Located roughly fifteen kilometers from Phnom Penh, Koh Dach is the perfect place to unwind and discover silk weaving, a cherished Khmer tradition. Regarded as a true island treasure, Koh Dach draws visitors with its authentic charm, quintessentially Cambodian in character. Make time to explore the island during your Phnom Penh visit.

Exploring the Silk Island

Description

Koh Dach, or the Silk Island, is modest in size—just 12 km long and 3 km wide.

The Island's Appeal

Koh Dach feels like a true oasis beyond Phnom Penh's boundaries. Nature lovers and those seeking genuine encounters with local communities will find themselves captivated. This is an island of tranquility, serenity, and natural renewal. Walks through the countryside and moments on the beach make Koh Dach an ideal retreat. The warmth of the local people—particularly children greeting you around every corner—will linger as a cherished memory. Along the narrow paths, trees alternate with small stilt houses. Most striking are the women tirelessly weaving beneath each dwelling.

Limited Infrastructure

Koh Dach lacks extensive amenities. The island offers only a handful of rustic restaurants, small shops, a modest fruit and vegetable market, a small school, and several pagodas. Yet the villagers' homes resemble those found in Cambodia's countryside villages—charming, with vegetable gardens and small plots.

Activities

• Strolling through the island

A walk on Koh Dach is an excellent way to observe village life up close. Explore on foot, by tuk-tuk, or horse-drawn cart—the choice is yours. A morning stroll is ideal; you'll hear birdsong and roosters while wandering the morning market. There you'll find small vendors and a variety of fresh produce for lunch. Market sellers are charming and smiling, offering textiles and local goods. Bargaining is very much a sport here—come prepared!

• A stop at Wat Samaki

During your island visit, pause at Samaki Temple. One building in the complex is still under construction, but you'll find stupas, Buddha statues, and sacred animals representing Buddhist iconography. Your eye will be drawn to the magnificent flowering tree with powerfully fragrant fruit. Foreigners struggle with its name, but it stands out for its large brown cannonball-like fruits. Its bright pink flowers are used in traditional medicine, and locals say the tree grows only near pagodas.

• Along the dirt paths

Koh Dach's lanes consist of earthen trails. During the dry season, motorcycles race along them at speed. However, during the rainy season, these paths transform into mud, immobilizing any vehicle. On foot, it's worse still—you'll get dirty quickly, and your shoes will be thoroughly caked.

• Learning about silk weaving

Silk weaving is the island's main activity and an ancestral tradition for villagers. Foreign visitors simply called it the Silk Island for this popular craft.

When visiting, you can learn to weave through hands-on workshops with locals. A guide will explain the entire process—from silkworm farming to finished textile.

Women primarily do the weaving work. Mothers, young girls, teenagers, grandmothers—all participate. Wholesalers supply raw silk to families and collect the finished cloth, paying by the meter. Earnings are modest, but this activity brings the village its reputation and occupies much of residents' time.

Small weaving workshops have become an additional income source for villagers. Upon arrival, someone will likely approach you asking if you'd like to visit a workshop for just 1 USD.

All fabrics produced by the village women are sold in Phnom Penh's markets and boutiques. Most products are tablecloths and clothing for men and women.

• Relax on the sandy beach

Koh Dach boasts a beautiful sandy beach for visitors, located on the island's north side. Ideal for relaxation, its shores are lined with charming stilt houses painted in bright, cheerful colors. The best swimming season is the dry season. Beach access costs 2,000 riels, and visitors can rent a beachfront hut to enjoy the sunset.

Climate

Like the regions around Phnom Penh, Koh Dach has a savanna climate with a dry winter. Rainfall is higher in summer than winter. The wettest months are August, September, and October. The average annual temperature in Phnom Penh is 29.1°C, ranging from 30°C to 35°C between November and April. It's warm year-round.

What to Do on Koh Dach?

• Visit a weaving workshop with local artisans.

• Take a walk and immerse yourself in the daily life of residents.

• Explore Samaki Temple and see its many stupas and Buddhist statues.

• Relax and watch the sunset from the beach.

To reach Koh Dach, cross the Japanese Bridge north of Phnom Penh by taxi, tuk-tuk, or motorcycle taxi. The bridge is 12 km from Phnom Penh—the tuk-tuk ride costs 10 USD per person. Then take the ferry to the island in the middle of the Mekong. Ferries run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The crossing costs 1,000 riels (about 0.25 USD) per person, or 3,000 riels (0.75 USD) if bringing a scooter.

Once on the island, rent moto-taxis or tuk-tuks for touring. Since the island is small, you can explore on foot or by bicycle. You can also rent a scooter for about 5 USD per day.

Best Times to Visit

The ideal months to visit Koh Dach are January, February, and December.