Tonle Bati
A tranquil lake dotted with bamboo shelters and historic temples, offering boat rides and local culinary delights.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Tonle Bati
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A tranquil lake dotted with bamboo shelters and historic temples, offering boat rides and local culinary delights.
"Discover a breathtaking lotus paradise and enjoy delicious seafood by the serene lake."
🚤 Boat Ride Adventure
A boat ride offers unique views of the lake and nearby temples. Expect around $10 for a private ride.
🧺 Picnic Paradise
Rent a floating cottage for the day ($3, more on holidays) for a perfect picnic spot with friends and family.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ta Prohm Temple
Adjacent to the lake
Explore this ancient Khmer temple, a smaller but significant historical site offering a glimpse into the past.
Lotus Paradise
Middle of the lake
Discover a breathtaking lotus bloom in the lake's center, a surprisingly beautiful sight during boat rides.
Floating Cottages
Along the lake shore
Relax in charming floating cottages, perfect for enjoying local food and the serene lake views.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit to Tonle Bati
Embrace the Local Vibe
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Tonle Bati and Takeo without motorbike
🚤 Boat Ride Adventure
A boat ride offers unique views of the lake and nearby temples. Expect around $10 for a private ride.
🧺 Picnic Paradise
Rent a floating cottage for the day ($3, more on holidays) for a perfect picnic spot with friends and family.
Nearby Ancient Places to visit near Phnom Penh
Looking for small group, not private tours in Phnom Peng, Cambodia
🚫 Avoid Swimming
The lake water can have algae; it's best for boating and picnics, not swimming.
🌶️ Taste Local Delicacies
Try unique local seafood like small crabs and fish, seasoned to perfection. Tourist prices apply.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚤 Boat Ride Adventure
A boat ride offers unique views of the lake and nearby temples. Expect around $10 for a private ride.
🧺 Picnic Paradise
Rent a floating cottage for the day ($3, more on holidays) for a perfect picnic spot with friends and family.
🚫 Avoid Swimming
The lake water can have algae; it's best for boating and picnics, not swimming.
🌶️ Taste Local Delicacies
Try unique local seafood like small crabs and fish, seasoned to perfection. Tourist prices apply.
🙏 Visit the Temples
Don't miss the ancient temple structures, including Ta Prohm, for a dose of history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tonle Bati is cherished as a peaceful natural escape with a lively local atmosphere, particularly on weekends. Visitors enjoy the unique experience of renting floating cottages and taking boat rides, often discovering beautiful lotus blooms. The nearby ancient temples add a historical dimension to the visit, and the local seafood is a culinary highlight.
"I live here it's a very good place too live have a beautiful lake and you can go on a boat ride to leave have a few ancient building nice people and you can't run out off gas here because there are a lot of gas station near and also have some supermarkets such as family mart twin house and theara giffarine shop"
kosal kounwath
"Good nature place for relaxation during holidays and weekend. They have the cottage floating in the river where you can enjoy foods by the river. Do not forget the boat ride, it is an amazing experience to see the village around the river and the buddish temples. Go to the front edge of the boat and enjoy all the great pictures. 3000r per person for a boat ride and free for a kid was so a reasonable price. There is also a temple to visit or to go and pray for happiness and good luck in this area. People like to come here in group for cheer with foods/drinks and play cards too."
Web Web
"We paid $10 for a boat ride. Initially I had low expectations, because I haven't really seen any great photos of the lake on Google. But since we have visited Ta Phrom temple and it was just five minutes away from the lake, eventually we decided to go on the boat ride. The first several minutes were as I expected, a bit swampy, although I still enjoyed it since it's quite different from many other lakes that I've seen. But suddenly the guy stopped the boat in the middle of the lake and we saw this breathtaking lotus paradise! He even picked three lotuses for me after he saw how freaked out I was. Plus the seafood beside the lake tasted great, too. We paid a bit more for the food because we got tourist price, but it was totally worth it, as the food was unique (we ate small crabs, fishes, snails, and several other local delicacies, seasoned so well. And if you're feeling brave enough to try something new, they also have some kind of local food made out of fermented ants in a jar, which surpisingly tasted alright! My Mom finally bought a jar.). :)"
Zivana Sabili
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Tonle Bati is located about 30-40 km south of Phnom Penh. You can rent a motorcycle for a more adventurous journey or hire a tuk-tuk or car for a comfortable ride. Many travelers find it's a feasible day trip from the city.
