Kampong Thom

1.Sambo Prey Kuk

Sambo Preykuk is a cultural and historical site located in Sambo village, Sambo commune, Prasat Sambo district, about 25 kilometers northeast of Kampong Thom provincial town. The site was once an old capital named Isanapura and a religious center for the worship of Shiva Brahmanism.

Many temples were built in Sambo Preykuk during the reign of King Isanavarman I (AD 616- 635) in the 7th century. The temples of Sambo Preykuk constructed of solid brick, laterite and sandstone and decorated by bas-reliefs. The lintel, pillars and the door frames are all made of sandstone. So far, 140 temples have been discovered in the forest.

Sambor Prei Kuk, located near Kompong Thom, 150km south-east of Siem Reap, lies off the main road towards Cambodia?s capital Phnom Penh.
Kompong Thom is a sleepy little town. The only hive of activity was the market place next to the Stung Sen River where we bought some brown palm sugar and Cambodian fragrant rice. The local ?taxi? was actually an open-air wooden cart pulled by an antiquated motorbike. Its owner was an elderly man wearing spectacles with thick lenses.
The journey to Sambor Prei Kuk was interesting in itself. We saw no other vehicles other than a lone villager cycling into town, his bicycle laden with hand-made straw baskets. Our van kicked up thick red dust as we sped on the laterite road. A woman scrubbing her clothes nearby was oblivious to the dust that swept over her.

Lest you entertain images of grand temple ruins akin to the grandeur of the awesome Angkor Wat, you?d be disappointed. Sambor Prei Kuk is a group of ancient temple ruins scattered within a shady forest. Originally called Isanapura, it pre-dates Angkor Wat and was the capital city during the reign of King Isana Varman 1, the son of King Citrasena.
Few tourists know of it. The only ?horde? here was a group of Cambodian kids who rushed to our bus, hawking brightly-coloured homespun scarves at US$1(RM3.50) each. Built at the end of the 6th century, the ruins are touted to be some of the oldest structures in the country, covering an area of 5sq km.
About 100 small temples are scattered throughout the forest. Left in the open and not maintained, some of the structures are just mere remnants of their original building ? perhaps a broken wall here, a vine-choked edifice there. There are 52 temples in recognisable condition, and another 52 sites where the original structures are now buried in the ground, visible only as small hills.

2.Prey Pros

The Prey Pros, Kampong Thom is a must visit for travelers planning to visit Kampong Thom Tourist Attractions. The place is filled with the numerous Tourist Attractions in Kampong Thom which make the place attractive propositions for the travelers. The Prey Pros, Kampong Thom plays host as a natural site for enjoying the surroundings of the place along with its cultural insights. The Prey Pros in Kampong Thom is located at the Prey Pros Village which lies at the Prey Preal Commune, Kampong Svay District. The place is situated at a distance of 16 kilometers northwest of Provincial Town of Kampong. The site has developed as major tourist attraction with its elements that brings the travelers very close to nature.

The Prey Pros, Kampong Thom is a man-made resort located at Prey Priel village. The area covered by the place is massive and offers loads for the tourists to enjoy. The resort has played host to various races making the time spent at the place an exciting one for the travelers. As a matter of fact the Prey Pros, Kampong Thom has been the venue for running race, bicycle race and other games. The resort is also the venue for the national festivals which attracts tourists from all corners of the country and the nearby countries as well. The tourists can also enjoy an array of various other recreational activities at the resort that features fishing, swimming and boating. The tourists can also choose to enjoy the blissful at the resting cottage at the resort which has been particularly built to provide the essence of luxury to the travelers.

Tourists coming down to the resort get the best of vacationing with the facilities and the amenities it provides. The travelers can enjoy great food along with drinks while staying at the resort. The topography of the resort features a river which adds to the charm and beauty of the place. The view of the surroundings is truly enchanting and the atmosphere is just the perfect one for the tired travelers to refresh. 

