Continuing southwest from Tutong, the coastal highway leads to Belait, the largest and most southerly of Brunei's four districts. Belait District is the production base of the nation's main export commodities - oil and gas.
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Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park
Complementing Brunei's cultural heritage is a diverse environmental inheritance that remains one of the most unscathed in the world. Its preservation is a government priority as reflected in the preservation of such areas as Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park. Embracing one of the few intact lowland forest areas of South-East Asia, the park is laced with a network of well-marked trails that incorporates an elevated canopy walkway. This facility has a post to observe the profusion of flora and fauna flourishing at treetop level. The entrance to the park is graced by a large pond around which sheltered picnic and toiletfacilities blend into the natural landscape. Self-guided or organised group tours through the forest are available. To reach Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park, turn left off the coastal highway at the main Sungai Liang junction - located about 70km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Proceed for another 450m along the road to Labi and look for the park's entrance on the right.
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Luagan Lalak Recreation Park
Some 25km beyond Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park on the road to Labi, the Luagan Lalak Recreation Park covers some 270ha within the Labi Hills Forest Reserve. Luagan Lalak Recreation Park is important as the location of a rare alluvial freshwater swamp, or empran. During rainy periods, the entrapped water level rises rapidly, filling the area like a lake. In drier spells, the waters recede quickly, and the valley flourishes with sedge - predominantly the Lepironia species. Apart from shelters and footpaths for exploration, a 200-metre wooden walkway meanders along the lake area.
Wasai Wong Kadir
The 45-minute jungle trek to Wasai Wong Kadir, or the Wong Kadir Waterfall, is half the fun of visiting this picturesque spot. The walk crosses several steep ridges en route to the falls where relief awaits in an enclave of shady unspoilt jungle and pure, cool river water. Ensure adequate sun protection and sufficient drinking water before hiking to this picnic spot.
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The Labi Longhouses
Further down the Labi Road, past Kampung Labi itself, the forest gives way to several examples of a form of dwelling unique to the island of Borneo - the Iban longhouse. Literally a village under one roof, a longhouse consists of a single shed-like structure divided along its length into separate family lodgings, each of which is accessed via a communal area running the length of the building. This communal area is the venue for the village population's social and daily indoor work activities.
The nearest longhouse to the town of Labi is Rampayoh Longhouse, which is divided into 16 lodgings. Others include Mendaram Besar Longhouse, Mendaram Kecil Longhouse and, at the end of the road, Teraja Longhouse.
The Iban were the once-feared headhunters of Borneo. These days, visitors are always warmly welcomed. Etiquette requires that visitors present their village hosts with a small gift |
and seek formal permission before entering. Upon being granted permission, footwear should be removed. Several trails head off into the jungle along this stretch of the road. They are clearly marked and signposted, and direct hikers through tracts of primary rainforest to various waterfalls and elevated viewing areas. The walks are relatively undemanding and guides are not necessary, but for safety reasons, local advice should be sought.
Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park
The Park is about 80km from Bandar. Established by Brunei Shell Petroleum to commemorate the occasion of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee year as Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park was officially declared open by the monarch in 1992. The park's blue-water lagoon and recreational facilities ensure its popularity as a family destination.
Lumut Beach
For those who prefer a day of sun and sand while in Belait, Lumut Beach beckons just 10km from Seria. Like other beaches in the country, specially designed huts and shelters complement a range of picnic facilities.
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Seria Town
Oil was first drawn from Brunei soil at Seria in 1929, and commercial production began here in 1932. Active "nodding donkey" oil wells are still a common sight in the vicinity, although Seria itself remains an oasis of relative peace after the bustle of Bandar, some 100km to the northeast.
Tamu Seria
The vibrant atmosphere of open-air stalls mushrooms between 6am and 11am every Saturday morning, just a 15-minute drive from Seria town.
Bordered by Jalan Bolkiah and Jalan Nakhoda Manis, Tamu Seria (or Seria Market) offers fresh local produce, including vegetables, fruit and poultry. |
Kuala Belait Town
Kuala Belait is the district's busy centre of local government administration. Approximately 17km from Seria, "KB," as the town is affectionately known, can be reached via either the Seria by-pass or the old coastal road from Seria.
The latter route is recommended to afford visitors the chance to see the Istana Mangelela - the Sultan's residence during his visits to the town. From there, the road continues to run parallel with the beach all the way to the Belait River across which ferries regularly run to the village of Kampung Sungai Teraban.
Tamu Kuala Belait
The open-air stalls at Tamu Kuala Belait (or Kuala Belait Market) open for business every Sunday morning from 6am to 11am. The market is located in Jalan Padang, a five-minute walk from the heart of downtown Kuala Belait.
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The Billionth Barrel Monument
Commissioned by Brunei Shell Petroleum and designed by a local architect, the Billionth Barrel Monument commemorates the production of the billionth barrel of oil by the Seria oilfield. It is located close to the seawall, near the site of "S-1", the first well dug almost 70 years ago.
The approach to the monument is through an arched entrance and a row of trees on either side. The arches serve to remind visitors that Brunei is an Islamic country and the floor is tiled in an Islamic pattern.
The monument is a mere five-minute drive from the Seria town centre. |
Silver Jubilee Park
About 1km from Kuala Belait town in Jalan Maulana, Silver Jubilee Park rambles across a 2,679ha location facing the South China Sea. Established to commemorate the 25th year of His Majesty's reign, the park is a gift from the people of Kuala Belait.
Apart from the pintu gerbang (arched entrances) and the monument, there are exhibition huts, shelters, toilets and a children's playground.
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River Safari
An alternative way to observe and enjoy Brunei's rainforests is to embark on a river safari up the Belait River. The journey along this waterway provides the only opportunity to glimpse Brunei's traditional Penan and Dusun communities at Kampung Sukang, roughly two and a half hours by longboat from Labi Road.
Another one to three hours by boat up the river brings the visitor to Kampung Melilas, an Iban longhouse. Kampung Melilas is the last longhouse along the Belait River. Beyond it, the river narrows and is virtually canopied by the boughs of overhanging trees loaded with orchids, ferns and mosses. Four significant waterfalls and some hot springs are located further up the river, almost at its source. |
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