PAILIN CITY

Kandal is one of the smaller provinces of Cambodia. This province completely surrounds, but does not include, the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. It's capital is Ta Khmau (You may also find a market in Ta Khmau centre, which are very busy areas with local shops dealing the local daily consumer products, like fish, fruits, vegetables, meats and packed products. Most of the food and drink shops are surrounding the market. To take something special from this province along, buy some famous palm, rice or muscle wine.) and is around 20km south of Phnom Penh. The province is re-known for its ancient history. One of the major attractions is Udong, which served as the former capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618 and 1866. A number of kings, including King Norodom, were crowned here.

The most interesting things to see there, are: several Stupas, some of them recently renewed, a huge 8m high reclining Buddha and the battered Ta San Mosque on the smaller ridge.

    As Kandal province isn't far from Phnom Penh it is easily and quickly to enter, even if it's just a day trip. There is quite a bunch of places of interest such as Ang Kor Chey Pagoda, which is located at Ban Tey Dek commune, Kean Svay District with a total distance of 29km from Phnom Penh or 32,6km from Ta Khmao by the National Road N0 1 (Phnom Penh-Svay Rieng province).

    If we enter by trail about 1,600m, we will reach the entertainment centre. The pagoda is constructed with five peaks as the temple?s peaks. Before reaching the pagoda, we need to pass over a 100-meter wooden bridge; under the bridge, there is a big pond for keeping water during the dry season. Behind the pagoda you'll see an artificial site located on the black hill characterized as resident of Neak Mean Bon or King. It is said that the black hill is a former palace, because they found ancient objects and equipment like bowls and pots characterizing ancient features.

    Now, the black hill has been organized and maintained by guards, because it relates to the belief in sacred objects there. Nowadays, Angkor Chey pagoda has a lot of local visitors, especially those, who cling to abstract belief; they go there to have themselves sacredly watered. In addition, Ang Kor Chey pagoda is surrounded with beautiful scenery offering cool shadows from the trees and a pleasant environment.

What to see :
Sa Ang Mountain

    Saang Phnom is located in Saang Phnom commune, 23 kilometers from Takmao, or 34 kilometers from Phnom Penh. To reach the site, travel along new National Road 21, which was constructed during the Khmer Rouge regime, via Tuol Krosang plain. From Takmao, new National Road 21 meets old National Road 21 at Wat Chhoung Leap, Rokar Kpus commune. The distance is about 12 kilometers. From Wat Chhoung Leap drive 5 kilometers to Saang district market and look for a trail on the right. Go another 2.5 kilometers until you see the pagoda gate. Turn right and go another 2.5 kilometers to reach the hill.

There is a pagoda at the top of the hill. Saang Phnom has fewer trees than Phnom Thon Mond, but a big lake surrounds the hill, and there are many Rumchong and Prolit flowers (a kind of white or yellow water lily with a long edible stalk). The lake is full of fish, and many visitors enjoy taking boat rides and fishing. During the rainy season, Saang Phnom looks like a small forest island. The air is cool and fresh there. Recently, the provincial tourism services, working with local authorities, planted more trees and improved security and sanitary conditions for tourists. The site is especially popular during traditional festivals and public holidays.

Tum Pek Pagoda
    Tum Pek Pagoda Located at Krang Yau Commune, Sa ang District, Kandal province. Kandal province has 8,000-hectar landarea and 12,700 people. Krang Yau is the developed region of Samdach Hun Sen having projects on development and agricultural product processing; in this region, there are vast rice fields, canal network and good red soil roads connecting from village to village.

In Krang Yau pagoda, there are three pagodas, namely: An Det, Kong Nea Ream and Tum Pek pagoda. Among the three pagodas, only Tum Pek pagoda that has been arranged as tourist-attractive site which has eight artificial temples constructed by the supreme dead of the pagoda in the purpose of changing the area as the tourist attractive site by making roads around the pagoda, planting trees along the mountain valley and excavating ponds. In addition the pagoda has arranged one-hectar wedding part for new couple to plant trees as their remembrance, in the eight temples, the pagoda has display the beautiful ancient objects for tourists.

Some nice places at kandal provice; Wat Phnom Thon Mond, Ang Kor Chey Pagoda, Handicraft Center (Mekong Island), Kean Svay Krau Pagoda, Koh dach, Phnom Edtharaes, Phom Odong, Phnom Prasith....

Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city. Though it does not have the history or tourist attraction that Phnom Penh does, this place is an excellent place to visit because of its many ancient structures, including some well known ancient statues. It is a four to five hour ride by car or bus from Phnom Penh. The road between the two cities in one of the best in Cambodia, and, aside from a slow moving train, the road is the only way to read Battambang from the capital. River boats go from Angkor Wat to Battambang, but chance of a smooth trip is not that high due to the unpredictability of the river and the poor quality of most of the boats.

    Many tourists stop by to see the statues in Battambang. There are statues of real historical figures, such as kings and generals, as well as deities. These can be seen in an afternoon. It is possible to stop off in Battambang for a few hours on the way from Phnom Penh to Sisophon (on the Thai border). Sisophon a little over an hour from Battambang, making a stop in town to see the statues feasible if traveling by car or motorbike. Buses run regularly, so its possible to get off in Battambang and pick up a later bus. Hotel Chaya is recommended as a good place to stay the night.


    Was built during the reign of King, Soriyak Varman I (1002–1050) and located on a hill at Ba Set village, Ta Pun commune in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town. Ba Set temple adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1036 and 1042. Next to the temple, there is a pond having 20-metre (66 ft) length 12-metre (39 ft) width and 10-metre (33 ft) depth. The pond is never dried, though in the dry season. In rainy season, the water level is higher than usual.

Wat Ek

    Adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1027 during the reign of King, Sorayak Varman I (1002–1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune in 14-kilometre (9 mi) from the provincial town.

    Adapts the architecture of mid 11th century and the end of 12th century the temple was first built by King, Ut Tak Yea Tit Tya Varman II (1050–1066) and was built finally built by the king, Jayavarman VII (1181–1220). The temple is located on the top of approximate 400-metre (1,310 ft) heighten mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town by the provincial Road No 155 parallel to Sang Ke River. At the mountain’s valley, there are Ku Teuk and two main natural well, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.

    Characterizes as three separated stupas made of brick, located on a hill having 30-metre (98 ft) length and 20-metre (66 ft) width, in Snung pagoda’s area, Snung commune, Ba Nan District in 22-kilometre (14 mi) distance from the provincial town. According to the style at the gate, the temple is similar to other temples in 12th century. Behind the temple, there is another new constructing temple.

    Is the natural resort located along the National Road No 57 (the former National Road No10) at Sam Puoy commune (the high land having more than 100-metre (330 ft) height) in 12-kilometre (7 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang. On the top of Sam Puoy mountain, there are temple and three natural wells, namely Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon and Ak So Pheak. Next to Sam Puoy mountain, there are some main mountains, the natural site like Phnom Trung Moan, Phnom Trung Tea and Phnom Neang Rum Say Sork. These mountains related to the Cambodia folk legend of Reach Kol Neang Rum Say Sork.

    Locates between two mountains, named Phnom Kul or Phnom Ta Nget and Phnom Kam Pinh Puoy, at Ta Nget village, Ta Kriem Commune in 35-kilometre (22 mi) distance from the provincial town. Boeng kam Pinh Puoy has 1,900-metre (6,230 ft) width, 19-kilometre (12 mi) length and can load 110,000,000 cubic metres (3.8846 x 109 cu ft).

    Is the natural resort, which has been popular since before the civil war time. Sek Sak stretches along the river bank full of plant, trees and bamboo-green nature in 500-metre (1,640 ft) length. As long as visiting Sek Sak, tourists can also visit other attractive sites like Po Pus Pich Chen Da Dong Tong and Sa Ang speak, the pre-history site in five kilometer (3.1 mi) to six kilometer (3.75 mi) distance from each other. Sek Sak located Treng commune, Rotanak Mondul District in 50-kilometre (31 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang along the National Road No 57, the former National Road No 10.

It was first a part of the Khmer Empire, then the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang  and later the Lao kingdom of Champassack. The province was ceded back to Cambodia during the period of French Indochina, in 1904. Its name in Laotian is Xieng Teng.
Owing to its border location and forested mountain areas in the northeast of the province, there was much communist guerrilla activity in Stung Treng during Cambodia's recent past. The insurgency lasted from the Vietnamese infiltration in the 1950s until the late Khmer Rouge years.

