Cambodia Information

Kampong Cham

2009-12-29T02:34:00.001-08:00

Kampong Cham is the capital of the province of the same name and the third largest city in Cambodia. With its Mekong River location and relatively close proximity to Phnom Penh (123km) and Vietnam, Kampong Cham has always been an important trade and transportation hub. The highway from Phnom Penh is in excellent condition-you can get here in just under two hours by road or by the bullet boats that are a main mode of transportation between towns on the Mekong River. Either way it’s a nice fide, with views of the rural countryside or river area, depending on which way you go.
The town itself is quaint and charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets beside the river. There are a few worthwhile attractions nearby and with its location on the way by boat or road to Kratie, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri and Stung Treng Provinces; it’s a nice jump-off point.
Kampong Cham is a mix of the old and the new, with a new temple being built in and around old ruins and the big ferry boats taking people and goods to the other side of the Mekong, right next to the construction of the first bridge ever built here.
Because there is little foreign investment and no massive tourism (almost every foreigner who comes here is a backpacker), this city is quite poor with a few modern buildings, though not lacking in French architecture from the colonial period. It is similar to many other Cambodian cities, being rather dirty, with garbage a common sight. The people of Kampong Cham are very friendly and open to engaging with tourists.
If recent projects seem to be improving the state of things here (relative to other Cambodian cities), remember that both PM Hun Sen and former Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara are originally from this province.

BANTEAY CHHMAR - Banteay Meanchey Province

2009-12-29T02:16:00.001-08:00

This enormous complex, which was a temple city, is one of the most intriguing in the Khmer empire, both for it’s scale and it’s remote location. Never excavated, Banteay Chhmar fits the picture of a lost Khmer city with its ruined face-towers, carvings, forest surroundings and bird life flying through the temple. It has a romantic and discovery feel to it.
Banteay Chhmar dates from the late 12th to the early 13th century and it means Narrow Fortress. It is thought to have been built by Jayarvarman II. It was later rebuilt by Jayarvarman VII as a funerary temple for his sons and four generals who had been killed in a battle repelling a Cham invasion in 1177.

Like Preah Khan, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Banteay Chhmar originally enclosed a city with the temple at the heart. No traces of the city that surrounded the temple remain.
The temple area covers 2km by 2 and a half km. It contains the main temple complex and a number of other religious structures and a baray to its east. A mote filled with water and a huge wall inside of that encloses the center of the temple. This mote is still used to present day by locals for fishing and daily chores. A bustling small market and village bounds the east and south east and perhaps there has been continuous habitation there since the founding of the temple.
Inside the mote, a stone rest house and chapel can be seen. The highlight of Banteay Chhmar is the bas-reliefs, which are comparable with the Bayon. They depict battle against the Chams, religious scenes and a host of daily activities. In parts, the outer wall has collapsed. On the west side a spectacular multi-armed Lekesvara can be seen. The temples central complex is a jumble of towers, galleries, vegetation and fallen stones. Beautiful carvings can be seen throughout.

Pailin

2009-12-16T01:55:00.000-08:00

Pailin is a small municipality in the West of Cambodia very closed to the border of Thailand. The provincial capital is called Pailin City and is known to much of the world as being the area where many of the Khmer Rouge leaders came from and retreated after their fall. Until the year of 2001 Pailin was part of the Battambang Province, but was then elevated to city status and thus became a province and autonomous zone of its own.
The city was during the 1980s and 1990s a major Khmer Rouge strongpoint and resource centre. Even after the death of their brutal leader Pol Pot in 1998, many Khmer Rouge leaders still remained there. Some of the leaders went into hiding in fear of punishment for their crimes, although other leaders or henchmen lived openly in the province. It is said that almost 70 percent of the area's older men were fighters for the Khmer Rouge, but unfortunately none of the regular fighters have yet been brought to justice. As of September 2007, Pailin's remaining Khmer Rouge leaders were being rounded up to face justice by an international tribunal, including Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea. So after years of the governmental dump contemplation regarding the crime of the Khmer Rouge, its time for lasting enlightenment of what has happen.

