Chong Khneas is a floating village located on the northern edge of Tonle Sap Lake, about 15 kilometers from Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is one of the most popular and accessible floating villages in the area, drawing tourists who want to see how people live on the water.

Features of Chong Khneas:

1. Floating Structures: The village consists of houses, schools, churches, shops, and even a floating hospital, all built on stilts or pontoons. During the rainy season, when the lake expands, these structures rise with the water, while in the dry season, the water level recedes, revealing more of the stilts.

2. Inhabitants: Most of the village residents are ethnic Khmer, Vietnamese, and Cham people who rely on fishing and tourism for their livelihoods. Fishing is particularly significant since Tonle Sap is one of the most productive freshwater ecosystems in the world.

3. Unique Ecosystem: Tonle Sap Lake is a crucial part of the Mekong River system. It changes dramatically with the seasons due to the Mekong's monsoon-driven flow, expanding and contracting the lake’s size. The floating villages like Chong Khneas adapt to this, making it a unique way of life for the inhabitants.

4. Tourism: Chong Khneas is a popular stop for tourists, especially those visiting Angkor Wat, as it's located nearby. Tour operators offer boat tours around the village, where visitors can see daily life on the water, fish farms, and crocodile farms.

5. Issues and Controversy: While Chong Khneas offers a fascinating glimpse into a unique lifestyle, some tourists and critics have raised concerns about the commercialization of the village and the potential for exploitation of the residents. Some visitors report that the area feels more like a tourist trap than an authentic village experience, with inflated prices and a staged atmosphere for tourists.

Visiting Chong Khneas provides an interesting perspective on life in Cambodia's floating communities, although some prefer other floating villages that are less commercialized, like Kampong Phluk or Kampong Khleang.