Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is the capital and largest city of
Brunei
Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with ...
. It is officially a
municipal area () with an area of and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007.
It is part of
Brunei–Muara District
Brunei–Muara District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دايره بروني موارا), or simply known as Brunei–Muara ('), is the smallest as well as the most populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population ...
, the smallest yet most populous district which is home to over 70 percent of the country's population.
It is the country's largest urban centre and nominally the country's only city. The capital is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. It was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honour of
Omar Ali Saifuddien III
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (Jawi script, Jawi: ; 23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah.
Over the course of his ...
, the 28th
Sultan of Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state of Brunei and head of government in his capacity as prime minister of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates bac ...
and the father of Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the List of sultans of Brunei, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and Prime Minister of Brunei, prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...
.
The history of Bandar Seri Begawan can be traced back to the establishment of a
Malay stilt settlement on the waters of the
Brunei River
The Brunei River () is a river which flows through Brunei and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the s ...
which became the predecessor of
Kampong Ayer
Kampung Ayer (') is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre ...
today. It became the capital of the
Bruneian Sultanate from the 16th century onwards, as well as in the 19th century when it became a British protectorate. The establishment of a British Residency in the 20th century saw the establishment of modern-day administration on land, as well as the gradual resettlement of the riverine dwellers to the land. During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the capital was
occupied by the Japanese forces from 1941 and bombed in 1945 upon liberation by Allied forces. Brunei's independence from the British was declared on 1 January 1984 on a square in the
city centre
A city centre, also known as an urban core, is the Commerce, commercial, Culture, cultural and often the historical, Politics, political, and geographic heart of a city. The term "city centre" is primarily used in British English, and closely e ...
.
Bandar Seri Begawan is home to
Istana Nurul Iman
The Istana Nurul Iman (Jawi script, Jawi: ايستان نور الإيمان; English language, English: The Light of Faith Palace) is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government. Th ...
, the largest residential palace in the world by the
Guinness World Records
''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, list ...
,
and
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei's iconic landmark. It is also home to
Kampong Ayer
Kampung Ayer (') is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre ...
, the largest 'water village' in the world and nicknamed
Venice of the East.
It was once the host city of the
20th Southeast Asian Games in 1999 and 8th
APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC ) is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economy , economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Following the success of Association of Southeast Asia ...
Summit in 2000.
Etymology
Bandar Seri Begawan was named after
Omar Ali Saifuddien III
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (Jawi script, Jawi: ; 23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah.
Over the course of his ...
, the 28th
Sultan of Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state of Brunei and head of government in his capacity as prime minister of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates bac ...
.
Seri Begawan is part of the royal title bestowed on the late sultan upon his abdication in favor of his son,
Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the List of sultans of Brunei, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and Prime Minister of Brunei, prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...
, in 1967.
The city was renamed on 4 October 1970 to commemorate his contribution to the modernisation of the country during his reign in the 20th century. Prior to this, the city had been known as Brunei Town or in
Malay (literally "Brunei City").
"
Bandar" derives from the
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
word for "port", while the title "Seri Begawan" derives from the Sanskrit words "
Shri
Shri (; , ) is a Sanskrit term denoting resplendence, wealth and prosperity, primarily used as an honorific.
The word is widely used in South and Southeast Asian languages such as Assamese, Meitei ( Manipuri), Marathi, Malay (including In ...
Bhagawan" (
IAST
The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) is a transliteration scheme that allows the lossless romanisation of Brahmic family, Indic scripts as employed by Sanskrit and related Indic languages. It is based on a scheme that ...
: Śrī Bhagavān, "blessed one").
History
Early history
The growth and development of Brunei's historic capital city unfolded in three main stages. The first stage began in the 17th century with the emergence of a water settlement near present-day
Kota Batu. In the second stage the capital shifted to the area around what is now
Kampong Ayer
Kampung Ayer (') is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre ...
—a collection of water villages. Today, Kampong Ayer, originally the ancient capital built over the
Brunei River
The Brunei River () is a river which flows through Brunei and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the s ...
