Discover Traditional Khmer Archery

🛶 Discover Chong Khneas Floating Village – A Unique Experience near Tonlé Sap Lake

Looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience during your stay at Sokchea Angkor Hotel? Just a short drive from Siem Reap, the **Chong Khneas Floating Village offers a glimpse into a way of life that exists nowhere else in the world.

🌊 What Is Chong Khneas?

Chong Khneas is a *floating community* located at the northern edge of Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Here, entire neighborhoods – homes, schools, markets, and even pagodas – float on the water, moving with the rise and fall of the lake.

This unique village reflects the deep connection between the people and nature, where life is built around fishing, boating, and eco-friendly living.

📍 Why Visit Chong Khneas?

1. See Life on Water**
Residents live in colorful floating houses and travel by boat for school, shopping, and visiting neighbors. It’s a living village, not just a tourist site – giving you a real look at traditional Cambodian lake culture.

2. Sunset Boat Rides
The most magical time to visit is at sunset, when the golden light reflects off the water. It’s a dream for photographers and nature lovers.

3. Support Eco-Tourism & the Local Community
Your visit helps support local families and promotes sustainable tourism. Many boat tours are run by the villagers themselves.

4. Easy Access from Siem Reap
Chong Khneas is only about 30-45 minutes by car or tuk-tuk from Sokchea Angkor Hotel, making it a perfect half-day trip.

🧭 Tips Before You Go

*Best time to visit: Late afternoon, especially for sunset
*Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and camera
*Transportation: We can help you arrange a private tuk-tuk or van
*Tour options: Choose guided boat tours for deeper insights into the culture and daily life
*Safety: Life jackets are provided on most boats; wear comfortable shoes

🌿 Responsible Travel Matters

At Sokchea Angkor Hotel, we encourage guests to explore Cambodia’s natural and cultural treasures responsibly. Chong Khneas is a fragile ecosystem. Your visit can make a difference by raising awareness and helping sustain this unique way of life.

📞 Want Us to Arrange Your Trip?

Ask our front desk team to help you plan your visit to Chong Khneas! We can recommend trusted guides and boat tours that respect the environment and support the local community.

Nestled on the edge of Cambodia’s great Tonlé Sap Lake, Mechrey is more than just a floating village—it is a living example of how natural community-based tourism can uplift local livelihoods while preserving a unique ecological and cultural heritage. Located around 25 kilometers from Siem Reap, Mechrey offers travelers an immersive journey into the rhythms of life on water. As the lake expands and contracts with the seasons, the entire village floats with it—homes, schools, shops, and even temples shift position depending on water levels. This remarkable adaptability speaks to the deep connection between the people of Mechrey and the natural environment. The community here largely depends on fishing for their livelihood, and tourism has become a sustainable secondary source of income. Unlike commercialized tourist sites, Mechrey remains relatively unspoiled, making it an ideal destination for those seeking authentic experiences that support the people who live there. Community-based tourism in Mechrey emphasizes local involvement, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. Visitors are welcomed into the village by local guides, often born and raised in Mechrey, who share their knowledge about traditional fishing practices, floating agriculture, and the delicate balance of life on the Tonlé Sap. Boat tours offer stunning views of the flooded forests and provide access to the nearby Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, a haven for rare and endangered water birds. These tours are not only visually breathtaking but also educational, shedding light on the importance of the lake’s unique ecosystem and the threats it faces from climate change and overfishing. What sets Mechrey apart is how tourism is integrated into the community in a respectful and mutually beneficial way. Proceeds from tours often go toward supporting local schools, healthcare, and conservation initiatives. Travelers can even take part in community activities such as cooking traditional Khmer dishes, visiting floating schools, or participating in environmental cleanup efforts. This kind of tourism creates meaningful exchanges between hosts and guests, fostering mutual understanding and respect. However, Mechrey is not without its challenges. Fluctuating water levels, plastic pollution, and limited access to resources make daily life difficult for residents. That’s why responsible tourism is so crucial here—it provides not just income but awareness and advocacy. Organizations and NGOs working in the area help train local guides, develop eco-friendly waste management systems, and empower villagers—especially women and youth—to take on leadership roles in tourism management. For travelers seeking more than just sightseeing, Mechrey offers the chance to witness resilience, ingenuity, and the power of a community united with nature. Visiting Mechrey is not just about observing a floating village; it’s about understanding a way of life and contributing, even in a small way, to its preservation. In doing so, we help ensure that places like Mechrey continue to float—not just on water, but on hope, dignity, and sustainable progress.

View of Phnom Krom at Dusk: Sunset Serenity Near Siem Reap

While most visitors to Siem Reap rush to catch the famous sunrise over Angkor Wat, few realize that some of the most peaceful and breathtaking views in Cambodia happen at the end of the day—particularly at Phnom Krom. Located about 12 kilometers south of the city, Phnom Krom offers a magical setting to witness the sun dip below the horizon. Watching the sunset from this hilltop temple is a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring, offering quiet beauty, expansive views, and a glimpse into Cambodia’s serene countryside life.

Phnom Krom is a small hill rising from the flat plains near Tonlé Sap Lake. At its summit stands an ancient temple, built in the late 9th century during the reign of King Yasovarman I. Though modest in scale compared to Angkor Wat, the temple ruins of Phnom Krom have a unique charm. Timeworn stones, faded carvings, and crumbling towers lend the place a sacred, peaceful atmosphere that becomes even more enchanting as the day fades into night.

As you ascend the hill—either by motorbike, tuk-tuk, or a short climb on foot—you’ll start to see the sky changing colors. Dusk at Phnom Krom is not only beautiful but also calm. The warm glow of the setting sun lights up the stone temple in golden hues, while the surrounding landscape shifts into soft shadows. Below, the vast Tonlé Sap Lake glimmers in the fading light, and local fishing boats begin returning to shore, creating a picture-perfect scene that feels straight out of a painting.

Unlike the busy sunrise spots around Siem Reap, Phnom Krom at dusk remains largely untouched by crowds. Most tourists have returned to town for dinner, leaving this sacred hilltop peaceful and often nearly empty. This allows visitors to experience the temple and surrounding nature in solitude, making it an ideal destination for couples, photographers, or anyone simply looking for a quiet moment to reflect.

For photographers, the view at dusk offers spectacular opportunities. The soft lighting, colorful sky, and reflections over the water create stunning compositions. Bring a tripod for low-light shots, and arrive around 5:00 PM to catch the full range of changing colors. If you’re lucky, you might witness birds flying across the lake, silhouetted against the vibrant horizon.

Getting to Phnom Krom is easy from Siem Reap. A tuk-tuk ride takes about 25–30 minutes, and the drive itself is a pleasant journey through local villages and rice fields. There is usually no entrance fee, though occasional guards may be present. As the path can be uneven and there are no lights after dark, it’s best to start heading down shortly after sunset to ensure a safe return.

If you’re planning your trip to Siem Reap and want to experience something truly peaceful, don’t miss the chance to visit Phnom Krom at dusk. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or in a small group, it’s a quiet escape that offers spiritual beauty, stunning views, and a unique way to connect with Cambodia beyond the main tourist routes.

Make Sokchea Angkor Hotel your home during your Siem Reap adventure—just minutes away from hidden gems like Phnom Krom and offering comfort, culture, and warm Cambodian hospitality.