“This is the largest and most highly traditional floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, where houses are constructed on towering stilts over 10 meters high or are truly floating structures, adjusting to the extreme fluctuations in the lake's water levels”
Kampong Phluk Floating Village is one of the most fascinating communities situated on the banks of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, located in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. The name "Kampong Khleang" means "a port that stores boats," reflecting the fundamental occupation of its inhabitants, who are mainly fishermen and farmers reliant on this vast body of water. The uniqueness of this village lies in its two types of housing structures, both adapted to the lake's cycle houses built on massive wooden stilts that reach height_s of 10-12 meters and genuinely floating houses that move freely with the severely fluctuating water levels of the lake throughout the dry (low water) and wet (high water) seasons. During the high water season, the stilt houses appear to be floating on the water's surface, creating a stunning and breathtaking visual. A visit to Kampong Khleang offers a unique experience to explore
The traditional daily life of the Khmer people living in this challenging environment. Tourists will take a boat ride passing rows of houses, schools, pagodas, and shops built on or over the water. This community is a repository of strong culture and maintains a simple way of life better than some other floating villages that may be more heavily impacted by tourism. The village attracts those interested in learning about local culture, photographers seeking to capture the distinctive architecture of the towering houses, and those fascinated by nature's resilience. It is a journey that provides both deep insight and profound visual impressions. We invite you to visit the wonders of Kampong Khleang Floating Village to appreciate the ingenuity and adaptability of the Khmer fishing life intrinsically tied to the Tonle Sap Lake.
How to Get There
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Private Taxi/Tuk-Tuk/Car: Travel from Siem Reap town to the nearest port takes about 1 hour of driving. From there, you will transfer to a local boat to enter the village.
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Group Guided Tour: This is the most popular method, where tour companies arrange transfers from the hotel and the necessary boat ride for the village visit.
Travel Tips
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Best Visiting Season: High Water Season approx. August - January The Tonle Sap is at its fullest, making the houses appear beautifully submerged and facilitating the boat journey. Low Water Season approx. February - July Water levels are extremely low. You will see the true height_ of the house stilts (10+ meters) and may require smaller boats.
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Attire: Prepare comfortable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as you will spend most of your time on the boat under the sun.
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Travel Planning: It is recommended to use authorized tour boat services or clearly agree upon the boat fee with local operators before departure
Admission Fee:
- Boat Fee (Foreign visitors): Approximately 20-25 USD per person (prices may vary based on boat size and the desired route).
- Village Entrance Fee: Generally included in the boat fee.
- (Updated by Local Tour Operators as of 2025. Please verify before your trip.)
Opening Hours:
- Village Access by Boat: Most operators accept tourists from approximately 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM (It's best to travel during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense heat).
- Last Boat Out: Usually departs the village around 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM.