Bokor Lake on Bokor Mountain

What the lake is like

The lake sits high on Bokor Mountain, ringed by forest and hills. A natural spring feeds it, so the water stays fresh through the year. The mood is quiet, and it works well as a pause between the bigger sights on the plateau.

The centrepiece is a floating pavilion built in traditional Khmer style. Boats can be rented to paddle out and look back at the shoreline from the water.

How it came to exist

The lake dates from the 1920s, when the French developed Bokor as a mountain resort for the colonial elite. It was created as part of that scheme and became a spot for boating and picnics.

The resort was abandoned during the Khmer Rouge period and left to decay. In recent years the mountain and the lake have been restored and reopened to visitors, who now come to relax by the water and learn about the site's past.

What to do here

• Boating: rent a boat and head toward the pavilion.
• Fishing: a popular activity at the lake.
• Wildlife: fish and birds live here, and monkeys are often seen in the trees around the shore. Keep food out of sight and do not feed them.
• Waterfall: a short walk from the lake, handy for cooling off on a hot day.
• Hill station: the historic French colonial building nearby is described as restored, with a museum on the mountain's history and its plants and animals.
• Guided tour: tours of the mountain cover several historic sites and landmarks, a practical way to fit the lake in with the rest of Bokor.

Planning a visit

Bokor is west of Kampot town, and the lake is one stop among several on the plateau rather than a trip in itself. Pair it with the waterfall and the hill station, and consider a guide if you want the historical context. Bring water and something for the sun, since the waterfall walk is the part of the day where you will be on foot.

The map pin below shows the lake's location.