Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap - Everything You Need to Know About Tonlé Sap
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is the second most popular attraction in Siem Reap, after Angkor Wat. Also called Boeung Tonle Sap, it hosts one of the world’s most vibrant ecosystems, with massive numbers of many different species of wildlife in and around the lake, which helped to sustain and grow the ancient Khmer civilisation and continues to supply Siem Reap restaurants. It is also famous for its fascinating local communities and their floating villages.
The massive lake is as much as 250 km in length and 100 km across at its widest point, making it seem like an inland ocean because it is impossible to see the opposite shore from ground level. Surprisingly, it is actually fairly shallow, with a maximum depth of only 10 metres, but the sheer size of it means that it can hold up to 80 km3 of water.
Chong Khneas
Chong Khneas is the floating village nearest to Siem Reap downtown. it is the most visit by tourists. In the wet season, it really is a floating village, with houses, shops, schools etc. all bobbing on the water. Even though it is somewhat ‘touristy’, it is still interesting and worth seeing. Tours usually include stopping at a souvenir and snack shop, crocodile farm and fish farm.
* Remark: The entrance fee and boat ride ticket for the village and Tonle Sap Lake = 20 USD each