Near the Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap Lake, the Great Lake, is the largest fresh water in South East Asia and one of the richest fishing lakes in the world. Its size and dimension change as the seasons go by: during the dry season it's only 1m deep with a size of 2,800km², while in the raining season it gets as large as 15,000km² and 8m deep. The lake provides a best shelter for more than 300 kinds of fishes to spawn and breed. Other species like snakes, tortoises and crocodiles also inhabit here, making the lake a paradise of biodiversities.
The lake is located south of Siem Reap town. Along it there is a floating village comprised of schools, shops, churches and even farms. It is home to a large Vietnamese and Cham community, who have adapted by living to the change of the lake: they more houses away when the water level goes down to somewhere there's enough high water to support floating.
Taking a local longtail boat across Tonle Sap Lake is the must-do for visitors. On the bank, all the life proceeds around water. Since the land road is not convenient for transporting, the lake has become a commercial center. People carry on their daily grounds at bank, the sunset view is beyond beautiful, the lake seems murmuring a secret story.
You might be also interested in other Cambodia highlights like the world-famed Angkor Thom, the sacred Banteay Srei and the ancient Ta Keo Temple.
Being a hub for transnational flights, Siem Reap readily offers you a quick access to its joining counties. Let this 22-Day Explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Thailand take you further.
