Brunei: climate, holidays, traffic, diseases
The climate on Brunei is equatorial, i.e. hot and humid with average temperatures of up to 32 degrees and a humidity of approx. 80%! Average temperatures vary little over the year.
Travel times
It is generally warm and humid all year round. When planning your trip you should take into account that the rainy season runs from September to January and that Ramadan is celebrated in the Muslim state, a time when everyday life is somewhat disrupted.
Brunei: Holidays and Events
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
January February | Chinese New Years Festival |
February 23 | National holiday of Brunei |
31. May | Army Day of Brunei |
15th of July | Sultan’s birthday |
September 23rd | Teacher’s Day |
September 29 | Public Service Day to commemorate the day the country’s first written constitution was written. |
25 December | Christmas |
Source: Countryaah – Brunei Holidays
- Ramadan: month of fasting
- Hari Raya: Time of the festivals that follow the month of fasting.
- Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed
- Hari Raya Korban: Goats and cows are sacrificed to the prophet Ibrahim SAW in blankets.
Sporting events
- Brunei Open: golf tournament
- Brunei Marathon in December
Sports
- Diving and snorkeling: there are numerous places in the waters for scuba diving or snorkeling
- Deep sea fishing: Due to the abundance of fish in the surrounding seas, the chances of a good catch are excellent
- Golf: There are excellent golf opportunities in the country.
Brunei: Sightseeing
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that BN stands for the nation of Brunei as a two-letter acronym.
Special buildings
Kampong Ayer
These stilt house villages are along the Brunei River. However, it is not the poor of the country who live here, but the traditional residents – there are fishermen, craftsmen, but also office workers. In the past, most of the people lived in the water houses of these pile dwelling settlements. Nowadays there are only about 30,000 left, but they persistently refuse to move into the residential houses on the mainland that they have been offered.
The water houses are connected to each other by wooden walkways and have electricity and water connections. There is also a mosque, a school and a hospital – all buildings stand on wooden poles. Labi Long House
The Labi Longhouse is a village that is located under the roof of a house. This unique design from Borneo is located in the Belait district on the road to Labi, not far from Kampong Labi.
Yayasan Shopping Center
This huge shopping center is not far from the. The range mainly includes luxury items such as great watches, jewelry, clothing or perfume.
A large selection of food is offered in the department store in the basement of the building.
Sultan Bolkiah Mausoleum
The mausoleum is the burial place of Sultan Bolkiah, who ruled Brunei from 1482 to 1521 as the 5th Sultan. The musoleum is reminiscent of a pavilion with a metal dome. It is near Kota Batu.
After his death, his son Abdul Kahar succeeded him on the throne.
Palace (Istana) Nurul Iman
The palace (istana) Nurul Iman is the residence and seat of government. of the Sultan of Brunei. It is located on the Brunei River – just outside the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
With around 1,790 rooms, 200 toilets and a living space of 200,000 m², the palace is the largest palace in the world. A race track for the Sultan’s sports cars is part of the palace complex.
And within the garden there is a lake with a white marble island in the shape of a ship, with which the Sultan wants to document his ties to seafaring.
The palace is not open to visitors.
Cultural institutions
Royal Regalia Museum
Here in the former Churchill Memorial Museum in Bandar Seri Begawan, the life story of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah comes to life again.
You can find jewels, crowns, swords or valuable garments.
The origins and history of Brunei are also presented here.
Brunei Museum
In the 1982 building in Bandar Seri Begawan, the history of the state, the local oil production as well as the flora and fauna in the country are presented.
The museum is about 7 km outside of the city in the direction of Kota Batu on the Brunei River.
Crafts center
, this craft center (Arts and Handicraft Center) was built to teach apprentices the old crafts, especially the production of silver jewelry. Visitors can watch the apprentices at work.
Malay Technology Museum
In this museum the visitor will find, among other things, replicas of old stilt houses. The museum is also located on the Brunei River.
Mosques, temples
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
The mosque, which was named after the father of the current sultan, is located on an artificial lake in Bandar Seri Begawan. It was built from Italian marble and is considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques in Southeast Asia.
A Venetian mosaic, made up of around 3.5 million small stones, adorns the main dome of the mosque. Certainly the most impressive mosque in all of Southeast Asia, it was completed in 1958.
In front of the mosque is an artificial lake in which there is a stone replica of a royal barge from the 16th century.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque
This mosque is the largest mosque in the country and was built for himself by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The mosque can be found in Kampong Kiarong.
Chinese Temple
This temple is located near the youth hostel in the capital. The temple can be visited.
Interesting markets
The markets in these regions are particularly attractive to Europeans.
Market behind Kianggeh
This market behind the Kianggeh Canal is open every day. Fruit and vegetables are particularly popular here.
In addition, some market stalls also offer delicious and inexpensive food.
Night market
This market takes place in the parking lot behind the post office building. The visitor can find food and drink here, so try fresh sugar cane juice or baked goods from sago.
Other attractions
Royal barge
The stone boat, a replica from the 16th century, is moored in an artificial lake in front of the Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar.
Jerudong Park
This huge park of around 20 ha = 200,000 m² is an amusement park in the manner of a Disneyland, which was built by the country’s sultan for its citizens and other visitors.
You will find a Ferris wheel, a bunjee jumping facility and of course numerous restaurants. Concerts are also given here.
Natural beauties
Ulu Temburong National Park
The Ulu Temburong National Park was established in 1991 as the first national park in Brunei. The national park covers an area of 550 km² and is located in the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve in the Temburong District in the Easter of Brunei.
The park has almost untouched jungle and is considered the green jewel of the country. The main rivers here are the Temburong and Belalong Rivers. Therefore, the park is also known as Belalong National Park. Visitors can only reach the park with the help of boats across the two rivers that start, for example, in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.
A special feature of the national park is an approximately 750 m long “walkway” with the help of which the visitor can walk up to 50 m above the treetops in order to be able to observe the flora and fauna from a great height.
Seri Kenangan Beach
The bathing beach is located in the Tutong district at the mouth of the river of the same name.
Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park
The park is located approx. 70 km from the capital at the Sungai Liang intersection. The park contains one of the few lowland forests in Southeast Asia.
Tasek Merumbun
Tasek Merumbun is the largest lake in the country and is located in the Tutong district.
Wasai Wong Kadir
The waterfall in the Belait district is a popular excursion destination and can be reached on foot in about 45 minutes from the road to Labi.