Jerudong Park

Jerudong Park, located in Brunei Darussalam, is a unique and historically significant amusement park. Once considered the most expensive and advanced amusement park in Southeast Asia, it was a grand gift from the Sultan of Brunei to his people. While its peak of opulence has passed, it remains a charming and evolving entertainment destination, popular with families.

Name: Jerudong Park (officially Jerudong Park Playground)

Address: Jerudong, BG3122, Negara Brunei Darussalam. It’s situated in the Jerudong area, a coastal region west of Bandar Seri Begawan, and close to prominent landmarks like The Empire Brunei hotel.

How to Get There:
Jerudong Park is easily accessible from Brunei International Airport and Bandar Seri Begawan:

By Air: The closest airport is Brunei International Airport (BWN). From the airport, Jerudong Park is a short 10-15 minute taxi or ride-sharing (Dart) trip.
By Taxi/Ride-Sharing (Dart): Taxis and Brunei’s local ride-sharing service, “Dart,” are readily available throughout Bandar Seri Begawan for direct transfers to the park.
By Bus: Public bus route 55 from Bandar Seri Begawan’s main bus terminal goes towards Sengkurong/Jerudong and has a stop within walking distance of the park entrance.
By Car: If driving, it’s about a 20-25 minute drive from Bandar Seri Begawan city center. Ample parking is available at the park.
Organized Tours: Some city tours in Brunei might include Jerudong Park, though it’s more common to visit independently or as part of a personalized tour.
Entrance Fee: Entry to the general park grounds is often free. However, tickets or “ride cards” are required to access and use the rides and attractions. These vary in price depending on the number of rides/attractions you wish to use.

Landscape and Architecture:
Jerudong Park’s “landscape” is a large, landscaped amusement park, designed with a focus on recreation and family entertainment. Its “architecture” varies from grand, intricate designs of its past to more modern and functional structures.

Extensive Grounds and Landscaped Gardens: The park spans a large area, originally covering hundreds of acres. While its active footprint has reduced since its peak, it still features extensive beautifully landscaped gardens, lush green parks, and walking paths. These provide a serene backdrop to the rides and serve as pleasant areas for leisurely strolls or picnics.
Themed Zones (Past and Present): The park was designed with various themed zones, though some original, more elaborate phases are no longer active or have been redeveloped. The current park focuses on its “Playground” areas, offering family-friendly attractions.
- WonderPark (formerly Phase 1) and Adventure Park (formerly Phase 2): These are the core areas with the active rides.
- WaterPark: An integrated water park with various slides, tunnels, and multi-level water play structures, providing refreshing fun.
- Adventure Kingdom: Features more extreme attractions like Brunei’s longest zipline, a roller glider, and a giant swing.
Mini Stadium: A notable feature within the park complex is a mini-stadium with a football pitch and a grandstand, often used for local matches and training. It even includes a glassed seating area exclusive for the Crown Prince and royal family.
Amphitheater: The park includes an outdoor amphitheater that has hosted major international concerts and performances in its heyday, and now hosts local events and in-house entertainment.
Musical Fountain: A popular attraction featuring mesmerizing water jets choreographed to music and lights, creating a captivating evening show.
Architectural Heritage (Past Grandeur): In its initial phase (opened in 1994), the park featured cutting-edge rides and elaborate designs, including a large Crystal Arch (or Diamond Roundabout) at its entrance. While many of the original major thrill rides were later sold or decommissioned, the remaining infrastructure and grand scale hint at its former opulence.

What Makes It Famous:

Sultan’s Gift to the People: Jerudong Park gained international fame upon its opening as the world’s largest and most expensive amusement park at the time (costing over US$1 billion), built by the Sultan of Brunei as a generous gift to his people. For many years, admission was entirely free, which was unprecedented for a park of its scale.
Former Apex of Southeast Asian Theme Parks: In its prime in the 1990s, it was considered the most advanced and luxurious amusement park in Southeast Asia, attracting international celebrities (like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston) to perform at its amphitheater.
Current Family-Friendly Entertainment: Today, its fame has shifted. It is now known as Brunei’s premier family-friendly amusement park, offering a diverse range of rides and attractions catering to all ages, from thrilling rides to a water park, mini-golf, and children’s play areas.
Symbol of Brunei’s Wealth: Its very existence and initial operational model were a testament to Brunei’s immense oil wealth, reflecting the country’s unique economic standing.
Unique History of Evolution: The park has a fascinating history of transformation, from its initial lavish, free-entry model to adapting to new ticketing systems and a more focused family offering, making it a case study in theme park development.
Integrated Entertainment: It combines a dry amusement park, a water park, and sometimes hosts events, offering a diverse entertainment experience in one location.

Differences from Some Other Wonders:

“Gift from the Sultan” Origin: Unlike most theme parks built for commercial profit (like Legoland Malaysia or Sunway Lagoon), Jerudong Park’s origin as a colossal, non-commercial gift from a monarch to his people sets it apart, giving it a unique historical and cultural context rooted in royal benevolence.
Evolution from Grandeur to Family Focus: While many parks expand, Jerudong Park famously experienced a period of decline after its peak opulence, leading to the sale of some major rides. Its current state represents a revitalization and re-focusing on family-friendly attractions and value, rather than being continuously at the cutting edge of thrill rides. This narrative of evolution is distinct.
Less Crowded, More Relaxed (Post-Peak): Compared to the bustling, often overcrowded major theme parks globally (like Universal Studios Singapore or Disneyland), Jerudong Park, in its current phase, is often noted for being less crowded and offering a more relaxed, unhurried atmosphere, particularly on weekdays.
Absence of Extensive Theming and IP: While it has some adventure and water park zones, it generally lacks the deep, immersive, brand-specific theming found in parks like Legoland or Universal Studios, which are built around intellectual properties. Its appeal is more about general amusement and recreation.
Not a Natural or Ancient Wonder: Unlike the mosques (Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah) or natural sites (Ulu Temburong National Park, Kampong Ayer), Jerudong Park is a man-made entertainment complex, its “wonder” deriving from its scale, history, and the joy it provides.
Symbol of Philanthropy and Changing Fortune: It’s a symbol not just of wealth, but also of a unique royal approach to public leisure and the subsequent adaptation to changing economic realities, giving it a particular narrative distinct from more purely commercial ventures.