Two Towns Worth Visiting in Cambodia

Kampot and Battambang offer alternatives to Phonm Penh and Siem Reap

Apr 14, 2009

Cambodia has many towns worth visiting and away from the Siem Reap and Phonm Penh urban areas there are beautiful beaches, deserted islands, mountains and waterefalls.

The towns in Cambodia vary greatly and all have something to offer the visitor. Below are just two of the most popular with both Cambodians and tourists, together with a list of things to do in each town.

Kampot – in the Province of the Same Name, Cambodia

The province of Kampot offers beaches, mountains, caves, waterfalls and an architectural gem of a town of the same name located on the banks of the river. It’s close proximity to the sea makes it popular with Cambodians who love its Cham atmosphere and it’s sleepy, relaxed ambience. Tourists love it for the French colonial and Chinese architecture that still survives as well as the charming riverfront with bars and restaurants from which to watch the sunset. Kampot was once famous for its wonderful pepper but now it is better known for its salt and its durians, the smelly fruit beloved by most East Asians.

The people are making great efforts to build a future after the province was destroyed in the armed conflict and there is a community tourism project (Prek Thnot) in the foothills of the Elephant Mountains which teaches skills like using forest products in a sustainable way, weaving, and traditional music and dance. It is well worth a visit to see how disabled and orphaned children are gaining from this.

What to Do in Kampot, Cambodia

The Tuk Chou river offers relaxing cruises along its length passing traditional fishing villages.
Explore the caves in the limestone karst outcrops.
Discover the history of salt and pepper.
Swim beneath waterfalls, paddle through mangroves..
Try the fresh seafood,

Battambang, Cambodia, on the Banks of the Sangker River

Just south of the Tonle Sap Lake, Battambang is in the heart of the rice bowl of Cambodia, a farming and trading town, still fairly untouristy. Most of the architecture is French colonial and traditional Cambodian with horses and carts sharing the streets of the town with motorbikes and bicycles

What to do in Battambang, Cambodia

Don’t miss The Circus run by a local NGO, Phare Ponleu Selpak, to give deprived youths an opportunity to learn juggling, tumbling, acrobatics and suchlike skills in conjunction with raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, landmines and children’s rights.
Battambang Museum by the riverside has some Angkor-era artifacts and there is often an exhibition in the small hall next door.
Battambang is home to some pagodas which are well worth visiting as they are unique to this area. The three main pagodas are Wat Sangker, Wat Kandal and Wat Damret Sor.
The area is steeped in folklore and there is often a “folklore experience” put on by the locals for the locals. Check out the statue of the black Ta Darnbong in the middle of a roundabout and learn the legend.
The surrounding countryside is stunning with waterfalls, mountain viewpoints and caves to explore, plus small villages of stilted houses, pagodas, bridges rice paddies and fruit and vegetable orchards.

The copyright of the article Two Towns Worth Visiting in Cambodia in Cambodia Travel is owned by Mari Nicholson. Permission to republish Two Towns Worth Visiting in Cambodia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.