Kampong Khleang: A Guide to the Tonle Sap's Largest Floating Village
Approx. 55 km (1.5 hours) southeast of Siem Reap.
Community boat tour fees apply (typically ~$20-40 per person).
The village drastically changes. Wet Season (June-Nov): High water, boat travel only. Dry Season (Dec-May): Low water, you can walk among the stilts.
To truly understand the rhythm of life in Cambodia, you must visit the Tonle Sap Lake. And there is no better place to experience it than Kampong Khleang. As the largest, most remote, and most authentic of the floating villages near Siem Reap, it offers a breathtaking glimpse into a unique way of life, dictated entirely by the rise and fall of the water.
A Village of Two Worlds: Wet vs. Dry Season
Wet Season (June - November)
During the monsoon, the Tonle Sap lake swells to more than five times its dry season size. The water rises dramatically, and Kampong Khleang becomes a true water world. The towering stilted homes, some standing 10 meters high, are surrounded by water. All travel is by boat, and you'll navigate through the "streets" watching daily life unfold on the water's surface.
Dry Season (December - May)
As the water recedes, the village completely transforms. The incredible stilts that support the homes are fully exposed, and you can walk on the ground beneath them. Motorbikes replace boats as the main form of transport. This season offers a unique perspective on the incredible engineering and adaptability of the community.
What to Expect on Your Visit
A tour of Kampong Khleang is an immersive cultural experience. You'll board a local boat and be driven through the main village canal, past stilted homes, floating schools, and local pagodas. The journey often continues out onto the vast expanse of the Tonle Sap Lake itself to see the truly "floating" part of the village, where some families live on houseboats.
It's a fantastic opportunity for photography and for observing a sustainable lifestyle based on fishing and aquaculture. Many tours, like the one we took, also include a delicious, locally-cooked meal in a community home, which is an unforgettable experience.
Experience Authentic Local Life
The best way to visit Kampong Khleang is with a responsible tour operator that works with the local community. This ensures your visit is respectful and that the economic benefits go directly to the villagers.
Book a Kampong Khleang Tour