Brunei | Southeast Asia's Hidden Travel Gem
| Southeast Asia's Hidden Travel Gem.### **Brunei Travel Guide: Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque & Water Village**
**📌 Highlights**
- **Visa-free Entry**: Chinese passport holders can stay visa-free for 14 days, perfect for spontaneous trips.
- **Luxury and Tranquility Combined**: Brunei is known for its wealth, featuring golden-domed mosques and pristine, rustic water villages.
- **Cultural Depth**: A perfect blend of Islamic culture, Malay traditions, and modern luxury.
---
### **🕌 Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque**
- **Features**: The largest and most luxurious mosque in Brunei, with 29 golden domes (made from 45 kg of gold), crystal chandeliers, and exquisite carpets, grand and magnificent.
- **Best Time to Visit**: Early morning or evening when sunlight shines on the golden domes, creating a stunning effect.
- **Admission**: Free, recommended to spend 1-2 hours.
- **Nearby Recommendations**:
- **Sultan's Memorial Museum** (houses royal treasures, entrance fee 5 Brunei dollars).
- **Istana Nurul Iman** (the world's largest palace, best photographed at dusk).
---
### **🚤 Water Village (Kampong Ayer) — "The Venice of the East"**
- **Features**: The world's largest traditional water village, with a history of over 500 years, home to 30,000 residents, complete with schools, mosques, and hospitals.
- **How to Experience**:
- **Boat tours** (10-20 Brunei dollars per person, price negotiable).
- **Visit local homes**, taste Malay pastries, and experience simple village life.
- **Best Time to Visit**: Early morning or evening to avoid midday heat.
- **Night View Spot**: Recommended **The Waterfront Café** to enjoy the sparkling lights of the water village.
---
### **🍽️ Must-Try Foods**
- **Gadong Night Market**: Brunei's liveliest night market, recommended dishes include **grilled chicken butt, satay, and nasi lemak**; durian season is from September to December.
- **Water Village Specialties**: Colorful snacks (coconut-flavored sago cake), and teh tarik (frothy pulled tea).
---
### **🏨 Luxury Accommodation Recommendations**
1. **The Empire Brunei**
- Brunei's most luxurious resort, featuring a private beach, golf course, and stunning sunsets.
- Price: Around 1800 RMB+/night.
2. **Radisson Blu Hotel**
- Located in the city center, convenient for sightseeing.
---
### **🚗 Transportation Tips**
- **Car rental is most convenient** (public transport in Brunei is scarce).
- **Use Dart for taxis** (similar to Uber), but wait times can be long.
---
**✨ Though small, Brunei is full of surprises—the brilliance of the golden mosque, the tranquility of the water village, and the lively atmosphere of the night market are all worth exploring!**