Interior View of Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah [Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Khazanah Hall]

Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah [Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Khazanah Hall]

Government office Heritage museum Architectural designer

One of the Best Places To Visits in Tumasek


Address

Simpang 26 Jln Pengiran Babu Raja, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2112, Brunei

Website

www.bkishhb-en.gov.bn

Contact

+673 222 0701

Rating on Google Maps

4.60
(490104 reviews)


Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: Closed

Visitor Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Islamic (16) history (14) building (13) experience (13) museum (12) exhibition (11) time (10) Islam (9) Brunei (9) open (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Kevin A. 9 months ago on Google • 1541 reviews
    Beautiful museum and very informative of the history of Islam in Brunei. Many artefacts that are well curated.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 city c. 6 years ago on Google • 800 reviews
    The new gallery has 100% completed. We we informed that it will be open soon once the artifacts from the old building are completely moved. We were allowed to enter into the Islamic Library area where we bought a few books and took a few photographs. One of the exhibit we manage to see was the 130 years old huge drum (beduk) used to announce (call of prayer) the daily solah. The size of the huge beduk is 13'x17'. It was made from kayu nangka (jack fruit tree) and weigh roughly 4 tonnes. It was a magnificent handcraft made by those people at that period of time.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Loqman H. 5 years ago on Google • 215 reviews
    It was amazing. We took a lot of pictures except the restricted area. This place is a definition of true Islamic museum where there is a genuine Islamic manuscript and hundred years old sword and old holy book of Quran that even available out there anymore. One of my favourite would be His Majesty's personal collection and the replicas of the caliph's sword. The building is super amazing, wonderdul architecture and I'm not kidding that this building has that Final Fantasy VIII Balamb Garden vibe!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edith s. 1 year ago on Google • 161 reviews
    From the moment I arrived at the parking area of Balai Khazanah, I knew I was in for a unique and immersive cultural experience. The venue, nestled in the heart of Brunei, perfectly blends the country's rich history with a tasteful touch of modernity. The architecture itself is a sight to behold, a brilliant blend of traditional and contemporary Islamic styles that is very breathtaking. One immediately noticeable policy is the no-camera rule inside the gallery. We have to collect all of our belongings in the security locker. While initially, this might seem inconvenient, it actually enhances the authenticity of the experience. It compels you to truly immerse yourself in the surroundings, rather than simply viewing everything through a lens or screen. I recommend Balai Khazanah as a must-visit place when you're visiting Brunei. It offers a unique way to explore Brunei's heritage while enjoying the comforts of modern amenities. Even without a camera, it's not just a place to visit—it's an experience to remember, a moment to live.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Miss F. 4 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    It is open now with a $5 entrance fee for local adults. No photography inside the galleries. We stayed for 1 hr 30 min as we were rushing to our majlis. It is not enough time! So we will come again. We love astronomy & the fossils galleries. Definitely will come again. Gallery 3 with the Prophet's hair will open on 18/3/23 & 23/3/23. It is seasonal, so you may want to ask them when the gallery is open to the public.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 KY 1 year ago on Google • 138 reviews
    Beautiful architecture with an interesting Islamic exhibition containing many historic artefacts. Additionally, staff was very friendly and helpful.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 นิยดา �. 10 months ago on Google • 352 reviews
    เป็นสถานที่แห่งใหม่ที่สร้างขึ้นเพื่อเก็บคัมภีร์อัลกุรอาน อยู่ใกล้กับที่แห่งเดิมแต่หรูหรากว่า วันที่ไปเขาไม่ได้เปิดให้ชมข้างใน
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kemariah D. 2 years ago on Google
    Best time to visit would be in the morning as it might more than an hour to go around. it took me about 2.5 hrs. It has 9 galleries. It hosted beautiful numbers of Al Quran and Stone Slabs in Gallery 2, the hair of Prophet Muhammad SAW in Gallery which is only open for viewing on Islamic special days and HM's birthday. There is an entrance charge and its close on Friday. Photo taking are only allowed outdoor or in the lobby area. Enjoy your visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Siti Zubaidah Binti Haji Nor H. 5 years ago on Google
    Great display. Great building - impressive architecture. However, I have a slight issue with the information given. Some were in Malay (but in jawi) and hardly ever English - it would have been a problem for tourists visiting who doesn't have any background in Malay. I wish they would consider this. There were also some technical issues needed to be fixed, especially with the projectors above the ceiling. The cleanliness of the place is extraordinary, that's a plus!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 shekhar s. 3 months ago on Google • 289 reviews New
    Simply awesome museum. Very stylish and huge proportions.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Norbi 1 year ago on Google • 133 reviews
    Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji is a hidden gem! It boasts ample parking, captivating architecture, and a welcoming staff. This museum offers an enriching experience in Islamic art and history, making it a must-visit. Costs 10 BND for foreigners.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dimitris Apollonas Poseidonas V. 8 months ago on Google • 130 reviews
    What can I say about this building. Clean. New. Amazing materials built of. Helpful staff. Amazing gift shop in affordable prices. You must wear long pants otherwise they will give you something to wear. You must leave your bag in the locker. You cannot take pic’s upstairs. A very positive atmosphere. You must visit it. It’s better you take a taxi.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 regantamanui 10 months ago on Google • 83 reviews
    Amazing place , nice & peaceful
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Tomohiro H. 10 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    外国人は入場料10ブルネイドル。Gallery1~9迄あります。昔のイスラムの書籍や文献の展示が多かった。中は凄くきれいだが、撮影禁止。スマホの持ち込みもダメで、ロッカーに預けます。
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Ryland S. 8 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    Beautiful building, incredible architecture - but note that the ticket counter closes at 3:00pm!! We weren’t allowed to purchase a ticket at 3:10pm.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 WASTE C. 2 years ago on Google
    I felt that I had been transported to the Egypt museum of Cairo. Nice atmosphere, helpful staffs, clean and peaceful. The galleries took me more than 1 hour to complete. Mostly, old books, weapons, old equipment, fossils and gifts to HM.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Iffiey K. 6 years ago on Google
    It is still under renovation, but you can go inside and see the building. Nothing inside yet. The architecture is so amazing! Love it! Hope by the time I come back to visit Brunei, it will be open to the public.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chajchawan N. 5 days ago on Google • 248 reviews New
    megastructure with all interior air-conditioning to 22degree among hot outside temperature. there is an amount of admission fee for looking at most religious exhibition , which are arranged into 9 galleries ,. Starting from vision of king of Brunei in ruling his kingdom under religious law . then continuing into2-9, the exhibition is valued for Muslims and also people who are interested in Islam history.