The provincial capital is also named Stung Treng and is an important trade hub with a few hints of Lao influence scattered about, owing to the fact that the Lao border is about 50 km away. It's a friendly, quiet country town situated on the confluence of the San River and the Mekong River. It actually sits on the banks of the San River, with the mighty Mekong coming into the picture on the northeastern outskirts of he town.

The San River goes by three names, depending on which of the locals you speak to. Some call it the Kong River because the San and Kong Rivers merge together about 10 km northeast of Stung Treng town, confusing people about which name the river should bear. Others call it the Sekong River, which is the combined name of these two rivers. Whatever name the fiver beside the town goes by, it's another one of Cambodia's beautiful picture-postcard river towns. It's a nice place to kick back and chill out if you are on a circuit tour of the Northeast River Scene, from here to Laos.

The San River is fronted in Stung Treng by a nice stretch of paved road. It's the centre of socializing (as in most Cambodian river towns) in the late afternoon and early evening hours as the locals ride up and down the stretch enjoying the view and each other. Drink and dessert stands spring up earlier to serve the daily merrymaking crowd. It?s a nice spot for a walk or jog any time of the day as the river road turns into a pleasant rural road that leads to the airport 4 km north of town.

The river port area just in front of the small city park is fairly busy, handling trade between Cambodia and Laos. The ferry across the San River to where National Highway No 7 continues north to the Laos border is also at this pier. The fare is 300 riel per head. We went for a ride on this stretch (2,000 riel for taking a big bike on the ferry), but there is not much to see along the way besides light jungle and some remnants next to the road that was a target of carpet bombing during the Vietnam War years (the road was recently overhauled and is now one of the best in the country). The road works its way eastward so it does not afford views of the Mekong River as one would hope. The few residents we saw along the way were truly amazed to see the likes of us, who would want to be there.


 Fresh Water Dolphin
       Nowadays the dolphins live mainly in the rivers and waterways of Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The number of these mammals is estimated to be between 40 and 60 and they are often seen travelling in small groups of 6 to 10 individuals. The females usually give birth to young once every two years most often during the months of June to August. The young dolphins are about 1m in length at birth and suckle milk. By adulthood the dolphins can attain a length of over 2.5m and weigh up to 180kg. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, shellfish and snails. The dolphins can swim at speeds up to 40km per hour and stay submerged for periods between five and ten minutes.   

Ou Pong Moan Resort
    Ou Pong Moan Resort is the natural and man-made resort which locates at Pong Moan village, Ou Pong Moan Commune, Steung Treng District in nine-Kilomter distance from the provincial town. The resort locates at the turning point to the provinces of Ratanakiri, Kratie and Steugh treng. At Ou Pong Moan resort, tourists are usually interested in:
- Ou Pong Moan has water source from the ground. The water source locates at 80-kilometer distance from the recreational site and flows all seasons. The water is suitable for swimming. - At the riverside, there are small Kho Chos for leisure and resting. - 10 Kwh electricity dam which is favorable for tourist development activities.

Thala Barivat Resort
    Thala Barivat Resort is located at Thala Barivat district in 4 kilometers distance from the provincial town. This area can be accessible by going across Se Kong river and Mekong river to the provincial road of Preah Vihear.

Thala Baricvat is the historical resort in which the Preah Ko temple built in 7-8 century, made of red bred during the feign of the king, Javvarman I. In front of the temple, there is a statue of Preah Ko ( sacred cow) available in Cambodia next to the Preah Ko statue, there is a space having 10-squar meter area for playing the game of Viey khil annually, before the Khmer New Year. The game played during four days and three nights. It starts in the afternoon at 2 O'clock and lasts for two hours. The game played during the festival of the ethnic minority of Kouy.

There are many small, ancient temples near the Thala Barivat, but most of them, such as Prambuon Lveng temple, Srei temple and Angkor Kmao temple have been heavily damaged over time.

Wildlife
    Cambodia is home to some of the most significant populations of mammalian wildlife in Asia. Endangered species such as leopards, tigers, bantams, gaur, barking deer and the near-extinct Kouprey ? the Kingdom's national animal and the world?s rarest large mammal ? have been sighted off the beaten path. In addition, wild elephants still roam remote pristine forests and monkeys and snakes abound in mountainous areas. While the international market for endangered species poses a great threat to the preservation of the Kingdom's wildlife, conservationists strive to research, document and preserve them.

