tamoi - closest water village within walking distance from the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

20) Waterfront - overlooking the historical Kampong Ayer, officially opened in 2011

21) Mercu Dirgahayu 60 - Memorial depicting 60 in Arabic to mark the Sultan's 60th Birthday

22) Bandar Seri Begawan Downtown

23) Taman Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin (Park)

24) Lapau di Raja - ceremonial hall for Royal ceremonies

25) Pictures of mosques in and around Brunei as taken from the bus windows

26) Brunei International Airport

Brunei (Muara) Aug 2016

Muara Map

Muara, Brunei - Pekan Muara is located in the eastern most tip of West Brunei, 29km from Bandar Seri Begawan. The town has the country most deepest water port. The Royal Navy & Royal Brunei Armed Forces is located in Pekan Muara. Pantai Muara (Muara Beach) along the South China Sea is about 4-5km from Pekan Muara and is a favorite recreation place for the locals & tourists.

The Royal Dutch Shell, Brunei Shell Marketing & Brunei Shell Petroleum are actively involved in some down stream petroleum activities in Muara.

Tourists may opt for a visit to the duty free port of Labuan (under Malaysia) and the ferry rides from the Serasa Ferry Terminal in Muara to the island of Labuan is approx 1.5hr.

Bus (No 38) from Bandar Seri Begawan > Muara (B$1, one way). Muara Bus No 33 serves the Pekan Muara & Pantai Muara route but the waiting time is approx. 30-45 mins. Hitch a ride from the locals if you are in a hurry to go to the Pekan Muara bus station !

Taman Rekreasi Pantai Muara (Muara Beach), Brunei, along South China Sea

Pekan Muara & Bus Station

Brunei (Seria) Aug 2016

Seria, Brunei Map

Seria is the center of the oil industry in Brunei. The town has a population of about 30,000 people. Seria is in the north west of Belait district and is about 100km from Bandar Seri Begawan or 16km from Kota Belait, a border town close to the Sarawak state of Malaysia.

Oil was first discovered in Seria in 1929. There are many nodding "Donkeys" operating in and around Seria and this has become the symbol of the town. There is a brigade of Nepalese Gurkhas under the British army to protect vital interests in Seria .

The Billion Barrel Monument & the Gas & Oil Discovery Centre (run by Brunei Shell Petroleum) are the major tourist attractions in Seria. Both these places are located about 3-4km from the Seria town.

Seria, Brunei

Seria Town

Brunei Garrison, Seria

The Billionth Barrel Monument - commemorating the billionth barrel of crude oil production from Seria Field - located 2-3 km from Seria town, no public bus but taxi is available. Mini bus from Seria to Kuala Belait can drop you off at a junction closest to the Monument, after viewing - suggest hitch a ride to the Seria town.

Sungai Tutong / Tutong Town - mini bus (B$6) from Bandar Seri Begawan to Seria makes a brief stopover in Tutong

Brunei (Kuala Belait) Aug Brunei 2016

Kuala Belait Map

Kuala Belait is a river port at the center of an oil field, the 2nd largest city in Brunei and it lies along the Belait River near the South China Sea. Kuala Belait water front has a recreation park which can be seen from the main road to the town.

Mini Bus from Seria > Kuala Belait (B$1 per ride); 30 mins from Setia (16km), no direct bus from Kuala Belait to Bandar Seri Begawan