  • 5/5 Tofik I. 2 months ago on Google • 181 reviews New
    History of Islam in BSB

  • 5/5 Stephen L. 3 months ago on Google • 138 reviews New
    Majestic building with wonderful permanent display inside. Modern and well laid out. Fascinating.

  • 4/5 Abi S. 1 month ago on Google • 108 reviews New
    Beautiful museum with architecture inspired by Islamic and Arabic culture There are also many cats in the surau that are well taken care of

  • 5/5 Man Z. 2 months ago on Google • 86 reviews New
    Cantik

  • 5/5 Ikram R. 2 months ago on Google • 73 reviews New
    open for public, many collections from His Majesty, huge area to explore

  • 5/5 xinwengolife 4 months ago on Google • 70 reviews
    Were you aware that this building was designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei? He is the same architect behind several famous museums worldwide, including the Louvre Museum in Paris. There Many exhibition halls inside. Cost $5 for adult resident and $3 for kid resident

  • 5/5 Darren C. 2 months ago on Google • 42 reviews New
    Decent museum located in a beautiful modern building. The permanent exhibition is divided into 9 galleries with both Islamic artifacts as well as interactive touchscreen displays. The exhibits were alright considering the entry price point (BND5 for local residents / BND10 for tourists). There was a special temporary exhibition of Orientalist paintings when I was there which required a separate ticket, which I enjoyed. Toilets on every level were clean and well stocked. I appreciated the availability of a comfortable nursing room for mothers but a point of improvement would be to provide a diaper-changing station and perhaps a drinking water dispenser as well. You have to deposit your bags in lockers (free of charge) before you enter the exhibitions. There is also a souvenir shop located near the entrance and ticket counter. Staff were all friendly and helpful.

