Introduction
The province Kampong Chhnang is located at the heart of Cambodia. Its bordering Kampong Thom to the North, Kampong Cham to the East, Kampong Speu to the South and Pursat to the West. This province is not only at the fertile and almost ever-wet heart of Cambodia, but also just a 91km ride from Phnom Penh, so it's a quick jaunt up.
Due to its location next to the Tonle Sap Lake Kampong Chhnang's population is predominantly in fishery and rice plantation involved. Especially the provincial capital Kampong Chhnang, which is an easygoing river port town that is worth a visit, focuses on fishery and therefore features a big fishery port. It is, easy to get to from Phnom Penh via national road number 5, passing by the former capital of Udong. Kampong Chhnang also gives you the option to take an air-con bus to get there (as it wasn't possible in near past). There are also some nice sights to check out and the town has a fair selection of places to spend the night and a couple of decent spots to have a feed.
The bullet boats to and from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are taking you through a breathtaking countryside along the Tonle Sap to the provincial town. If you are interested you also may rent a motorized boat to explore the Tonle Sap River area around the town. They are between US$ 8 per hour, or you can get one of the small non-motorized boats to take you on a more quiet tour for 4,000 riel per hour. The new river walkway is the place for a stroll and is where the locals head to for the early evening social hour. It's the evening and weekend spot to be seen.
Geography
The province Kampong Chhnang is located at the heart of Cambodia. Its bordering Kampong Thom to the North, Kampong Cham to the East, Kampong Speu to the South and Pursat to the West. This province is not only at the fertile and almost ever-wet heart of Cambodia, but also just a 91km ride from Phnom Penh, so it's a quick jaunt up.
Most parts of this province are fertile alluvial soil reservoirs with plenty of fishes and endless rice plantations. There are no more forests remaining except in the Southwest of the country where the biggest coherent forest area of Southeast Asia begins, the massive and unexplored Cardamom Mountains. The provincial borderline in the Southwest resides on the hillside of the highest Mountain of Cambodia its name is Phnom Aoral with an altitude of 1813m.
Climate
Climate: Cambodia has sun almost year round. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April.
General information about the provincial climate:
- Rainy season: May - October (27-35c, with humidity up to 90%.)
- Cool season: November- March (18-28c)
- Hot season: March- May (28c -36c)
Population
The total population in Kampong Chhnang is 538,163 person including 259,347 male and 278,816 female or 3.6% of the total population, which is 14,363,519 person in whole Cambodia (2007, provincial government data). The growth rate is 2.4%. The above number is also consisting of 407,453 persons or 85.5% who are farmers, 29,250 persons or 6% who are fishermen, 35,076 persons or 7.5% who are traders and 4,783 persons or 1% who are government officers.
Economy
Kampong Chhnang's economy consists basically of fishery, rice and fruit cropping and several garment factories. Especially rural households depend on agriculture and its related sub-sectors.
How to Get There
Bus:
Your best bet if you don't have your own transportation is to take the Hoh Wah renting bus. To and from Phnom Penh costs just 5,000 riel on the air-con bus.
Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh:
departs 6:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:15 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm.
Phnom Penh to Kampong Chhnang departs (from Central Market Terminal) 6:40 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. If you like, you can get off at Udong and see the old ruins and its newest additions (just grab a moto-taxi next to the entrance road), then go back out to the highway and grab the next bus heading your way to Kampong Chhnang.
Share Taxi:
It's about a 1-1⁄2 hour ride up from Phnom Penh. The share taxi costs around US$3.5 from Phnom Penh and it doubles for Pursat.
Motorcycle Touring Info:
Highway No 5 from Kampong Chhnang to Pursat is slowly getting some resurfacing work and while not good by any stretch of the imagination, it's not as bad as it used to be. As mentioned, the Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh stretch qualifies a dream road in Cambodia. Security is not a problem.
Bullet Boats:
The bullet boats to and from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are taking you through a breathtaking countryside along the Tonle Sap to the provincial town. Going from Phnom Penh to Kampong Chhnang you'll have to find the docking station of the boats, which is just around 200m after the Japanese Bridge to the left riverbank of the Tonle Sap. The price for one trip is around US$8. The price from Siem Reap might get a bit higher as you're starting from the touristy hotspot. The trip from PP will take approx. 3 1/2h; from Siem Reap approx. 4h (depending on rainy and wet season).
What to See
We also go to Kampong Chhnang province to see:
Visit Kampong Chhnang with your friends and relatives for a peaceful holiday. On your visit to Kampong Chhnang you can spend some time in the lap of Mother Nature. This town which is also the capital of Kampong Chhnang Province is toured by tourists from various parts of the world. There are plenty of tourist attractions in Kampong Chhnang. One of the leading tourist attractions of the town is the Phnom Da, Kampong Chhnang. Visiting Phnom Da, Kampong Chhnang will be a lifetime experience for you.
