Tonle Bati () is a small
lake
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...
about 30 km south of
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh (; km, ភ្នំពេញ, ) is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its economic, indus ...
, the capital of
Cambodia
Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...
. It is a popular weekend destination for the local population. It is also a popular fishing spot for both tourists and people who live locally.
Close to the lake, there is the Ta Prohm of Bati, one of several shelters built in Cambodia and Thailand during the reign of
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII, posthumous name of Mahaparamasaugata ( km, ជ័យវរ្ម័នទី៧, c. 1122–1218), was king of the Khmer Empire. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II (r. 1150–1160) and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani.
He was ...
to house the
Jayabuddhamahanatha statues.
It is located off the highway to
Takéo Province.
The word ''Jayabuddhamahanatha'' means "Victory-Buddha-Great Saviour" and may refer to the defeat of the
Chams by the king Jayavarman VII. A similar sculpture was found at the Vihar Prampil Lvengo on the Avenue of Victory at
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom ( km, អង្គរធំ ; meaning "Great City"), alternatively Nokor Thom ( km, នគរធំ ) located in present-day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, Khmer Empire. It was established in ...
.
20 minutes south of the lake there is another temple called
Phnom Chisor
Phnom Chisor ( km, ភ្នំជីសូរ, ; "Chisor Mountain") is a 133-metres high mountain in Dok Por village, Rovieng commune, Samraŏng District, Takéo Province, Cambodia. It lies about 42 km south of Phnom Penh. The Ministry of ...
(). It is situated on a mountain top which requires a visitor to climb 461 steps.
References
Lakes of Cambodia
Geography of Takéo province
{{Cambodia-geo-stub