The Istana Nurul Iman — Palace of the Light of Faith — is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and the largest residential palace in the world. It sits on a sweeping bend of the Brunei River about 4 kilometres south of the city centre, and from the river or the far bank you can appreciate its extraordinary scale: a golden dome flanked by white towers, surrounded by immaculate lawns, with the jungle-covered hills of Brunei as backdrop.
The palace is not open to the public except for three days during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, when the Sultan hosts a public reception and ordinary citizens line up for hours to shake his hand and receive a ceremonial gift. If you happen to be in BSB during Hari Raya, joining the queue is a singular experience. At other times, view it from the riverside road or take a water taxi for a river-level perspective.