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    Kampong Ayer - Venice of East

    601 Reviews
    #3 of 47 things to do in Bandar Seri Begawan
    Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sights & Landmarks
    Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
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    Review Highlights
    “Local life + monkey”

    2 bnd for crossing and 20 bnd for 2hr ride around kampong ayer and to monkey forest. I chose the... read more

    Reviewed 2 days ago
    minimize940314
    ,
    Torrance, California
    “Great value. Only 2 dollar cost for return speedboat!”

    We just paid 2 dollar for sightseeing tour with speed boat. The boatman show and explain us the... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    maira r
    Read all 601 reviews
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    Technically part of the Bruneian capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer has more than enough uniqueness and history about it to be considered separately. Meaning “water village”, Kampong Ayer is built on stilts above the Brunei river. More than 30,000 people inhabit Kampong Ayer, the largest water settlement in Southeast Asia, and travel about by boat or the extensive network of wooden walkways, footbridges, and boardwalks. Kampong Ayer’s 4,200 structures include homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a even a hospital. People have been living here for more than 1,300 year. Many of the traditional lifestyles of its inhabitants; fishermen, traders, and artisans; have remained unchanged. Visitors can experience this heritage by taking one of the many water taxis in front of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan.

    About Kampong Ayer - Venice of East

    Technically part of the Bruneian capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer has more than enough uniqueness and history about it to be considered separately. Meaning “water village”, Kampong Ayer is built on stilts above the Brunei river. More than 30,000 people inhabit Kampong Ayer, the largest water settlement in Southeast Asia, and travel about by boat or the extensive network of wooden walkways, footbridges, and boardwalks. Kampong Ayer’s 4,200 structures include homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a even a hospital. People have been living here for more than 1,300 year. Many of the traditional lifestyles of its inhabitants; fishermen, traders, and artisans; have remained unchanged. Visitors can experience this heritage by taking one of the many water taxis in front of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan.
    4.0
    601 reviews
    • Excellent36%
    • Very good44%
    • Average16%
    • Poor3%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “on stilts” (59 reviews)
    “fire station” (40 reviews)
    “water taxi” (61 reviews)
    Suggested Duration: 1-2 hours
    LOCATION
    Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
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    Reviews (601)
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    1 - 10 of 468 reviews

    Reviewed 2 days ago
    Local life + monkey

    2 bnd for crossing and 20 bnd for 2hr ride around kampong ayer and to monkey forest. I chose the second option and my boatman managed to find a group of monkeys. The village is very quite and peaceful. This floating village is the cleanest...More

    Thank minimize940314
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Great value. Only 2 dollar cost for return speedboat!

    We just paid 2 dollar for sightseeing tour with speed boat. The boatman show and explain us the history of this Kampong Ayer. You could request to stop by at floating Soto Pabo Restaurant and enjoy local Brunei food.

    Thank maira r
    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Great experience

    We had a great tour surrounding Kampung Ayer to see the Crown Prince's mosque, Istana Nurul Iman from the river. Then boat rider picked up school kids to be sent home. We had a lunch at Soto Pabo and it tastes good. The ride costs...More

    Thank Kamalmo
    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Few years ago

    With a cruise boat tour to this. Very noisy boats to get to the village but it WAS interesting to see how people live. We had afternoon tea in a private home. Unusual food but tasty. Nice experience

    Thank karen m
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    Lovely Authetic side of BSB

    Really enjoyed a watertaxi tour of Kamping Ayer. Loved seeing the firestation, schools, mosque, police station and all the housing on stilts. The guide says it is made up 42 different villages and it stretches for quite a way along The waterfront on the far...More

    Thank Bozeman-Dublin
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    different experience

    it only cosrts 5-10 brnei dollars per person. they will tour you to the river and the village. you'd see old and new houses built by the government.

    Thank SHAYNE KARLET F
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Venice it ain't

    We were quite underwhelmed by Kampong Ayer. You can get quite a good view of the situation from the bank. Negotiate the water taxi fare!

    1  Thank Kat G
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Strange Place

    This wasn’t quite how we had imagined it; the tour description mentioned 30,000 people living in a village over water in houses on stilts. Our guide used the number 18,000, but either way, it seemed a huge number for something we thought would be a...More

    Thank ekimbry
    Reviewed 2 July 2017
    This is a must-see

    Forget rickety old houses, dangerous planking and the squallor often associated with floating villages, Kampong Ayer has a very substantial feel. There are 35 villages, primary and secondary schools, a fire station, police stations, a mosque, shops etc etc. We were fortunate enough to visit...More

    Thank paulormandy
    Reviewed 28 June 2017
    Great 1-2 hour activity in Brunei.

    There isn't a massive amount to do in Bandar Seri Begawan but this little boat tour around the floating village is well worth it. Costs about 10-15Brunei dollars (£7). It takes you all around the buildings and you can even get good pics from the...More

    1  Thank Chris8111
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    Questions & Answers
    jjyy9907
    2 January 2017|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from Kyle H | Reviewed this property |
    Greetings! You can book a tour online or simply show up where there are several boats available to take you around the village. I agree that you need to negotiate the price. Enjoy!
    0
    Votes
    kgillies
    12 September 2016|
    AnswerShow all 6 answers
    Response from Alter77 | Reviewed this property |
    If you want a tour of Kampong Ayer, just head to the shopping centre in the centre, go to the back exit, cross the road and flag down a boat on the stairs that lead to the river to the right of the building where Kaizen... More
    3
    Votes
    Shazb65
    28 January 2016|
    AnswerShow all 7 answers
    Response from seriaboy | Reviewed this property |
    Muara Port is too far from the Water Village. I suggest you get a taxi. Once there just stand close to the water area and some of the boat drivers will see you. Don't worry, they'll spot you. They need to earn $$$. I paid... More
    1
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