Bokor Hill Station was built by the French in the 1920s to be used as a retreat from the heat of the plains, a pre-air conditionning strategy familiar in all of Asia. The Old French Palace is a hauntingly beautiful colonial building constructed by French settlers in 1917 and completed in 1925 for the French social elites who were living in Cambodia and needed an escape from the humidity and heat of Phnom Penh. In the 1950s and 60s, the Old French Palace was used as a casino during the time of Prince Sihanouk. It is frequently used as a movie location, the most famous being City of Ghosts, starring Matt Dillon.
Make sure you get an early start. The summit of Bokor (1,080 meters high) is reached at the end of one of the worst roads in Cambodia and the journey (about 30km) takes a lot longer than you would think. Heavily potholed and scattered with reefs of the original asphalt surface, it is best traveled by 4WD or motorbike.
Spectacular views of the Gulf of Thailand glimpsed through the lush jungle and the abandoned buildings that dot the roadside grab your interest, and the journey is forgotten the moment you experience the summit's extraordinary atmosphere.At once beautiful and sinis-ter, the hill station buildings include a Catholic church and an old hotel, the aptly named and monumentally proportioned Bokor Palace, as well as a number of other crumbling dwellings. The view out to a sapphire sea across a vertiginous drop to dense emerald green jungle from what was the terrace of the Palace is remarkable.
It's easy to see the strategic significance of Bokor Hill Station, and even easier to see the scars of the many battles that have been fought there. Even on a sunny day it has a sinister aspect, redolent with mystery, as though the buildings, covered with red-pig-mented lichen, are steeped in the blood of their violent past.
Possibly the best known of these battles had the Khmer Rouge holed up in the Catholic church shooting it out with the Vietnamese in the Bokor Palace. It is only too possible to imagine this scene as you gaze across the windswept plains from the upstairs windows of the Palace, or wander through its echoing and cavernous ruins. But this only increases the fascination of the place.
The 15-minute drive from the hill station to the crystal clear waters of the popular Popokvil ('Swirling Clouds') Waterfall takes you past the abandoned and decaying grass huts of the Khmer Rouge families who once lived here. A 20-minute walk down a dirt track from the car park brings you to the first and more accessible of the waterfall's two spectacular tiers. But it's worth making the effort to get to the sec¬ond tier. It's here that you find out why the falls are so named. Clouds of the finest mist hover over the falls to magical effect.
The turn off to the park is located 8km from Kampot and 95km from Sihanoukville on National Route #3. The main entrance and park headquarters are about 1 km from the main road. From there it is another 32km uphill to reach the summit.
As of October 2008, the road to Bokor was officially closed due to construction of a new road by the Sokimex,however in 2012 the road was finished & now it takes just 1 hour to arrive from Kampot.It is still possible to arrange a trip through local travel agents for around 8 US$/including lunch. Trekking tours for US$18-$20 can be booked in town, including lunch. As in August 2012,there's a direct A.C bus from the "Thansur Bokor Highland Office" in Phnom Penh that takes just 4 hours & costs US$ 10/Pax at 7:30 A.M & 13:30 P.M.
Start at 4:00pm from Kampot. Enjoy the sunset behind the Bokor Mountain on the boat. And see the mangrove forests along the Kampong Bay ...
Pick up from your hotel at 8:30am. Cave: visit the Phnom Chnouk Cave. (Pre-Angkorian temple) Pepper farm: visit a plantation near KompongTrach where they produce pepper. Kep beach and Rabbit Island: ...
Less popular than Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Kampot is already a unique spot. This tour offers the opportunity to see life from a local perspective. Jump on a bike with your Cambodian student guides, ...
As with many historic areas around Cambodia, Bokor Mountain and many of the old buildings on it have been restored rather than preserved, and rights to develop the land nearby have been sold to ...
Catch a glimpse of the glory days of the French colonial period in Cambodia. This tour will take you up to the summit of mystical Bokor Mountain, where you can discover abandoned but hauntingly ...
Get back to grass roots with an agricultural and active cycle tour of Kampong. Accompanied by local guides, guests will learn about the regional significance of the salt, rice, and pepper industries, ...
Riverside Road, Kampot, Cambodia
Best Seller!