    Another important places in Stung treng : Hang Kho Ba Pagoda, Kantuy Ko, Mekong River Trip to Laos, Koh Ksach Resort, Phnom Preah Theat, Preah Ko Temple, Pream Buorn Lveng Temple, Wat Phnom, Stung Treng

History
    As the newest Cambodian city, Sihanoukville doesn't have a long history like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. It was founded in 1960 after independence from France as a port, in order to communicate the city with international trade. The project was overseen by the government of Norodom Sihanouk.

The construction of the port began in 1955 and most of the families of the builders remained near the port, effectively becoming the first inhabitants.

During the Vietnam War, it became an intensive military port first in the service of National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam and after 1970, with the regime of General Lon Nol, at the service of the United States.

With the success of the Khmer Rouge guerrillas in April 1975, the port was the last place to be evacuated by the US army. The SS Mayagüez was captured by militants of the new regime on 12 May. The US claimed that the ship was on international sea lanes, but the Khmer Rouge said that it was on Cambodian territory. It is known as the Mayagüez incident.

After the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, the port of Sihanoukville recovered a great importance in the development of the country. With the opening of markets in 1999, the port became one of the main spots of economical growing of Cambodia.

In December 1999, Formosa Plastics bribed Cambodian officials and dumped 3000 tons of mercury laden waste into Sihanoukville, killing 3 people. Formosa Plastics also tried to dump the waste in the Nevada, USA.

Islands
    There are more than a dozen islands off the coast of Sihanoukville for tourists to hop around. Most of them are yet to be developed for an overnight stay with the exception of Bamboo Island or Koh Russei in Khmer. Many guesthouses, restaurants and cafes on Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches offer trips and packages to these islands.


Soon Nail Island (also called Magic Island because it looks like a mushroom) will have a hotel run by the Russian owners of the Snake House. They already have a pier and most of the hotel and restaurant are finished.

    * Koh Rong: It is situated west of the Sihanoukville coast. It offers the fantastic strand of beach on its southwest, stretching about 5 kilometres (3 mi). It has fresh water resources on the island and a bustling fishing community on the southeast with basic supplies including fresh water, fish and crab.

    * Koh Rong Samlon: It is a bit smaller than Koh Rong and situated on its south. Beautiful beaches are on the east coast, where a large heart-shaped bay with some shellfish cultivation is located, and on the north shoreline facing Koh Rong. The marine life around Koh Rong Samloem is very diverse and offers some amazing diving.

    * Koh Tang: It is located quite far from the main shoreline of Sihanoukville. Going there requires trippers to stay overnight on board. It offers interesting diving spots most of which are not frequently explored. The island is home to a military outpost and travelers should expect to be boarded by military personnel when out at the island.


Beaches
    * Occheuteal Beach and Serendipity Beach: Occheuteal Beach is a long and narrow strip of beach lined with Casuarina trees, grass umbrellas, rental chairs and little drink huts. Many huts were bulldozed by the government to make way for a supposed new resort. This has raised concerns with human rights organizations. The northern section has become known as Serendipity Beach and is a popular beach with western tourists, noted for small guesthouse rooms right on the beach. Aside from these guest houses on the beach there are around 30 beach huts serving good value meals and a wide selection of drinks. Most popular huts along this stretch of beach are the Shore bar which hold regular beach parties. The sustainability of the Occheuteal beach was a primary consideration of various stakeholders, which brought about the development of a tourism development and management plan in 2005.

    * Otres Beach: Beyond a small headland at the south end of Ochheuteal is the similar Otres Beach.

    * Sokha Beach: Sokha Beach is located just west of Serendipity Beach. This beach is privately owned by Sokha Beach Hotel, the first five-star luxury beach hotel in Cambodia. It provides many facilities with a wide white sandy beach, but hotel guards may prevent visitors who are not guests from going on to the beach.

    * Independence Beach: Independence Beach is located next to Sokha Beach on its west. The beach was named after the old Independence Hotel. This beach offers a good stretch of clean sand. Situated at the northern end of the beach is Independence Hotel and Koh Pos Beach with a tiny island only 800m off the coast. Koh Pos is known for its rock strewn shoreline.

