Fodor's Expert Review Istana Nurul Iman

This royal "Palace of Light" is the largest in the world, with 1,788 rooms. It measures more than 2 million square feet, including 257 bathrooms, a 110-space garage, five swimming pools, and air-conditioned stables, and cost about US$400 million to build. The public is not allowed to glimpse its sumptuous interior except for three days during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday at the end of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. Otherwise, the palace is best taken in from the river, particularly when illuminated at night.