Tourism in Brunei

David Redfern,Yvonne Follows-Smith and Clare Piper

Tourism in Brunei

Three types of tourist activity

1 The Empire: a beach, hotel and golfing resort on

the shores of the South China Sea.

2 A canopy walkway in the Ulu Temburong National

Park.

3 The Selirong mangrove forest reserve.

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Locations of the three tourist attractions

Tourism in Brunei

The Empire Hotel and Country Club

This palatial complex cost US $1.1 billion to build, and it shows. It has a huge atrium

where visitors can take afternoon tea, in a style similar to Fortnum and Mason. There

are a number of room complexes on the site, and extensive sun-bathing, swimming,

and eating facilities. There is also a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The palace was created by the younger brother of the sultan: Prince Jefri. In the

1990s he had a lavish lifestyle. He was also the finance minister until 1997. The

Empire was built during this period.

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The Empire

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Ulu Temburong National Park canopy walkway

The walkway has been built in the primary rainforest. It can only be accessed by long

boat. Long boats are available at the jetty at Batu Duri, 20 km south of BSB.

To reach the walkway, which is over 50 m high, visitors must first climb 1,226 steps

from the river, and then ascend a scaffolding ladder. From the top there is a

breathtaking view, and the classic sights and sounds of tropical rainforest.

For tourists who want to stay overnight in the area, there is a small hotel nearby at

Ulu Ulu.

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Access by long boat

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Ladder to the walkway

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View from the walkway

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Hotel at Ulu Ulu

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The Selirong mangrove forest reserve

The Selirong mangrove forest reserve is one of the most well-preservedforest parks in

southeast Asia. The 2,500 hectare area is clothed by largely pristine mangrove

forest. 

There is a 3 km plank walkway through the forest where you can learn about the

mangrove ecosystem and watch the wildlife, including the proboscis monkey and

colugo.

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The walkway

Tourism in Brunei Proboscis monkeys....

Proboscis monkeys…

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…in the mangroves

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Useful websites

The Empire:

http://www.theempirehotel.com/

The walkway in Temburong:

http://www.ecologyasia.com/html-loc/ulu-temburong.htm

The Selirong mangrove forest reserve:

http://virtual-bruneidarussalam.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/pulau-selirong-forest-

recreation-park.html

Photographs: David Redfern, Yvonne Follows-Smith and Clare Piper

Tourism in Brunei

This resource is part of Geography Review, a magazine written for A-level students by subject experts. To subscribe to the full magazine go to:  http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/geographyreview