Tonlé Sap Lake

Tonlé Sap Lake

Tonlé Sap Lake means "great freshwater lake," also known as the "Lake of Kampong" or the "Great Lake" by the French. It is located in the southeastern part of the Indochinese Peninsula, in western Cambodia, and is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Tonlé Sap Lake is connected to the Mekong River (Mekong River), serving as its natural reservoir. With the alternating dry and rainy seasons in Cambodia, the water level and area of the lake change dramatically: during the dry season (December to April), when the Mekong River's water level drops, water from Tonlé Sap flows into the Mekong River via the Tonlé Sap River, helping to alleviate the Mekong’s water shortage. At this time, the average depth of the lake is about 1 meter, and its area ranges between 2,700 and 3,000 square kilometers. In the rainy season, when the Mekong River swells and water levels rise sharply, the river water flows back into Tonlé Sap Lake, reducing the risk of flooding downstream on the Mekong and causing the lake’s depth to reach up to 9 meters or even over 10 meters, while its area expands to around 16,000 square kilometers.

Tonlé Sap Lake serves as the primary "protein pantry" for northern Cambodia. The nutrient-rich sediment carried by the Mekong River results in an abundance of fish and shrimp in the lake, which thrive in both dry and rainy seasons. Currently, over three million people in the region rely directly or indirectly on fishing for their livelihoods.

Tonle Sap lake

Why you must go: The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Cambodia [Cambodia]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Phnom Penh [Phnom Penh]

City where the attraction is located: Phnom Penh [Phnom Penh]