| Northwestern Cambodia | |
 | |
| State | Cambodia |
|---|---|
There Northwestern Cambodia is a region of the Cambodia.
To know
Geographical notes
This region includes the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and part of the Stoeng Treng on the west side of the Mekong.
The north of the region is drawn by the Dangrek mountains which form a natural barrier with Thailand. The flat and fertile south leads to Tonle Sap Lake.
Siem Reap is the largest city, Sisophon and Poipet are towns and Anlong Veng is a large village.
Much of northwestern Cambodia is characterized by poverty and the province of Siem Reap is the poorest in the country, despite the prized park of Angkor. The construction of infrastructures has been growing dramatically even if only since 2008, making maps and travel stories of some time ago obsolete. Outside cities, electricity to homes is supplied by car batteries.
For now, development only means paving asphalt in remote areas. The growth of business and tourism is sure to follow suit, so exploring off the beaten path is recommended to get a better insight into Cambodian life.
Background
The control of much of the area has often changed territorial powers and today it is part of Cambodia thanks to the French who with their rattling of sabers forced the Siamese to give it up (along with Battambang) in 1907. The region has been part of Siam since 1867 thanks again to the French who ceded it (together with Battambang) in exchange for total control over the rest of Cambodia. Before that, an independent Cambodia existed as a vassal state of Siam and Vietnam.
Territories and tourist destinations
Northwest Cambodia: full screen map.Urban centers
- 1 Anlong Veng (ស្រុក អន្លង់វែង) - Sad reminder of the Khmer Rouge located in the beautiful Dangrek Mountains.
- 2 Koh Ker
- 3 Poipet (ក្រុង ប៉ោយប៉ែត) - A seedy town known for being used to cross the border.
- 4 Samraong (ក្រុង សំរោង) - Underdeveloped town center of connections with Thailand.
- 5 Siem Reap (ក្រុង សៀមរាប) - The largest city in the region and entry point to the archaeological site of Angkor.
- 6 Sisophon (ក្រុង សិរីសោភ័ណ) - Transportation center in the middle of nowhere, with special attractions.
Other destinations
- 1 Angkor - Archaeological park which houses one of the largest monuments in the world and is Cambodia's main attraction.
- 2 Banteay Chhmar (បន្ទាយឆ្មារ) - Quiet temple complex away from everything.
- 3 Koh Ker - Ancient capital north of Angkor where there are many ruins.
- 4 Preah Vihear (ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ) - Temple perched on a rock and disputed with neighboring Thailand.
- 5 Tonle Sap (បឹង ទន្លេសាប) - The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
How to get
By plane
The region is served by Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (IATA | REP) which has frequent internal flights from Phnom Penh and is connected to the following destinations:
- China:Guangzhou, Shanghai.
- South Korea:Seoul.
- Laos:Pakse, Vientiane, Luang Prabang.
- Malaysia:Kuala Lumpur.
- Singapore.
- Taiwan:Kaohsiung, Taipei.
- Thailand:Bangkok, U-Tapao / Pattaya.
- Vietnam:Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh (city).
By car
The paved streets are:
- National Highway 5 runs southeast from the border Aranyaprathet/Poipet reaching Sisophon (1 hour) Battambang (2-3 hours) and then get to Phnom Penh (further 5-6 hours).
- Highway 6 goes from Sisophon to Siem Reap (2 hours) up to Phnom Penh (further 6 hours).
- Highway 67 goes south from the border Choam with Thailand passing through Anlong Veng is Siem Reap (2 hours).
- Highway 68 goes from the border with Thailand O'Smach Street Samraong to Kralanh (2 hours), where it joins with Hwy 6 to Siem Reap.
Hydrofoils mark the route across the Tonle Sap lake from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (6 hours), stopping at Kampong Chhnang, US $ 20-25 per person.
A daily route navigates between Siem Reap is Battambang in the region of the Cardamomi mountains (5-8 hours depending on the water level which during the season could cause boats to run aground).
How to get around
If you move between the cities of the region, the difficult days of impossible roads are over. Most of the roads today are paved.
By bus
There is a variety of bus companies serving cities that are worth a visit. The larger the cities, the more regular the service.
By taxi
Where buses do not arrive taxis arrive. To secure your trip it is advisable to arrange a taxi the night before otherwise you will have to get up early to take a shared taxi.
In pick-up
Organizing it is not as simple as organizing a taxi but they have a different market. Used for both passengers and goods, the pick-ups go everywhere ensuring a good connection network even with the most remote villages. If it weren't for these rusty carts the region would not have access to convenient transportation. You have to wait on the side of the road and stop the first one that passes.
In kuyon (tractor)
Short trips between cities can be made by taking a ride on an old tractor. Just stop one that goes in the same direction. This is actually hitchhiking, with the dangers involved. US $ 0.75 for 15km is a desirable price.
What see
- 1 Archaeological park of Angkor. These spectacular ruins of many ancient Khmer cities cover an area of about 400Km² and contain one of the largest monuments, the Angkor Wat temple. The area has been declared World Heritage in 1992 and UNESCO organized a program to safeguard this symbolic site and the surrounding areas.
- 2 Banteay Chhmar. A remote but cleared temple complex 60km north of Sisophon. The road is not paved but is easily passable during the dry season. This makes many decide not to go there but if you get there you will be well rewarded.
- 3 Koh Ker. If Angkor doesn't satisfy your appetite for temples, this pre-Angkorian mine-free site is 90km northeast of Siem Reap and well worth a day trip.
- 4 Tonle Sap Lake. The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, of great importance for the conservation of animals and is home to many floating villages.
- 5 Kompong Kdei Bridge (Preah Tis Bridge, ស្ពាន ព្រះ ទិស). The largest Angkorian-era bridge in the country and still completely intact today. It is located 60km southeast of Siem Reap just off Route 6.
What to do
Siem Reap offers many things to do besides temples. Horse, elephant and off-road trips. Visit the museums. Cooking lessons. Polygons. Apsara dance. Massages. Navigate the Tonle Sap Lake. Learn Khmer.
Outside Siem Reap, the favorite pastime is to marvel at being in the middle of nowhere (much of Cambodia's development is concentrated in the southeast): observing the rice fields being set on fire, planted and harvested. Observe star-filled night skies away from the pollution of cities.
At the table
Siem Reap it is the gastronomic center of the region and is great for all tastes and budgets. Elsewhere, soups, fruit, rice, meat and vegetables are savored.
Drinks
Similar to food, cocktails like the Dry Martini are only found in Siem Reap and casinos near the borders. Elsewhere the shacks serve cold water, cola, beer, local style coffee (cold and sweet).
Safety
- Minefields - Northeast Cambodia contains K5, a 700km long and 500m wide belt of land made of minefields that runs parallel to the border with Thailand. Although some have been cleared, many remain. When traveling in remote areas it is advised not to go off the marked path, it is not worth the risk.