Boeng Yeak Lom Lake, Ratanakiri, Cambodia (photo)

Boeng Yeak Lom Lake, Ratanakiri. Yeak Loam, also spelled Yak Lom or Yak Loum, is a lake and a popular tourist destination in the Ratanakiri province of northeastern Cambodia. Located approximately 3 mi (4.8 km) from the provincial capital, Banlung, the beautiful lake occupies a 4,000-year-old volcanic crater. Due to the lake's tremendous depth (157 ft or 48 m), its water is exceptionally clean and clear. The lake is almost perfectly round and measures 0.45 mi (0.72 km) in diameter. Large trees and rich, lush rain forest, the home of many exotic birds and parrots, surround the lake. Beung Yeak Laom is located in Yeak Loam commune, Ban Loung district, about 5 kilometers south of Ban Loung provincial town. A lake in the middle of a mountain, it was formed many centuries ago from a volcano. The lake is about 800 meters in diameter and 48 meters deep during the dry season. The water is clear and suitable for swimming. Beung Yeak Laom is a place of worship for the hill tribes. They believe there is a powerful spirit who owns the surrounding land and forest. Beung Yeak Laom is popular with tourists who like to swim or hike in the forest surrounding the lake. Is the natural lake, which locates at the middle of mountain in Yeak Loam Commune, Ban Lung district from the Ban Lung town. The lake has square shape, approximate 800m diameter and 48m depth during the dry season, and occurs by volcano for centuries. The lake has clear water as the sea suitable for swimming, and there are tow harbors protruded to the above of the water for tourists to view the scenary and birds that are swimming along the stretch of the forest surrounding the lake. Photographed in 2013