Belait District Travel Guide
In 1929, when oil was first discovered in this part of the Sultanate of Brunei, the region was mostly bog and forestland inhabited by tribes of the indigenous peoples of the countryside. Today it is home to a large expatriate community of mostly Dutch origin, with an organized and extensive leisure activity network.
- Worth it?
- There's nothing of real interest in Belait District and it is mainly used by tourists as the launch point to get to Miri in Sarawak.
- What to do
- Check out the Kuala Belait Boat Club, market shopping, eat at fabulous Chinese restaurants, take the ferry across Belait River to Kampong Sungai Teraba.
- When to go
- November to February is the cool season and the best time for visiting anywhere in Brunei.
- How Long?
- One day is enough to check out the sights in Belait District.
- Trivia:
- Kuala Belait means 'mouth of the Belait River'.
Administratively and commercially self-contained, the district of Belait provides the core of Brunei’s wealth, with the town of Seria at the center of the sultanate’s oil and gas industry. Seria town lays roughly 43 miles from Tutong and about 74 miles from Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei-Muara.
Overshadowing the other constructions in the region is the commemorative memorial of The Billionth Barrel Monument near Seria-1 field oil well, the first well drilled in Brunei. Created in 1991, the majestic structure signifies the production of the one billionth barrel of crude oil from Seria-1.
Numerous leisure options await visitors to the district. Sungai Liang Forest Recreational Park is one of several parks in the region designated for the public to enjoy. An hour’s drive along the coastal highway from the capital, the park is especially known for being one of the few lowland forest areas in Southeast Asia.
Activities at the park include organized tours of the jungle and self-guided hiking along well-marked trails through the rainforest. For those who prefer to quietly observe the peaceful surroundings and fresh air, sheltered platforms are set around a central pond.
Unique to the area are the Labi longhouses. Visitors are always welcomed warmly by the Iban people and invited to explore the ‘village under one roof’. As the social center of the community, the longhouse is a row of adjoining family homes connected by a communal area that runs its entire length. Some of the largest have as many as 16 doors.
Past the longhouses, situated along Labi road beyond Kampung Labi, there are several clearly marked trails leading into the rainforest. The intrepid hiker will find scenic waterfalls at the end of undemanding routes into the pristine jungle, but it is recommended that the novice alert the locals before setting off alone.
Travel to Belait District - Getting There
Belait District doesn't have its own airport and most tourists fly into the international airport in Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei International Airport), from where it's a 50-mile bus ride via the oil town of Seria. You can also arrive here by bus from the Malaysian town of Miri in neighboring Sarawak.
Belait District Attractions
- Silver Jubilee Park
- Facing the South China Sea along Jalan Maulana, this fascinating park was built for the silver jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and celebrates his 25 years on the throne.
- Pintu Gerbang
- This is the massive commemorative arch in Silver Jubilee Park built for the sultan's 50th birthday and is located along the Belait River.
- Kuala Belait Boat Club
- Situated on the Belait River, this boat club is one of the highlights of Belait District.
- Jalan McKerron
- Head to this street in Belait town to sample the best supply of restaurants.
- The Teapot
- This roundabout, known locally as kiri, was sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum and is good for a photo.
- Istana Mangelella
- A stunning palace belonging to the sultan.
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