    * Victory Beach: Victory beach is situated at the furthest north of the peninsula of Sihanoukville. It was the original backpacker beach and is still popular with budget travelers. At the northern end of the beach is located the deep sea port. Apart from white sand and blue sea, this beach offers a good spot to enjoy the sunset.

At the south end of Victory Beach is another small strand of sand called Lamherkey Beach. It is the place where a French/ Cambodian construction team laid groundwork for the construction of the new Port of Kampong Som during the 1950s. At this beach, you can hire a boat to nearby islands.

Siem Reap province is located in northwest Cambodia. It is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the world famous temples of Angkor (the Angkor temple complex is north of the city). The provincial capital is also called Siem Reap and is located in the South of the province on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century.
History
    The name Siem Reap means the 'Defeat of Siam' —today’s Thailand  —and refers to a century-old bloodbath, commemorated in stone in the celebrated bas relief carvings of the monuments. The name has also been translated as 'The Brilliance of Siam', as, for nearly 500 years, before the massacre, it was one of the main border crossings from Ancient Cambodia into Siam.

In 1901 the École Française d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) began a long association with Angkor by funding an expedition into Siam to the Bayon. In 1907 Angkor, which had been taken from Siam (Thailand) by force, was assigned to Cambodia. The EFEO took responsibility for clearing and restoring the whole site. In the same year, the first tourists arrived in Angkor - an unprecedented 200 of them in three months. Angkor had been 'rescued' from the jungle and was assuming its place in the modern world.

Siem Reap was little more than a village when the first French explorers re-discovered Angkor in the 19th century. With the acquisition of Angkor by the French, in 1907, Siem Reap began to grow, absorbing the first wave of tourists. The Grand Hotel d'Angkor opened its doors in 1929 and the temples of Angkor remained one of Asia's leading draws until the late 1960s, luring visitors like Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy. In 1975, the population of Siem Reap, along with that of the rest of the cities and towns in Cambodia, was evacuated by the communist Khmer Rouge and driven into the countryside.

As with the rest of the country, Siem Reap's history (and the memories of its people) is coloured by spectre of the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime, though since Pol Pot's death in 1998, relative stability and a rejuvenated tourist industry have been important steps in an important, if tentative, journey forward to recovery. With the advent of war, Siem Reap entered a long slumber from which it only began to awake in the mid-1990s.

Today, Siem Reap is undoubtedly Cambodia's fastest growing city and serves as a small charming gateway town to the world famous heritage site of the Angkor temples. Thanks to those attractions, Siem Reap has transformed itself into a major tourist hub. Siem Reap nowadays is a vibrant town with modern hotels and architectures. Despite international influences, Siem Reap and its people have conserved much of the town's image, culture and traditions.

What to see :


    There is a crocodile farm on the south end of Siem Reap and they have about 300 crocodiles of various sizes and dispositions.
They charge US$ 1 admission for foreigners and 1,000 riel for Cambodians. You can buy stuffed crocs on the premises. Just head south on Sivutha Street, cross the bridge and it?s down another ? km from there.

    Kbal Spean is an ancient Angkor ruin that is a 90-minute bumpy ride from Siem Reap, on the same route to Banteay Srei. The tarred road ends at Banteay Srei, after which the roads become either very muddy or very dusty, depending on the time of the year. Upon your arrival at the foothills, get ready for another 45 minutes of moderately easy uphill climb. All this for the sake of viewing the carvings of lingas on the riverbed of the Siem Reap River, making it a "river of 1000 lingas". The belief is that the lingas "fertilize" the water that feed the East Baray and irrigates the rice fields.

    Kampong Khleang is located on the northern lake-edge about 55 km east of Siem Reap town, more remote and less tourist than Kampong Pluk. Visitors to Kampong Khleang during the dry season are universally awestruck by the forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air. In wet season the waters rise up to one or two meters of the buildings. Like Kompong Pluk, Kompong Khleang is a permanent community within the flood plain of the Lake, with an economy based in fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. But Kompong Khleang is significantly larger with nearly 10 times the population of Kompong Pluk, making it the largest community on the Lake.

The area can be reached by charter boat from the Chong Khneas dock takes about two and a half hours or by a combination of road to Domdek on Route 6 takes one and a half hour reach to dock and then meet a boatman drive another one hour to the village, the best method depending on the time of year. During the dry season, boats cannot get all of the way to the main villages. Consult with our tour operator about current conditions. Many travel agencies have very little experience in this area, our Tour operator is specialized in this area.

