Bandar Seri Begawan, also known as BSB or just Bandar, is the capital of Brunei.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Bandar Seri Begawan is a modern city with wide streets and palace buildings. For its history, it was once a Malay fishing village and has been on the Brunei River in which people lived in riverside dwellings and was subject to attacks by pirates, the Portuguese and the Spaniards. 1 Tourist Information Centre (in the old customs building on the waterfront). Don't get your hopes up—they're friendly but not especially knowledgeable. They do have useful maps of the city, at least. (updated Feb 2019)
Try to pick up the official map of Brunei Darussalam, as it is easy to read and the public bus lines are easy to follow. The people of Brunei are very helpful to visitors, so don't be surprised after a few minutes of conversation they offer a ride to one of the attractions, as they know how much easier it is to drive there than get there any other way. Downtown is quite small and can be easily navigated on foot. At several intersections there are walking maps of the Heritage Trail which includes the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Tamu Kianggeh (Kianggeh Market), and the Royal Regalia Museum. Public minibuses are the cheapest way to travel in the city.
Don't expect to find much tasteful and stunning architecture like you would normally find in Southeast Asia. Here, most of the buildings are just plain and box-shaped. However, an interesting twist to the billboards around here, is that the "Jawi" (Arabicized Malay writing) are prevalent among them. Sometimes, foreign names are translated literally, e.g. "Pizza Hut" to "Pondok Pizza". 1 Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Jalan Elizabeth II. Sa–Th 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:00, 16:30–17:30; F 16:30–17:30. Open to visitors when it is not being used for prayers (opening times are posted by the gate).
Every year, for three days at the end of Ramadan, the sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, opens his palace (Istana Nurul Iman) to the public. This event is primarily intended for the citizens of Brunei to meet their sultan, but foreigners are welcome too. Prepare to queue up for hours; even the queue for security alone takes over an hour. In the palace, free meals are distributed amongst all visitors; there is a wide choice. You can then queue up again in order to meet the sultan himself. You won't have the opportunity to exchange more than a handshake and a few words with him, but it's still a unique opportunity to meet a head of state. Unfortunately, the sultan only meets men.
1 Kianggeh Market. A covered market in downtown. You can get Nasi Katok, Teh Tarik, or a kilogram of raw vegetables or sapit. Around $1. Only accept cash. (updated Feb 2021) 2 Aminah Arif Restaurant. One of a few local restaurants that features the Bruneian delicacy ambuyat and a pretty good range of other food too. Gerai Makan, on the waterfront in the southeastern corner of the city, just across a bridge. Here there are a number of outdoor restaurants serving cheap and tasty fare. It's a great place to relax and soak in the local atmosphere. Great views of stilt villages and water taxis speeding back and forth. PGS Cafe, near the Palm Garden at Kiulap.
Alcohol is officially banned in Brunei, so there are no bars or nightlife in the Western sense of the world. However, there are a few speakeasies lightly disguised as members clubs, and some Chinese restaurants have been known to offer to fill their teapots with something a little stronger or frothier than regular tea.
Crime is very uncommon in this tightly controlled small country.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Bandar Seri Begawan typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 10 rainy days.
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