Tonle Sap is the largest lake in South East Asia and the third one in the world. What is amazing is that there are multiple villages on that lake and we visited one in boat. If you are in Siem Reap, there are tons of tours going to a village very close to the city. There are about 9,000 people living there.
Yes, it is now VERY touristic but it still worth to see it. The most beautiful part for me was the school. A school on water! Our guide was someone who grow in that village and was speaking English very well. We did the trip in April 2013 and obviously, the government was building infrastructures around to welcome even more tourists in the area.
This is the school we visited.
Not all tourists go to the school. We made a donation (in food) and were lucky enough to give it directly to the children. You can give water, rice or items that you purchase on the water, in the community store. You are not forced to do it.
They tell you that you will also visit a fish farm and a crocodile farm… these are small and just tourist scams. There were both in the same <boat> and there were about 5 crocodiles in a space of about 10 meters square. Nothing fabulous….
But the scenery of the houses all around is so nice. Just look at an example below.
It costs about 20$ us per person for a tuk tuk to go to the pier (10km?) the boat trip (2 hours?) and the return. Do not give money to children. Give money to charity organization or give food. Children should not beg or work, but you will see dozens doing it.
The rest of the pictures are here if you are interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50651722@N03/sets/72157633362589901/
Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and one of the most biologically productive bodies of water in the world. Its ecological character is defined by a remarkable seasonal reversal: during the monsoon season (June–October), the Mekong River floods and reverses the flow of the Tonle Sap River, causing the lake to expand from around 2,700 km² to over 16,000 km² – a sixfold increase. This annual flood deposits enormous quantities of nutrients, supporting fish populations that have fed Cambodian people for over a thousand years.
The Floating Villages
The most distinctive feature of life on Tonle Sap is the floating villages – communities built entirely on the water, moving with the lake’s seasonal fluctuations. Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang, and Chong Khneas (near Siem Reap) are the most visited. Houses, schools, temples, restaurants, and shops all float on the surface or are built on tall stilts. Visiting these communities gives a visceral sense of how completely a culture can adapt to a challenging environment. The boat tours through flooded forest near Kompong Phluk are particularly atmospheric.
From Siem Reap
Most visitors to Tonle Sap approach from Siem Reap, which is the base for visiting Angkor Wat. A visit to the lake makes a natural complement to temple touring – spending a morning or afternoon on the water gives a very different perspective on Cambodian life than the stone monuments. Boat tours depart from several points near Siem Reap; the trip to Kompong Phluk involves a 45-minute drive followed by a boat journey through channels and flooded trees. The dry season (November–May) is when water levels are lower and the stilted houses are more dramatically elevated above the retreating water.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia?
Tonle Sap (ទន្លេសាប) is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, located in central Cambodia. It has a unique hydrological cycle: during the monsoon, the Mekong River reverses the Tonle Sap River’s flow, causing the lake to expand from 2,500 km² to up to 16,000 km². It supports Cambodia’s largest freshwater fishery.
Can you visit Tonle Sap from Siem Reap?
Yes — Tonle Sap is easily accessible from Siem Reap (15–20 km). Tours from Siem Reap visit the floating villages of Chong Khneas (closest, most touristed), Kampong Phluk (stilted village, more authentic), and Kampong Khleang (largest, less visited). Boat tours run year-round; best at high water (Sept–Nov).
What are the floating villages on Tonle Sap?
The Tonle Sap’s floating villages are home to ethnic Vietnamese and Khmer fishing communities who live on the lake year-round — houses, schools, and markets all on floating platforms that move with the water level. Kampong Phluk and Kampong Khleang offer more authentic experiences than the heavily touristed Chong Khneas.
What fish come from Tonle Sap?
Tonle Sap supports one of the world’s most productive inland fisheries — over 200 species. Giant freshwater stingray, Mekong giant catfish, and the iconic snakehead fish are among the largest species. The lake’s fish provide the majority of Cambodia’s protein intake and the fermented fish paste (prahok) that is central to Khmer cuisine.
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