BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): More than 61,000 people visited Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei's royal palace, during the "Open Palace" Hari Raya celebration, which ended on Wednesday.
Istana Nurul Iman recorded 61,888 visitors in its two-day opening.
On the first day of this year's opening, 36,167 visitors were recorded, and 25,721 visitors visited Istana Nurul Iman in conjunction with the annual Muslim festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
As a country with around 455,500 in 2024, Brunei has kept the tradition of opening its royal palace to the public during the Hari Raya celebration, to enable Bruneians and foreign tourists to meet and convey their greetings to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as well as other members of the royal family.
It is a highly anticipated moment for visitors, both domestically and internationally, especially after a five-year absence due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic a few years ago.
The event also provided an excellent opportunity for all levels of society to share the joy and excitement of the festivity.
According to official statistics, the palace received 102,621 visitors during the "Open Palace" celebration in 2019, 110,828 in 2018, and 102,660 visitors in 2017, compared to 100,802 people in 2016. - Xinhua