http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/?ProId=15

Banteay Meanchey

2009-12-16T01:51:00.001-08:00

Banteay Meanchey is a Cambodian province in the northwest of the country, and its capital is named Sisophon. The town of Sisophorn is today a charming, quiet place that only gives hints to its turbulent past upon closer examination. Like Siem Reap and Battambang Provinces, control of the province has changed hands many times between the Thais and the Khmers in the more distant past, and the Khmer Rouge and central Phnom Penh government in recent decades.
With the final demise of the Khmer Rouge (locals, however, firmly believe the Present national reconciliation only the Khmer Rouge trick), the province and towns are striving to rebuild their culture and economy.
It's very friendly place with the locals genuinely happy to see foreign faces and the stability that it implies. Normally just a passing-through spot on the way to the border, or between Battambang and Siem Reap, the area has a few sights that warrant a visit, such the Banteay Chhmar temple ruins, the only other Khmer temple ruins besides the Bayon (Angkor) and Preah Khan ( Preah Vihear Province ) that features the famous four-faced monuments. This area was part of the extensive Khmer empire, with its most notable remains the Banteay Chhmar temple (built in 12th and 13th century) in the north of the province. In the 17th century the Siam took control over Cambodia, and made the area of the modern province part of Sisophon Province. In the year 1907 the Siam had to cede control to the French, and the area was then included into Battambang Province. In 1988 the province Banteay Meanchey was split off from Battambang.

http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/?ProId=2

Kratie Province

2009-12-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

Kratie (pronounce: Krachèh) is a provincial backwater along the Mekong river, roughly 315 km northeast of Phnom Penh.
Though the town and surroundings are pleasant enough, Kratie's main attraction are the freshwater, or Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong river north of the town.
Despite what some guide books might tell you, there is no river transport to Kratie. Fast boats from Phnom Penh to Kratie and further north to Stung Treng have been discontinued years ago. There is occasional river transport from both Stung Treng and Kompong Cham to Kratie, but with the upgrading of roads in the region there's not much demand.

Kratie is a laid-back friendly town, very similar to Kampot in southern Cambodia, but to be honest the place in itself does not have a lot of attractions. Travellers are staying overnight in town on their way to or from Laos, or they visit Kratie for its prime attraction: freshwater dolphins.
These Irrawaddy dolphins are named after the river in Myanmar, where they also have their habitat. Cambodians believe these water creatures are half human and half fish. Not difficult to understand, when you spot these dolphins with their rounded head and a straight mouth instead of a beak like their seawater cousins.

http://www.frizz-restaurant.com/cambodia-travel-guide/east/kratie.html

Kirirom National Park

2009-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Initially established as a holiday resort and tourist city in 1945, the area was named Kirirom namely "Mountain of joy" by the King at the suggestion of a monk from Phnom Penh.
A hill of 700m covers an area of 35,000 hectares.
Especially interesting is the Chambok Ecotourism site.
A large new concrete sign on the right 88 kilometers from Phnom Penh on National Route No. 4 makes finding the turnoff very easy.
This beautiful national park area was once a favorite resort for the influential, the powerful and wealthy and a retreat for King Sihanouk himself.

There are not many types of larger wildlife in evidence on Kirirom, but it is an ideal spot to glimpse some of the Kingdom's unique birdlife and birdwatchers even come from overseas to visit. Park rangers charge foreigners a 20,000 riel ($5) entrance fee.
The natural resort is decorated with many categories of pines imported from Japan.

More Information visit this site:http://www.frizz-restaurant.com/cambodia-travel-guide/south/kirirom.html

Angkor Thom-Siem Reap

2009-12-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Angkor Thum was built over and around buildings and temples built by earlier Khmer kings, but its layout was modeled on Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple complex south of Angkor Thum. Angkor Wat was finished about thirty years earlier under Khmer king Suryavarman II, who was overthrown by the Cham army. Jayavarman was a recent convert to Mahayana Buddhism, and is thought to have abandoned Hinduism as a result of the defeat of the Hindu Suryavaram II by the Chams.

