Bandar Seri Begawan (Muara, Brunei)

Bandar Seri Begawan (fka Brunei Town) is the largest city and capital of the Sultanate of Brunei, with population around 100,000. Including the Brunei-Muara District, the capital city's metro area has combined population around 300,020.

Bandar Seri Begawan City is often accessed from Muara - a small port town (population around 2,000) located approx 28 km / 17 mi to the north-northeast.

Port Bandar Seri Begawan has locode BNBWN, while Port Muara's locode is BNMUA.

Istana Nurul Iman palace is the residence of Brunei's sultan. It is situated 3 km southwest of the centre of the city. Its name is taken from Arabic and means "Palace of the Light of Faith". Istana Nurul Iman palace was designed by Leandro Locsin, and built by Filipino firm, Ayala Corp., mixing Islamic and Malay elements in the building architecture. The palace contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a banquet hall able to accommodate up to 5,000. Istana Nurul Iman palace only opens to the public during the yearly 3-day Hari Raya Adilfitri celebration.

'Penambang', a water taxi service, is used for transportation between Kampong Ayer and Downtown Bandar Seri Begawan. Water taxis are the most regular means of negotiating Kampung Ayer's waterways. They can be hailed from numerous "docking parts" along the Brunei River banks. Fares are negotiable. Regular boat and water taxi services depart for Temburong daily, between 7:45 a.m. and 4 p.m., and serve the Malaysian towns of Labuan, Lawas, Limbang, and Sundar. A speedboat is used for cruise passengers traveling from Limbang and Bangar and to Penambang Ferry Service.