Kampong Ayer
One of the world's largest settlements of stilt houses on water. Water taxis carry visitors past wooden walkways, schools and mosques.
Kampong Ayer, meaning 'water village,' is a cluster of stilt-house villages built over the Brunei River. It has existed for over a thousand years, and in the 16th century Western navigators called it the 'Venice of the East.' Today, tens of thousands of residents still live in houses linked by dozens of kilometers of wooden walkways. The village has a school, mosque, clinic, police station and fire station. Visitors can flag down long, narrow water taxis at the riverside pier in the old town. A single crossing costs only about 1 Brunei dollar, and a boat tour takes around 30 to 60 minutes. Agree on the price before boarding. It is recommended to visit the Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery to learn about the village's history. Some households also offer local pastries and coffee. Some wooden walkways are old and worn, so watch your step, and ask permission before photographing residents.
Opening hours
All day (gallery approx. 09:00–17:00; closed at midday on Fridays)
Nearby sights
- Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex
- Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien
- Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
- Tamu Kianggeh
- Royal Regalia Museum
- Tasek Lama Recreational Park
- Istana Nurul Iman
- Brunei River Mangrove Proboscis Monkey Cruise