Bandar Seri Begawan holds three major sites within walking distance of the waterfront. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque opened in 1958 with an artificial lagoon that mirrors its golden dome. The interior accommodates 3,000 worshippers and uses marble imported from Italy. Non-Muslims can enter outside prayer times by arrangement. The Royal Regalia Museum occupies a climate-controlled building that displays the chariot used during Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's 1968 coronation, gifts from visiting heads of state, and constitutional documents from the 1984 independence. Entry is free. Kampong Ayer consists of 42 connected stilt settlements housing approximately 30,000 residents above Brunei River. Water taxis cross between sections for one Brunei dollar. The settlements include mosques, schools, fire stations, and clinics connected by wooden walkways totaling 36 kilometers. Houses range from traditional timber structures to concrete buildings with satellite dishes.
Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque opened in 1994 with 29 golden domes representing the 29th Sultan in Brunei's lineage. The prayer hall fits 5,000 worshippers and the surrounding grounds can hold 30,000 during major Islamic holidays. Four minarets reach 58 meters. The mosque complex covers 18 hectares in Kampong Kiarong. Non-Muslims cannot enter but can photograph the exterior from the parking area. Istana Nurul Iman serves as the official residence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and holds the Guinness World Record for largest residential palace at 200,000 square meters with 1,788 rooms. The building opens to the public only during the three days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri when citizens queue to greet the Sultan. The rest of the year it is visible only from the road along the Brunei River.
Ulu Temburong National Park covers 550 square kilometers of primary rainforest in Temburong District accessible only by boat and four-wheel drive. The journey from Bandar Seri Begawan requires a 45-minute speedboat to Bangar then one hour by vehicle. The park's canopy walkway reaches 50 meters above ground level across aluminum towers connected by rope bridges totaling 200 meters in length. The walkway opened in 1990. Visitors must arrange access through licensed tour operators since independent entry is not permitted. The Temburong River runs through the park with rapids suitable for swimming during low water. Proboscis monkeys inhabit the riverbanks and are most visible in late afternoon. Hornbills including rhinoceros hornbills and oriental pied hornbills occupy the canopy. The park has no accommodation inside its boundaries.
Tasek Merimbun forms Brunei's largest natural lake at 78 hectares within a 7,800-hectare heritage park in Tutong District. The lake sits 70 meters above sea level and drains into the South China Sea via Tutong River. Black water from decaying vegetation colors the lake brown. Walking trails circle sections of the shoreline through peat swamp forest. The site includes a small recreation area with shelters. White-bellied sea eagles nest in trees around the perimeter. The lake holds cultural significance as the legendary home of a dragon in Brunei Malay folklore. Access requires private vehicle since no public transport serves the area. The drive from Bandar Seri Begawan takes one hour.
Bukit Shahbandar Forest Recreation Park occupies 27 hectares of secondary forest six kilometers from the capital with six marked trails ranging from one to four kilometers. The summit trail climbs 300 meters to a viewpoint overlooking Brunei Bay. The forest is regenerated land previously used for rubber plantations. Macaques frequent the trails and monitor lizards sunbathe on exposed paths. The park opens daily from 6am and charges no entry fee. Parking accommodates 50 vehicles. Seria Energy Lab and Resource Centre in the oil town of Seria displays the history of petroleum extraction in Brunei through original drilling equipment and seismic data visualization. The Billionth Barrel Monument marks the point where Seria's cumulative extraction reached one billion barrels in 1991. The offshore fields now produce approximately 100,000 barrels daily.
Tamu markets operate in different towns on rotating schedules selling produce, prepared food, textiles, and household items. The Kianggeh market in Bandar Seri Begawan runs daily from 5am until noon along the river near the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Vendors sell tropical fruit including durian during season from June to August, rambutan, mangosteen, and local vegetables. Nasi katok stalls offer fried chicken with rice and sambal for two Brunei dollars. Kelupis sticky rice cooked inside bamboo sections sells for one dollar per piece. Gadong Night Market opens at 4pm daily with 150 stalls arranged in rows selling Southeast Asian dishes including satay, grilled fish, rojak salad, and kuih desserts. The market operates until 11pm. Prices range from one to eight Brunei dollars per item.