Public transport options are limited. Hiring a private vehicle or joining a tour is generally more convenient for reaching Tonle Bati and exploring the surrounding areas.
Renting a motorcycle offers flexibility to visit nearby ancient sites like Ta Prohm temple. For a more relaxed experience, consider a tuk-tuk or car.
The journey from Phnom Penh to Tonle Bati typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour by car or motorcycle, depending on traffic conditions.
Yes, several tour operators in Phnom Penh offer day trips that include Tonle Bati, often combined with other nearby attractions. This can be a convenient option if you prefer not to arrange transport yourself.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While there isn't a strict entrance fee for the lake area itself, you will pay for activities like boat rides and renting floating cottages. Prices can be higher on holidays.
Tonle Bati is generally accessible throughout the day, but the best time to visit is during daylight hours to enjoy the scenery and activities. Floating cottages are available for rent all day.
A boat ride typically costs around $10, though prices can vary. Children may ride for free. It's a reasonable price for the experience of seeing the lake and temples.
Yes, you can rent floating cottages for the day. The cost is usually around $3 on regular days, but expect higher prices during peak times and holidays.
For general access to the lake, no booking is required. However, if you plan to visit during a major holiday, renting a floating cottage might be best done upon arrival or early in the day.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy boat rides on the lake, relax in floating cottages, visit the ancient Ta Prohm temple, and experience a lively local atmosphere with food and drinks.
It is not recommended to swim in the lake due to potential algae. While a skin dip might be okay, the algae can stain clothes and leave an odor.
You can enjoy local seafood like small crabs, fish, and snails, often seasoned very well. Some vendors might also offer more adventurous local delicacies.
Yes, fishing is a popular activity at Tonle Bati, and you'll see many locals engaged in it.
The lotus blooms in the lake, the ancient temple structures, and the floating cottages offer great photographic subjects. The vibrant local life on weekends is also worth capturing.
📸 📸 Photography
The middle of the lake, especially when the lotuses are in bloom, offers stunning shots. The ancient Ta Prohm temple provides historical context, and the floating cottages create picturesque scenes.
Early morning or late afternoon light can be ideal for capturing the serene beauty of the lake and temples. Weekends offer vibrant scenes of local life.
There are no widely known specific photo restrictions at Tonle Bati. However, always be respectful when photographing people and religious sites.
A versatile lens for landscapes and details would be useful. If you plan on capturing wildlife or distant temple features, a telephoto lens could be beneficial.
Drone usage regulations can be complex in Cambodia. It's advisable to check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While swimming isn't recommended due to algae, the boat rides are a highlight that children often find exciting. The ancient temples, like Ta Prohm, can also be an interesting educational experience for older children, offering a glimpse into Cambodia's rich history. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks, and be prepared for a lively, local atmosphere, especially on weekends.
💰 Budget Travelers
While boat rides have a set price (around $10), it's a shared experience that offers good value for the views. Eating at the local stalls can also be quite inexpensive, though be mindful of potential tourist pricing. Visiting on a weekday will also help avoid any holiday surcharges.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Ancient Temples
Beyond Ta Prohm, the area around Tonle Bati has other smaller ruins that hint at its past importance. These sites are often less crowded than major tourist attractions, allowing for a more contemplative experience. It's recommended to combine a visit to the temples with a relaxing boat ride on the lake for a well-rounded cultural and natural excursion.
The Charm of Lake Life and Boat Rides
A boat ride on Tonle Bati is a must-do experience. For a reasonable price, you can cruise across the water, taking in the sights of the surrounding villages and the ancient temples. A highlight for many is discovering a hidden lotus paradise in the middle of the lake, a surprisingly beautiful and serene spectacle. The boatmen are often happy to stop for photos, making it a memorable part of the visit.
Culinary Delights by the Water
For the adventurous eater, Tonle Bati might even present opportunities to try more unique local fare, such as dishes made from fermented ants. While this might sound unusual, some visitors found it surprisingly palatable. Even if you stick to more familiar options, the quality and flavor of the food, combined with the scenic backdrop, make dining here a delightful experience. Be aware that tourist prices may apply, but many find it well worth the cost.
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