  • 5/5 Prasad R. 2 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    If you're interested in learning about the history of Islam and its religious texts, Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is a must-visit museum in Brunei. This place is perfect for those who want to dive deep into Islamic history and culture. The museum houses an impressive collection of Islamic books, manuscripts, and artifacts that showcase the rich heritage of the Muslim world. The museum is organized into nine galleries, each offering a wealth of information on various aspects of Islamic history, the Quran, and Islamic civilization. From ancient calligraphy to rare religious texts, there’s so much to explore. It’s a great place to broaden your understanding of Islam and its significant impact on global history and culture. However, this museum may not be the best place for young children, as the exhibits are more suited to adults and those with a keen interest in history and religion. There are no interactive displays or kid-friendly activities, so it's more educational than entertaining for younger visitors. The museum is well-maintained and the exhibits are clearly labeled, making it easy to navigate and learn. It's an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore the depth of Islamic culture, religious texts, and the contributions of Muslims throughout history. Highly recommended for history buffs, scholars, and anyone wanting to learn more about Islam in a peaceful and informative setting.

  • 3/5 Aziim J. 1 week ago on Google • 19 reviews New
    Balai Khazanah Buffet by Serikandi Catering Balai Khazanah Buffet presents an extensive selection of dishes, combining local and international flavors. However, while the variety is commendable, the execution is inconsistent, leading to a dining experience that feels more functional than refined. Ambience & Setting The dining atmosphere leaves much to be desired. The lighting is overly dim and casts a strong yellow hue, which affects the visual appeal of the dishes. Additionally, the temperature of the venue is noticeably cold, impacting the overall enjoyment of certain dishes—most notably the lamb, as the cooling effect alters its texture. The use of plastic tables further detracts from the upscale buffet experience, giving the setting a more casual and less polished feel. Culinary Experience Lamb Station: One of the more anticipated offerings, the lamb delivers in terms of flavor but struggles with temperature retention. Due to the cold environment, the fat congeals quickly, resulting in an unpleasant oily aftertaste if not consumed immediately. A better heat retention method, such as infrared heat lamps, would significantly improve this dish’s experience. Noodle & Dim Sum Station: These selections fail to stand out. The noodles lack any defining flavors or textures, making them an average addition at best. The dim sum, unfortunately, is overcooked, leading to a tough and chewy consistency that diminishes its appeal. A more precise steaming process would elevate its quality. Ice Cream Station: A reliable, if not exceptional, option. The variety of flavors is decent and offers a refreshing contrast to the heavier main dishes. While not groundbreaking, it serves its purpose as a light and enjoyable dessert. Ambuyat Station: Easily the highlight of the buffet. The ambuyat is well-prepared, with a smooth and elastic consistency, while the ‘cacah’ (dipping sauce) is packed with flavor, adding a rich and tangy depth that enhances the dish. It is the most successful execution among the offerings and a must-try for those seeking an authentic taste of Bruneian cuisine. Main Courses: The buffet rotates its main dishes every two days, which adds an element of variety. However, the execution is hit-or-miss. On this occasion, the featured duck dish was a disappointment—lacking depth of flavor and succulence. The rest of the main courses were passable but failed to leave a lasting impression. Drink Stations A functional but basic selection: Cold water Syrup drinks Hot beverages While adequate, the drink station could benefit from more curated beverage options that pair well with the dishes, such as fresh juices or traditional Bruneian drinks. Final Verdict Balai Khazanah Buffet offers a diverse menu, but inconsistency in execution holds it back from being a top-tier dining experience. The ambuyat shines as a standout dish, while the lamb, despite its potential, is hindered by environmental factors. Other offerings, such as the noodles, dim sum, and rotating main courses, fail to impress. Refinements in temperature control, cooking precision, and overall presentation would greatly enhance the dining experience. Rating: 3/5 – Good variety, but inconsistent execution and subpar ambience hinder its full potential.