, serves as a suburb of the modern capital on adjacent land, having thrived particularly during Sultan
Bolkiah
Bolkiah ibni Sulaiman (Jawi script, Jawi: ; died 17 July 1524) or commonly known as Nakhoda Ragam (Jawi script, Jawi: ), was the sixth List of sultans of Brunei, sultan of Brunei from 1485 until his death in 1524, he ascended the throne upon t ...
's reign. This city was developed on land during the third phase, particularly after 1906.
Over 300 years of intermittent conflict between the Malay Muslim tribes and Spanish conquistadors, known in Spanish chronicles as the
Moro Wars, began in 1578 when Catholic Spaniards attacked Kampong Ayer during the
Castilian War
The Castilian War, also called the Spanish Expedition to Borneo, was a conflict between the Spanish Empire and several Muslim states in Southeast Asia, including the Sultanates of Brunei, Sulu, and Maguindanao. It is also considered as part of ...
. Pirates, many of whom were Muslim sailors from the southern Philippines and Borneo, including destitute princes from the royal families of
Sulu
Sulu (), officially the Province of Sulu (Tausug language, Tausūg: ''Wilaya' sin Lupa' Sūg''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines in the Sulu Archipelago.
It was part of the Bangsamoro, Bangsamoro Autonomous R ...
and Brunei, took advantage of the void left by Kampong Ayer's loss in authority throughout the 16th and 17th century. Along with other important sites like
Endau and
Jolo
Jolo () is a volcanic island in the southwest Philippines and the primary island of the province of Sulu, on which the capital of the same name is situated. It is located in the Sulu Archipelago, between Borneo and Mindanao, and has a populatio ...
, the capital became a major hub for piracy and the trade in stolen goods and slaves as the sultan attempted to regulate or tax these pirate towns.

Kampong Ayer was still humble and less affluent by the middle of the 19th century, and its look had not altered much since
Antonio Pigafetta
Antonio Pigafetta (; – c. 1531) was a Venetian scholar and explorer. In 1519, he joined the Spanish expedition to the Spice Islands led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the world's first Magellan's circumnavigation, circumnavigation, ...
's time. It was dubbed a "Venice of hovels" by
Rajah James Brooke in 1841. Houses were constructed on
mudflat
Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats or, in Ireland, slob or slobs, are coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas where sediments have been deposited by tides or rivers. A global analysis published in 2019 suggested that tidal ...
s, encircled by mud at low tide and water at high tide, and a floating market was crowded with people peddling things from canoes. Despite its unattractive appearance, the town was renowned for its packed buildings and the spacious but uncomfortable palace, where Brooke was made to feel quite welcome by the sultan and his court despite the gloomy and basic lodgings.
Known as the "Venice of Borneo," Kampong Ayer is distinguished by its position on a wide river that empties into a sizeable lake and by the fact that its homes are perched on piles that are around above the tide. The formerly thriving town has lost both size and significance, as seen by its dilapidated buildings and shortage of defences. Once enclosed by a sturdy brick wall and furnished with opulent furnishings, the sultan's palace looks like a cheap shed. The town's filthy state is exacerbated by offensive smells coming from uncovered mud, where waste builds up. In sharp contrast to the town's historical splendour, the majority of the population is made up of slaves and the Sultan's and nobility's dependents.
Colonial era
Brunei Town's development unfolded in three major phases, with the third beginning in 1906 under
Malcolm McArthur's guidance, focusing on transitioning the settlement to land. His vision aimed to address the sanitation issues that were most severe in Kampong Ayer, a water village with 8,000–10,000 residents when the
Residential system was introduced. McArthur prioritised constructing a land-based colony,
starting with his own residence,
Bubungan Dua Belas, even though the sultan's palace remained in Kampong Ayer. By 1910, Chinese immigrants had opened shops, further establishing the colony on land.
