Perched at over 1,080 metres altitude on the Elephant Mountains, Bokor hill station is a former French hill station built in the 1910s, now mingling colonial ruins, primary forest and panoramas over the Gulf of Thailand. The site is visited from Kampot, within Preah Monivong National Park.

Why Visit Bokor

Bokor brings together three interests rarely combined on a single site in Cambodia:

• Intact colonial heritage: Catholic church, former town hall, ruined casino, post office, water tower.
• A national park of highland humid forest, with protected fauna and flora.
• A natural vantage point overlooking Kampot Bay and Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island.

The atmosphere, often shrouded in mist, and the contrasts between degraded buildings and recent reconstructions give the plateau a distinctive character.

History of the Station

Bokor was built in late 1917 by Marius François Baudouin. Conceived as a French hill station, the plateau initially served as a retreat for colonists, then for Khmer high society and the royal family, escaping the heat of the plains.

The Indochina War led to the first abandonment in the late 1940s. Many buildings were burned or destroyed during this period. The site experienced a brief return to prosperity after independence: Norodom Sihanouk oversaw renovation and the new town was inaugurated in January 1962.

The coup d'État overthrowing Sihanouk in 1970 caused a second abandonment. From 1979 onwards, Bokor's altitude and isolation made it a strategic location for Khmer Rouge troops against Vietnamese forces. The last Khmer Rouge stronghold occupied the site until 1990; a French battalion arrived in 1993 as part of the peace process.

The most recent reconstruction of the site dates to 2014, with the rehabilitation of several landmark buildings and the opening of a modern hotel complex.

What to See on the Plateau

The complex spans a vast plateau and includes a casino, hotels, bungalows and inns, a post and telegraph office, a Catholic church, a town hall and a former power plant. The road climbing from Kampot links these points over some thirty kilometres.

Bokor Palace

The former royal lodge in Art Deco style, Bokor Palace was inaugurated on 14 February 1925. Recently restored, it now operates as an upmarket guesthouse with 22 rooms and 4 annexe apartments. It is the most photographed building on the site.

The Catholic Church

Inaugurated on 18 March 1928 and rebuilt in 2007, the church stands alone on a windswept promontory. Its grey silhouette emerging from the mist is Bokor's most iconic image.

The Town Hall and Water Tower

The town hall has been located since 1953 in the former residence of King Monivong, which constitutes the oldest structure at Bokor. The water tower, dating from 1960, remains a visible landmark across the plateau.

Preah Monivong National Park

The park is home to 30 endemic plant species. Recorded fauna includes tigers, leopards, wild cattle, civets, wild boar, gibbons and Asian elephants, the latter rarely observed. Several trails cross the highland humid forest.

Popokvil Falls

Approximately 2 km from the main site, Popokvil Falls form a series of stepped cascades. Water flow varies significantly by season: impressive during the rainy season, sometimes reduced to a trickle by late dry season.

When to Visit

The plateau's climate is noticeably cooler than Kampot's, with temperatures dropping below 15°C at night.

• Dry season (November to April): most reliable conditions for the road and panoramas, clear light mid-morning.
• Rainy season (May to October): dense mist, spectacular atmosphere over the ruins, but reduced visibility and Popokvil Falls at peak flow.

Mist can settle any time of day in late afternoon. Pack a fleece or windbreaker.

Practical Information

• Visit duration: allow half a day to a full day depending on whether you combine ruins, park and waterfalls.
• National park entry: a modest entrance fee is charged at plateau access; rates subject to change.
• Equipment: closed-toe shoes for trails, warm clothing, water, insect repellent.
• Accommodation: option to stay on site at the hotel complex or Bokor Palace, but most visitors lodge in Kampot.

How to Get There

Access is from Kampot via National Road 3, then the park access road which climbs some thirty kilometres in switchbacks to the plateau. Given the steep gradient, choose car or taxi, or motorbike for experienced riders. Tuk-tuk is not suited to the elevation gain. Most Kampot agencies offer day excursions.

What to Combine in the Region

Bokor fits naturally into a stay in Kampot and Kep, but can complement a broader cultural itinerary across Cambodia:

• Kampot and its pepper plantations, the logical base for visiting Bokor.
• Bayon Temple and Baphuon, at Angkor.
• Beng Mealea, temple engulfed by jungle.
• Choeung Ek, Killing Fields memorial near Phnom Penh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Trip

Bokor integrates easily into an itinerary linking Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kep and the Gulf of Thailand coast. To build a tailor-made itinerary including southern Cambodia, consult our Cambodia travel suggestions.