Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei's capital, home to the golden-domed mosque, Kampong Ayer – the world's largest water village – and the pristine Temburong rainforest: a quiet, prosperous, off-the-beaten-path destination.

Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB for short), the capital of Brunei, sits on the Brunei River along Borneo's northern coast. With a small population and an unhurried pace, it is one of the quietest capitals in Southeast Asia. The sights are tightly clustered: in the old town you can walk between the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum and, across the river, the Kampong Ayer water village. About 5 km northwest, Gadong is the commercial district, with the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque and a night market. Heading east across the Temburong Bridge (opened in 2020), it's about a 45-minute drive to the exclave of Temburong District, where you switch to longboats to head deep into the rainforest. The climate is equatorial, 28–32°C year-round with no distinct dry season; October to January is wetter, while February to April is relatively dry. Getting there: from China, connect via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong or similar hubs to Brunei International Airport (BWN), about 10 km from the city centre – a 15–20 minute taxi ride (taxis are scarce in Brunei, so use the local ride-hailing app Dart or book a car in advance). City buses are infrequent; most visitors get around on foot, by taxi and by water taxi. Plan on 2–3 days: Day 1, the old town's mosque, the Regalia Museum and the water village, then proboscis monkeys in the mangroves at dusk and the night market after dark; Day 2, a day trip to Ulu Temburong National Park; with extra time, join the Istana Nurul Iman open house during Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr). Good to know: alcohol sales are banned nationwide, though non-Muslims may declare and bring in a small amount for personal use; Friday prayers run 12:00–14:00, when many shops and attractions close; to enter a mosque wear long sleeves and long trousers, women must cover their hair (robes can be borrowed at the mosque), and shoes come off at the door; during Ramadan, don't eat or drink in public during daylight hours. Entry rules change from time to time, so check the latest visa requirements for Chinese passport holders on the Brunei Immigration Department's official website before you go.

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