Kampong Ayer: Brunei's historic water village

Why visit Kampong Ayer

Early European visitors called Kampong Ayer the Venice of the East, and it is still the heart of Bruneian heritage. Many families in the capital have roots here, and walking its boardwalks gives you a real sense of how the sultanate lived for hundreds of years. It is not a museum: it is a working neighbourhood, so you see children going to school by boat, washing hanging over the water and grandmothers chatting on verandas.

Getting there

Water taxis, small wooden boats with outboard engines, wait at jetties along the waterfront opposite the Yayasan complex and near the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Wave one down, agree the fare for a single crossing or a longer tour before you set off, and expect a quick, splashy ride. Many boatmen offer an hour's loop that includes the water village, a view of the Istana Nurul Iman and the mangroves. Wear a life jacket where provided.

What to see

• **Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery:** a modern gallery on the water explaining the village's history, crafts and daily life, with a viewing tower over the rooftops.
• **The boardwalks:** wander the connecting walkways between the different villages, which each have their own name and traditions.
• **Craft and food:** some homes sell traditional cakes, woven goods and brassware; keep an eye out for signs and ask politely.
• **Sunset:** the view back across the river to the golden dome of the old town mosque is beautiful as the light fades.

Staying overnight

A few families run homestays where you sleep in a traditional house, eat home cooking and watch the village wake up. It is simple accommodation, but it is the best way to understand Kampong Ayer. Book ahead through the official tourism website or a reputable local operator, and ask what is included.

Respect and safety

This is people's home, so ask before photographing anyone, keep your voice down and dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Some boardwalks are old, with gaps or loose planks, so watch your step, especially at night, and keep children close. Fires have damaged parts of the village over the years, and you will see newer houses beside older ones.

Village life and traditions

Kampong Ayer is made up of dozens of smaller villages, each historically known for a craft such as brassware, silverwork, boat building or weaving. Families have lived in the same village for generations, and community ties are strong. Weddings and religious gatherings fill the boardwalks with guests in their best clothes, and during Ramadan the smell of cooking drifts across the water as families prepare to break the fast. Although many younger people have moved onto land, the government has invested in new housing on the water, and the village remains a proud symbol of national identity. Visiting with patience and curiosity, rather than rushing through, is the best way to appreciate it.

Plan your visit

Combine Kampong Ayer with a day in Bandar Seri Begawan and an evening river trip for proboscis monkeys. Our places to visit list has food and stays nearby, and the free trip planner can fit a homestay night into your route.