    Phnom Bakheng is a temple built on a hill of the same name, where the first city at Angkor was established. This gives its state temple on Phnom Bakheng special significance. It was to here that Yasovarman I moved his capital from Roluos. His capital city, called Yasodharapura, was larger than Angkor Thom, which came later, and was centred around the hill of Phnom Bakheng.

The design of the temple of Bakheng borrowed elements from the Bakong which was built 20 years earlier. Both are step pyramids of ascending square terraces. We do know that work on the temple began at the end of the 9th century. The lingga in the central sanctuary was dedicated around 907AD, while construction work continued. The temple was called Yasodharesvara, after its patron deity, which means Lord who Bears Glory. In 928 the temple was abandoned, only to be briefly rehabilitated in 968 by Jayavarman V.

    Not far from the ancient temples of Angkor, in the heart of Cambodia, lies the huge Tonle Sap lake, the largest in Southeast Asia. The Tonle Sap is connected to the Mekong by a short river also called Tonle Sap. During the rainy season, from May to October, the river reverses its flow into the lake causing it to expand to more than six or seven times its normal size of approximately 2,600 square kilometers. It becomes a vast inland sea.

Each year, millions of fish come to spawn in the seasonally flooded forest surrounding the lake, attracting myriad waterbirds. Villages along the shores live with the rhythm of the season and the floods. Prek Toal is one of the most attractive floating fishing villages on the Tonle Sap lake, with a school, hospital, restaurants, shop and even a pagoda. Just behind the Prek Toal village are flooded forests with bird sanctuaries.
Every year, between December and March, thousands of birds come to fish and to breed here.

    The Siem Reap River parkways and the big park in front of the Hotel Grand d'Angkor are nice for a jog, stroll and people watching, especially in the early evening hours when the locals are out in numbers. The river area is pleasant and the park is nicely landscaped. There are plenty of drink and snack vendors around. The king?s Siem Reap residence is just across from the park.

    Thmat Boey is located in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in the North of Cambodia. Thmat Boey is about 4 hours away from Siem Reap Town or 7 hours from Phnom Penh. During the dry season Thmat Boey can be reached by 4-wheel drive vehicles. During the rain season motorbikes have to be used for the last 2km.

Another place in Siem Reap : Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Angkor Zoo, Bakong Temple, Baksei Chamkrong, Banteay Kdei, Banteay Srey Temple, Baphuon, Beng Mealea, Civil War Museum, East Mebon, Kompong Pluk, Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple, Phnom Kulen National Park, The Great Lake Tonle Sap & Floating Village, Banteay Samre.

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.

Small Lake in Sisophorn

    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.

    One of the most known places in that province is Poipet, a town on the Thailand/Cambodia border. It?s the key crossing point between the two countries, and also extremely popular as a gambling destination with lot?s of casinos (gambling is popular, but illegal in Thailand). There is a strip of casinos, guesthouses and hotels between the Thai and Cambodian passport control counters, enabling Thais to gamble in Cambodia without needing to go through Cambodian immigration. Poipet is adjacent to the city of Aranya Pratet on the Thai side of the border.
    The province is mostly covered by extensive lowlands, with a few uplands to the North and East (all in all around 6,679 sq/km surface). The main rivers are the Mongkol Borei River and the Sisophon River.

What to see :
Ang Trapeang Thmor
    Ang Trapeang Thmor is located in Banteay Meanchey Province in the Northwest of Cambodia. It is about 100km from Siem Reap Town. Ang Trapeang Thmor is a unique wetland ecosystem giving home to over 200 bird species including the endangered Sarus Crane. The population of the Sarus Crane species in this area rose constantly within the last years to a number of more than 300 birds today. 18 of the existing species in Ang Trapeang Thmor are being classified as globally or near globally threatened. The project in Ang Trapeang Thmor tries to help preventing the birds from disappearing. Birds can be watched throughout the whole year but the best time of seeing the Sarus Crane is from February to May.

