Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, formerly known as Brunei Town, is the capital of Brunei. The city is located along the Brunei River, near the mouth of Brunei Bay, a bay in the South China Sea off the northern coast of the island of Borneo. The town used to be predominantly an agricultural trading center and river port. Following extensive damage in World War II, it was mostly rebuilt and became the administrative and financial center of the country, with a port at the mouth of the river Muara. The city's famous buildings include the Istana Nurul Iman (the Royal Palace), the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium and the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia. Bandar Seri Begawan is located on the main south-west highway along the coast of Borneo towards Seria and Kuala Belait, and is home to Brunei's only international airport. Persiaran Damuan is a narrow strip of parkland between Jalan Tutong and Sungei Brunei, created in 1986. It permanently exhibits the work of a sculptor from each of the original ASEAN countries. The 1km-long park is lined with pleasant walkways with bushes and the mangrove-lined Pulau Ranggu, home to two species of monkeys, including the famous Long-Nosed Monkey, found only in Borneo. The park also offers the best views of Istana Nurul Iman. Jalan Tasek Lama is only a few minutes' walk from the city center and is a popular hiking trail for the city's inhabitants. There are well-designed paths leading through the small park, with benches and picnic areas, a waterfall and ponds full of water lilies.