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| Kampong Cham | ||
| province | Kampong Cham | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 118.242 () | |
| height | 20 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Kampong Cham(Khmer: កំពង់ចាម) is the third largest city in Cambodia. Located on the Mekong, it has a unique charm in Cambodia with its mixture of Cambodian and colonial buildings.
background
Kampong Cham is the capital of the province of the same name. Many of the country's fruits are harvested in the province, which is why they can be eaten fresh and ripe there. The province is divided into 16 districts, 173 municipalities and 1,748 villages. The city offers some relaxation from tourist centers such as Siem Reap and beyond, interesting activities. There are hardly any resident foreigners here. Tourists are also relatively few to be found here, and if so, then mostly on the way to the northern provinces or on the way to Laos. But that doesn't mean the city isn't worth visiting. The modern Mekong Bridge gave the city good transport links and is now starting to recover from economic stagnation.
getting there
Map of Kampong Cham
The road to Phnom Penh is now one of the best transportation routes in the country. It is attached and has separate tracks. Due to the expansion of the road to the north, all regular ship connections on the Mekong have also been discontinued.
- Automobile: Departure in Phnom Penh is on the southwest corner of Central Market. A van ride costs Riel 5,000, and a taxi costs Riel 8,000. The journey takes 2 hours. A private taxi costs around $ US 10-15 one way.
- Bus: of Phnom Penh (Travel time 2-3 hours):
- Phnom Penh Public Transport - Departures from the central market nine times a day at 6:55, 7:30, 8:30, 12:30 and 1:30. The trip costs 8,000 riels.
- bookmebus.com offers a good overview for bus journeys in Cambodia
- GST - Departures from the central market every day at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm
mobility
Much of the sights are on the outskirts of the city or just outside. However, they can be reached very well with the tuktuk or a rickshaw for a small price. On the other hand, an increasing proportion of visitors are deciding to temporarily buy a moped in order to explore the wide area around the city and the province more independently. As a rule, you buy motorcycles with up to 250 cc. Larger machines are recommended for long distances across the country, but these are also much more popular with thieves. It is compulsory to wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle, which is especially important for foreigners.
For $ 4 a day you can get a moped taxi and explore the sights of the city and the surrounding area. A single trip within the city shouldn't cost more than KHR 2000. There are also tuk-tuks and rickshaws in the city, and there are already many apps that make the journey easier for easy negotiations. Since Kampong Cham is far from having the same tourist importance as Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you have to wait a little longer for a vehicle here. Many guest houses and hotels also rent bicycles, which are a good way to explore the city.
Tourist Attractions
The ruins of Wat Nokor
- 1 Nokor Wat (Banteay Prei Nokor).
This is an 11th century Angkor temple. Banteay Prei Nokor was a large city in eastern Cambodia that dates back to before the formation of the Angkor Empire, around the end of the 8th century. The city was significant because it is considered the capital of King Jayavarman II (about 770-834) before he founded Angkor after his odyssey to northwestern Southeast Asia. Today you can still see evidence of the Khmer Rouge rule in this area: bones and skulls are laid out here. There are a number of paintings in the temple. Whoever wants to enter the temple has to have the building unlocked by one of the monks. Nokor Wat is on the outskirts. Follow National Road # 7 (road to Phnom Penh) for about one kilometer. Then after a "Merci" roundabout you turn into a street that leads through a golden gate to the temples. In front of the gate there is also a sign that draws attention to Wat Nokor Bachey, which is located next to Wat Nokor and is freely accessible. Care must be taken to handle this valuable historical evidence with care. This temple offers a unique image of old temple architecture with well-preserved apsaras and other ornaments as well as newer temple architecture: the newer temples were built between the walls of the Angkor temples. Traditional dances by children and teenagers are performed daily at 5 p.m. in the 'Nokor Bachey Temple'. These appearances are organized and sponsored by a local NGO.Price: Entry is free, but a donation for the NGO is welcome.
- There is an old French one across the river 2 Observation tower (French Lighthouse)..However, this is now in poor condition. Whoever climbs the ladder has a nice overview of the surrounding villages.
- West of the city there is an abandoned US Air Force airfield that was used by B52 bombers. To get there, use National Route 7 towards Phnom Penh. After 3 kilometers (there is a factory on the left), turn right between the street vendors. After 2.5 kilometers you will come to the airfield. Leaving the airfield to the left takes you to Pros and Srey Mountain. To the right it goes back to the city.
- There are also some nice ones in town Pagodas to see.
activities
- The Bamboo bridge to Koh Paen is located a few blocks south of the Mekong Bridge on Kampong Chams Promenade. It leads to the island Koh Paen with many Khmer and Cham villages. The bridge can even withstand trucks and shows an impressive construction. It cannot be seen in the city all year round, as the rapidly rising waters of the Mekong make the bridge disappear during the rainy season.
- There are two to the west of the city hill with temples on the peaks. The Phnom Pros is about 30m high with a pagoda and surrounding temples that are slowly falling apart. It goes up a good road. The Phnom Srey can be climbed over 308 steps. There is a ruined temple at the top, but no monastery. Only a few locals ask for donations. One of the many is located between the mountains Killing Fields of the country.
- The Psar Thom (Main Market) has a wide variety of clothing, food, shoes, accessories and much more. Not only for locals, but also for foreigners, it is very relaxed here, as you don't get the typical calls like in tourist markets. When strolling through the market, you can take your time and also practice negotiating with the sellers. Unlike in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you will find little or no souvenirs here, but rather everyday objects and clothing.
