Kampung Kapitan is located in Kelurahan 7 Ulu, Kecamatan Seberang Ulu 1, Palembang, on the northern side of the Musi River. From the base of Ampera Bridge, you can board local public transport towards Kertapati and ask to be dropped off at Simpang Pasar Klinik. From there, walk to Simpang 3, where you will see the Kampung Kapitan sign on your left, or simply ask locals for directions.

Kampung Kapitan houses 15 stilt homes with architectural influences from Chinese, Dutch, and Palembang styles. The place was once a port for Chinese traders who were actively trading, and there are many traces left behind. These historical traces, however, are disappearing.

A Chinese officer from the Ming Dynasty, Captain Tjoa Ham Hin, is said to have arrived in Palembang some 50 years after the fall of the kingdom. This was almost 400 years ago when the Dutch appointed Tjoa Ham Hin to oversee taxation in the area, according to the Palembang Tourism website.

In the boom years of Tjoa Ham Hin, the place came to be known as Kampung Kapitan, for the title "Kapiten" or "Kapitan," referring to a community leader who was considered very influential, particularly in monetary matters. His private residence was erected in recognition of his prestigious position.

The home is mainly in Chinese style but has some distinct architectural features of Palembang. Its roof is pyramid-shaped like all the houses in Palembang, but the interior and middle sections reflect a more Chinese style of design.