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Kampot

20 Must see attractions

By Anton Swanepoel

Copyright 2015 Anton Swanepoel

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Kampot is in southeast Cambodia, at the base of the Elephant Mountains, and is the capital of Kampot province. Kampot is 150km from Phnom Penh, 100km from Sihanoukville, and 26 km from Kep. The Prek Kampong Bay River, cuts Kampot in two, with the city center being located on the east side.

Build in the 1800s, it housed the first sea port in Cambodia, and remained an important town until the southern port at Kampong Som was built in the 1950s. Kampot has changed hands between the Vietnamese and Cambodian government a number of times in its history. King Ang-Duong finally took permanent control of Kampot in the 1840s. Kampots beauty and importance as a seaport, caught the eye of rich French bureaucrats that invested heavily in the development of the town. Their investment let to the development of the Bokor hill station, and much of the older architecture of the town that now makes up part of the tourist attraction of the town. Kampot province is renowned for the best peppers and salt in Cambodia.

Kampot is possibly one of the most relaxed towns in Cambodia, and definitely a must see. With its wide French Colonial style streets and old buildings, friendly people, and nearby attractions, one can be forgiven for forgetting about time. A number of restaurants and hotels line the river bank, where one can enjoy a drink and a meal with a view of the Elephant Mountains in the distance.

Kampot offers the best attraction within scooter ride compared to Kep and Sihanoukville.

This book has 22 must see attractions in Kampot that you must see when visiting Cambodia. 22? Okay, I could not help myself and gave you two bonus attractions free of charge.

In the back of the book is a six day suggested itinerary to help you make the most of your time in Kampot.

The attractions are listed alphabetically, to make it easier for you to find them. Please note that for best time to visit given for an attraction, that ANYTIME, means when the place is open, not anytime of the day as in 12pm.

Time: 10 minutes.

Importance: 2000 roundabout is the only roundabout in Cambodia that feature a year as a theme; it is also the second busiest roundabout in Kampot, next to Durian roundabout, and used as a landmark. The only large grocery store, and Kampot handmade pillows, are close by.

My Impression: The roundabout is unique in its theme, and you might pass it a few times on your visit in Kampot, as the town is that small. Used as a landmark, directions are often given from this, or Durian roundabout. If you drive by the first time, at a glance, you may think the seagull is real. Not a drop everything and go visit attraction, but still worth it for its unique theme, and the nearby attractions.

Best time to visit: Anytime.

The 2000 roundabout is a short distance from the salt carriers monument, and right opposite Kampot handmade pillows. The roundabout has the numbers 2000, with a seagull on top, in the center of the roundabout. It is a very busy roundabout, for Kampot, with a few restaurants situated close by.

The roundabout features the same 2000 theme as the 2000 Olympic park that is a few minutes drive away.

Time: 2 days, yes, thats right, 2 days.

Entry Fee: 2000 Riel, for the park, note that the waterfall and prayer rock have additional entrance fees.

Importance: Bokor Mountain, is inside Bokor National Park. The park houses 24 attractions to see, from the old, rumored to be haunted, casino pictured above, to a large waterfall.

My Impression: The drive up the mountain is amazing. If you love motor biking, you will love the twisties up to the mountain. There is so much to see, that you need 2 days to view it all. My favorite is the old casino, French church, and the waterfall.

Best time to visit: Anytime.

The Bokor hill station was constructed by rich French and Cambodians as a retreat away from the heat. Construction began in 1921 and featured a school, casino, church (always good to have the two buildings close to each other), and a number of houses. Khmer prisoners from Kampot province were used to build the road up the mountain, and it is said that more than 900 died in the building of the road, due to malaria and other diseases. The station was abandoned in 1940 during the French-Vietnam war, and later again in the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge took power. The station was one of the Khmer Rouges last strongholds, well up to the 1990s. In 1994, Khmer Rouge soldiers captured a passenger train on its way to Sihanoukville. Three foreigners were abducted while 13 Cambodian nationals were killed and over 100 captured.

The foreigners were used at first as slaves, and then later executed in the nearby jungle. The dense forest gave excellent cover, and not until 1998, were the last of the Khmer Rouge captured or killed here. The hill station and old casino featured in three films, Rose de Bokor (1969) by King Norodom Sihanouk; City of Ghosts (2002) by and with Matt Dillon and the Korean horror film, R-Point (2004). Head 8km out of town on national road 3, entrance or right. Note, fill your bike up at the gas station by the entrance .

For details on the attractions in Bokor Mountain, get my book, Bokor National Park 20 Must see attractions , or my larger book, Kampot, Kep and Sihanoukville .

Time: 20 minutes.

Importance: The view from here over the secret lake, and a small pagoda hidden away on the top.

My Impression: The climb up to this small pagoda is a bit of an effort, but the view will reward the sweat you lost.

Best time to visit: Anytime. Sunrise and sunset from here is an option, but it is a bit far out to here for that, and Bokor Mountain is a better option for sunset with Phnom Sorsir a good option for sunrise and sunsets.