Phnom Da located in Kampong Chhnang is the popular nature wildlife preserves. Phnom Da in Kampong Chhnang is nestled in the Kompong Leng District.During your visit to the Phnom Da, Kampong Chhnang you can refresh your minds in tranquil surroundings. There are big shady trees in the Phnom Da, Kampong Chhnang. You can also find birds in this area.Getting to Phnom Da, Kampong Chhnang is very easy. The provincial town is sited at a distance of about 28 kilometers from Phnom Da Location: Description: Nature Wildlife Preserves, Location: Da Village, Da Commune, Kompong Leng District.
Phnom Krang Romeas
Phnom Krang Romeas is located in Sre Thmei and Svay Chrum communes, Rolea Paear district, about 2 kilometers from the provincial town. It is a natural site abundant in big trees and fresh air. Cambodians gather here during holidays, particularly Khmer New Year and Pchumben.Kampong Chhnang has many sightseeing attractions which are worth paying a visit. One of the celebrated tourist destinations of the town is the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang. Tourists of all ages visit the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang on a frequent basis.Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang is the popular natural resort of Cambodia.
Nature lovers love to visit this Phnom Krang Romeas in Kampong Chhnang. On your visit to Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang you can spend time under the shady branches of the big trees. Both adults and children visit the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang on a regular basis. In this natural resort you can refresh your ears with the chirping of the birds. So, if you want to escape from the hum drum of city life, then the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang is the ideal venue.Getting to the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang is very easy. This resort is sited at a distance of about 2 kilometers from the provincial town of Kampong Chhnang. Phnom Penh is also about 13 kilometers from the Phnom Krang Romeas, Kampong Chhnang.
Phnom Neang Kang Rey
Phnom Neang Kang Rey How to go: 14km (1h) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Nature Wildlife Preserves, Location: Trabek Village, Trangil Commune, KomPong Leng District. Among the major Tourist Attractions in Kampong Chhnang, the Phnom Neang Kang Rey, Kampong Chhnang is one of the most attractive and popular one. You will take about an hour to travel to Phnom Neang Kang Rey, Kampong. For the tourists and travelers, there are regular buses and cars available from all parts of Cambodia. Phnom Neang Kang Rey is a natural wildlife preserve. Phnom Neang Kang Rey, Kampong Chhnang is situated in the Trabek Village in the Trangil Commune at the Kom Pong Leng District of Cambodia.
Phnom Neang Kang Rey as a natural reserve has been attracting large numbers of tourists from various areas of Cambodia as well as from other parts of the world. There are tall and beautiful trees and flowering plants that add to the natural beauty and charm of the place. You can go for a casual stroll and can organize natures walk along the wonderful Phnom Neang Kang Rey, Kampong Chhnang.
Phnom Roap Bat
Phnom Rabbat is a cultural and natural site located in An Doung Chhey district, Andoung Chhey commune, Rolear Paear, about 12 kilometers south of Kampong Chnnang provincial town.The site is features small, beatiful mountains and abundant fresh air. There is a footprint of the hermit Ta Prohm and a pagoda on the mountaintop, where Cambodians gather during festival days. The stone of Phnom Roabbat is very good fir sgarpening knives. The spot is related to the Ta Preng legend in Cambodian folklore.
Phnom Roap Bat, Kampong Chhnang is one of the best and finest of the natural resorts of the Kampong Chhnang province in the beautiful and historical country of Cambodia. Phnom Roap Bat, Kampong Chhnang is one of the top-most Tourist Attractions in Kampong Chhnang, attracting huge crowds to the place.The Phnom Roap Bat is a wonderful and stylish cultural and natural resort located in Andong Chrey village in the Andong Snay commune at Rolea Phaear District. The Phnom Roap Bat, Kampong Chhnang lies at a distance about 103 kilometers from Phnom Penh by the National Road No. 5.The Phnom Roap Bat, Kampong Chhnang has been liked by the local people as well as the foreigners because of the presence of small mountains, natural beauty and fresh air for which the place is so well-known.
Phnom San Touch
Phnom Santouch is a natural site located at Santouch village, Sre Thmei commune, Rolea Paear district, about 3 kilometers north of the provincial town. Points of the interest at this site include a large stone related to Khmer legend, beautiful scenery that is popular with photographers and filmmakers and a panoramic view of the Great Lake Tonle Sap. On the hilltop, there is an old Chinese temple, where visitors like to relaxe.If you are in the beautiful country of Cambodia to send a memorable vacation with your family and friends, then you must not miss to the Tourist Attractions in Kampong Chhnang. Phnom San Touch, Kampong Chhnang happens to be one of the most popular tourist sites in thecountry. The Phnom San Touch, Kampong Chhnang is noted for its uniqueness and scenic beauty.