3.Prasat Kuhak Nokor

Prasat Kuhak Nokor is located in Trodork Poung Village, Pong Ror Commune, Baray District, Kampong Thom Province and is in the complex of Wat Kuhak Nokor (Buddhist Pagoda). To reach there, passenger can take all kinds of vehicle on National Road 6, then turn west through the gate of Kuhak Nokor pagoda in a distance of 2km. It is 79km from Provincial Town of Kampong Thom. These sanctuaries were built on the flat ground, on a square terrace made of laterite and sandstone facing to the East with the rampart surrounding. This rampart has a 35m-length (East to West) and a 25m-width (North to South). There is surrounding rampart of one meter height and 0.8 meter thick with two gateways: Eastern gateway is 9m height divided into 3 rooms, and western gateway is small and has square shape.

The structures of the buildings are mixed, made of laterite and the decoration of sandstone. East of the temple, there are 2 ponds-the small one has about one-meter depth,45-meter length and 20-meter width, and the big one has 160-meter length, 88-meter width and more than one-meter depth.

Prasat Kuhak Nokor comprises:
– The throne is square shape, made of sandstone and decorated by lotus flowers and pointed-diamond style, and has square hole at the middle.
– A male standing statue remains from thigh to shoulder.
– A male standing statue remains from thigh to the navel.
– A male coiling statue is difficult to be identified as the statue broke the end of the arm and the sole of the foot (local people called the statue ?Neak Ta Bark Kor?.

Prasat Kuhak Nokor was built in 10th -11th century by the king Suryavarman I (1002-1050). But in the same year (1002), another document said there was a king named Preah Bat Jayviravarman who who was also on throne (1002-1010). The two kings claimed that they were on throne at the same year, this leading to war between king and king until 1006. Then the king Suryavarman I conquered Yasodharpura city, however the war still lasted for 04 years to end. In 1010, the king Suryavarman I gained success over the entire territory and had full power in the country.

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the AsiaTourAdvisor Logo & your name. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Phnom Penh.

In the afternoon, we will start visiting the capital city of Phnom Penh: Visit the Independent Monument, the National Museum, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Silver Pagoda has a special name because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. We will end the day with Wat Phnom. Back to the hotel for rest and overnight.

The riverside capital of Phnom Penh, once known as “The Pearl of Asia” and long considered the most beautiful French-built city of the Orient, is a charming and captivating city. The old French ochre-coloured colonial buildings are now being filled with trendy cafes, boutiques and art galleries and many traditional ornate temples still remain. The bustling squares and frangipani-lined boulevards create an atmosphere that is unlike any other city in South East Asia. Rich in history, Phnom Penh has a number of cultural and historical sites including the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and offers an insight into its darker past with the haunting Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum.

Day 2: Phnom Penh – Kampong Thom

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the Capital city Phnom Penh and leave for Kampong Thom with approximately 3 hours driving. We will make short stop at Skun market in the first half of the road. Skun is well-known for its bug especially spider. Then we will continue further to the provincial capital of Kampong Thom for the hotel check-in.

Afternoon, we will drive 30km north to visit the World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017, SamborPreiKuk. This site is Cambodia’s oldest temple dating back to the 6th century and it remains remarkably well preserved. Continue to cycle along quiet, shady trails from one temple group to another. The 8km loop will take you back in time and make you feel like an explorer.

Day 3: Kampong Thom Preah Vihear

After breakfast, with nearly 4 hours ride will bring us to Preah Vihear provincial capital. Preah Vihear is quite, a big northern province of Cambodia. The province itself is named after the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear, what is definitely the hotspot of this province. Much of the province is extremely remote and strongly forested.

We will then drive to the food of Dangrek Mountain. We will exchange our car and drive up to the peak of the mountain where the beautiful ruin of PreahVihear temple is located.It has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage in 2008 after a long dispute with Thailand over the belongings. The temple has a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases on an 800 metre long axis, is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture, in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment. PreahVihear is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It is very ‘pure’ both in plan and in the detail of its decoration.

Day 4: Preah Vihear – Siem Reap

After breakfast,we will travel to Siem Reap, the gateway of Angkor Temples.

