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Not nestled in the glamorous cities of Europe nor situated in the mysterious lands of Africa. Yet, the largest royal palace in the world reigns in Brunei - A small kingdom in Southeast Asia. It's truly unbelievable but indeed a fact. Istana Nurul Iman Palace has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most extravagant palace globally. Let's explore this architectural marvel, as well as the culture and history of this affluent Brunei nation with Mytour!
A Glance at Istana Nurul Iman Palace
Istana Nurul Iman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace of Brunei. It's one of the grandest, most magnificent castles in the world. This colossal mansion surpasses by far the size of Versailles Palace in France or Buckingham Palace in England. The castle serves as the residence of the Brunei royal family and the 29th reigning monarch - Hassanal Bolkiah.
Istana Nurul Iman Palace is hailed as the largest castle in the world (Image Source: Collection)
The palace was completed in 1984 under the official name Istana Nurul Iman. In Arabic, this name means “Palace of Light of the Saints”. To construct the world's largest mansion, the Brunei royal family had to spend up to 1.4 billion USD. This is truly a colossal figure. The Brunei royal palace covers a total area of 200,000 m2 with a 22-carat gold-plated roof, 257 bathrooms, 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, gold-plated escalators...
It's no exaggeration to say that the palace is a symbol of the king's power and reflects the wealth of the oil-rich nation of Brunei. Moreover, on the palace roof is a helipad directly connected to the international airport. This is also where the royal family's multi-million-dollar aircraft collection is housed.
Where is Istana Nurul Iman Palace located?
Istana Nurul Iman Palace is located in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan in the oil-rich nation of Brunei. Positioned atop a hill covered with lush greenery and overlooking the lower reaches of the Brunei River, the palace boasts a refreshing and pristine environment. Its facade faces directly south towards the capital city, making it one of the most coveted locations in the country.
The Royal Palace of Brunei sits amidst the heart of the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan (Image Source: Collection)
Not only serving as the residence of the royal family, but the palace also functions as the workplace and official residence of the Brunei government. Hence, the palace only opens its doors for tourists to explore the exterior but does not allow entry inside. Except on major Brunei national holidays.
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Address: Jln Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2112
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Ticket Price: Admission is free
Best Time to Visit Istana Nurul Iman Palace
With its extravagant and world-class architecture, Istana Nurul Iman is the dream destination for many tourists. However, there's only one special day each year to explore the entire palace, and that's Hari Raya. This holiday occurs only once over a 3-day period, marking the end of the Muslim fasting month.
Visitors to Istana Nurul Iman Palace will enjoy delicious cuisine and receive blessings from the king. Statistics show that approximately 110,000 visitors come to tour the palace during this festive occasion.
During this time, visitors can comfortably admire the bedrooms, living rooms, and royal meeting rooms adorned with pure gold at the palace. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to marvel at artworks and traditional costumes. If you wish to explore the entire Brunei royal palace, make sure to visit during the Hari Raya festival!
Distinctive Architecture of Istana Nurul Iman Palace
Brunei is one of the largest Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia. Therefore, Istana Nurul Iman Palace draws inspiration from Arabic-Islamic architecture. Besides, the mansion also echoes the distinct features of Malay and European styles. The palace is a masterpiece of artistry, blending various cultural influences seamlessly. This grand castle was designed by the renowned Filipino architect Leandro V. Locsin.
The entire palace interior is adorned with pure gold, creating a luxurious and majestic atmosphere (Image Source: Collection)
The buildings within the palace are constructed using natural stone, especially limestone and wood. Additionally, intricate details crafted from precious stones, gold, silver, and Islamic motifs create a luxurious and sacred space here. However, the most prominent feature of the palace is its gleaming gold-plated dome. This further enhances the opulent and majestic beauty of this wealthiest palace.
Not only that, but the palace also boasts a romantic garden with various ornamental plants and fountains. All of which contribute to the picturesque and dreamy natural scenery here. For the people of Brunei, Istana Nurul Iman Palace is a sacred pride. It's a place where Muslims place their full trust in the venerable monarch.