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/angkor_thom.htm

Angkor Thom-Siem Reap

2009-12-08T17:49:00.001-08:00

Angkor Thum, royal city and Buddhist temple complex at Angkor, the region that served from 802 until 1295 as the capital of the Khmer Empire of Cambodia. Khmer king Jayavarman VII, who reigned in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, began building the vast monument at Angkor Thum (Khmer for "Angkor-the-Great" or "Great City") after he had regained control of the Angkor region from the Cham army of northern Cambodia, which had seized it around 1177.

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/angkor_thom.htm

Koh Pich: Cambodia Stellite City

2009-12-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

A satellite city featuring a 222-meter observation tower on it will be built at an island opposite Phnom Penh's NagaCorp Casino, local media reported on Friday.
The Phnom Penh municipality has leased the island Koh Pich to Overseas Cambodian Investment, a parent company of Canadia Bank. Contract-signing ceremony was held on Thursday, The Cambodia Daily reported.
While declining to release the plans, Touch Sam Nang, the architect for the project, described that "we will construct cultural and tourism areas, a hospital, a shopping mall, villas, flats, hotels, schools, offices and a 222-meter high tower from which everybody will be able to see the whole of Phnom Penh."
The exact term of the lease is 90 years, and the construction will be completed by 2015, Touch Sam Nang said.
Between 60 million U.S. dollars and 70 million will go into infrastructure, including a bridge to be known as the second Preah Monivong bridge, and about 200 million is planned for the buildings, according to Touch Sam Nang.
Source: Xinhua

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

2009-12-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

The Royal Palace is the residence of King Sihanouk in Phnom Penh. There are a number of buildings of note including the impressive Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda (floored with over 5000 silver tiles) and an iron house given to King Norodom by Napoleon III of France.
One can also see hundreds of gifts which have been presented to the royal family over the years including a 90kg solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds.

http://www.asiatravel-cambodia.com/cambodia-tourist-attractions.htm

2009-12-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

Located in Sam Bor village, it is 37km from Kampong Thom on National Highway No.64. It is a former capital, and was previously named Ey San Borak. A religious center dedicated to Shiva, Sambor Prey Kuk temple is made of solid brick and some laterite stone, and is decorated with sculptures.

The artistic front of Sar Sar Pich and the doorframes are made of sandstone. Sam Bor Prey Kuk temple was built during the reign of King Isanavarman I in the 7th century. The temple was abandoned in 1971 and restored in 1980. A further 140 sites have been found in the forest nearby, and two others, known to exist, have yet to be discovered. Pra Sat Sam Bor Prey Kuk is in four big groups as follows:

Northern temples: Called Pra Sat Sam Bor, and located at the centre of the site, this group is surrounded by various smaller temples.

Mid-temples: Called Pra Sat Tor, these can only be entered via the northern door, as the other doors are purely decorative. There are four stairs, one from each direction, and each has two figures of lions called Te Vak Kak Tha. West of Pra Sat Tor are groups of smaller temples.

Southern temples: Called Pra Sat Ba Yon and located at the centre, surrounded by many temples, Pra Sat Ba Yon has two classes of ramparts. The inside rampart has Ba Rak lions facing in each direction. Pra Sat Ba Yon is the former capital.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/kompong-thom-local-guide/

Kg.Thom Province

2009-12-02T17:02:00.003-08:00

Kompong Thom is about 146km south east of Siem Reap on the road to Phnom Penh, and is one of the five provinces surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake. It is another sleepy Provincial capital, but the ruins of nearby Sambor Prei Kuk do make it a more rewarding stop than many others. If you are travelling on the road between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap it is a pleasant place to stop, and is a good base from which to explore the pre-Angkorian Tchen-La capital of Sambor Prei Kuk, and the hilltop temple of Phnom Suntok.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/kompong-thom-local-guide/

Phnom Sopouv (Battambang Province)

