Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah

Sultan Bolkiah reigned in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the period when Brunei's authority reached across most of Borneo and up to Manila, and he is remembered as the sailing sultan for the voyages made in his time. His tomb stands at Kota Batu near the old capital, a stone grave under a shelter with carved inscriptions, one of the oldest royal graves in the country. Several other royal graves of the same period stand in the area, and the group together is the oldest surviving royal burial ground in the country.

What to look for

• The grave - a stone tomb with carved inscriptions under its shelter.
• The reign - the period of Brunei's greatest territorial reach.
• The sailing sultan - the voyages the reign is remembered for.
• The Kota Batu setting - the tomb standing beside the old capital site.

When to go

Year round. Mornings are cooler. It is a religious site and behaviour and dress matter at any time.

Practical notes

The site is small and an hour is generous. Interpretation is minimal. It is a grave and is treated as such, so respectful behaviour is expected.

Nearby

Kota Batu is beside it, and the Maritime Museum is nearby.

Key facts