  • 5/5 Altamis A. 2 weeks ago on Google • 19 reviews New
    Must go!

  • 4/5 ulan 2 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    人煙稀少清悠的博物館,如果是自由行的旅客想來這裡可以搭〔DART]過來,空間非常寬敞 舒適 安靜

  • 3/5 leolie98 6 months ago on Google • 12 reviews
    The ticket counter closed at 3 even though the gallery closed at 5

  • 5/5 Kunto W. 3 months ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    Great place and many things to see.. Tourist from overseas must visit this place..

  • 5/5 Shasha 2 months ago on Google • 10 reviews New
    Super lovely experience in Brunei, a place to prove to people that Brunei isn't boring. There's an ongoing exhibition right now until 30th January, the art is super beautiful and you get to really see the art up close to appreciate the intricate details of the artwork. The permanent exhibition is also really worth the visit, there's so much about the Islamic world with interactive displays. There are a total of nine galleries and you can spend so many hours marveling at the tremendous collections (especially all the ancient religious texts exhibition). Honestly it's such a serene place I would come visit again just to sit down and relax there as it was so peaceful. While this exhibition is beautiful but may not be suitable for children as it's not very hands on or colourful, they might get bored. However if you love history, Islam or just want an experience of somewhere new, this is definitely worth visiting. If you are a woman who doesn't wear a hijab, they will give you a robe to wear until the end of the exhibition. I recommend going early so you have time to explore! Lots of opportunities to take photos too as the building itself is really pretty

  • 5/5 Radhika S. 4 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    it's a must have experience. What an incredible sight.

  • 5/5 PBuDen 7 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    Love it here i love the islamic history here

  • 3/5 Gusti Muhammad P. 7 months ago on Google • 7 reviews
    Pemandangan yg indah Insya'Allah Saya akan menuju tempat itu...

  • 3/5 Aziq A. 1 month ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Loved the Sotheby’s collaboration on their Faith and Devotion exhibit, tho wish we had visited at a less busier time as the gallery ushers were understandably quite occupied with the crowd, tho they were very attentive and willing to answer our queries and sweet enough to have a light chat over some of the beautiful pieces on display. In my opinion, the gallery lighting was just a smidge too harsh and caused a little glare on the otherwise glorious oil pieces.. Which makes me wonder if they had a consultant to check the lighting levels as too much light exposure does wear out oil paints over time Thoroughly enjoyed the Islamic artifacts exhibit as well, and although I understand we slightly overstayed our welcome.. We were unfortunately rushed out of the last few galleries close to closing time, which was my only gripe… As I’ve had experience in ushering exhibits in the past during my stint with the Brunei Art Forum, as well as experiences within exhibits abroad, would it have been too much to simply allow an extra 10-15 minutes for us to leave as we were literally walking through the last gallery at the end of the exhibit before a custodian rather abruptly told us to leave before, for lack of a better term, chasing us and following behind us to the exit… I mean, I didn’t really even care that the digital supplementaries were powered down and some parts were in the dark as their lights were turned off at that point but I do wonder from a service standpoint if they would have treated international tourist the same as it would have been nice to just view the last few pieces without being not-too-subtly told to get out.. Altho we are partially to blame as we made the mistake of visiting the first part before circling back and queueing up again for our tickets for the rest, it does raise the point of why not have an online booking/purchase option on-site at least? Would have surely sped up the process, was also wondering why only a single counter was open despite both being staffed during our time there? All in all still had a good time, tho there are still some areas of improvement..

  • 5/5 Khairul A. 3 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    A very intresting place and worth the visit

  • 1/5 Teo W. 5 years ago on Google
    It is closed now. No dates given when it is going to be open. Try to take photo in the compound was chase away by the security

  • 4/5 Nazim P. 2 years ago on Google
    Its a big & nice building, love the architectural design

  • 5/5 Hizma L. 2 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    It is a good place to bring young people especially students to learn more about history and to increase love and obedience to the king. What really attracts attention about this place is its exceptional cleanliness and can attract tourists even from outside the building


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