You will have to cover a distance of about 3 kilometers from the provincial town or about 94 kilometers from Phnom Penh to reach the Phnom San Touch resort. Phnom San Touch, Kampong Chhnang is a beautiful cultural and natural resort that provides tourists and local people much comfort and relaxation from the daily hectic schedules of ones life.The local people usually visit Phnom San Touch for its tranquility, peacefulness and strategic location. There are many big rocks related to Cambodian folk legend here. The place is so scenic that you many films have set their stories and performance of songs in the Phnom San Touch, Kampong Chhnang. You will get to see a stunning view of the Kampong Chhnang Province from the Phnom San Touch resort.
Phnom Ta Ind
Phnom Ta Ind How to go: 3km (3mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Nature Wildlife Preserves, Location: Trapang Anchang Village, Svay Chrom Commmune, Ralebiar District.On your Kampong Chhnang Tours, you must visit the Phnom Ta Ind, Kampong Chhnang. Located in a scenic area away from the daily hustle-bustle of city-life, the Phnom Ta Ind, Kampong Chhnang is the ideal place to spend some quality time relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the place. Among the Tourist Attractions in Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Ta Ind, Kampong Chhnang is a visitor's must-see.Tourists and travelers come in Phnom Ta Ind to get a glimpse of the wildlife of the exotic country of Cambodia. You can spend your idle time strolling and viewing and taking pictures of different kinds of birds and animals. Phnom Ta Ind, Kampong Chhnang has seen many migratory birds that stay and breed during the winter months.
Phnom Ta Pi
Phnom Ta Pi How to go: 10km (1h) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Historical Sites and Buildings, Location: Phnom Tepi Village, Komponghao Commune, Kompong Leng District.
Phnom Ta Reach
Phnom Ta Reach is the natural and historical site related to the Pol Pot time (1977-197). The site is located at Phnom Touch village, Pong Ro Commune, Ro Lea Pha Ear District in 10 Kilometer distance from the provincial town or 101-Kilometer distance from Phnom Penh by the National Road No 5, then turning left by the Road via the new airport. Phnom Ta Reach, the place where Pol Pot forced prisoners to carve the mountain rock having 200-meter length, 2.8-meter width and six-meter height. In a large space, there are many small concrete apartments.There is also a big and small hill covered with palm trees. Fresh air is abundant. This area can attract tourists to visit during the festival days.
Prasat Kampong Preach
Prasat Kampong Preach How to go: Location: Description: Located at Wat kampong Preah, Chhnuk Tru Commune, Boribo District in eight-Kilometer distance from the provincial town.
Prasat Slut Tey
Prasat Slut Tey located in Prasat Village, Da Commune, kompong Leng District about 27 km (1h:30mn) From Provincial Town. Historical Sites and Buildings.
Tonle Sap View
Tonle Sap view area is located in front of Phsar Krom, about 1 kilometer from the provincial town. The site includes many floating houses and fishing lots, where locals raise and catch fish. The site is popular among foreign visitors who want to learn about Cambodian fishermen and those people who live on the river. The Tonle Sap is a very large river, which at one point becomes as wide as a lake. Traveling along this river is an interesting way to reach Siam Reap from Pnomh Penh. While the slow boats take a couple of days to make the journey, it is easy to find fast boats which take only half a day.
It is preferable to arm oneself with sunscreen and sit on the top of the boat (which will be overcrowded), to get a better view, more fresh air, and improve your chances of survival should the boat capsize. In June and November the Tonle Sap River changes direction. In June, with monsoon rains swelling the Mekong, excess water is pushed into the Tonle Sap that then drains back upstream into the lake, flooding the surrounding low plains. By monsoon's end, in November, the pressure is relieved and the Tonle Sap reverses course and returns to the direction of flow expected of it.
However, the waters of this, the largest of Southeast Asian lakes, take several more months before they begin to recede, and it is not until February that Tonle Sap Lake begins its return to normal size. The mud banks created by the flooding are extremely fertile, and local rice farmers have developed a deepwater rice that is unique to this area. The months of flooding also encourages the growth of huge fish stocks and other aquatic life, that become extremely easy to catch once the waters begin to reside. Fishing families string nets and bamboo traps across the lake's mouth and the numerous fish can almost be plucked from the water. The Tonle Sap Lake's level drops so fast that it catches out many of its inhabitants, and its not unlikely to see fisherman picking their catch from the trees.