2009-12-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

Phnom Sampeou (Ship Mountain) is a natural rocky outcrop which can be climbed via 700 steps. The hill has a series of grottos to explore, each lined with Buddhist shrines and statues. The main temple complex is on the peak. The view of the surrounding countryside is breath talking. Phnom Krapeu (Crocodile Mountain) is visible from the top, as is Phnom Kdoung (Ship-Sail Mountain). Phnom Sampeou is off National Road 57 (former National Road 10), in Sampeou Commune about 12km from Battambang.
Kamping Puoy Reservoir is a gigantic civil engineering project that was central to the Khmer Rouge’s plan to irrigate the countryside around Battambang. It was built at the cost of thousands of lives. Most of the deaths on the Kamping Puoy project resulted from malnutrition, disease, overwork or maltreatment. In short, all the deaths were preventable. Haing S. Ngor’s book Cambodian Odyssey provides a powerful insight into life under the Khmer Rouge in the Province. The reservoir itself runs between two hills:Phnom Kol (or Phnom Ta Ngel) and Phnom Kamping Puoy. It is now a popular picnic site for residents of Pailin and Battambang.

Banan (Battambang Province)

2009-12-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

Phnom Banan is an 11th century temple begun by King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), and completed by King Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of a 400m high hill 25km from Battambang. A must-see.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/battambang-local-guide/

Ek Phnom (Battambang Province)

2009-12-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

The countryside around Battambang looks like something from the pages of National Geographic. A few kilometers from town the traveler encounters small villages with stilt-houses and rice paddies that stretch to the horizon. A trip to any local site will take you deep into this serene landscape.

Ek Phnom is an 11th-century Angkorian temple and was built in 1027 during the reign of Suryavarman I (1002-1050). It is located in Piem Ek commune, 14 km from Battambang.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/battambang-local-guide/

Battambang Province

2009-12-02T16:50:00.001-08:00

Battambang Province is a vital agricultural area, and is famous for the fertile soil which allows almost any produce to be grown in spectacular yields. Rice is its main product, and in 2003 over 500,000 tonnes of rice were produced. The Province is capable of feeding the entire country and rice from here is of the highest quality. Other local crops include corn, beans, oranges and sesame. The Province is bordered by the Tonle Sap Lake, Pursat Province and Banteay Meanchey. There are 13 Districts, 96 Communes and 741 villages. The population is 1,250,695, 52% women. Farming is the main means of livelihood. Battambang is also the Provincial Capital, and it is Cambodia’s second largest city, located on the northwestern end of the Tonle Sap. Battambang is served by National Highway No.5, and by rail, and by boat between Battambang and Siem Reap.

Rubies and garnets are mined in this Province. Culturally, Battambang also has many ancient temples dating back to the 10th and 13th centuries. These are well worth visiting, both out of historical interest, and as a chance to view the countryside beyond Battambang City.

Travel Information

Boat: Boats run daily between Siem Reap and Battambang in the wet season. Services are less frequent in the dry season because of variable water levels. There is no boat service between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Boats depart Siem Reap at 7.00am from the quay near Phnom Krom. The fare is around $12-$15 per person and the trip takes 6-8 hours. In Battambang the quay is located on the north side of town near the Rith Money bus stop.

It is not nearly as safe as travelling by road because the boats are not maintained very well and are often over-subscribed. However, the scenery is stunning, particularly around the margins of the Tonle Sap.

Bus: The Neak Krorhorm and Rith Mony bus companies run services between Siem Reap and Battambang. The cost is $4 - $5 and the journey takes around 4 hours. Buy tickets at the respective company booking offices or through a road-side ticket vendor.

There is a wider choice of services between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Neak Krorhorm, Sorya, Capitol and GST all make this run and charge around $4 for the trip, which takes about 5 hours. Contact individual companies for details of schedules and pick-up points.