- The Nightmarket von Kampong Cham has many stalls selling mainly clothes and shoes. There are also food stalls there. Strolling through the market is more relaxed than in the large tourist markets in, for example, Phnom Penh.
- About 20 km north of Kampong Cham is the Wat Hancheywhich is worth a trip. In addition to newer temples, there is also a temple from the 6th century. A beautiful view of the Mekong and the surrounding fields can be achieved particularly well near the temples, but you can also take various stairs towards the shore to take a closer look at the river. The area is spacious and invites you to take a short rest between the various temples with a beautiful view of the Mekong.
- The promenade Kampong Chams is a very busy part of the city; many families and groups of friends come together here. In addition to the beautiful view of the Mekong and the other side of the river, there is a lot of planting along the riverside and places that invite you to linger. There are numerous restaurants and inns along the promenade and also many food stalls and cookshops along the street.
shop
- SBC Bank, No. 34 Sihanouk Str. Tel.: 855 (0)12 941408. Cash in advance with Visa; Western Union; Currency Exchange.
- Sakura Second Hand Shop, This beautiful shop invites all second hand fans to browse extensively. In addition to ceramics and glassware, there is also furniture, kitchen utensils and appliances, pillows and very well-preserved and modern clothing for both sexes.
- Kampong Cham Market
- Nightmarket
- LuckyPigShop - located on the Nightmarket, the small shop mainly sells gifts, decorations and writing utensils. A fun browsing experience is guaranteed.
kitchen
- Smile restaurant (Riverside, north of the). Tel.: 855 (0)42-6900605. The restaurant is run by the non-profit organization BSDA (Buddhism and Society Development Association) and offers tasty cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu ranges from Khmer cuisine to other Asian and international dishes. The restaurant is a training restaurant for trainees of the institute, where they get to know the daily work of the respective gastronomic profession. In addition, the students often only got the chance to learn English at the institute. In the restaurant, the work of the NGO is explained in the menu and on screens and there are also flyers about other BSDA projects - such as the Hanchey Bamboo Resort. There is free WiFi and the toilet is very clean.
- Mekong Crossing, No. 12, Pasteur Str. (on the road between the market and the river). Mobile: 855 (0)12-432427. - Restaurant popular at least with foreigners; Western and (with a western touch) Khmer cuisine; the service is sometimes a bit slow even by Khmer standards. Slightly more expensive than other similar restaurants.
- Hao An, Monivong Boulevard. Mobile: 855 (0)12-941234. - Tourist friendly restaurant with excellent Khmer and other Asian cuisine; Dishes between $ US 2 and 3.Price: $ 2-3.
- San Te Hap (on the southeast. Corner of the market). - cheap and good food (especially tofu and seafood).Price: KHR 2.000-4.0000.
- Spien Thmei, Ph Preah Bat Sihanouk (down the street from the Mekong Hotel). - quite big restaurant with khmer cuisine. The food is very good, but not always what is on the menu. The staff does not understand English very well.
nightlife
Floating village
- for a more relaxed end to the day, the promenade the ideal place to sit together with friends or acquaintances
- Riverside Beers, opposite the Mekong Hotel. Area on the waterfront with stalls for drinks and food. Here you can hang up your hammock, relax and chat with the moped drivers who gather here.
- a good Khmer club is located on the Nightmarket right next to the LuckyPigShop. Cambodian and international music is played there, and the visitors are almost exclusively locals. Entry is free.
accommodation
- Trachakchith Guest House, southern center in a hidden alley. Friendly and clean, no English.Price: $ US 3 (double room, bath / toilet).
- Bopear Thmei, south of the Mekong Hotel. Simple, clean rooms.Price: $ US 3 (double room, bath / toilet).
- The Lazy Mekong Guesthouse, Praes Sihanouk (bank of the Mekong). Accommodation and restaurant serving Western and Cambodian fare. Free WiFi.
- Serey Pheap Guest House, No. 110, route 7. Mobile: 855 (0)12 864565. Quiet family-run guest house with large rooms.Price: $ US 3-4 (TV, AC costs extra).
- Kim Srun Guest House, Praes Sihanouk (bank of the Mekong), south of the Mekong Hotel. Tel.: 855 (0)12 941507, Mobile: 855 (0)12 941507. Small restaurant, shared balcony overlooking the Mekong.Price: $ US 3 (single room with bath / toilet); $ US 5 (double room with TV).
- Popharik Guest House, Centrally next to the market. Price: $ US 5 (double room, bath / toilet).
- Phnom Prosh Hotel, near Canadia Bank. Tel.: 855 (0)12 9414449. New, large hotel complex; Restaurant; Karaoke bar.Price: $ US 5/10 (Fan / AC).
- Mekong Hotel, No. 56 Samdach Pann Rd. Mobile: 855 (0)12 941536. The best hotel in town with a good price-performance ratio - even in the high season; rooms with fan / AC, TV and private bathroom with hot water. You should ask for a room with a view of the Mekong.Price: $ US 5-10.
- Hanchey Bamboo Resort, about 20 km north of the city on the Mekong on a hill. This eco-retreat hotel offers massages, yoga and mediation courses as well as the ideal atmosphere for travelers looking for relaxation. According to its own information, it is 95% plastic-free and, like the Smile Restaurant, is a project of an NGO from Kampong Cham.
trips
- An official website is not known. Please open Wikidata add.
