Yeak Loam Lake Attraction in the Heart of Ratanakiri in Cambodia
Yeak Loam Lake is remarkable in that it is located on a plateau top. This 1 Kilometer diameter, 70 deep lake fills the crater of a centuries old, inactive volcano.Today the area is serene, a haven for wildlife and visitors seeking solitude, and is the latest tourist magnet to enthrall visitors while touring in Ratanakiri Province.
The waters of the lake are always translucent cool and ideal for swimming; the surrounding lush forest filled with harmonious birdsongs, makes for first-rate hiking and trekking, replete with species and other wildlife.
The indigenous ethnic minorities living in the shadow of the lake believe the waters are inhabited by spirits. These they worship and pray to for protection for themselves and for their ancestral territory. The local people offer visitors, both foreign and Khmer, a wide variety f souvenirs and handicrafts, all produced locally by these regional minorities.
There is a wonderful, natural lake located in Ban Lung commune int he Ban Lung district, Eight Kilometer east of Ban Lung town.
The Cambodian Term 'Yeak Loam' , Translated into English means 'giants' and 'surroundings.' Thus the legend of the lake, often recited by local raconteurs, goes as follows:
In Ancient times, there was a very powerful giant king who had the most attractive daughter. Both her hair and body emitted a fragrant aroma so the giant king named her ' Neang Sak kra Oob' which means ' fragrant hair girl' When she grew up a strong, handsome man came to woo her. Their love would eventually discover their secret love so they both decided to flee into the deep forest.
Soon after, the giant king learned of his daughter's situation and he was both deeply shocked and distressed. First he expressed pity for his daughter. Then he assembled a battalion of troops to search for his beloved daughter. His entire kingdom and the jungle were checked by his gigantic army of soldiers but they could find no sign of her even as they finally reached the thick forest where a pond is located today.
The giant hole dug by the giant king's troops, including the uprooting of trees, in an unsuccessful effort to find the King's daughter, has left this deep pond in the Ratanakiri area. That is why the local people call this site "Yeak Loam Pond."
But there is a slightly different version from that previously mentioned. This version declares that there was a giant commander who had tried to arrest the giant king's daughter and separate her from her lover. when the troops of the commander surrounded the mountain here they were hiding, this lovely couple thought that there was no way to escape.
Because of their true love, both of them decided to wish to disappear into the ground. They both started to pray to the spiritual power, Preah Eisey, and to all of the gods, ' with your respectful magical powers protecting this area in perpetuity, please, we will sacrifice our lives by making the area sink down' Suddenly, the mountain area quickly sunk into the ground including the giant king's daughter and her lover. This is why this plateau top has become a deep pond and is the reason the local people call this pond " Yeak Loam".
Another ancient folktale claims that the story of the origin of this ' Yeak Loam ' name is completely different and likely more believable. Thee story recalls that " Yeak " in the language of the ancient minority living there meant the ' owner of the chief of the villagers '. The word ' Loam ' was the name of the person who was a former chief of that area. So, therefore the words ' Yeak Loam ' is a respectful reminder of the sacred and spiritual nature of their ancient leader that used to rule the local minority people in happiness and harmony a long time ago.
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