Wat Phnom Robath
Wat Phnom Robath There are a number of temples and hill temples along Highway 5 on the Phnom Penh side of Kampong Chhnang, but if you only stop to see one, this would be the choice. It?s the highest hilltop temple in the area and affords a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Cardamom Mountains and the main temple is only eleven years old.
There are paths around the boulders at the top level so one can move about and take in the entire range of view. To get there head out Highway 5 toward Phnom Penh around 10 km or fifteen minutes. You will see the smaller hilltop temple on the left (Phnom Chahm-bpoo) and the taller Phnom Robath beyond. There is a sign in English where you make your left turn ?Attractive 750 meters? (they are correct, it is attractive) and also Phnom Penh, the turn (right turn from this way) is 76 km from the Japanese Bridge in Phnom Penh.
Wat Sahn-dtoot
Planning for a trip with your pals and relatives Then Kampong Chhnang in Cambodia is the ideal option for you. Kampong Chhnang is a beautiful and serene city. This city is also the capital of Kampong Chhnang Province. Sap River is located close to Kampong Chhnang. With its serene locations like sugar palm-lined horizons, Kampong Chhnang welcomes large number of guests from world-wide. There are many tourist destinations which are located in and around the city. One of the celebrated sightseeing attractions is the Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang. The Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang is toured by tourists from various countries of the world.
Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang is the popular temple of the locality. Wat Sahn-dtoot is sited in the midst of tranquil ambiance. The Wat Sahn-dtoot in Kampong Chhnang is situated on the top of the hill. This hill is known far and wide for its rock formations. From the Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang you can have excellent views of the mountains and rivers. On the top of the Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang you will find flags. If you want to get to the Wat Sahn-dtoot, Kampong Chhnang then you must follow the way down from the Shell gas station. Wat Sahn-dtoot located in Kampong Chhnang is sited close to the Triangle Park.
Where to Eat
Mittapheap Restaurant:
This restaurant is considered to be one of the best in town. They have their menu in English available offering a huge range of Khmer dishes such as soups, noodle, and fish dishes.
Mekong Restaurant:
There is decent Khmer and Chinese food in this simple place. Mekong Restaurant:
This common restaurant has a wide range of Khmer, Chinese and international food. It's on the Battambang road. This is a place you might need a little while to tell the waiter or the cook what you'd like to eat. But with a little Khmer or just the global finger sign you'll have proper food. It's opposite of the bus station. Prices are quite reasonable.
General food points:
Be aware that most of the restaurants in Kampong Chhnang city close around 8 pm as it is quite usual for locals. During the day there is plenty of small places offering noodle dishes/soups next to the Phsar Leu und Phsar Chhnang market. You will also see several simple restaurants near the Khmer Monument Circle.
Where to Stay
There are many small hotels and guesthouses in towns where tourists can reach it easily.
Sokha Guesthouse: (tel: 026/988632)
This guesthouse is quite a charming place in a small, green street. The rooms are mostly equipped with fans or air-con and a western bath at around US$ 8-10. Guest have to order their breakfast or dinner in advance, but this'll soon change.
Rathisen: (tel: 026/988622)
This place is located next to the river. It's one of the only hotels in town with basic equipment such as air-con, fan, western bath and TV its recommendable. Unfortunately some of the rooms are a bit sticky due to its windowless status. If you want to enjoy your stay ask for one of the rooms with river view or to the back laying rice fields.
Metapheap Guesthouse: (tel: 012/949297)
This guesthouse is located next to the independence monument. It has light and clean rooms equipped with air-con, fan and a western bath. Downstairs you'll find a restaurant. The prices are around US$ 5-8.
Phkay Proeuk: (tel: 012/932919)
This basic guesthouse is in the Souzhwest of the town centre located. The rooms are clean and equipped with fans and additional bathroom. The prices are reasonable; US$ 5-7.
Half Way House:
The Half Way House is a restaurant with a pub, which has also bungalows for rent to offer. This is a nice western place run by the amiable Paul, a British-Kenyan that knows the area pretty well. Paul has a Thai wife and lived in Thailand for a number of years. The establishment sees most of it's business coming from the foreign de-miners and the community based NGO in Kampong Chhnang Province. The place features good pub grub and ice cold drinks. There are also eight, fully, appointed bungalows for rent at US$ 15 per night. More accommodation may be in work.
Shopping
There are two markets, where you can pop by for shopping, the Phsar Leu in the centre of the town and the Phsar Chhnang, which is a little bit further Northeast from the centre. Both of them are very busy areas with local shops dealing the local daily comsumer products, like fish, fruits, vegetables, meats and packed products. All food and drink shops are surrounding the market.
City Map
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