Takeo Province

Khmer name: ខេត្តតាកែវ

Status: province

Capital: Daun Kaev

Area: 3563 km² (19ème)

Population: 899,485 inhabitants (6th)

Located between the capital Phnom Penh and the Vietnamese border, Takeo Province is a prime tourist destination. Numerous infrastructures and pre-Angkorian cities, dating from the end of the Funan period to the beginning of the Khmer Empire, through the Chenla era, are still present and can be easily visited. This is especially true for those located near the capital, such as Phnom Chisor and Angkor Borei. Just 75 km from Phnom Penh, Daun Kaev is a convenient short stop for a deeper exploration of the province.

History

Takeo Province is often described as the cradle of Khmer civilization. Between the 1st and 6th centuries, this region was part of the Funan Kingdom, which is believed to have elevated Angkor Borei to the rank of capital. After the fall of Funan, the Chenla Kingdom took over and was divided into two territories: Land Chenla, located in present-day southern Laos and Cambodia’s Steung Treng Province, and Water Chenla, located in what is now Takeo Province. This area, both historically and today, has many lakes and rivers, which likely inspired the name. Some historians believe that the finest examples of Khmer statuary come from Angkor Borei, Phnom Da, and Sambor Prei Kuk, north of modern-day Phnom Penh, the capital of the Chenla Kingdom.

Visits in Takeo Province reflect this rich and diverse history, though the various architectural styles are united by a predominantly Hinduized pre-Angkorian era. A 10th-century Khmer legend recounts that several kings of the Kambuja lineage (referring to an Iron Age kingdom in northern India), some of whom ruled at the end of the Funan period, shared a common ancestor: a hermit named Kambu and his wife Mera, a celestial nymph. This union and the combination of their names may have given rise to the Khmer people: K(ambu) + Mer(a). The term Kambuja also closely resembles Kampuchea, the Khmer word for Cambodia.

What to visit today in Takeo?

Phnom Chisor

Located about forty kilometers south of Phnom Penh, Phnom Chisor mountain is a great first stop when visiting Takeo Province. Rising more than 130 meters in an otherwise flat region, it offers a privileged view of the surrounding countryside. At the top, you can visit the Phnom Chisor temple. Of Brahmanic influence, this structure was built in the 11th century under Khmer King Suryavarman I and was originally named Sri Suryaparvata, meaning "Mountain of the Sun." Though in poor condition today, several lintels remain as evidence of its Angkorian past. About a hundred meters from the temple is a cave known for having been a Brahmanic meditation site.

Angkor Borei and Phnom Da sites

There are two ways to reach the town of Angkor Borei:

• Depart from Phnom Penh by road, pass by the foot of Phnom Chisor, and continue on to the former capital of the Funan Kingdom.
• Travel from Phnom Penh to the provincial capital Daun Kaev, then board a boat that goes directly to Angkor Borei.

Once there, you’ll notice the city has lost the charm and strength it once held as the capital of Funan. The only real point of interest is the museum, which displays many statues from the pre-Angkorian period. From there, you can head further south to reach the archaeological site of Phnom Da, located atop a beautiful wooded hill. Many places of worship and architectural remains from the Angkor Borei era are still well preserved. You’ll find laterite structures and the Asrom Moha Eysei temple, built in stone.

Tonlé Bati

Tonlé Bati Lake, located in the north of Takeo Province near Kandal Province, has become a major tourist spot in the region. Just thirty kilometers from Phnom Penh, it is an easy getaway on sunny days for picnics in lakeside huts, fishing, swimming, and enjoying the outdoors. It offers all the pleasures of a small lakeside resort just a short distance from the capital.

The landscape is enriched by several Angkorian-era temples, including Yeay Pow and Ta Prohm (a namesake of the famous Ta Prohm temple in Angkor featured in Tomb Raider). This version of Ta Prohm, built under the most famous Khmer king Jayavarman VII, follows some of the same architectural principles as Bayon in Angkor.

Phnom Tamao Zoological Park

Phnom Tamao, located a few hundred meters from Tonlé Bati Lake, is home to a zoo and wildlife rescue center. It is a very popular tourist destination for both Cambodians and foreigners, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors each year. Spread across 2,300 hectares of protected forest, the park houses elephants, tigers, reptiles, over 90 bird species, monkeys, and many other animals. Officially opened in 2000, the zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals.

Climate

Although close to the southwestern coast, Takeo Province is inland and subject to Cambodia’s typical hot and tropical climate. The dry season begins in December, which also sees a welcome week of cooler temperatures, and continues until May. April is the driest and hottest month of the year. The monsoon season starts in June and intensifies through September and October before tapering off in November. Average annual temperatures range between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius.

How to get there?

One of Takeo’s advantages is its proximity to Phnom Penh. You can easily choose one or two activities and return to the capital the same day. However, if you prefer to take more time, it is advisable to travel to Daun Kaev from Phnom Penh. The car ride takes about 2.5 hours, while the bus takes approximately 3.5 hours.