Bangar

Bangar is the administrative centre of the Temburong District of Brunei. The quiet small town is relatively isolated as Temburong is separated from the main part of the country (where the capital Bandar Seri Begawan is located) by Sarawak's Limbang district. The town centre is on the downstream banks of the Temburong River. The market food hall, mosque, and community centre are on the west bank and the government centre, grocery store and hospital are on the east bank.

Temburong is not very developed and still has a lot of pristine rainforest. The Ulu Temburong National Park and the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve are excellent for experiencing the jungle.

By boat
Speed boats between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangar run from 7AM to 5PM. One way fares are $6 and the journey takes 45 minutes. The boat ride is a highlight, as the boats weave through the many river channels at the mouth of the Temburong and Brunei Rivers. Boats dock at the main jetty in town while in Bandar, they leave from the jetty near the foodstalls at Jalan Residency just east of the city centre across the Sungai Kianggeh bridge. You'll briefly pass through Malaysian territory, but there are no checkpoints of any description.

By road
The Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge connecting Temburong with the rest of Brunei opened in 2020, meaning that you can now drive directly from Bandar Seri Begawan to Temburong without passing through Malaysian customs and immigration.

You will likely find yourself going through Temburong if you are travelling overland between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. See Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land.

By bus
There are no direct buses from Bandar Seri Begawan or any other part of Brunei to Temburong. Neither are there any direct buses to Temburong from neighbouring Sarawak.
 * To/from Bandar Seri Begawan or Limbang: If you must take the bus (there are direct speedboats to Bangar from Bandar), you will have to take the bus from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Lurah (see Brunei | Get in section for details) and the catch another bus to Limbang. From Limbang, take a Pandaruan bus which will bring you to the border. Cross the Pandaruan River by ferry or boat and proceed to Bangar by taxi. You can get your Malaysian exit stamp at Pandaruan and your Brunei entry stamp at the Puni immigration post.
 * To/from Lawas: A local bus is supposed to go from Lawas to Trusan in Sarawak. This is as close as you will get to Temburong by bus and from there, you will have to take a Malaysian taxi to the Brunei-Malaysia border at Labu, and then change to a Bruneian taxi to Bangar. Get your Malaysian exit stamp at Trusan. The Bruneian entry stamp can be obtained at the border.

By taxi
Like buses, strict Bruneian laws prevent Malaysian taxis from bringing passengers into Temburong. From Limbang, you will have to catch a taxi to Pandaruan, cross the river by ferry or boat, then catch a Bruneian taxi to Bangar. If you are coming from Bandar Seri Begawan, you will have to find your way to Limbang first. Coming from the east, taxis run from Lawas to the Labu border checkpoint via Trusan (where you have to get your Malaysian exit stamp). Change to a Bruneian taxi at Labu to get to Bangar.

Get around
Bangar is small enough for you to walk around, although it could be quite a hike in the hot sun to get to the administrative offices across the river from the commercial area.

Temburong basically has two main roads, one stretching from its eastern border with Sarawak at Puni, through Bangar, to the western border, again with Sarawak, at Labu, a total of about 25 km. The other main road runs south from Bangar to Batang Duri.

You will have to resort to taxis to move around in Temburong if you do not have your own set of wheels. There are no buses. Taxis can cost a bit - Bangar to Labu is about B$30.

You can also hire bicycles from the Maryani Camping Shop at Bangar for B$30 a day.

Buy
There are three ATMs in town, that accept international cards.

There is a small marketplace and shops.

Budget

 * Pusat Belia: is a youth hostel. An immaculately clean and affordable hostel.

Go next

 * Miri
 * Kuala Belait
 * Seria
 * Tutong
 * Sengkurong
 * Jerudong
 * Berakas
 * Bandar Seri Begawan
 * Limbang
 * Lawas

Commons:Category:Bangar, Temburong