Ang Kam Ping Puoy (Morning Glory Lake) is actually a reservoir, built by forced labor during the Khmer Rouge era.
While more than 10,000 workers died during its construction, local residents have made good of the reservoir as a popular weekend picnic area and swimming hole. There are open-air, covered shacks beside the water for relaxing and numerous vendors selling all sorts of food and drink.
Taking a boat trip around the lake is an enjoyable pastime and a number of boat men wait to take visitors on a tour for a negotiable fee. Also nearby is the pretty wat-phnom-sampeu, which can be visited as part of a day-trip from the city of Batdambang.
When to Go
Kamping Poy can be rather crowded at weekends, when a number of Khmer families arrive to eat a picnic next to the water. Those in search of a little peace and quiet would be better off visiting mid-week, and the hours around dawn and dusk are particularly atmospheric. There is more (and cleaner) water towards the end of the rainy season (October-December) when the reservoir is full.
Getting There
Kamping Puoy is around 15 miles (23 km) west of Phnom Sampeau, which is 8 miles S of Batdambang on Route 57 (the turn for Kamping Puoy is about 3/4 mile past Phnom Sampeau; Both can be visited with a rental motorbike but are arguably better to visit with a tuk-tuk as part of a half or full day trip.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A reservoir built during the Khmer Rouge era that is now a popular swimming hole and picnic area.
- Nearest Town: Ang Kam Ping Puoy (Morning Glory Lake) is about 15 miles (23 km) from Phnom Sampeau, along a side road about ½ mile (1 km) south of Phnom Sompeau on Route 57. Both are located just south of Battambang, which can be reached by bus from Phnom Penh in 4-5 hours, from Siem Reap (bus: 3 hours or boat: 7-10 hours), or from the Poipet and the Thai border (2 hours).