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, bar, shared lounge and free WiFi, Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot is located in Kampot, 4.2 km from Kampot Pagoda and a 5-minute walk from Kampot Provincial Museum. The property is around 1.8 km from Kampot Night Market, 11.3 km from Teuk Chhou Rapids and 11.3 km from Phnom Chisor. The property has evening entertainment and ticket service.
At the hostel you'll find a restaurant serving International, Cambodian and American cuisine.
The nearest airport is Sihanoukville International Airport, 83.7 km from Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot.
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Sky Street Phum Ondoung Khmer, Sankgat Ondoung Khmer, Krong Kampot, Kampot province, Cambodia, Kampot, Cambodia
Best for Couple!
Located in Kampot and with Kampot Pagoda reachable within 1.4 miles, Ruby Resort has express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, free bikes, free WiFi and an outdoor swimming pool. Featuring room service, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Guests can have a drink at the bar.
At the guesthouse, rooms come with a closet, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
Cycling is among the activities that guests can enjoy near Ruby Resort.
Kampot Night Market is a 19-minute walk from the accommodation, while Kampot Provincial Museum is 2.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sihanoukville International Airport, 82.1 km from Ruby Resort.
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Sangkat Kompong Kandal, Sovansakor Village, Kampot, Cambodia
Nestled away in the peaceful town of Kampot, Two Moons provides cosy and affordable accommodation with free Wi-Fi access available.
Situated less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre, the property is also 50 m from Kompong Bay River and 10.7 km from Phnom Chisor. Sihanoukville International Airport is 59 km away.
Rooms at Two Moons feature private patios offering beautiful sunrise and sunset views. Complete with tea/coffee making facilities, seating area and minibar, rooms also come with a private bathroom, equipped with free toiletries and bath towels.
The accommodation also offers a variety of activities including cycling, board games and fishing trips. Other facilities include a tour desk and luggage storage space.
Guests can choose from a good selection of traditional Cambodian dishes including fresh seafood specialties at the in-house restaurant.
This is our guests' favourite part of Kampot, according to independent reviews.
This property is also rated for the best value in Kampot! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
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Two Moons Hotel has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 26 Nov 2013.
Hotel Rooms: 22
Kampong Bay, Kampong Kandal Commune, Kampot Town, Kampot, Cambodia
Situated in Kampot, 11 km from Phnom Chisor, Salty River Resort features air-conditioned rooms and free private parking. The resort has a barbecue and terrace, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
Certain units have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. Certain rooms include views of the mountain or river. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and slippers. Salty River Resort features free WiFi throughout the property.
You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.
Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including diving, cycling and fishing. The resort also offers bike hire.
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Salty River Resort has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 13 Jan 2016.
Hotel Rooms: 16
Tuek Chhu Road, Kampot, Cambodia
Best Deal!
Set 7.5 mi from Phnom Chisor, Bamboo Bungalow offers accommodations with views of the Kampot River and Bokor Mountain. It features free WiFi access and free private parking. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant or have a drink at the riverside bar.
Rooms feature a private balcony that open up to views of the river. Some rooms have a seating area for your convenience. Certain units include views of the mountain or lake.
Guests can rent motorbikes and cars to explore the surrounding area. The area is popular for swimming and fishing.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.1 for a two-person trip.
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Street 728, Kampot, Cambodia
Best Price!
Featuring a bar, Rikitikitavi is set in Kampot in the Kampot Province region, 3.4 km from Kampot Pagoda and 500 m from Kampot Provincial Museum. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a concierge service, along with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located less than 1 km from Kampot Night Market.
The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel all rooms are equipped with a private bathroom.
Guests at Rikitikitavi can enjoy a à la carte breakfast.
The accommodation offers a terrace.
The nearest airport is Sihanoukville International Airport, 84 km from Rikitikitavi.
This is our guests' favourite part of Kampot, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Kampot! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
We speak your language!
Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.
Guest Name: Ms. Lyn
Country: Philippines
City: Manila
N.of Person: 1 pax
Travel date: 23-09-2024
Booked: Ream National Park Kayaking & Boat Trip Day Tour
Tour Style: Beach Break Holiday
Duration: Full Day
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