In 1911 the water village, largely populated by
Malay Muslim and a small
Kedayan
The Kedayan (also known as Kadayan, Kadaian or Kadyan) are an ethnic group residing in Brunei, Federal Territory of Labuan, southwest of Sabah, and north of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. According to the Language and Literature Bureau of B ...
community in nearby areas, was home to many houses built over water. The capital endured severe hardship after losing
Limbang, which had provided essential resources to river villagers; this loss also undermined Sultan
Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin's prestige and authority amid growing economic challenges. In 1920, the area was officially designated as Brunei's capital and municipal territory. Along the western riverbanks, government buildings and a mosque were constructed in the same year. Later on 1 January 1921, the Brunei Town Sanitary Board (BTSB) was established to oversee its development. In 1922, Sultan
Muhammad Jamalul Alam II's decision to relocate his palace from
Kampung Sultan Lama to the interior of Brunei Town renewed interest in Resident McArthur's proposal for relocating the
Kampong Ayer
Kampung Ayer (') is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre ...
community. His involvement inspired Kampong Ayer residents to consider mainland resettlement, and relocation efforts in the 1920s began expanding beyond the
city centre
A city centre, also known as an urban core, is the Commerce, commercial, Culture, cultural and often the historical, Politics, political, and geographic heart of a city. The term "city centre" is primarily used in British English, and closely e ...
to areas like
Tungkadeh and
Kumbang Pasang, marking a significant shift in Brunei's urban development.

After the Japanese launched an assault starting in
Kuala Belait, Brunei Town was overrun by them on 22 December 1941. To British officers they had seized, the Japanese declared their intention to free Asia from colonial rule. Due to an
Allied embargo that hampered the local economy, Brunei Town experienced extreme economic duress during the
Japanese occupation. On 22 December 1941, Sultan
Ahmad Tajuddin, who was based in
Kampong Sumbiling, surrendered to
General Tawaguchi. By encouraging agriculture and requiring farmers to turn over a percentage of their harvests, Japan sought to integrate Brunei's culture and economy with its own, appointing
Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar
Ibrahim bin Mohammad Jahfar (27 September 1902 – 19 February 1971) was an aristocrat, civil servant and magistrate. He was the first Malay to hold Brunei's highest executive position, serving as State Secretary of Brunei, state secretary fro ...
as head of administration under Governor Takamura. The Japanese instituted stringent cultural initiatives, such as teaching Japanese language and values and establishing youth groups like the Brunei Malay Organisation, in an effort to exploit the oil riches. The town was brutally bombarded by Allied forces beginning in November 1944 and subjected to extreme brutality by the Japanese military police, the ''
Kempeitai
The , , was the military police of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The organization also shared civilian secret police that specialized in clandestine and covert operation, counterinsurgency, counterintelligence, HUMINT, interrogated suspects ...
''.
After three days of warfare, American and Australian forces captured Brunei on 10 June 1945, but Brunei Town suffered significant damage. Brunei Malays had a stronger sense of national identity at this time, and local partners went on to play important roles in the burgeoning nationalist movement. The town's wartime population of 16,000 was reduced to a small number of people who remained when the war came to a close due to Allied bombs and food shortages. Residents were forced to observe from neighboring hills or take cover in the bush after the bombers destroyed almost all of the town's homes and businesses. Bruneians started reconstructing their homes out of the debris left by the bombs after the Japanese withdrew into the forest in June 1945.
The town became a focal point for important institutional and religious transformation following the war. To further Islamic matters, a board of 19 notable individuals and not all of them were religious experts, was formed in 1948. To increase the sultan's legitimacy in the face of British scrutiny, this reform sought to standardise religious courts, codify
Islamic law
Sharia, Sharī'ah, Shari'a, or Shariah () is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Qur'an and hadith. In Islamic terminology ''sharīʿah'' refers to immutable, intan ...
, and enhance the management of Islamic services under his direct control. Despite having little contact with Brunei's western regions, new groups like the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC; ; ), formerly the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1969. It consists of Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, 57 member s ...
contributed to the region's religious life in the 1950s, which witnessed a considerable increase in religious activity in the town. Despite the oil industry's fast growth in urban areas like
Seria and
Kuala Belait, no clear regional religious identity was able to emerge because of the close institutional ties between Brunei Town's religious establishment and the surrounding districts.

