The tourist attractions in Kampong Ayer or Water Village is one of the most interesting places you can visit in Brunei. The place is known as the Venice of the East.
Location
The Water Village is located at the Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is close to the Brunei Bay.
What to See
Every building in the Water Village are set on stilts over the River Brunei. There are 42 villages in the area, and all the houses are set on stilt and with wood walkways. With more than 30,000 residents, it is the biggest water village in the world.
These villages are connected by 29,140 meters of footbridges. These are comprised of more than 4,200 structures. Apart from homes, there are schools, mosques and a hospital.
The boardwalks joining the buildings stretch for over 36 kilometers. There are many water taxis for quick transportation. These vehicles are some of the main tourist attractions in Kampong Ayer. One of the best ways to see the place is by going on a water taxi tour. You can find these close to the Water Village.
History
People have been inhabiting the area for a very long time. Researchers believe that the place has been inhabited for at least 1,300 years. The place was visited by the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. It was Antonio Pigafetta who called it the Venice of the East.
The area is important because it protects the river dwelling origin of Brunei. Historically speaking, it was the core of the country. Recognizing its cultural importance, the government allocated funds and facilities to preserve it. A marine fire station and police station were built.
Over the years, the clinics, mosques, communications facilities, electricity supplies and piped water were added. Concrete jetties and foot bridges were added too. The village has half a dozen mukims (districts).
Cost
There are different travel packages to Brunei available. On the average, a full day tour will cost about 300 USD per individual. A half day tour is cheaper.
Other Info
From afar, the village may look somewhat cluttered. In fact, it is very contemporary. The homes have Internet access, air conditioning, electricity, satellite television and more. The home interiors are also noted for their ornate designs.
The tourist attractions in Kampong Ayer show how diverse the culture and features of Brunei really is. For this reason, it is one of the most popular landmarks in the country.
