Towns & Cities in Cambodia

Ban Lung

Ban Lung is nestled in the highlands of the province of Ratanakiri and is a location often missed out by normal holiday makers. However now with the very accessible boarder with Laos, more people are being lured in by the beauty of the region. This remote North Eastern region is like another planet compared with the rest of Cambodia – dusty red roads carve through the landscape in summer, while in the wetter months the area becomes lush and green. Although the province is remote, it has a lot to offer the Cambodia adventure enthusiasts and the eco-tourist seeking a different travel experience. The area is also rich in minerals, boasting deposits of gold and precious stones.

Area Highlights: Yaek Lom Lake, Trekking, Mountain Biking, Local Tribes People

Area Activities: Gibbon Spotting Treks, Airavata Elephant Foundation, Jungle Treks, Yaek Lom Volcanic Lake

Sen Monorom

Experience a real Cambodia adventure by visiting and discovering Sen Monorom, the largest and most sparsely populated region in Cambodia, which lies at the heart of the Mondulkiri province. The town is the perfect base camp for Cambodia adventure seekers, wanting to explore the surrounding areas, full of natural beauty, forested mountains, powerful waterfalls and lush green rolling hills. Visiting the area you know that you are far away from the main tourist trail and oh does that feel good. The main attractions to the region are the wonderful ‘Elephant Valley Project’ and of course traditional elephant trekking mahout style (on the elephants neck). However the real highlight is the incredible experience of a BBQ with a local Phnong family and your guide Hong, who was Gordon Ramsays guide when he visited back in 2011.  Watch it here (He appears near the end of the 29th minute)

Area Highlights: Elephant Trekking, Elephant Sanctuary Visit & Volunteering, Waterfalls, Zip Line Ride, Local Tribal BBQ

Area Activities: Elephant Trekking, Elephant Sanctuary, BBQ with a Local Tribal Family, Zip Lining Adventure

Kratie

Kratie is a delightful rustic town with a very relaxed atmosphere situated on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. The town is the natural place to break the journey when travelling further north, visiting the elephants in Sen Monorom and trekking in Ban Lung. Visitors will always be rewarded with spectacular burning red sunsets that disappear into Koh Trong Island that lies opposite. The island now has a beautiful boutique hotel and offers you a base to taste of real local life. Also no visit to the area is complete without taking a boat or kayak trip out to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that make their home a short way up the river in Kampi.

Area Highlights: Irrawaddy Dolphins, Boat Trip, Kayaking, Sambok Mountain, Koh Trong (King’s Island)

Area Activities: Dolphin Watching & Kayaking

Stung Treng

Stung Treng is a small provincial town situated on the Mekong River in North-eastern Cambodia. The town itself is undeveloped and retains a distinctly Khmer Character. There is little to see in Stung Treng itself but the surrounding countryside makes for spectacular Cambodia adventure.

Area Highlights: Rapids, Kayaking Trips

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the fourth largest town in Cambodia and reportedly gets its name from the legend of a hill building competition between the town’s men and women (Which of course the women won by deceiving the men). The town is used usually as a lunch stop in between Siem Reap or Phnom Penh and the North West, which begins when you cross over the large river bridge. Kampong Cham also boast some colonial shop house architecture and is the home town of the Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Area Highlights: Phrom Pros & Phnom Sray (Man & Woman Hill), The French Watch Tower, Wat Nokor achay, Bamboo Bridge

Phnom Penh

A mixture of Cambodian hospitality and Indochinese charm await the visitor taking a Phnom Penh holiday. Nestled majestically on the banks of a confluence of three great rivers, known as the ‘Chaktomuk’ (four faces) or ‘Quatre Bras’ (four arms) of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers. Phnom Penh is a city of more than two million people, the capital of Cambodia and the country’s commercial, economic and political hub. Recent urban development has created an air of edgy chic; Bistros and boutique hotels line the riverfront, coffee shops, galleries and shops that are dotted all around the back streets. A stop in Phnom Penh is mandatory on most Cambodia holidays and it is well worth a 2 night stop whatever your holiday plans.