We will visit also beautiful and charming of Beng Mealea Templealong the way. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Suyavarman II in the early 12th century, BengMealea preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways.

The world wonders build in 12th century. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosing wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Enjoy the sunset at Bakheng Mountain with 65 m high with the view from the hill top and Transfer back to hotel. Take free time for night city tour at night market for any souvenir or pub street etc and Overnight stay at hotel

Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor Tours

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am; visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat – one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom &Bayon. Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another one, until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area

Day 6: Siem Reap – Village Walk & Floating Community

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witnessing very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.

On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village. Enjoy a 30-minute ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach one big local house and see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine and handicraft works meanwhile a member of the family will offer you a fresh coconut and some homemade rice wine to taste.

Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, arrive at the quay for embarking on a motorized boat to visit floating houses village offering an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap. (Note***floating community is recommended from September to February)

Day 7: Siem Reap Departure

Breakfast at hotel, meet the driver and transfer to airport for your departure flight.
Finish unforgettable Cambodia Tour with Asia Tour Advisor Co.,. Good bye & see you in the next time! AsiaTourAdvisor can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.

1.Aruneas Guesthouse & Restaurant:

This is probably the most popular spot to eat in town, located beneath Arunras Guesthouse. They serve good Western, Chinese and Khmer food at cheap prices, which of course is why they are popular. An English menu and staff that can speak the language are other nice features.

2.Neak Meas Hotel & Restaurant:

This restaurant serve good Chinese and Khmer food in the morning and throughout the day until the nightclub kicks in around 8:30pm.

3-Monorom Restaurant:

This restaurant, crowded by lots of locals is situated next to the Mittapheap Hotel. Its quite popular on the National Highway No 6 to the North and especially for its breakfast.

4. Makara Restaurant:

Just north of the river bridge on the east side of Highway No 6 is a row of three restaurants, with the middle one being 9 Makara Restaurant and Nightclub. The restaurants are enclosed and serve Khmer and Chinese fare, with beer girls there to greet you in the evening.

5.Restaurant Row of Kampong Thom:

About a kilometer toward Phnom Penh on Highway No 6 is Kampong Thom’s version of Restaurant Row outside of Phnom Penh. There are a number of Khmer and Chinese food restaurants on both side of the highway that get rolling in the evening and have the Cambodian requirement of beer girls on hand.

6.Reaksmay Restaurant:

One of the first restaurants you come across at Restaurant Row is this new and upscale place. It’s fairly fancy for Kampong Thom. They serve up a bit of Western food to go along with the Khmer and Chinese fare and it’s the home of the fancy-pants beer girl of Kampong Thom.

The best time to visit Kampong Cham is between October to February, when the weather is not hot, and the humidity is manageable. It is an excellent time to be outdoors. Go in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hot sun and for pleasant sunrise and sunset views of the surrounding landscape from the temples

Dry Season (October to Early May)

The dry season is the best time of the year to pay a visit to the city of Kampong Thom. The city experiences humid tropical weather with temperatures often hovering between 23°C and 35°C. December, January, February, and March offer the perfect weather for tourists to explore the serene tourist spots of Kampong Thom. The dry season provides apt weather to venture into some of the breathtaking nature reserves and peaceful lakeside areas that adorn Kampong Thom’s territory. Tourists can also comfortably discover the ancient Buddhist shrines that have been beautifully carved out across the city’s expanse.

Wet season (Early May to September)

During the wet season, Kampong Thom witnesses a damp atmosphere around its expanse. The city receives heavy rainfall throughout the wet season with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 32°C. August and September bring in the highest amount of rainfall precipitation across Kampong Thom. During the wet season, the beautiful landscapes spread out across the town turn into lush green havens thanks to abundant rainfall. Although this is considered as offseason in Kampong Thom, visitors may find lesser crowds and more comfortable commutation across the town’s beautiful tourist spots. .

Throughout this article, we wish you to have an idea of how to travel to Kampong Thom for your best experience. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip to Kampong Thom, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.