Tutong District: Guide To Brunei’s Best Beach, Sunset And Pulut Panggang

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The Tutong District

Tutong offers some of Brunei’s pristine natural sites.

You’ll find Brunei’s best beach and most picturesque sunset, a tranquil lake, indigenous Bruneian culture and arguably the tastiest pulut panggang in the country. What Tutong lacks in developed attractions, it makes up for as an unassuming natural escape.

In this travel guide, we’ll explore Tutong District (one of Brunei’s four regions).

We’ll cover the top things to do in Tutong, including exploring Pekan Tutong (region’s largest town), eating pulut panggang, visiting Pantai Seri Kenangan beach and Tasek Merimbun lake, plus how to get to Tutong from Brunei’s capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Tutong River (“Sungai Tutong” in Malay)

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Table of Contents

• Things To Do In Tutong District

  • Explore Pekan Tutong

  • Eat Pulut Panggang

  • Pantai Seri Kenangan (Beach & Sunset)

  • Tasek Merimbun (Brunei’s Largest Lake)

• How To Get To Tutong District

• Conclusion

• Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

• About The Author (Taz Zaidi)

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Things To Do In Tutong District

Explore Pekan Tutong

Pekan Tutong is the Tutong District’s largest town.

It provides a more traditional feel and slower pace than Brunei’s urban hubs (Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait), as it was never industrialized. Pekan Tutong’s population mostly comprises of indigenous Tutong and Belait people. Pekan Tutong sits along the Pan-Borneo Highway (buses travel from Bandar Seri Begawan Main Station to central Pekan Tutong). The top attractions in town include a famous local market, mosque and pulut panggang.

• Tamu Tutong is Pekan Tutong’s primary wet market. It’s smaller than Gadong Night Market but is the best place to encounter Tutong’s local food and handicrafts. The market is open from Friday to Sunday, but is most lively on Thursdays (open 6 am to 12 pm). To join a tour of Tamu Tutong and to experience the local culture, click here.

• Pekan Tutong is home to an elegant local mosque called “Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque” - not to be confused with famous Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong

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Eat Pulut Panggang

As I mentioned in our Brunei Food Guide, Pekan Tutong is where you’ll find the best pulut panggang in all of Brunei. Some Bruneians drive across the country just to eat here. Your best option for a hot morning serving is to visit either the Mei Fang Cafe or Puteh Restaurant, five minutes apart from one another by foot. Aim to arrive by 10 am though, as both can sell out. Pulut panggang is made by mixing steamed glutinous rice with spicy sambal filling (usually containing beef or shrimp), which is then wrapped in banana leaves.

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Pantai Seri Kenangan 

[Brunei’s Best Beach & Sunset]

Pantai Seri Kenangan means “Unforgettable Beach”.

Many regard this spot as Brunei’s best beach. The fine, white, powdery sand meets a calm sea to create a very relaxed setting. This is one of the best spots to watch a Brunei sunset, with an unobstructed view over the South China Sea. Pantai Seri Kenangan is also equipped with facilities, including a playground, fitness station and BBQ pits. Food stalls are open during daylight hours. The beach is busiest on weekends, so go on a weekday if you prefer solitude. By car, Pantai Seri Kenangan is only 15 minutes from central Pekan Tutong.

Sunset at Pantai Seri Kenangan

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Tasek Merimbun

[Brunei’s Largest Lake]

Tasek Merimbun is Brunei’s largest lake (500 meters in length) and part of Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park. As Brunei’s only ASEAN Heritage Park, it’s historically significant as a worship/burial site for the local indigenous Dusun people. Its scenic blackwater is surrounded by marsh and rainforest, with 2 small islands (one reachable by wooden walkway). Within the park, you’ll encounter fauna like butterflies, birds and reptiles, plus diverse flora on the lake’s perimeter.

The park intentionally lacks infrastructure (apart from two picnic tables and a restroom) as a way to maintain its natural, undeveloped feel. Park entrance is free but there’s a small fee to cross the island walkway. Small boats are also available for hire. Tasek Merimbun is busiest on the weekends, when Bandar Seri Begawan residents come to enjoy the nature. Remember to bring your own food, as there are no food vendors on the park grounds!

View of Tasek Merimbun

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How To Get To Tutong District

• Visiting Tutong District is worth a half/full day.

• To get here from Bandar Seri Begawan, either drive or take a bus from Bandar Seri Begawan Main Station to central Pekan Tutong.

• While you could visit as a day trip (especially if you’ve hired a car), Tutong is far enough away from Bandar Seri Begawan that some travelers prefer to spend the night. It’s a pleasant change of pace from BSB’s urban environment.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hotel rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or in another destination), click here.

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Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Tutong is Brunei’s least visited district, but this is also where its charm lies. The district is an ideal place to immerse yourself in Borneo’s nature, interact with the indigenous Bruneian culture and try local cuisine. To learn more about Brunei, explore our guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

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Experience Tamu Tutong through this tour, organized by Viator and run by locals!

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