Kampong Phluk – Harbor of the Tusks

Kampong Phluk, meaning “Harbor of the Tusks”, is a remarkable commune in Prasat Bakong District, about 28 kilometers east of Siem Reap, set along the floodplains of Tonlé Sap Lake. 

Famous for its floating and stilted houses, it offers a vivid glimpse into how Khmer communities have adapted to Cambodia’s unique rhythm of rising and receding waters.

History & Daily Life

For centuries, Kampong Phluk’s livelihood has revolved around fishing and shrimp harvesting, particularly during the wet season (May–October) when the waters of Tonlé Sap rise dramatically. 

To withstand the floods, entire homes are built on towering stilts, some rising 6–9 meters above the ground, creating surreal, wooden “skyscrapers” that line the waterways.

When the water recedes in the dry season (November–April), fishing activity slows and villagers turn to farming on the newly exposed floodplains. Rice fields, vegetable gardens, and small livestock appear where water once flowed. In recent decades, tourism has also become an important supplement to the economy, drawing travelers who wish to experience this distinctive way of life firsthand.

As of 2019, Kampong Phluk comprised 911 families and 3,707 residents, spread across three villages: Tnaot, Kambot Dey Krahom, and Kok Kdol. Education here is uniquely tied to the environment children often paddle small boats to reach their schools, learning resilience alongside reading and writing.

Cultural & Natural Significance

Kampong Phluk is a living testament to the resilience and adaptability of Khmer communities, who thrive in harmony with the seasonal floods. Life is shaped by water boats replace cars, fishing nets replace fields, and stilted homes provide security against the shifting tides.

The surrounding mangrove forests are equally significant. They form a critical ecosystem that protects Tonlé Sap’s delicate balance, acting as nurseries for fish, stabilizing the shoreline, and sheltering diverse birdlife. For visitors, gliding silently through these flooded forests by boat is both surreal and deeply atmospheric.

Here, tradition and survival blend seamlessly from wooden boats and floating platforms to seasonal farming and fishing, offering what feels like a living museum of Cambodia’s water culture.

Seasonal Canoe Rides Through Mangroves

One of the most enchanting experiences at Kampong Phluk is taking a canoe ride through the flooded mangrove forest. Operated by local women, these small hand-rowed boats navigate narrow waterways where motorboats cannot pass, offering a more intimate journey into the heart of the wetlands.

The experience is seasonal available mainly during the wet months (May–October), when the water rises high enough to submerge the mangrove roots. As you drift beneath the shaded canopy, the still waters create a mirror-like reflection, and the only sounds are the splash of the paddle and the calls of birds. It is both peaceful and otherworldly, giving travelers a sense of timeless connection with nature.