Kompong Khleang

Kompong Khleang is nearly ten times the population of Kompong Pluk or Chong Kneas, the other two settlements on Tonle Sap lake. The way people live here throughout the year during all types of seasons is inspiring to know. Cut off from the modern, urban world villagers have been living in harmony with nature here for thousands of here adapting with the flood plain. Being a permanent settlement, touring around this village gives an insight into the unusual life of people here.

Water rises to more than 10 feet deep during the wet season causing high currents, which brings in water from the Mekong flooding the lake. As the summer approaches, water levels in Tonle Sap subside clearing the muddy roads built at the stilt levels of the houses. Unlike the other two villages, Kompong Khleang still has its authenticity, which you get to experience uniquely. It is more of a town than a town, the most developed among the communities thriving in the Great Lake.

Kompong Khleang has lovely pagodas, public offices, hospital and even a school, all floating above the water. Most of the houses and the other buildings are built on stilts to adapt to these varying water levels. These buildings appear to be floating with water levels coming up to their door front during high tides. Fishing is the primary source of livelihood for all the villagers when the water levels are up. During the dry season when the water levels recede, villagers do farming in the nearby villages. If you visit during this time, you can enjoy the views of beautiful lush forests surrounding the town, which remain flooded during the rest of the year. The entire village also looks like a place with a series of wooden skyscrapers, thanks to the stilts.

If you take a guided boat tour, you can get a chance to visit the houses of locals, shop in the little floating markets where you can buy the traditional products. Cruising through one of the largest lakes in the world, you can enjoy the pleasant views of these houses, beautiful forests and many rare birds. You can also take a private tour and freely navigate making your routes under the stilted houses through the various canals. Watching the local life observing old traditions and interacting with the warm and friendly locals makes it for an exciting day trip from Siem Reap.