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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2023
Brunei Darussalam
Maritime Museum
Located in Kota Batu, the Maritime
Museum showcases Brunei’s maritime
culture of different ships and vessels
throughout history. The front of the
buildingwas designed to depict the front
view of a ship, reflecting the country’s
role as a centre of flourishing trade in the
ancient times. The museum is home to
three galleries, with the main exhibition
being the display of a shipwreck believed
to be from China found in 1997. The
exhibition includes more than 13,000
porcelain artefacts as well as Pulau
Terendak, an island unearthed at Kota
Batu’s archaeological site.
Opening hours:
Sat to Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Fri: Closed
Kota Batu
Archaeological Park
Believed to be the ancient capital
of Brunei between the 14
th
and 17
th
centuries, Kota Batu is considered an
important archaeological hotspot and
a national heritage. Archaeological
remains that can be found at the park
include wood and stone structures,
potteries, coins, jewelleries, craftwork
and other artefacts that have been
preserved for the past 700 years,
offering a glimpse into what used to
be a busy centre for Bruneians in the
past.
Opening hours:
Sat to Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Fri: Closed
Tamoi Tengah Cultural
Village
Located in the picturesque Kampong
Tamoi Tengah in Kampong Ayer, the
cultural village lets guests experience
cultural shows and activities such as
bird watching and traditional fishing.
The village’s focal point is the ornately
adorned 18
th
Century Brunei style
house, embellished with traditional
finery and antiques dating back 300
years.
Kampong Ayer Cultural
& TourismGallery
Dubbed ‘Venice of the East’, Brunei
Darussalam’s Kampong Ayer opened its
ownCultural andTourismGallery in2009
to highlight the history of Kampong Ayer
while preserving Brunei’s heritage. The
building houses five mini galleries which
illustrate Kampong Ayer’s history and
origin, with handicraft and relics from a
bygone era also on display.
Other features of the gallery include
a multimedia display showcasing
information on various tourist sites in
Brunei, an audiovisual room which plays
archived footages of life in Kampong
Ayer, a souvenir shop selling traditional
handicraft, an observation tower
allowing visitors a stunning panoramic
view of Kampong Ayer and the capital’s
skyline. The gallery is accessible by taking
a water taxi from the Dermaga Diraja.
Opening hours:
Mon to Thurs and Sat: 9am – 4.30pm
Fri and Sun: Closed