Located in the heart of Brunei Darussalam, the world’s largest settlement on stilts offers visitors a colorful cultural experience.
Just a 16-minute drive from the international airport, Kampong Ayer is a historical landmark and popular destination in Brunei Darussalam’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
A bustling port 600 years ago, this Venice of the East is the world’s largest settlement on stilts. It is Brunei’s oldest and largest settlement on water.
Today, Kampong Ayer is home to more than 9,000 people spread across 30 villages that are connected by 30 kilometers of wooden walkways. It is a self-contained community on the banks of the Brunei River with its own schools, mosques, police and fire stations, and modern utilities. The villages, however, still retain their old-world charm.
It takes at least 2 hours to explore Kampong Ayer. Brunei’s Tourism Development Department has developed a walking trail that supports community-based products and services in five villages—Kg Lurong Sikuna, Kg Setia ‘A’, Kg Tamoi Ujung, Kg Peramu, and Kg Bakut Berumput.
The tour starts at the Kampong Ayer Cultural Tourism Gallery, which exhibits the settlement’s history, traditions, and art. Take a water taxi from the Royal Wharf to Jetty 1, which is just beside the gallery. There is a souvenir shop and an observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the Brunei River and surrounding area.
The walking tour takes visitors to the most colorful houses and homes of village chiefs and includes stops to sample local delicacies, such as prawn crackers and traditional kuih sweet or savory cakes, and see craftspeople at work making wooden boats (used as water taxis), wooden arches, tudung saji food covers, baskets, mats, and fans.
A floating restaurant at the Kg Setia ‘A’ trail serves special soto, beef-broth noodle soup with spices, and provides a view of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Brunei’s first cable-stayed bridge.
For those visiting Kampong Ayer in the afternoon, cap the day off by watching the sunset from the jetty.
Some residents offer homestays to tourists who want to experience life in a water village. One of the recommended places is Kunyit 7 Lodge, which was built in the 1920s. It provides bed-and-breakfast accommodations.
Download the walking trail map at the Brunei Tourism website.
BIMP-EAGA
