Introduction
This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate lying on the northwest coast of Borneo is famous for the astounding wealth of its Sultan and its tax-free, subsidized society. Most activities in Brunei are of the organized, lycra-sports-gear, pay-to-play variety. The Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium is of Olympic proportions and includes a track and field complex for keen runners, a tennis center, squash courts and a swimming pool. Golfers can enjoy an international standard course at Mentiri Golf Club, and there is a driving range near the airport. The bowling alley is located on Jalan Tutong.

Tourist Attractions of Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar is a neat, clean, modern city with wide roads and overstated public buildings. Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is one of the most impressive modern mosques in the East. Originally built in 1958, the giant golden-domed mosque stands close to the Brunei River in its own artificial lagoon. The interior is just as luxurious, with Italian marble walls, luxurious carpeting and an elevator. Kampung Ayer is a centuries-old collection of 28 water villages built on stilts in the Brunei River. A strange mix of modern and ancient, visit here will be a real highlight of your trip to Brunei. Bandar Seri Begawan has a couple of excellent museums: the traditionally oriented Brunei Museum where visitors will find the artifacts that archive the history of Negara Brunei Darussalam, both ancient and the relatively recent. Well made cannons and kettles with their dragon motifs and elaborate patterns recall the glory days of the country when Brunei was an important political and mercantile power in the region and the lavish Malay Technology Museum, which includes exhibits on water village architecture and technologies used by the people who live in them. In the Kota Batu area on Jalan Residency is the Arts and Handicrafts Center, where traditional arts and crafts have been revived. Situated very close to the Omar Ali mosque is the public library with its attractive mural depicting Brunei's lifestyles in the 60s. Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's magnificent palace, is open to the public only at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. On one bank of the Brunei River is a newer relic; a British warship used during World War II, sheltered from the elements. Overlooking the old Kampong Ayer is the House of Twelve Roofs (Bum-bungan Dua Belas), built in 1906 and formerly the official home of the British resident. Yayasan Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah commercial complex is another landmark of the capital, across the road from the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque. The newly established complex is the prime shopping centre in Brunei a lavish four storeys with some of the premier big-name retailers in the region. The Royal Regalia Building is a new addition to the attractions found in the capital. Within easy walking distance of all the hotels in the capital center, the Royal Regalia Building houses artifacts used in royal ceremonies in the country. Foremost among the displays are the Royal Chariot, the gold and silver ceremonial armory and the jewel-encrusted crowns used in coronation ceremonies. Located next to the Royal Regalia Building is the Brunei History Centre. Drop by the centre and learn all about the genealogy and history of the sultans of Brunei, and members of the royal family. Across the road from the Brunei Hotel, is what is known throughout Borneo as the 'tamu.' A 'tamu' is a congregation of vendors selling farm produce and general items. If you are lucky, you can find valuable bargains among the potpourri of metal ware and handicraft hawked by some peddlers. The main Chinese temple in the country lies within sight of the 'tamu.' Elaborately designed roof and loud red colour of its outer walls make the temple a distinguished feature of the capital.

Jerudong
Jerudong is just north of the main highway between BSB and Tutong.Jerudong is the playground of the sultan, where he indulges in his favourite pastime, polo. Jerudong Park is a huge complex with a polo stadium, luxurious stables, a golf course and trapshooting and croquet facilities. Jerudong is well known for the Playground, a massive new amusement park with a huge range of rides. Visit Jerudong Beach behind the park, check stalls selling fish and some great cliffs.

Pulau Ranggu
In the middle of the river near the Istana Nurul Iman, Pulau Ranggu is home to a large colony of proboscis monkeys, with their hugely distended noses. There's also plenty of macaques here. If you take a water taxi along the river around sunset, you may get a glimpse of the monkeys.

Batang Duri
Batang Duri is an Iban longhouse on the Temburong River, about 40km southeast of BSB. From here take a boat to the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, which researches tropical rainforest species. The forest around here is rich in flora and fauna - there are walking trails and limited accommodation. There is also a zoo, Taman Batang Duri, nearby where you can see civets, monkeys, otters and birds.

Pantai Seri Kenangan
Often known as Pantai Tuton, this is a popular beach with picnic tables and a simple restaurant. It is on a spit of land with the ocean on one side and the Tutong River on the other, and the white-sand, casuarina-lined beach is probably the best in Brunei. The nearby town of Tutong has a market every morning. The area of beach at the end of the road is quiet and ideal for camping.

Peradayan Forest Reserve
This forest reserve contains the peaks of Bukit Patoi and Bukit Peradayan.You can reach here along a walking trail. This is the most accessible rainforest in Brunei, and the wildlife includes squirrels, treeshrews, moonrat and mouse deer.

Wasai Kandal
Wasai Kandal, about 12km southwest of BSB, is a forest area with waterfalls and pools. A wide, easy-to-follow path leads past picnic ponds and pools to Air Terjun Tinggi, the most impressive falls. A rough track takes you to Air Terjun Rendah, another waterfall with its own picnic area.

The Bukit Shabbandar Forest Park
The Bukit Shabbandar Forest Park is just the place to go for hiking. About ten minutes drive from the Jerudong Park Playground, the park is hectares upon hectares of greenery, dissected by tracks and paths for hiking, jogging and biking. While hiking, you can partake the wonders of the local forests the rich diversity of its plant life, the exquisite charms and colours of the insects and reptiles live within, and the symphony in the singing of the birds. Bukit Shahbandar Forest Park is just one of the 11 forest reserves in the country.

Tutong
About half-an-hour drive away from Bandar Seri Begawan lies the Tutong district home to the best, and possibly most popular, beach in Brunei. The Seri Kenangan Beach is a long tract of golden sand, washed by a wide expanse of the South China Sea. It is set on some 10 kilometers stretch of spit, and neighbours the Tutong River situated just across the road. You will find fishing enthusiasts trying their luck on both sides of the spit, kids flying kites, taking advantage of the strong winds. All around you can find stalls selling local take-aways to satisfy the hunger pangs, and toys to keep the little ones happy.

The Tutong district is also the abode of one of the largest lakes in the country Lake Merimbun just the right place for people who want to enjoy nature. Surrounded by dense jungle, the lake is reputedly also a good place for bird watching. Moreover, the trail that cuts across makes the jungle an ideal place to hike, and feel the nature. The islet located in the middle of the lake a beautiful quiet spot accessible through a wooden walkway, has pavilion facilities for picnicking. The lake is quite well stocked with fish, and jaunts by fishing enthusiasts to the area are quite common.

Belait
Sixteen kilometers southwards from Seria is Kuala Belait, the administrative centre for the district. Go to the seafront of the town, and let yourself be soothed by the cooling breeze from the sea, while wild waves break on the sands. Watch local residents enjoying themselves on the wide beach after a hard day at work. Do not miss the gala of colors across the sky as the sun begins its setting motion. Drive to the ferry point; take a ride across the narrow Belait river mouth to explore the rustic charms of the Malay village of Sungai Teraban, with its quaint houses and shops and very friendly residents.

Explore the charming village home for the indigenous Belait community.