Pusat Bandar (English: City Centre) is the city centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is home to a number of national landmarks, important government offices, and commercial and financial establishments.
Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, a landmark commercial centre which overlooks Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Tamu Kianggeh (Kianggeh Market) offers a selection of regional produce, including edible ferns and healing plants. Also available are prepared local delicacies and the day's catch from the fisherman.[4]
The city centre is home to several sites with historical and cultural significance, including:[5]
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, one of the two state mosques of Brunei. In the 1960s and early 1970s, religious activities including Holy Qur'an readings were held in the lagoon, a replica of a 16th century mahligai or royal barge. The mosque has been hailed as Brunei's architectural triumph and has evolved into the nation's most identifiable landmark throughout time.
1968 Coronation Arch, to remember Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Coronation on 1 August 1968. The gate was once built in Kampong Sultan Lama, but in October 1993 it was moved to its current site.
Cendera Lambang Kenangan, is an arch that stands 10 meters tall for the silver jubilee celebration of Bandar Seri Begawan's 25-year name conversion from Bandar Brunei. The Brunei Shell Company provided the Commemorative Emblem, whose construction cost more than B$60,000.[6]
Brunei Energy Hub, a museum and former Royal Customs and Excise Building.
Raja Ayang Tomb, a tomb or an old Muslimcemetery may be seen right next to the General Post Office. It is the grave of a member of the Royal Family who was punished for disobeying Islamic traditions, according to elders' tales.
Teng Yun Temple is the oldest still-standing Chinese temple in the country and has served as a shelter for devotees in the Chinese community ever since it was founded in the 1960s.[7]
Timepiece Monument, to honor the visit of Tuanku Abdul Rahman, was constructed on 11 July 1959. This monument serves as a "Zero-Mile-Clock," marking the beginning of distances between Bandar Seri Begawan and other locations in Brunei. It is situated in the center of the city.
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (Golden Jubilee Crown Park) is a 12-hectare riverbank park next to Kampong Ayer, and the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.[8]
Bangunan Dewan Kemasyarakatan (Community Hall Building), which serves as the headquarters for Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB).[9]
Dermaga Diraja (The Royal Wharf), a former wharf renovated into a promenade that now also connects to the Mahkota Jubli Emas Park.[10]
Mercu Dirgahayu 60 (60th Year Monument), a landmark worth B$1.5 million was sponsored and contributed by the private sector and the people and residents of the country. It symbolises the nation's devotion to the occasion, which coincides with the 60th birthday anniversary of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.[11]
Government
There are several government institutions which have their headquarters in the city centre, including:
Flags of Germany and the European Union on the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex
Diplomacy
The area is also home to several embassies, high commissions and consulates.[12]
Embassy of Germany
Embassy of France
High Commission of Canada
High Commission of the United Kingdom
High Commission of Australia
Consulate of Switzerland
Consulate of Norway
Consulate of New Zealand
References
^ a b"Population and Housing Census Update Final Report 2016" (PDF). www.deps.gov.bn. Statistics Department. December 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Geoportal - Survey Department". survey.gov.bn. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
^"Buku Poskod Edisi Kedua (Kemaskini 26 Disember 2018)" (PDF). post.gov.bn (in Malay). Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pos. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^activ8bn (8 August 2019). "Tamu Kianggeh - Brunei Tourism". Retrieved 6 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN WALKING TOUR" (PDF). Brunei Tourism. 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^"Pusat Sejarah Brunei - Peristiwa dan Tempat Bersejarah". www.history-centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^activ8bn (3 September 2021). "Teng Yun Temple - Brunei Tourism". Retrieved 6 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^activ8bn (8 August 2019). "Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas - Brunei Tourism". Retrieved 6 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"Jabatan Muzium-Muzium - Sejarah Ringkas". www.museums.gov.bn. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^activ8bn (1 June 2021). "Dermaga Diraja (The Royal Wharf) - Brunei Tourism". Retrieved 6 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"Berkenan rasmi Mercu Dirgahayu 60 » Media Permata Online". Berkenan rasmi Mercu Dirgahayu 60. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^"Embassy". Information Department, Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
External links
Media related to Pusat Bandar at Wikimedia Commons