Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Kampong Phluk Village is a collection of three floating villages with around 2,000 to 3,000 residents. It is situated near Tonle Sap Lake and serves as a convenient home for fishermen. Kompong Phluk boasts the largest mangrove forest in the region, known as the flooded forest, which is submerged for part of the year. Kompong Phluk and the greater Tonle Sap Lake area are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, containing unique plant species, fish, and endangered animals. The village offers rowing boat tours of the flooded forest during the rainy season, promising a memorable and enriching journey.
About Kampong Phluk Village
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Before the Khmer Rouge, Kompong Phluk was not an organised village. Instead, it was a collection of fishermen and their families who lived near the lake. This community existed until the Khmer Rouge arrived in Siem Reap in 1975. These soldiers burned down homes in the floating village and relocated families to central work sites. After the Khmer Rouge era, families began returning to resume their lives as fishermen. The floating village was challenging to live in during the 1980s due to a lack of essential services and remnants of the Khmer Rouge. Still, conditions started improving in the 1990s when aid organisations began working in the village.
Must Read: Siem Reap Floating Villages
Kampong Phluk Village Boat Price
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There are two boats you can take in the Kompong Phluk floating village. The first boat takes tourists from the end of the road to the town. After visiting the city, school, and pagoda, it continues to Tonle Sap Lake. This boat ticket costs USD 20 per person, and the return trip lasts about one hour. The second boat is an optional rowboat or canoe through the flooded forest. The boat ticket costs USD 5 per person, and the ride lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. This boat can be found just after the floating village but before Tonle Sap Lake. It’s optional but recommended if you have the time and money.
Where Is The Kampong Phluk Village Located?
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Kampong Phluk is 16 kilometres southeast of Siem Reap and approximately 31 kilometres from Siem Reap city by road. The village is easily accessible: head east on Road 6 towards Phnom Penh, and take a right when you reach Bakong. You will see a sign on the right indicating the turn. Depending on your mode of transportation, traffic conditions, and water levels, travel time can vary from 45 minutes to one hour.
Suggested Read: Temples In Cambodia
Places To Visit Near The Village
This tranquil and lovely location, nestled among the mangrove trees, features stilted homes that rise and fall with lake seasonal changes, creating a fascinating and ever-changing landscape.
1. Angkor Wat
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Angkor Wat is sheer grandeur that completely captures the complexity of its architecture. It’s an iconic temple set against the sky, reflected in the lotus moat. Many travellers visit the temple in the heat to witness the soft golden light that enhances its mystical beauty. The temple is surrounded by lush green lawns and serene lakes with lotuses floating. In the evenings, sunlight reflects off the lake, creating a peaceful, calm atmosphere that attracts visitors regularly.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 30 km
Entry fees: USD 37 for one day and USD 62 for three days
Timings: Everyday sunrise to sunset
2. Bayon Temple
The architectural beauty of Bayon Temple is the first thing that catches your sight when you enter the place. The enigmatic faces carved in the temple’s stone represent the kings’ visages, each looking upon you with a smile. The entrance is dramatic and leads to awe-inspiring experiences. The heart of Bayon is its central sanctuary, a spiritual and intimate area compared to the outer galleries. Monks offer prayers for travellers to take a moment to reflect. The atmosphere is calm and sacred, making it one of the must-visit areas in the temple.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 40 km
Entry fees: USD 37 for one day and USD 62 for three days
Timings: 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM
Suggested Read: Cambodia Monuments
3. The Cambodian Circus
If you plan a trip to Cambodia, do not miss visiting The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap. It is one of the liveliest places in the area, offering a perfect way to end your day. The venue exudes charm and intimacy with its traditional Cambodian circus setting. Surrounding the circus are exhibits, crafts, and displays. Visitors can enjoy numerous performances throughout the circus hours, including drama and music. Travellers will experience joy, entertainment, and a profound cultural immersion.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 36 km
Entry fees: Start from USD 18 to USD 40
Timings: 7.00 PM
4. Pre Rup temple
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The pre-Rup temple is an imposing, majestic structure against the Cambodian sky. This place stands out with its reddish-brown laterite and sandstone, creating a captivating appearance. As you walk towards the temple, you can witness intricate carvings, and upon passing through the eastern gopura, the beauty and complexity become evident. Upon ascending to the upper levels, travellers are treated to the full splendour. Visitors to Pre Rup temple often leave with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the ingenuity and spiritual dedication of the ancient Khmer civilization.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 38 km
Entry fees: USD 37 for one day and USD 62 for three days
Timings: 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM
Suggested Read: Beaches Near Phnom Penh
5. War Museum Cambodia
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War Museum Cambodia, located on the national highway, embraces you with its quiet and sombre atmosphere. The museum is set amidst a large open-air garden, offering a space to reflect Cambodia’s history. There are knowledgeable guides and many veterans with personal connections and stories to share. The museum collection includes many military equipment from the Khmer era and the Cambodian Civil War. If you are looking forward to learning about the history of Cambodia, this place is a must-visit. The visit leaves a lasting impression and fosters a profound empathy and appreciation for peace.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 35 km
Entry fees: Foreign Visitors: USD 5 per person
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
6. Ta Prohm Temple
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Ta Prohm Temple offers a unique and charming experience that sets it apart from the other temples in the complex. The temple is covered in dense jungle, and the sounds of nature envelop you. It’s known for its overgrown trees and roots. The temple is a maze of crumbling walls, narrow corridors, and open courtyards. This creates a surreal and dramatic visual effect, with the trees merging with the ancient stonework in a beautiful and haunting way. It symbolises the relentless power of nature reclaiming its territory.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 38 km
Entry fees: USD 37 for one day and USD 62 for three days
Timings: 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM
Suggested Read: Cambodia In Summer
7. Neak Poan
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Neak Poan, a serene and mystical temple on a small circular island in the middle of Jayatataka Baray, is one of the unique sites. The peaceful atmosphere stays with you as you visit the place. The area’s tranquillity contrasts sharply with the bustling energy of more famous temples. The central sanctuary is built on a circular base and features carvings of mythical creatures and deities. The pool was initially connected by stone conduits, each decorated with different animal heads. The conduits symbolise the four great rivers of Hindu mythology and the temple’s original purpose as a healing centre.
Distance from Kampong Phluk Village: 40 km
Entry fees: USD 37 for one day and USD 62 for three days
Timings: 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM
Further Read: Hotels In Cambodia
The Kampong Phluk village tour offers a unique and enriching experience, during which you can learn deeply about the authentic lifestyle of Cambodia’s floating communities. This village tour is a must for those interested in cultural and environmental exploration. So, book a trip to Cambodia and head towards Kampong Phluk village to discover serene beauty, traditional stilt houses, and vibrant markets.
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Cover Image Credit: Krzysztof Golik for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Kampong Phluk Village
Is Kampong Phluk crowded with tourists?
As compared to other floating villages near Siem Reap, Kampong Phluk Village is less crowded, making it an ideal destination for simple pleasures.
Can we stay in Kampong Phluk?
Kampong Phluk is generally a day trip destination. Also there are no accommodations and or hotels in the village itself.
What is the best time to visit Kampong Phluk?
The best time to visit is during the monsoon season when the water level is high and the village appears to float i.e., from June to November.
Any essentials to carry while travelling to Kampong Phluk?
It is advisable to bring sun protection, hats, sunglasses, insect repellent, waterproof jackets and gears while visiting the place.
Can I see wildlife near Kampong Phluk?
Yes, the surrounding mangrove forests are home to various wildlife including monkeys, birds and fish.
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