Bandar Seri Begawan

A perfect blend of old and new, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque combines the Mughal and Italian architectural styles and shows off exactly what Brunei lavishness is all about, with marble, chandeliers and luxurious carpets imported from around the world. It is also the tallest structure in BSB, the sultan forbidding any building to exceed its height. It is a beautiful building and the centre of cultural life in the city.

This amazing agglomeration of stilt villages in the middle of the Brunei river dates back at least one thousand years and is home to as many as 30,000 residents. A city unto itself, Kampong Ayerm once dubbed the "Venice of the East," has its own schools, mosques and infrastructure, and a visit here is a truly unique experience.

Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the sultan of Brunei, and is reportedly the largest residential palace in the world, over four times the size of the Versailles Palace, with some truly staggering numbers: 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall for 5,000 guests, a mosque for1,500 people, a 110-car garage, a stable for 200 ponies, 5 swimming pools, 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators. It is best viewed from a water taxi, as it cannot be entered except during a special yearly festival.

Located about 3 km from the city centre, and built in honour of the current sultan of Brunei, this mosque, the largest in the country, consistently astonishes visitors with its luxurious design and decor. The 29 golden domes arethe standout features, signifying this sultan as the 29th ruler of his dynasty.