A floating city in Asia has been capturing people’s imaginations online after it emerged it was possibly the world’s largest water-based settlement.
Nicknamed “Venice of the East”, the city has a series of complex structures propped up on stilts, with several “administrative villages” dotted around.
Despite all this, the floating city in Brunei is actually located on the bend of a river, rather than the sea. With every building connected by 30km of wooden walkways, the city is home to its own schools, mosques, police and fire stations – all suspended above the fast-flowing Brunei River.
Technically part of Brunei’s capital – Bandar Seri Begawan – Kampong Ayer is a majestic maze of pathways which even survived bombardments during World War Two.
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It’s a good job the structures are so sturdy though, as residents definitely don’t want to take a dip in the river below.
The Brunei River is bustling with crocodiles, and while they help keep a lid on other pest species, locals are getting increasingly concerned that the croc population is now posing a threat to humans too.
One Reddit user blamed the locals for throwing rubbish and food scraps into the river, thus attracting the predators.
Despite the fears, tourists are adamant that it is a cool place to visit.
One wrote it was an “essential part of a look around Brunei”, while another called it an “excellent experience”, saying they “had the chance to witness such beauty”, although admitting they did “see a crocodile roaming around the river”.
Both gave the settlement five out of five on Tripadvisor.
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The 10,000-strong water community was actually the origins of the now capital city on the nearby land, and those living in Kampong Ayer still enjoy the perks of modern life.
Despite living on top of a river, they can still use electricity, WiFi and cable TV.
Visitors love to use the water taxis dotted about everywhere, and a popular trip is one to the local mangroves where you can see Brunei’s beautiful wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards and more crocodiles.
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