Train: Battambang to Phnom Penh: trains run only on Sunday and depart at 6:20am. Travelling between Phnom Penh and Battambang, trains leave at 6.20am on Saturday. This is a rough way to travel: journey times are in double figures; carriages are in poor shape and banditry can sometimes be a problem.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/battambang-local-guide/

Preah Vihear

2009-12-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

Preah Vihear is located near Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, in Choam Ksan District. It stands on the edge of the Dangrek mountain range that straddles the Thai border. Preah Vihear Mountain is 800m by 400m, and is very steep on the Cambodian side, but slopes gently towards Thailand.

Travel

No buses are available to Preah Vihear Province, though shared taxis do run on the arduous road between Kompong Thom and T’bang Menchey. There are three ways to get to Preah Vihear:

From Cambodia: the ancient road through Svay Chrum is now open to tourists and at Dang Rek mountain there is a stairway leading to the crest of the hill. The second way, also from Cambodia, is via Road C1 which was constructed by the Khmer Rouge. The third way is from Thailand. There is now a crossing close to the temple on the Thai side of the border, making it accessible from Bangkok.

Leave your passport at the border for the duration of your visit. The temple can be reached by crossing the Cambodia-Thai border from Ubon Ratchantani Province in Thailand.

Nowadays, most local people and vendors ascend the mountain by Road C1 because it is easier.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/preah-vihear-local-guide/

KEP

2009-12-01T23:01:00.000-08:00

Kep was established by the French in 1908, and today Kep is mainly popular with domestic tourists who go there for holidays. You can swim or just relax on the warm beach, and Kep offers great seafood and magnificent views of the nearby mountains and beaches. Taking a boat to the offshore islands is also a wonderful experience. Another itinerary, which should not be missed, is an excursion to the serene waterfalls of TekChhou situated about 10 km from Kompot. (see above).

Travel Information

The road from Kampot to Kep is quite good and smooth. It’s about 23 km, and takes 35-45 minutes. Motos are about $3 one-way, and $4 return, but add more if they have to wait around for you.

Kep Beach unfortunately does not have a lot of beach, and it mostly disappears at high tide. The road through Kep follows the coastline most of the way then curves back on itself to form a large loop. A toll is charged for cars but motorbikes are free. Remember this is a one-way road and sometimes police fine people who violate the rule. The beach is normally very quiet but can get very busy at weekends with visiting locals.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/kompot-and-kep/

Elephant Treks

2009-12-01T22:56:00.001-08:00

The village of Phulung, 7km north of Sen Monorom, is the place to arrange an elephant trek. The elephants are not kept in the village so it is necessary to arrive one day ahead of time in order to allow time for them to get the elephants ready. Costs quickly mount, as motos on the Province’s bad roads are expensive. The cost for a day of forest trekking is about US$30 or R120,000. The Phnong villagers will probably think you are mad, but the dramatic location of their community makes it a memorable experience. You pay a nominal sum to the village chief for the ride: R40,000 or US$10. This price gets even more reasonable when there are more of you.

Sihanouk Waterfall is a small waterfall, named in honor of King Sihanouk, and is located in the forest about 5km from town. It is possible to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

http://www.ancientangkorguide.com/mondulkiri/

BOO SRA WATERFALL

2009-12-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

Name: Boo Sra Waterfall
Locates: at Pich Chinda District in 43-Kilometer distance from the provincial town by red soil road

Description: . Boo Sra is the most Beautiful waterfall in Modulkiri and shared into three stages: FIRST STAGE: The waterfall has 15-meter diameter and eight-meter to 12-meter height in rainy season and 10-15-meter height in dry season. SECOND STAGE: The waterfall has 23-meter diameter and 15-meter to 20-meter height in rainy season, and 20-meter diameter and 18-meter to 25-meter height in dry season. The second stage of waterfall has 150-meter distance from the first stage. THIRD STAGE: The waterfall has stronger speed than the second stage. This stage cannot be reached because it locates in the thick forest, lacks of transporting mean and is dangerous due to having fierce-wild animals.

Source: Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Koh Kong

2009-12-01T20:50:00.001-08:00

Koh Kong Market
Fishing Boat
Boat Racing
Safari World

Huts on the Ocean

http://kohkong.sihanoukville-cambodia.com/About/pictures.html

Koh Kong

2009-12-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

A Nice Place to Through, a Nice Place to Stay.