In the post-war period, particularly throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Brunei focused on social and religious growth as well as urban reconstruction. Years of occupation during the
Pacific War
The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War or the Pacific Theatre, was the Theater (warfare), theatre of World War II fought between the Empire of Japan and the Allies of World War II, Allies in East Asia, East and Southeast As ...
had left the city's infrastructure severely damaged, necessitating quick solutions like the rapid reconstruction of Brunei Town's stores and the temporary thatched-roof rebuild of Masjid Kajang. In 1953, the town saw significant investment through a five-year
National Development Plan
National Development Plan (NDP, ) is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on (mainly) national infrastructure. The first five-year plan ran from 1988 to 1993, the second was a six-year plan f ...
funded with
M$100 million, primarily for infrastructure, following Sultan
Omar Ali Saifuddien III
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (Jawi script, Jawi: ; 23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah.
Over the course of his ...
's successful negotiation with the British for increased corporate taxes and expanded war reparations. In 1953, a major development plan was introduced, dedicating $100 million to the city's growth—a significant investment for a community of just 54,000. That same year on 1 August, the BTSB was renamed the Brunei Town Municipal Board (BTMB) and administered by the British Resident until 1959. From then on, the Brunei–Muara District Officer took on dual roles as head and chairman of the BTMB.
Brunei's population tripled to 83,877 by 1960 as a result of immigration brought on by oilfield finds in Belait. The capital was now competing economically with the burgeoning cities of Seria and Kuala Belait. Although the majority did not hold Bruneian citizenship, the Chinese community, who were extensively involved in local commerce, increased to a quarter of the population by 1960. The
Brunei revolt
The Brunei revolt () or the Brunei rebellion of 1962 was a December 1962 insurrection in the British protectorate of Brunei by opponents of its monarchy's proposed inclusion in the Federation of Malaysia. The insurgents were members of the ...
began on 8 December 1962, when the
North Kalimantan National Army quickly captured Brunei Town, the
oilfields at Seria, and portions of
Sarawak
Sarawak ( , ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. It is the largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is ...
and
North Borneo
North Borneo (usually known as British North Borneo, also known as the State of North Borneo) was a British Protectorate, British protectorate in the northern part of the island of Borneo, (present-day Sabah). The territory of North Borneo wa ...
. In response, British forces, including
Gurkhas and
Royal Marines
The Royal Marines provide the United Kingdom's amphibious warfare, amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, a Company (military unit), company str ...
, regained control of most key centres by 11 December, resulting in the capture or surrender of around 2,700.
Independence era
Together with the expansion of the oil and gas industry, commercialisation began to transform Brunei's capital and a large number of public buildings were constructed, along with the development of a central business district in the 1970s and 1980s. Brunei Town was formally renamed Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 October 1970, in honour of the retired Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, with the renaming ceremony held at the capital. On 1 January 1984, at midnight, Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the List of sultans of Brunei, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and Prime Minister of Brunei, prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...
declared Brunei's
independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of ...
at the
Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien. The
Ministry of Home Affairs
An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement.
In some states, the i ...
has been in charge of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board since the country's independence in 1984. The new town has grown along Jalan Berakas and Jalan Muara in the north and Jalan Tutong and Jalan Gadong in the west. A 1998 ''
Asia Week'' study ranked Bandar Seri Begawan among Asia's top capital cities for 1999 and 2000, highlighting its cleanliness and security as key factors in its recognition.
On 1 August 2007, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah gave consent for the expansion of the city from to .
Government
The city is administered by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board within Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department, a government department within the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Municipal Board was established in 1921, originally as a Sanitary Board (') which was, and is still, responsible for maintaining the cleanliness to the then Brunei Town.
It achieved the status of ' (municipality) in 1935 with the conversion of the Sanitary Board into the current Municipal Board (').
The city is in the
Brunei–Muara District
Brunei–Muara District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دايره بروني موارا), or simply known as Brunei–Muara ('), is the smallest as well as the most populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population ...
