Bokor Hill Station
Located within Preah Monivong National Park, west of the city of Kampot, Bokor is a Cambodian highland resort. A popular tourist destination, it is a vestige of the French colonial era. Its serene natural setting makes it an ideal retreat for those looking to escape the sweltering heat of Phnom Penh.
Historical background
Bokor was originally established in 1917 by French engineer Marius François Baudouin as a French hill station. At the time, it served as a retreat for French colonists, and later became a vacation spot for the Khmer elite, including members of Cambodia’s royal family.
The site was first abandoned in the late 1940s during the First Indochina War. Many of its buildings and villas were destroyed by fire or completely demolished. Following the 1970 coup that overthrew Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Bokor was again abandoned. In 1979, it was used as a strategic base by Khmer Rouge forces in their conflict against Vietnamese troops. Khmer Rouge fighters continued to occupy the area until 1990, with the last stronghold cleared by a French battalion in 1993.
After Cambodia gained independence, King Norodom Sihanouk committed to the restoration of Bokor, which led to the inauguration of a new city on the site in January 1962. The most recent wave of redevelopment took place in 2014.
Exploring Bokor
Spanning over 33 kilometers, Bokor Hill Station encompasses a national park and various recreational facilities including a casino, hotels, guesthouses, temporary bungalows, and hostels catering to international visitors. Other facilities include a post and telegraph office, a Catholic church, a town hall, and a power station.
Among the ruins of former French buildings, Bokor remains a living memory of Cambodia’s colonial past and the devastating Khmer Rouge era. Many of the old colonial structures are now partially reclaimed by the jungle, creating a dramatic and atmospheric backdrop.
Perched on a cliff in the Elephant Mountains, Bokor rises to an altitude of over 1,080 meters. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand, Kampot Bay, and Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island.
One of Bokor’s main attractions is the Bokor Palace Hotel, once a royal guesthouse and now a preserved colonial-era landmark. This Art Deco-style structure was inaugurated on February 14, 1925, and now serves as a luxury hotel offering 22 rooms and four annex suites. Nearby, you’ll also find a vintage water tower, built in 1960.
Among the site’s other historic buildings, the Catholic Church and the former town hall are still in use. The church, originally inaugurated on March 18, 1928, was restored in 2007. Following independence in 1953, the Bokor town hall was relocated to the former residence of King Monivong, the oldest building in the area.
Bokor National Park
Built within a national park, Bokor is known for its rich biodiversity. The park serves as a natural reserve, home to 30 endemic plant species. Wildlife sightings may include tigers, leopards, wild cattle, civets, wild pigs, and gibbons. Lucky visitors might even spot the elusive Asian elephant, a critically endangered species.
Popokvil Waterfalls
Located just 2 kilometers from the Bokor site, the Popokvil Waterfalls consist of cascading streams that sing through the jungle. During the dry season, this is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking.
How to get there
Due to the steep incline of the access road, it is advisable to travel to Bokor by car, taxi, or motorbike. Tuk-tuks are not recommended—they are too slow and underpowered for the terrain. From Kampot, simply follow National Road No. 3 to reach the site.