Most people know Koh Kong as the passage town to and from Thailand, or a convenient stop-over for a visa run from Thailand. It's generally a quiet town, but there many reasons to stay in Koh Kong for more than one night.

Located on the South-West corner of Cambodia, Koh Kong, the capital of Koh Kong province, is a large forrested area with mangroves, rivers, and tropical islands. Around the town is the Bay of Thailand, Koh Kong island, the country of Thailand, and mountains and jungles. Koh Kong was recently listed by The Lonely Planet Guidebook as one of the top 10 places in the world to visit. There's a few eco-tourist lodges outside the town, and hundreds of kilometers of unspoiled jungles for the real adventurer. Many destinations are only accessible by foot, boat, motorcycle or cow.

The people of Koh Kong, speak mainly Khmer (the Cambodian language), and most speak some Thai as well. You can also find many Chinese and Vietnamese speakers and well as a lot of broken English. Several Westerners have restaurants, bars, and tour services in Koh Kong, and they all speak English, as well as a host of other European and Asian languages.

Travelers from most countries can get a Cambodian visa right at the Cambodian border in Koh Kong for $20 to $30 for a 30 day visit. More about Cambodian visas here...

Currently, Koh Kong is experiencing a construction boom, with plans for a large power plant, a 30,000 room resort, trade zone, and on and on. Many international investors are betting on Koh Kong's future.

What to do in Koh Kong Fishing, swimming, drinking, gambling, eating, sleeping, touring, trekking, cycling, boating, and sightseeing. Other than that, there's not too much else.	Places to stay in Koh Kong from a $3 room to a suite at the Casino, Koh Kong has a wide range of accommodations.
Eating & Drinking in Koh Kong Thai, Western & Vietnamese restaurants everywhere, and even a few Khmer (Cambodian) establishments. About a dozen foreigners have set up restaurants in the city, serving foods from their home countries.	Getting Around Koh Kong Motorcycles, motorcycles everywhere. And even a few cars and vans. Most travel around town is by Motorcycle taxi. The downtown is small, so just walking or bicycling can get you quickly to most places you need to go.

http://kohkong.sihanoukville-cambodia.com/

SihanoukVille Cambodia Hotels & Beach Resorts

2009-12-01T20:42:00.001-08:00

SihanoukVille, Cambodia. South-East Asia's Premier beach destination.

Cambodian beaches, islands, seafood, culture and hospitality. It's all here.

SihanoukVille, named after King Sihamoni's Father, King Sihanouk, has grown from a sleepy Cambodian seaside town, into Cambodia's second biggest city.

While still in it's infancy, SihanoukVille now features a handful of world class luxury beach resorts, island resorts and hotels. It's also South-East Asia's newest cruise destination.

Winter, from the beginning of November until the end of February, is the best time of year here. Not too hot, and perfect weather most days. March 'till the end of June is a bit cloudy, warm, with some rain. July 'till the end of September..... rain.

The airport isn't running, and the golf courses haven't come yet, however, it's a great time to visit SihanoukVille. The town still hasn't been spoiled by rampant tourism, and the islands are just opening up to visitors. The town is growing fast, so now is the perfect time to come visit!

http://www.sihanoukvillebeachresorts.com/

SihanoukVille

2009-12-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

The town of Sihanoukville is surrounded on 3 sides by the Bay of Thailand. From the beaches and surrounding hills, many of the country's small islands can be seen. Many of the beaches are filled with grass hut restaurants and bars, some of the beaches are rocky, a couple are big resorts, and some are pure sandy beach.

http://www.sihanoukville-cambodia.com/

Ratanakiri forests, national park and local minorities cultures

2009-12-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Far Northeast of Cambodia. Rough roads (axle deep mud in the wet season and choking dust in the dry season) keep the crowds away.

If you want to see cultures in one of SE Asias last great wilderness areas you want to head to Ratanakiri

Pictured is a stilted house of a groom seeking privacy for himself and his new wife.