Ang Trapeang Thmor also harbors the globally endangered Eld’s deer.
From Siem Reap Town it is a two hours drive during dry season and a three hours drive during rainy season with minibus, taxi or motor taxi. To have access to the forest it is indispensable to have your own 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Banteay Chhmar Temple
    Is the historical site which was built between 12th and 13th centuries during the reign of King, Jar Varman VII. The temple is located at Thmar Puok District, along the National Road No 69A, about 59 kilimeters north of the province town.
Nowadays, the temple is damaged because of war and gangs of offendees who have stolen statues and the temple stone for selling them to Thailand.
In addition, there are some other temples in Ban Teay Mean Chey province such as Pra Sat Preah Chhor and Pra Sat Pram as well that have mostly been abandoned and not arranged.

    At Present, Ban Teay Chhmar temple is the main tourist attractive site of the province in luring foreign tourists to visit. In the far northwestern corner of Cambodia the looted Angkorian temple of Banteay Chhmar sits teetering on the brink of a revival. A paved road scheduled to start construction this year is bound to increase visitors. Craig Gerard braves the bumpy journey to find a slice of Cambodian tranquillity. Commissioned by King Jayavarman VII and situated some 15km from the Thai border, Banteay Chhmar is often compared to Angkor Thom in size and structure. The complex is full of sandstone bas-reliefs that tell stories of ancient Cambodian battles. Witnessing the preservation of the temple and experiencing the beauty of the local community will reward the adventurous traveller.

    The bas-reliefs along the surrounding wall of the temple are some of the finest in Cambodia. Yet the stories are incomplete due to sustained looting, which continued as late as 2002. Huge sections of the outer wall have been chiselled away, and are now scattered to the four winds. While the loss is felt as you wander around the massive complex, it also drives home the importance of visitors to this remote site. These tourist dollars lead to the long-run stability of the temple and the surrounding villages.

    Such is the hope of Global Heritage Fund (GHF), a non-profit organisation based in California. It specialises in tying conservation of historical sites to the needs of the local community to make tourism relevant and profitable, while ensuring local inhabitants are stewards of their own heritage. James Hooper, the manager of Global Heritage Fund UK and International Project Development specialist, sees great potential in Banteay Chhmar. ?Banteay Chhmar is a perfect example of how Global Heritage Fund works with local groups to build sustainable tourist infrastructure,? says Hooper. Through their partnership with the Community Based Tourism (CBT) office, Global Heritage Fund has been able to speed along the conservation work by providing the technical know-how and needed funding. Additionally,it assists with emergency structural issues within the complex. Years of shifting earth, some looting and the advancing trees have taken their toll on Banteay Chhmar. I get the sense that the forest is reclaiming the temple for itself.

    Hooper wants to create temporary, low-impact viewing platforms, so guests can see the complex from a bird?s eye view. The platforms would allow visitors a safe way to experience the heart of the temple, which currently is inaccessible because of unstable stone structures. Hooper explains that these temporary structures work well because they avoid heavy construction which could do long term damage to the site. For now, visitors walk on the ground amongst the ruins, witnessing the temple as westerners first discovered it.

    The CBT has a clear list of plans needed to improve services to tourists. According to Sophal That of the CBT, about 40 percent of visitors spend a night in one of the villages? six homestay locations, the only overnight option. The homestays make up just a part of the CBT?s infrastructure around the Banteay Chhmar complex. The rest of the 74 council members are part of the hospitality network for visitors, which includes ox cart rides, silk weaving, woodcarving, traditional music concerts, rice wine distillation, beekeeping, bike tours and the women?s cooking group.

    While more tourists are exactly what the community needs, busloads may be unfortunate. The isolation is what gives Banteay Chhmar its charm ? no matter what time of day you visit, you are likely to be the only visitors. For the time being, there is no waiting for the hordes to move so you can snap a photo without people. There are no tuk tuks, no elephants, no mega-buses. There is just the temple, nature and friendly people there to help.

    All this makes now the right time for a visit.Banteay Meanchey is a Cambodian province in the northwest of the country, and its national reconciliation only the Khmer Rouge trick), the province and towns are striving to rebuild their culture and economy. 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.Banteay Meanchey is located in the Northwest of Cambodia. It borders with Thailand to the west and North, with Oddar Meancheay to the North, with Siem Reap to the East and with Battambang to the South. The town of Sisophorn is about 359km from Phnom Penh via national road number 5.