, the smallest yet the most populous
district
A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...
in the country, and as of 1 August 2007, the municipal area has been expanded from to . The Bandar Seri Begawan area encompasses several
mukims and
villages
A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban village ...
within the district, including
Mukim Berakas 'A',
Mukim Berakas 'B',
Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer,
Mukim Gadong 'A',
Mukim Gadong 'B',
Mukim Kianggeh
Mukim Kianggeh is a mukims of Brunei, mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The population was 8,228 in 2016. The mukim encompasses Pusat Bandar, Brunei, Pusat Bandar, the city centre of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.
Etymology
The name ...
,
Mukim Kilanas,
Mukim Kota Batu,
Mukim Peramu,
Mukim Saba
Mukim Saba is a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. It is part of Kampong Ayer, the traditional stilted settlements on the Brunei River in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 1,000 in 2016. It encompasses the village of Kamp ...
,
Mukim Sungai Kebun,
Mukim Sungai Kedayan, and
Mukim Tamoi.
Geography
The Brunei–Muara District, encompassing , is the smallest of Brunei's western districts and is home to Bandar Seri Begawan. The area contrasts sharply with the mountainous Temburong District to the east, featuring low hills, marshy coastal plains, and narrow alluvial valleys along key rivers. Between
Tutong and the capital, hills approach the coast, while the coastal plains around Bandar Seri Begawan remain low and marshy, particularly to the south. Brunei's territory is divided by the
Limbang region of
Sarawak
Sarawak ( , ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. It is the largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is ...
, which historically served as the capital's natural
hinterland
Hinterland is a German word meaning the 'land behind' a city, a port, or similar. Its use in English was first documented by the geographer George Chisholm in his ''Handbook of Commercial Geography'' (1888). Originally the term was associated wi ...
until its cession to Sarawak in 1890. The city is easily accessible from Bukit Kota, a 133-meter (436 ft) hill near the eastern boundary of Brunei's western area, while TV broadcasts were transmitted from nearby
Subok Hill.
The
Brunei River
The Brunei River () is a river which flows through Brunei and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the s ...
, which flows into
Brunei Bay, is one of several waterways converging near Bandar Seri Begawan. Key subcatchments—
Kedayan River, Sungai Damuan, and Sungai Imang—enter the low-lying, swampy Brunei River basin at various points, with Kedayan River joining close to the city. The area is bordered by ridges and estuarine plains, experiencing significant urban development. The neighboring
Tutong and
Belait rivers add to the region's complex estuarine and floodplain systems. A strip of thick coal seams runs along the coastline between Bandar Seri Begawan and Muara.
Climate
Brunei has an equatorial,
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southeast Florida, United States ...
more subject to the
Intertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ , or ICZ), known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms because of its monotonous windless weather, is the area where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge. It encircles Earth near the t ...
than to the
trade wind
The trade winds or easterlies are permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, ...
s and rare
cyclone
In meteorology, a cyclone () is a large air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from above (opposite to an ant ...
s. The climate is hot and wet. The city sees heavy precipitation throughout the year, with the northeast
monsoon
A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in Atmosphere of Earth, atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annu ...
blowing from December to March and the southeast monsoon from around June to October.
The wettest day on record is 9 July 2020, when of rainfall was reported at the airport.
Demographics
The Bruneian Census 2011 Report estimated the population of Bandar Seri Begawan to be approximately 20,000, while the metropolitan area has around 279,924.
The majority of Bruneians are
Malays, with
Chinese being the most significant minority group.
Aboriginal groups such as the
Bisaya,
Belait,
Dusun,
Kedayan
The Kedayan (also known as Kadayan, Kadaian or Kadyan) are an ethnic group residing in Brunei, Federal Territory of Labuan, southwest of Sabah, and north of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. According to the Language and Literature Bureau of B ...
,
Lun Bawang
The Lun Bawang (formerly known as Trusan Murut and Mengalong Murut or Southern Murut) is an ethnic group found in Central Northern Borneo. They are indigenous to the southwest of Sabah (Interior Division including Labuan) and the northern reg ...