Famous Attractions Near Istana Nurul Iman Palace
After visiting Istana Nurul Iman Palace, tourists also have the opportunity to explore interesting attractions near the palace. Below are some famous tourist destinations you should visit once in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.
Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque
Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque is one of the most sacred mosques in Brunei. Initially built for the wedding ceremony of Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, it later became a famous landmark.
Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque is one of the most beautiful Islamic masterpieces in Southeast Asia (Image Source: Collection)
The building is primarily constructed using black and white stones, all intricately carved with captivating and unique motifs. It's also the largest-capacity mosque in Brunei, accommodating up to 5,000 people. Visitors can explore the corridors, grand halls, and a 44-meter tall minaret here.
Kampong Ayer Water Village
Few know that Kampong Ayer is one of the largest water villages in the world. Situated on the Brunei River system, approximately 4.2 km from the Brunei royal palace. It's safe to say that the Kampong Ayer water village has existed for over a thousand years with a long history. The unique feature of the houses here is that they are built on large wooden stilts, creating an intricate network of canals.
In addition, the homes in this ancient village are adorned with captivating patterns and vibrant colors. Not only a residential area, but Kampong Ayer Water Village also boasts excellent amenities such as schools, mosques, floating markets, shops, grocery stores...
Kampong Ayer Water Village is one of the largest ancient villages in the world, over 1,000 years old (Image Source: Collection)
Ordinarily, residents of the water village typically use boats, kayaks, and canoes as means of water transportation. To explore this village, tourists must rent boat shuttle services to travel through various areas. Perhaps the most picturesque scene is when the sunset casts its glow. For those interested in exploring culture, Kampong Ayer Water Village is an enticing destination.
Royal Regalia Museum
The Royal Regalia Museum is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in the capital. It houses precious artifacts including jewelry, ancient costumes, and antique items. All were used in Brunei's royal ceremonies.
The most prominent exhibit is the solid gold throne, weighing over a ton, displayed in the museum. Upon stepping into the royal museum, visitors will feel the solemn, luxurious atmosphere of Islamic faith and culture. Additionally, the museum also features a display room of gifts from world leaders who have visited Brunei. This demonstrates Brunei's hospitality and respect towards other nations.
Unique Features of Istana Nurul Iman Palace
Not only renowned as the most luxurious palace in the world, Istana Nurul Iman Palace also boasts many other interesting aspects. Below are some 'mosts' that are only found in the Brunei royal palace:
Istana Nurul Iman Palace is one of the most 'costly' castles in the world (Image Source: Collection)
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Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the largest palace in the world, surpassing even Buckingham Palace in England or Madrid in Spain.
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The Brunei royal family spent up to 1.4 billion USD to build the world's most 'expensive' palace.
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The Brunei royal palace is guarded by the Brunei military.
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The entire palace is equipped with energy-saving devices.
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Every nook and cranny in Istana Nurul Iman Palace is fitted with natural air conditioning.
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The royal residence features 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 staircases, 18 elevators, 5 luxurious swimming pools... These are the 'gigantic' numbers about Istana Nurul Iman Palace recognized by Guinness World Records.
Key Tips for Visiting Istana Nurul Iman Palace
Before visiting Istana Nurul Iman Palace, travelers should note the following to ensure a complete and enjoyable trip:
- As Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the royal residence of the Brunei royal family, visitors must adhere to certain regulations and formalities during the tour. This includes dressing modestly and respectfully, refraining from smoking, and eating in restricted areas.
- The palace is only open to visitors on major holidays. Therefore, it is advisable to check the information online before visiting.
- There are many areas within the palace where photography is prohibited. Visitors should comply with all regulations to avoid potential awkward situations.
- Brunei is a Muslim country, so visitors should respect their religious beliefs.
- During the tour, visitors should follow the instructions of security personnel and take care of their personal belongings, including important documents such as passports, visas, identification cards, and bank cards, to avoid any unnecessary risks.
Although Brunei is not the largest country in terms of land area, this wealthy nation is home to the largest palace in the world - Istana Nurul Iman Palace. We hope that with the information shared by Mytour, you will have gained valuable insights. If you are planning to book affordable international tours, please contact Mytour via the hotline Mytour. The Mytour team will provide free advice on travel services along with some attractive offers.
