A highlight of the Khao Sok National Park, the stunning Cheow Lan Lake is an enormous human-made basin of water surrounded by dramatic mountains and tropical terrain. Roaming through the forest and its wildlife sanctuaries are all manner of animals, from elephants and tigers, to monkeys and tapirs. Hike around the edges of this gorgeous lake, which stretches across 71.4 square miles (185 square kilometers) of rainforest.
Go on a long-tail boat cruise organized by the lodgings surrounding the lake. Arrive at the Guilin viewpoint to appreciate the stunning vista of rock formations appearing to sprout vertically from the water’s surface.
For a glimpse of the exotic animals of the region, head to the wildlife reserve of Klong Saeng. With luck, you may spot king cobras and flying lizards as well as a range of birds. Look out for Malayan sun bears, clouded leopards and wild elephants. Stay the night at one of the floating bungalows or bamboo raft houses along the lake and enjoy authentic Thai dishes from the restaurants.
Note that this artificial lake was constructed by diverting water from the Klong Saeng River in the 1980s. Projects were put in place to resettle people and animals who had been living in the area. You’ll still spot the occasional dead tree rising from the water, evidence of the forest that existed before the lake.
The Cheow Lan Lake covers vast swathes of Khao Sok National Park, located in southern Thailand. From Phuket Town on its namesake island, drive north over the bridge connecting it to the mainland and journey for 112 miles (180 kilometers) to reach the eastern edge of the lake in around 3 hours.
