Tonlé Sap

Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap is a magical place, especially during sunset. Watching the golden hues spread across the vast waters while on a boat was a breathtaking experience. The sun seemed to dance on the rippling surface, painting the sky with shades of orange, pink, and purple. The calmness of the lake, combined with the natural beauty of the setting sun, made the moment unforgettable and peaceful. What made the visit even more special was witnessing the unique lifestyle of the floating village. The houses, built on tall stilts, stand resilient against the seasonal changes in water levels. Families live, work, and thrive in this remarkable environment, relying on the lake for fishing and transportation. It was inspiring to see how they have adapted so beautifully to their surroundings, showcasing the strength and resourcefulness of human spirit.

This is the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, designated as a Reserve by the UNESCO. You need to buy a ticket to get to the port to take the boat to the lake. There are different sizes of boats to accommodate different group sizes. We took a middle size boat that accommodates 10/12 people. We enjoyed the trip very much. The trip was an adventure as small and medium size boats cross each other along the river leading to the lake. Water was low but the trip was fun. You will see interesting homes with long stairs leading to the river. Fishermen families have been living on the water houses for decades if not centuries. There are some floating restaurants that serve local dishes, specially crocodile meat. You may see in these restaurants small crocodile farms. The lake floating village includes a church, restaurants, community spaces and many homes, is worth the visit. This is definitely a place to visit while in Siem Rip.

An off the land settlement in SE Asians largest fresh water lake. The water level rises during monsoon and shrinks in summer. Boats of several sizes are available to chauffeur people to the lake which is about 15 mins away. Touristy souvenirs and pricing for everything.

biggest lake in the south east asia it's worth a visit riding a wooden boat to see the boat people living in the lake MUST VISIT FOR SUNSET

The Tonle Sap River Market is a unique and lively experience, offering a fascinating glimpse into local Cambodian life and culture. Located along the Tonle Sap River, one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, the market is bustling with vendors selling a wide range of goods—from fresh produce and local crafts to souvenirs and textiles. It’s a great place to shop for authentic Cambodian items while experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of the area. Tonle Sap itself is a significant part of Cambodia’s history. It is the lifeblood of many local communities and has provided sustenance and transportation for centuries. The river’s ecosystem supports a rich diversity of wildlife and is central to Cambodia’s agricultural industry, especially with its unique seasonal fluctuations that bring fish, rice, and other resources to the region. A truly unforgettable experience at the market is seeing the live crocodiles! These impressive creatures are often kept in tanks near some of the stalls, offering visitors a rare opportunity to view them up close. It’s an exciting and slightly thrilling sight amidst the market’s more peaceful surroundings. Whether you’re interested in shopping, exploring the history of the Tonle Sap River, or simply enjoying the lively local atmosphere, the Tonle Sap River Market is a great stop. Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience the authentic heart of Cambodia!

Not recommend going to Tonle Sap in the dry season from November to May. The water drains into the Mekong River so the overall feeling is a bit odd when you try to reach the main lake from the branch via a big boat, since the scenery was not so WOW in my point of view. We had an amazing cocktails and BBQ sunset experience anyway :)

The largest fresh water kake in Asia. Very interesting to see the life in these villages.

You may feel like you came to a sea but this is the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia. It has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997 due to its high biodiversity. Now come to the point what you will get as a tourist. You need to buy tickets to get to this lake through a muddy road. There are different sizes of boats of different size of groups. Anyway i would suggest to get a small motor boats if you are alone or 4/5 persons. This will help you to move fast and also see the fishermen families living on the water villas/houses for around 100 years. There are number of floating restaurants that serve local dishes, sea foods along with special crocodile meat; you heard me right…these boats are mini crocodile farms as well. To have the best of tonle sap lake, go more inside to the lake, stop the boat motor and enjoy the sunset. Its so refreshing and relaxing. On the way back to Siam Reap, try road side restaurants for fresh fish grill from the lake. Dont miss it.