Area Highlights: Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Museum (S21), The Killing Fields of Choeung EK, Phsar Thmey – Central Market, Phsar Toul Tom Poung – Russian Market, Independence Monument, Wat Phnom

Area Activities: Golf, City Cyclo Tour, Touel Sleng (S-21) & Killing Fields Tour of Cheung Ek, Bear Sanctuary Volunteering

Kampong Chhnang

Kampong Chhang is a sprawling lake side fishing town which is relatively unvisited but offers the inquisitive traveller a real insight into quintessential Cambodian riverside life. Kampong Chhnag will feature as a lunch stop on most itineraries that are travelling between Battambang and Phnom Penh. Usually after lunch you will have time to walk down to the river, sit on the bank and watch the daily grind of the hard working fishermen going about their daily lives, which is a fascinating and humbling experience to be part of.

Area Highlights: Fishing Port

Oudong

Oudong was the old Cambodian capital between 1618 and 1866 an d lies 40 kilometres North-West of Phnom Penh. The mountain of Phnom Udong boasts spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and is topped with beautiful spires and stupas, which some have described as looking like a fairy tale castle. Oudong can be visited on a day trip from Phnom Penh or part of the journey between the capital and Banlung as it is on the same road as the fishing town of Kampong Chhnang.

Area Highlights: Hill top Stupas, Oudong Buddhist Monastery

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is the gateway to Cambodia’s coast and nearby islands, with the area offering the visitor with the best Cambodia Beach holidays possible. Sporting miles of white sand beaches, uninhabited islands and warm clear tropical waters; Sihanoukville is a place to unwind, enjoy the fresh seafood, party at the bars, take an island excursion or experience a scuba trip. The pace of life in this provincial town is very relaxed and unhurried. The beaches offer everything you would expect, umbrellas, thatched roofed bars, restaurants and a range of hotels.

Area Highlights: Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Boat Trips, Ream National Park

Area Highlights: Scuba Diving

Kep

From the turn of the century through to the 1960’s and even now, Kep is still the destination of choice for local Cambodia beach holidays. Kep and the surrounding area has a very laid back atmosphere, perfect for those that want to get away and completely relax with minimal distractions. The town itself oozes charm of an era gone by; you can see old French colonial villa’s dotted along the coast, Rabbit Island waiting to be discovered just off shore as well as the ocean front seafood stalls and the famous Kep crab market, where you can sample the exquisite fresh locally caught crab.

Area Highlights: Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay), Crab Market, Kep National Park

Area Activities: Climbing & Caving, Local Countryside Tour

Kampot

The sleepy town of Kampot is undergoing a sort of modern revival but it has still managed to keep its very sleepy and relaxed feel. Kampot is situated with picture perfection near the base of the Elephant Mountains on the Kampong Bay River. The town offers easy access to Kep as well as the nearby Bokor Mountain and surrounding pepper plantations and salt flats. The town displays some classic French colonial, Cambodian and Chinese architecture and has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere about it. Many visitors pass through but now more are staying and using the town as a base staying in small boutique riverside hotels which are perfect to explore the area from.

Area Highlights: Bokor Mountain Hill Station, Caves & Climbing, Pepper Plantations

Area Activities: Climbing & Caving, Local Countryside Tour, Bokor Hill Station Tour

Cambodia’s Island’s

Koh Sdachor King Island is located just off the main coast line ,roughly halfway between Sihanoukville and Koh Kong. The Cambodian island mainly serves as a fishing port but now has a new shallow water exploratory dive centre and a lovely private resort, perfect for those that want a local Cambodian Island feel.

Koh Rong Samloem is located just off the coast of Sihanoukvile and is home of the country’s best white sandy beaches. The island has a selection of beautiful seaside bungalows that are perfect for anyone looking to reinvigorate themselves on the last remaining days of their trip.

Song Saa (Private Island) is Cambodia’s only luxury island resort. If you are looking for total indulgence, world class food, and unparalleled service, this is the place to be. The resort is truly a paradise on earth and perfect for those very special occasions.

Area Highlights: Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Island Hopping, Fishing, Boat Trips

Koh Kong

Koh Kong is now a destination in its entirety and offers the visitor a wealth of eco-tourism and adventure possibilities. The area is located with the Cardomom Mountains in the north and Cambodia’s coast line to the south with the Tatai river cutting through the middle. Kok Kong town itself sits on the Kah Bpow River about 10 km from the Thai border; however the main attraction in the area are ‘4 Rivers Floating Lodge’, Rainbow Lodge and the new Dara Sakor Golf Resort. The area is perfect for those wanting to experience river and jungle life, waterfalls and community treks. The area is largely unexplored so this region is great for those adventurists amongst you.

Area Highlights: Trekking, Kayaking, Boat Trips, Golf, Wildlife

Area Activities: Golf