The Best Floating Villages in Cambodia
Living on a boat without tap water, natural gas connection, internet or anything you expect in a place called home: That’s what floating villages in Cambodia are like. They might not be delightful attractions in the conventional sense but definitely a must-see if you want to understand the country and its people.
If you have more than 3 days in Siem Reap, make a half-day trip to one of these floating villages.
Highlights
- Off the beaten track from the usual temple visits
- Get to know the life style of villagers on floating homes
- Learn to appreciate your current life
- Support local community by buying things from the village population
- Be shocked by the poverty in Cambodia
- See houses, schools and restaurants on stilts
- View Tonle Sap Lake from the boat, perhaps catch a sunset
Why visit floating villages
It is an atmospheric journey through the wetlands of Tonle Sap Lake, which is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. You can visit the flooded mangrove forest, which is home to many kinds of wildlife, by small boat if you like.
Apart from the beautiful natural landscape, the most valuable part is to see the lifestyle of locals on the lake, including children returning home with a paddle boat and bathing in the river, women or children trying to sell fruit and souvenirs by boat, even washing their hair and dishes.
Done right, visiting the floating villages in Siem Reap is an eye-opening experience.
