It used to be the residence of the royal family until the 1960s. The second, Istana Nurul Iman, is now the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and his family. This palace is a modern grey structure capped by a gold dome. Kampong Ayer Made up of clusters of wooden homes, schools, mosques, stores and even a police station or two built on stilts over the Brunei River, this water village is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. About half the population of the capital or 30,000 people live in this water-based community.
Visitors can explore the village on foot, or hire a boat from the pier.
Churchill Memorial and Museum Housed in this complex are a number of attractions. First, there is the Hassanal Bolkiah Aquarium, where you can view marine life caught from the nearby South China Sea. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Brunei Historical Centre and the Constitutional History Gallery, both of which are also on the complex grounds. There is also the Dato Ibrahim Library which is a research centre for those interested in South-east Asian or Asean studies. Lapau The Lapau or the Royal Ceremonial Hall is the venue for important state ceremonies and occasions.