West Baray
West Baray
3.9
About
A giant reservoir constructed during the Khmer Empire, measuring 8km long by 2.1km wide (or almost 2,300 Wembley Stadium football pitches). Its purpose at the time it was constructed is still not clear, and the original hypothesis, that it was used for irrigation, no longer holds much water. In the centre, is an island with the West Mebon temple. A great spot for walks, or a short boat ride out to the island. You can also hire hammocks for about a dollar, and picnic on the freshly prepared food sold from about a dozen stalls.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.9
92 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
40
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
1
William N°1
Siem Reap, Cambodia187 contributions
Oct 2020
The water is very high right now as its the west season so there are no beaches. The food places around the lake are geared to the Khmers, quite basic food like grilled chicken or fish.
It was a battle to buy a coffee but the people were friendly enough.
There is a nice small ruin there called Ak Yum Temple, its a good spot for a photo or two.
I would not return again till the dry season comes, but I do think the lake would worth a bike ride around the edge.
It was a battle to buy a coffee but the people were friendly enough.
There is a nice small ruin there called Ak Yum Temple, its a good spot for a photo or two.
I would not return again till the dry season comes, but I do think the lake would worth a bike ride around the edge.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mawa N
Siem Reap, Cambodia589 contributions
Aug 2011
I love sailing here to the island temple in the middle of the lake. This is very large man made lake in Cambodia. I sometime relaxing beside the lake on a hammock while having snacks and drinks. Good to visit on the afternoon to see the sun goes down reflect on the water.
Written June 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonnie K
Siem Reap, Cambodia275 contributions
May 2020
The locals go here
To swim and just take it lightly, the water is as it is but it is good to swim in
You can lie in a hammock with a cold drink and do nothing at all for a couple of hours
To swim and just take it lightly, the water is as it is but it is good to swim in
You can lie in a hammock with a cold drink and do nothing at all for a couple of hours
Written June 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangojohnDallas
Dallas, TX1,207 contributions
Jan 2020
This was our fifth trip to Siem Reap and we purposely chose to do things outside the typical tourist agenda. We have used the same tuk tuk driver for the last 4 years and we know he appreciates our off the beaton path agenda. We went on a week day in the late afternoon and arrived where the locals play and there are multiple food and merchandise vendors at the dam area. We hired a boat which would probably hold 10 or more people and along with our driver went out to West Mebon. The boat owner asked $20 and we did not bother to negotiate the price. Upon arriving at the island we were welcomed by the guard and were the only tourists there. At this time West Mebon is being restored and you can only walk around part of the parimeter seeing the restoration. They have a small raised pavilion where you can see restoration plans and overlook the work. We found this very interesting. Upon return we paid the boat driver who seemed extremely appreciative. This is not something I would suggest for someone who has limited time in Siem Reap. According to our driver he had never visited West Mebon by boat and had only been there by motorcycle in 2005 when apparently West Baray was dry.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cartertravels15
Alton, UK194 contributions
Nov 2019
We enjoyed a lovely ox cart trip to near the reservoir and then a gentle stroll to the shore of the reservoir where we were taken by boat to the other side . Beautiful evening to be on the water and very quiet. AboutAsia has a wonderful villa called Chandara which we thoroughly enjoyed an evening in.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manonmv10
Bribie Island, Australia2 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
you should go there about 4.00 pm to see sunset, go the road to near Pagoda, no body, quiet, cow and bufalo back home, it magic
Written June 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3,918 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
The West Baray is the largest reservoir in Angkor. Its waters are contained by tall earthern dykes. Steps lead all the way down to the waters edge. There is a festive atmosphere here with a lot of stalls selling food and drinks.There are even umbrellas, deck chairs and rubber tubings for rent on the waters edge! It is definitely a popular spot for swimming and boating for the local crowd. There is a Hindu temple in the middle of the lake, West Mebon. Irrigation locks on the dyke reminds one that this is reservoir. A must visit if you have the extra time.
Written June 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KingKong420
1 contribution
May 2019
I loved the location, great source of entertainment from pigs in your basement to XXXTentacion at your bedside, GREAT Location 5 stars I would defenitely come back here and reccomend it to my neices nephews and Lost Fathers.
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony R
Playa del Carmen, Mexico119 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
Took a couple of tuk tuks out to west baray. Its a short run out of SR .
You pull into a big car/bus park where there are plenty of stalls selling food and clothes .
I was in the company of some Khmer and expats so they knew the ropes. We bought some food and water and beer and ice and were guided down the STEEP steps to the long house overlooking the reservoir . We were shown to an area that was bounded by ropes and had 2 hammocks in it.
We sat back relaxes and watched people swimming in the reservoir while nibbling on some food ,
Those that were with me noted that the water was high, even though this was January.
You can rent/ swimming trunks and for the ladies a long t shirt.
One in our company was wearing a bikini top and got some serious stares from some of the older Khmer ladies,
To swim you climb down some steps and into the water.
The water was cool and a bit muddy and the ground underfoot was squidgy . A shower afterwards is advisable
A really enjoyable day chilling and doing a lot of nothing before a short hop back in the tuktuk which we had arranged to come back for us . If memory serves it was 8 US for both ways but I cant be certain,
A great way to spend at least half a day or more
You pull into a big car/bus park where there are plenty of stalls selling food and clothes .
I was in the company of some Khmer and expats so they knew the ropes. We bought some food and water and beer and ice and were guided down the STEEP steps to the long house overlooking the reservoir . We were shown to an area that was bounded by ropes and had 2 hammocks in it.
We sat back relaxes and watched people swimming in the reservoir while nibbling on some food ,
Those that were with me noted that the water was high, even though this was January.
You can rent/ swimming trunks and for the ladies a long t shirt.
One in our company was wearing a bikini top and got some serious stares from some of the older Khmer ladies,
To swim you climb down some steps and into the water.
The water was cool and a bit muddy and the ground underfoot was squidgy . A shower afterwards is advisable
A really enjoyable day chilling and doing a lot of nothing before a short hop back in the tuktuk which we had arranged to come back for us . If memory serves it was 8 US for both ways but I cant be certain,
A great way to spend at least half a day or more
Written April 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nouhin
Phnom Penh, Cambodia7 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
When I was a little boy, I was impressed by the size of the lake and the beauty of the beach. 20 years later, it looks like an abandoned place. Not much water as before. Nothing to do unless you want to tast local food. However, don't try to get sick. Local community needs to do something to improve the hygiene.
Written August 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what is the history of west baray resort?
Written June 13, 2015
what is the history of west baray resort?
Written June 13, 2015
Can you tell me how to get to West Baray Lake from the center of Siemreap? Thanks a lot!
Written March 27, 2015
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