,
Murut, and
Tutong also exist. They are classified as part of the Malay ethnic groups and have been given the
Bumiputera privileges.
Large numbers of foreign workers are also found within Brunei and the capital city, with the majority being from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia (mostly Betawi, Batak, Ambon, Minahasa, Aceh, Malay and Minangkabau), and the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...
.
Main sights and tourism

Numerous important historical and religious sites may be found in Bandar Seri Begawan. The
Ash-Shaliheen Mosque,
Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
The Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque () is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It is named after Hassanal Bolkiah, the 29th Sultan of Brunei. It is one of the two state mosques (), the other Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and the largest o ...
, and
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque are notable mosques. Another noteworthy house of worship is the
Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The tombs of Bolkiah and
Sharif Ali in Kota Batu are key historical attractions, symbolising Brunei's rich legacy. The
Lapau, traditionally used for royal ceremonies, and the
Old Lapau, now a gallery in the
Brunei History Centre
The Brunei History Centre (PSB; ) is a government institution which conducts research, documentation, publication and dissemination on matters pertaining to the history of Brunei. It was established in 1982 by the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolk ...
, add to the city's cultural significance. The city also hosts several museums. The
Brunei Museum, situated in the
Kota Batu Archaeological Park, is the country's largest archaeological site. Other notable museums include the
Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum,
Brunei Energy Hub,
Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery,
Malay Technology Museum,
Royal Regalia Museum, and
Bubungan Dua Belas.
Istana Darussalam and
Istana Darul Hana are former royal residences of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, while the
Istana Nurul Iman
The Istana Nurul Iman (Jawi script, Jawi: ايستان نور الإيمان; English language, English: The Light of Faith Palace) is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government. Th ...
palace currently serves as the residence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The
Secretariat Building, the oldest government structure, holds the seat of government known as "
State Secretary." The
Raja Ayang Mausoleum, dating back to the 15th century, is believed to honor a royal who was punished for incest, and it has since become a cultural site where visitors often seek blessings, despite some damage caused by offerings.
Royal Mausoleum is the main burial ground for several sultans and royal family members of Brunei, adding to the country's historical significance.
The city's suburb incorporates nearby Kampong Ayer, in which houses were built on
stilts. It stretches about along the Brunei River. Founded 1,000 years ago, the village is considered the largest stilt settlement in the world, with approximately 30,000 residents and 2,000 houses. The term "Venice of the East" was coined by Pigafetta in honour of the water village that he encountered at Kota Batu. Pigafetta was on
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan ( – 27 April 1521) was a Portuguese explorer best known for having planned and led the 1519–22 Spanish expedition to the East Indies. During this expedition, he also discovered the Strait of Magellan, allowing his fl ...
's last voyages when he visited Brunei in 1521.
Several parks and trails in the city serve as landmarks of historical and cultural significance.
Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, for example, was where Brunei's
declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion by a polity in a defined territory that it is independent and constitutes a state. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another state or failed state, or are breaka ...
was read on 1 January 1984.
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (from the Malay language, Malay name, literally 'Golden Jubilee Crown Park'), initially known as Eco-Corridor Park (), is a riverfront public park in the former Mukim Sungai Kedayan of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The par ...
, inaugurated on 22 October 2017, commemorates the
Golden Jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's rule,
while the
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park, opened in 2004, celebrates the
Silver Jubilee
Silver Jubilee marks a 25th anniversary. The anniversary celebrations can be of a wedding anniversary, the 25th year of a monarch's reign or anything that has completed or is entering a 25-year mark.
Royal Silver Jubilees since 1750
Note: This ...
of his reign.
Tasek Lama Recreational Park is one of the oldest recognised parks in the country. Additionally, Pusat Belia, Brunei's
youth centre, was established on 20 December 1969 after being commissioned by then-Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah in 1967.
The centre, costing B$2 million,
includes extensive facilities such as a hall for 1,000 people, a gymnastics hall, an Olympic-sized pool, and a gender-separated hostel,
and it celebrated its golden jubilee in 2020.
