Some interest places in Brunei

The largest mosque in the country, Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, is a fine example of Islamic religious architecture. The four main minarets and two golden domes of the structure are a fantastic sight when illuminated in the evening. The mosque was built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the Sultan's reign. Non-Muslims are forbidden entry on Thursdays and Fridays. It's located en route to Gadong, about 2.5km northwest of the city centre.

The Royal Regalia Museum (Bangunan Alat Kebesaran Diraja) was established to commemorate the 1992 Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne.

The hall was built on the site of the Winston Churchill Memorial Building which has been renamed, modernised and considerably extended. The hall's central feature is a spectacular new circular gallery topped with a mosaic-tiled dome which sits in the cup of the original crescent-shaped building, constructed in 1971.

Pride of place is given to the royal coronation carriage surrounded by regalia from the royal crowning ceremony. To the left of the main entrance is the Constitutional History Gallery, set up in 1984 as part of the country's independence celebrations. This traces the history of the constitution and the development of from 1847 when the first Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed with Britain. On permanent show are documents, photographs, rare recordings and films while a large area concentrates on the proclamation of the 1959 constitution - the country's first written constitution. To the right is gallery devoted to the life of His Majesty up to the time of the coronation. It recreates his early childhood and chronicles his schooling in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and finally in Britain at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The coronation scene at the Lapau in 1968 is depicted using models, pictures, words and exhibits including His Majesty's gold crown, Golden Hands (which are depicted on the Royal state crest), the symbolic Golden Cats, his silver kris, costume and orchestral instruments used during the ceremony. Film footage of the magnificent ceremony is screened in a small theatrette. The displays, which include historic pictures of His Majesty meeting his people afterwards in the mosque and in the districts, also cover independence and His Majesty's return from the Haj.

The museum is open to the general public and entrance is free.
Visiting hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 8:30am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 11:30am & 2:30pm - 5pm

Please note that visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the building.