Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer is a well-known traditional village in Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. It consists of traditional home neighborhoods, schools, and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the city center. It covers around 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles) and had a population of 10,250 people in 2016. It has been dubbed the "Venice of the East" in the past. Kampong Ayer has long been Brunei's main settlement; it served as the de facto capital of the Bruneian Empire, particularly as a social and economic center, for several centuries, but also during the early years of British empire in the country.

Kampong Ayer, which was founded over 1,000 years ago, is made up of 42 neighboring stilt villages that accommodate over 30,000 people. A 30 km (19 mi) network of walkways and bridges connects the buildings, forming a cohesive settlement.

Hospitals, shops, mosques, schools, a post office, eateries, police stations, and a fire department are all located above water in Kampong Ayer. Piped water, electricity, and satellite television are all available in these homes. Kampong Ayer is a popular tourist site in Brunei because of its winding plankways.