Kampot is a provincial capital and a small, tranquil town with around 40,000 inhabitants. It's also a vibrant tourist destination with a picturesque, laid-back atmosphere. It stands out among other Cambodian towns as the gateway to the region's most developed tourism activity: exploring Bokor National Park and the Teuk Chhou River.

History

Kampot is a Khmer word that literally means pufferfish. Under French colonial administration, the town experienced a glorious era. After the loss of the Mekong Delta and before the creation of Sihanoukville, it housed Cambodia's most important port. Today, that port has become a small mooring for local fishing boats. Until the construction of Sihanoukville's deep-sea port in 1950, Kampot remained one of Cambodia's largest commercial centers.

In 2001, the local administration, alongside Phnom Penh, signed a cooperation agreement with the commune of Lognes (Seine-et-Marne, France) to build youth and cultural centers.

Geography

Located 148 km from Phnom Penh in southwestern Cambodia, Kampot is dominated by Bokor Mountain. It's a riverside town covering approximately 4 km². The city stretches some 80 km along the Gulf of Thailand and borders the sea. It's also crossed by a river called Teuk Chhou or Prek Thom.

Kampot Today

Kampot's economy today is built on the production of local fruits, salt, and pepper. The unique local climate and fertile soil properties favor the excellent quality of these local products: durians, coconuts, and mangoes are the most renowned from the region. Many consider it the durian capital of Cambodia. It's also one of the world's largest pepper-growing regions. With a strong, delicate, and aromatic taste, the pepper here is recognized as among the world's finest and holds protected designation of origin status. In 2015, Kampot pepper production reached 60 tons annually, with over 70% exported to European countries, the United States, and Japan.

With a culture strongly influenced by Western traditions, Kampot offers you diverse gastronomy, both modern and traditional. In a welcoming atmosphere, restaurateurs prepare Khmer specialties, French cuisine, and other Asian dishes. You'll find Western specialties such as barbecue, pork chops, ice cream, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw.

Kampot boasts an architectural heritage of French and Khmer styles; these buildings reflect the town's history during French colonization. These old structures are generally found along the streets near the Teuk Chhou River. They include dilapidated old merchant houses and grand administrative buildings: the governor's residence, the Red Cross building, and the Ministry of Mines building.

Often regarded as a sleepy town, Kampot has recently developed its tourism sector to showcase its idyllic landscapes and attractions. Most regional tourism businesses promote excursions and tours to explore the area and discover its various sites.

Hiking and boat tours are among Kampot's most popular activities. Hostels, guesthouses, and travel agencies offer visitors various excursions. Aboard cruise boats or guided by local guides, you can discover pepper cultivation and salt marshes. At sunset, enjoy a riverside stroll or paddle in a canoe-kayak.

Salt Marshes

Salt zones have been developed on former rice paddies. You'll find genuine salt fields here. Following the road to Kep, you'll be charmed by fields adorned with salt white like small chains of snow-capped mountains.

Pepper Plantations

Nestled among verdant mountains 20 km east of town, pepper plantations rank among the city's most important attractions. To truly appreciate the production of the world's finest peppers, it's advisable to visit these plantations just before the harvest season between March and April. During harvest season, you can try picking pepper and learn local production techniques for these products.

Kep

Kep is a small fishing town beyond Kampot. Along the Teuk Chhou River cruises, it also serves as a departure point for boat trips to Kampot. Famous for seafood like fresh crabs and grilled squid, it's equally known for its magnificent beaches.

Bokor National Park

Bokor National Park is marked by the presence of an old French military base at the hilltop. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the town, beautiful waterfalls, old French colonial hills, and pepper plantations.

Climate

Kampot enjoys a warm, humid tropical climate. Rain is abundant during the monsoon season.

With a minimum temperature of 16°C, it records an average temperature of around 27°C, with April being the hottest month of the year. It's one of the country's coldest regions.

Taxi

From Phnom Penh, Kampot is accessible by shared taxi, minivan, or bus. Passing through Kep on National Road 3, taxis make the 4 to 5-hour journey.

Kampot is only 25 km from Kep. Depending on your transport type (tuk tuk, motorcycle, taxi, or bus), you can easily reach the town.

Boat

Daily boats remain the most pleasant way to reach Kampot. From Kep, boats depart at 9:30 am and return around 3:30 pm. During a 2-hour journey, these vessels move slowly down the river, allowing passengers to leisurely enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Train

Recently, the town has also been connected to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville by rail. Trains run regular routes daily.

Canoe

To explore the town peacefully, it's more convenient to rent canoes. Local river operators rent these boats for half-day excursions.

Bicycle or Motorcycle

You can also rent a bicycle or motorcycle, hire a taxi, or take a tuk tuk. These are the most common means of transport for discovering the town.

What to Do?

• Take a hiking trip along the Teuk Chhou River to explore the town's magnificent landscapes.
• Visit pepper plantations and participate for a while in producing the world's finest pepper.
• Enjoy the beautiful beach in the nearby town of Kep.
• Explore Bokor National Park to trace the remnants of French colonial history.