Transportation
Land
The capital is accessible by bus from Bandar Seri Begawan to the western regions of the country via road. Connectivity to the exclave of
Temburong is provided by the
Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, which opened in 2020—before its construction, travellers had to pass through
Sarawak
Sarawak ( , ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. It is the largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo, and is ...
, Malaysia, via the town of
Limbang. Additionally,
Edinburgh Bridge links the city centre to the rest of the capital by spanning the Kedayan River.
The main bus station in the capital is located in Jalan Cator underneath a multi-story car park. There are six bus routes servicing Bandar Seri Begawan area; the Central Line, Circle Line, Eastern Line, Southern Line, Western Line and Northern Line. Buses operate from 6.30 am until 6.00 pm except for bus No. 1 and 20 for which services extend into the night. All bus routes begin and terminate their journey at the main bus terminal. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait also depart from the main bus terminal and
taxicab
A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a Driving, driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of thei ...
.
Air
Brunei International Airport
Brunei International Airport (BIA) (, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: لاڤڠن تربڠ انتارابڠسا بروني ) is the primary international airport and official airport of entry; one of two airports in the Sultanate of Brunei, Brunei Darussala ...
serves the whole country. It is located from the town centre and can be reached in 10 minutes via the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway.
Royal Brunei Airlines, the national airline, has its head office in the RBA Plaza in the city.
Water
Ships up to long may dock in the former port of
Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan, which is located 17 miles upstream from the mouth of the Brunei River. A 124-foot passenger pier, a 730-foot reinforced concrete wharf, and an electrically powered ramp are among the port's amenities. Ships may purchase purified fresh water in the capital for $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. The Marine Department keeps track of use and bills the ship's agent. The Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board is credited with the money received from these water sales. Between the city and
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbor, harbour in Hong Kong separating Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula to the north. It acts as both a major trading hub and tourist attraction of Hong Kong in general. Lying in ...
, a passenger boat that also transports mail runs every day (except for Sundays). On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, an outboard motorboat service also carries mail and people between Bandar Seri Begawan to
Bangar in
Temburong District
Temburong District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دائيره تمبوروڠ) or simply known as Temburong ('; ), is the second largest and least populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population of 9,444 as of 20 ...
.
A
water taxi
A water taxi or a water bus is a boat used to provide public transport, public or private transport, usually, but not always, in an Urban area, urban environment. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops, operating in a simil ...
service known as 'penambang' is used for transportation between downtown Bandar Seri Begawan and
Kampong Ayer
Kampung Ayer (') is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre ...
. Water taxis are the most common means of negotiating the waterways of Kampong Ayer. They can be hailed from the numerous "docking parts" along the banks of the
Brunei River
The Brunei River () is a river which flows through Brunei and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the s ...
. Fares are negotiable. Regular water taxi and boat services depart for
Temburong between 7:45 am and 4 pm daily, and also serve the Malaysian towns of
Limbang,
Lawas,
Sundar and
Labuan
Labuan (), officially the Federal Territory of Labuan (), is an island federal territory of Malaysia. It includes and six smaller islands off the coast of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. Labuan's capital is Victoria, which is best kno ...
. A
speedboat
A motorboat or powerboat is a boat that is exclusively powered by an engine; faster examples may be called "speedboats".
Some motorboats are fitted with inboard engines, others have an outboard motor installed on the rear, containing the intern ...
is used for passengers travelling to Penambang from
Bangar and Limbang.
Economy
The economy of Bandar Seri Begawan includes the production of furniture, textiles,
handicraft
A handicraft is a traditional main sector of craft making and applies to a wide range of creative and design activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work with textiles, moldable and rigid material ...
s, and timber. For shopping, the
Gadong commercial area is popular, offering a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The traditional
Kianggeh Market, believed to be Brunei's oldest market, mainly sells local cuisine, seafood, and fruit.
Gadong Night Market is known for its diverse food offerings, from local specialties like roti john, ambuyat, and satay to exotic fruits such as durian and jackfruit.
