Kampong Luong is a fascinating floating village that is almost entirely self-sustainin. There is everything from markets to schools and ice factories here, all kept afloat on rubber stilts and ferried around the community by busy fleets of long tail boats.
Kampong Luong is on the shores of Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s central lake that reaches from the southern parts of Siem Reap right to the center of downtown Phnom Penh. Tonle Sap is a busy working lake, but most visitors use it primarily as a waterway to get between the Cambodian capital and the Temples of Angkor.
Since Kampong Luong is off the beaten track it is often overlooked by visitors who don’t even see it on the distant shores from their transit ferry in the center parts of the lake. This is a shame, because the area is a marvel and the locals could do with some tourist dollars.
If you’ve never sung inside a floating karaoke bar or had a radio repaired by an expert electrician swaying to the gentle rhythms of the water below his store, then you really should consider a side trip to Kampong Luong. Multiple generations maintain tradition here and entire families help out in whatever water-borne business they are born into.
When to Go
Best visited during the dry season months (November-May) when road conditions are best.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A fully self contained floating village.
- Nearest Town: Phnom Penh is located 115 miles/187km southeast on National Highway 5, while Batdambang is 65 miles / 104km northwest of Pursat. Visitors may fly into Phnom Penh, which serves domestic and international airlines, and those traveling from Thailand to Phnom Penh frequently stop in Batdambang after crossing the Thai border.
- Don’t Miss: The fascinating floating village.
- Opening hours: 24 hours, daily but boat services are less frequent after dark.
- Entrance fees: no entry fee.