    One of the most known places in that province is Poipet, a town ontheThailand/Cambodia border. It?s the key crossing point between the two countries, and also extremely popular as a gambling destination with lot?s of casinos (gambling is popular, but illegal in Thailand).
    There is a strip of casinos, guesthouses and hotels between the Thai and Cambodian passport control counters, enabling Thais to gamble in Cambodia without needing to go through Cambodian mmigration. Poipet is adjacent to the city of Aranya Pratet on the Thai side of the border.
    Banteay Meanchey has another beautiful places, such as : Banteay Neang, Banteay Torp, Vheung Krouh, Kang Va Basin, Laang Phnom Touch, Phnom Bak and Phnom Chenh Chiang, Phnom Chuncheang, Phnom Svay, Sculpture Handicraft, Tra Peang Thmar, ....etc.

Kep is the coastal tourist city located southwest of Royal city of Phnom Penh of Kingdom of Cambodia.
    Kep was once the top beach destination in Cambodia. This now quiet beach town is near the border with Vietnam. It is easy to reach Kep from Phnom Penh. It is 5-6 hours from Cambodia’s capital, and a mere 45 minutes from Kampot. Kep is definitely scenic, but in a rugged way, compared to Sihanoukville, which is now Cambodia’s top seaside town. While Sihanoukville boasts endless stretches of sandy beaches, Kep has a short stretch of sand surrounded by mangrove forests and rocky coastal areas.

    In Kep, tourist can enjoy a variety of tourist attractions such as natural mountains, evergreen tropical forest, mangroves, islands, sea grass coral reefs, pure sea air, beaches, and sea food.


    Every weekend, hundreds of Khmers pour out of Phnom Penh in trucks, pick-ups and taxis to travel the four hours south to Cambodia’s forgotten beach resort of Kep. Their mission is simple – to enjoy a traditional pastime.

    Kep's most popular tourist activity is having a fresh seafood picnic on the waterfront. The road opposite Kep Beach is lined with picnic platforms. Just rent a mat or find and empty platform and the vendors will present you with live crabs, fresh prawns, squid and fish from which to choose. Be clear about how much food you want and the cost before they begin to prepare your meal.

Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay)
    Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay in Khmer) is a great day trip which takes approximately half an hour by boat from Kep Beach. Bring your swimmers and have a paddle in the warm sheltered water, or just sun bathe on the beautiful beaches. There are a few vendors on the island serving crab curry and occasionally, a cold beer (you might like to pack your own.) A boat to Rabbit Island will cost you $15 for a return trip. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun as most boats don't have shelter.

Teuk Chhou Zoo, near Kep

    The Teuk Chhou zoo is a half hour tuk tuk ride from Kep in Cambodia. This small private zoo features an large collection of animals including monkeys, gibbons, sun bears, deer, elephants, lions, tigers, birds and snakes. If you come at the right time of year you may even see lion and tiger cubs. Entry is $5 for a foreigner with a small charge if you want to drive your car through the zoo. The ticket includes access to the national park and you can have a nice swim in the cool and clean water of the Teuk Chhou River.

Phnom Sar Sear

   Phnom Sar Sear is a nature and cultural site located about 14 Kilometers southwest of Kep city. this mountain is called Phnom Sar Sear because, according to Khmer legend mentioned above, when Prince Sakor Reach led the troops to this place, he got off his horse and moved furtively2  ahead of his pursuers along the mountainside, where at that time there was an island to which he fled. Thus, the mountain was called Phnom Sar Sear.

    Phnom Sar Sear is composed of three small mountains about 1.5 square kilometers. It is about 40 meters high. The site features two natural caves-Phnom Dorei Sar and Phnom Ach Prochiev-which tourists can explore. In Phnom Damrei Sar cave, there is a beautiful mountain well called Viel Sre Muoy Roy. In the past, this site was also popular with filmmakers.

Spa

    At the foot of the mountain are a number of small halls where clergymen and nuns meditate. Along the way to the mountaintop, there is a Buddhist pagoda where monks live. On the mountaintop sits a colorful, finely sculpted stupa built in 1964 by Prince Rasmei Sophoan. A place of worship, it also houses a Buddha relic.

    The fresh air and beautiful natural scenery make Phnom Sar Sear popular with tourists throughout the year. From the mountaintop, visitors have an excellent view of rice pad-dies, the islands and the sea below, as well as the distant mountains. Buddhists go there to pray for good fortune.