Education
Bandar Seri Begawan is home to several notable schools across various educational levels. Primary and secondary institutions include the historic
Raja Isteri Girls High School, established in 1957 as the country's first all-girls secondary school, along with private schools such as
Jerudong International School
Jerudong International School (; Abbrev: ) is a co-educational, boarding and day school in Brunei, Southeast Asia. It has over 1660 students - of which around 200 are boarding students. Less than 50% of its student body are Bruneians, with the ...
and
International School Brunei
International School Brunei (ISB) is an international school in Brunei. It is split over two sites, one in the Sungai Akar area of Bandar Seri Begawan, and a second in Seria in the Belait district. The current executive principal is Domini ...
. The city also has government sixth form centers:
Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College for general studies and
Hassanal Bolkiah Boys' Arabic Secondary School
Batu Satu, also known as Kampong Parit, is an area in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is also a designated village in Brunei-Muara District, within Mukim Kianggeh
Mukim Kianggeh is a mukims of Brunei, mukim in Brunei-Muara ...
for students from Arabic secondary religious schools.
In higher education, Bandar Seri Begawan hosts two national universities:
Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University, focused on Islamic studies, and
Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College, which specialises in training teachers for religious education. Technical and vocational education is available at two campuses of the
Institute of Brunei Technical Education and the
Brunei Polytechnic. Additionally, two private colleges,
Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology and
Laksamana College of Business
The Laksamana College of Business (LCB), () is an accredited private university college in Brunei. It was the first British college to open a campus as a foreign educational institution in the country, achieved through its partnership with Ken ...
, offer bachelor programs.
International relations
Several countries have set up their embassies, commissions or consulates in Bandar Seri Begawan, including Australia,
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world and among the List of countries and dependencies by ...
, Belgium,
Benin
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It was formerly known as Dahomey. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its po ...
,
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2 (105,87 ...
,
Burma (Myanmar),
Cambodia
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...
, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, India,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
, Japan,
Laos
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and ...
,
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
, Netherlands, New Zealand,
North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...
,
Oman
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia and the Middle East. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Oman’s coastline ...
, Pakistan,
Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
, Poland, Russia,
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
, Singapore,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
, Sweden, Switzerland,
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
,
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
, United Kingdom, United States and
Vietnam
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...
.
Sister cities
*
Nanjing
Nanjing or Nanking is the capital of Jiangsu, a province in East China. The city, which is located in the southwestern corner of the province, has 11 districts, an administrative area of , and a population of 9,423,400.
Situated in the Yang ...
, PR China
Gallery
File:Water taxi 001, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.JPG, Water taxis on the Brunei River
File:BSB Library.JPG, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Library
File:Royal Regalie (1).JPG, Royal Regalia Museum
File:Pusat Bandar 19 February 2023 10.jpg, Secretariat Building
File:RIPAS Bridge 21 December 2023 02.jpg, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge
File:Bandar Seri Begawan 31 December 2023 04.jpg, Prime Minister's Office
File:Brunei Fireworks & Drone Light Show 2024 33.jpg, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas
File:MMN7.JPG, Dewan Majlis
File:Wedding Procession of Abdul Mateen and Anisha Rosnah 142.jpg, Istana Nurul Iman
File:Gadong Night Market 4 October 2024 24.jpg, Gadong Night Market
File:Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque 02.jpg, Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque
File:Bangunan Hal Ehwal Ugama (18565770466).jpg, Department of Syariah Affairs building
File:Brunei History Centre.jpg, Brunei History Centre
File:Bandar Seri Begawan 17 December 2023 22.jpg, Time Piece Monument
File:Jalan Pehin Dato Haji Awang Mohd Noor 03.jpg, Gadong commercial area
File:Mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah in Kota Batu.jpg, Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah
Notes
References
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External links
Municipal Department of Bandar Seri Begawan
Tourist Map of Bandar Seri BegawanBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei – Weather.com
{{Authority control
Populated places in Brunei
Municipalities of Brunei
Populated places established in 1906
Capitals in Asia
1906 establishments in Asia
1906 establishments in the British Empire