What can I do in Brunei for six hours?

Because I am going to Thailand, I have a layover in Brunei for 6 hours. What can I do in Brunei during this time? The flight is with Royal Brunei Airlines, and the cabin crew provides excellent and polite service. As Brunei is a Muslim country, there is a Muslim prayer before takeoff. The flight also offers in-flight meals, which are quite good. Each seat is equipped with a personal multimedia TV, and complimentary headphones are provided. Overall, I really like the experience with Royal Brunei Airlines.

Brunei International Airport masjid

Upon leaving Brunei International Airport (BWN), you’ll notice the mosque on your right. The mosque is just a brief 5-minute walk from the airport’s ground-level doors.

Taxi-hailing app DART

In Brunei, there is a taxi-hailing app called “Dart,” but it is expensive, charging 8 Brunei dollars for a ride from the airport to the city center. If you choose not to use the taxi app, you can go to the departure hall and wait for a bus, which costs only 1 Brunei dollar to reach the city center.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, situated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, stands as one of the nation’s two national mosques, alongside the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. As a prominent national landmark, this mosque, named in honor of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III (1914–1986), the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of the current monarch Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, holds a significant place in the country’s history. Renowned as one of the largest and oldest mosques in Brunei, it symbolizes the enduring presence of the Islamic faith within the nation.

While at the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, you may encounter numerous individuals offering city tour packages. If you find the prices acceptable, you can consider allowing them to take you on a day tour.

Yayasan Shopping Complex

The Yayasan Shopping Complex is located in the heart of the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, adjacent to two other stunning landmarks; Kampong Ayer and the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Officially inaugurated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’zzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in 1996, the complex serves as a hub for various commercial activities. It features monthly events, retail stores, and a variety of eateries, making it a prime destination for both tourists and locals seeking relaxation and enjoyment.

Mercu Dirgahayu 60

Mercu Dirgahayu 60 is a golden fountain monument dedicated to the Sultan of Brunei. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, currently at the center of various controversies, faced criticism in 2019 for asserting that acts of homosexuality could be punished by death or stoning. As the wealthiest and most influential figure in Brunei, the Sultan has numerous tributes scattered throughout Bandar Seri Begawan, and Mercu Dirgahaya 60 stands as one such monument. Erected in 2006 to commemorate the Sultan’s 60th birthday, it is named “Mercu Dirgahaya 60,” translating to “Long Life, Your Highness 60 Monument.” The towering curved column prominently displays the number 60 in Arabic, and the monument is illuminated at night.

The Mall Gadong

When you stand beside Mercu Dirgahayu 60, many boat operators will offer recommendations for a day trip to water villages. However, since I have visited before, I won’t be going this time. Instead, I would like to request the boat operator to take me to The Mall Gadong, and the round-trip fare for the boat is 10 Brunei dollars.

The Mall is a comprehensive development complex with modern architecture inspired by the fusion of social and cultural elements. It aims to reshape Brunei’s narrative to the world by fostering a new consumer culture in the country’s commerce. Officially inaugurated on July 9, 2006, by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Mall includes the Rizqun International Hotel and a shopping center. The complex, located in the heart of Gadong’s commercial area, consists of a three-story shopping mall with two spacious parking basements. Employing 378 staff members, with 277 locals, it stands as the second-largest mall in the Gadong area after the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) Complex in Pusat Bandar. The top floor features a cinema and a sizable food court offering a variety of cuisines. Adjacent to the food court, The Arcade Funland provides an arcade experience for visitors.