Masjid Kampung Laut is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, built entirely from cengal hardwood in a traditional construction technique that uses no nails or metal fasteners. The building's age is debated — some estimates put it at over 300 years old — but its authenticity is not: the jointed timber frame, tiered roof, and elevated floor are as they have always been.
The mosque was relocated from its original riverside site (prone to flooding) to its current location in Nilam Puri, about 10 kilometres south of central Kota Bharu, in the 1970s. It is still an active place of worship; visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes, and avoid prayer times. The surrounding compound is peaceful and the building itself, viewed from outside, is one of the most beautiful examples of traditional Malay wooden architecture anywhere on the peninsula.