Bokor Hill Station
Bokor Hill Station
#13
Among Things To Do in Kampot
Weather :
Tags : Hills & Valleys
Timings : 8 AM to 9 PM
Time Required : 6 to 7 hours
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Bokor Hill Station, Kampot Overview
Bokor is a popular hill station located close to Kampot town in Cambodia. It consists of the popular Bokor National Park, a UNESCO heritage centre covering over 1500 square kilometres is home to rare wildlife including Asiatic black bears, Leopards, elephants and birds.
Apart from the rich wildlife, Bokor National Park is a hill station consisting of a waterfall, a former royal palace, and some ruins from the Khmer and the French period. Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, it overs beautiful views of the ocean from the hill. Visiting the national park as a day trip from Kampot is a recommended activity.
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Bokor National Park History
The national park was established as a prominent hill station in 1925 during the French occupation of Cambodia as a summer abode for the officers. There were a hotel and a building dedicated to a casino, both in ruins today. During the WWII and the Khmer Rouge period, the park was abandoned due to which the park earned the nickname - The City of Ghosts. In 1933, it was declared as a national park. Today it is one of the preserved heritage parks in Cambodia.
Places to Visit in Bokor
Lok Yeay Mao
A large monument of a meditating Buddha overlooking the coast would be your first stop in the national park. This impressive 27-meter statue is the latest addition to the park, built in 2010. Walk to the top for great views of the coast.
Other popular attractions include Le Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino which was built in 1925, both of them in ruins now. On a clear day from the top of the hotel, you can see views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Southern Cambodian islands and Phu Quoc island.
Another monument is an old Catholic church, parts of which exist today. It sheltered Khmer Rouges who fought with each other, and you can still notice bullet holes on the walls.
Black Palace - It is a modest-looking royal holiday residence of King Sihanouk, which is in ruins and is hard to explore fully due to the growth of lichens.
Popokvil Waterfall - About 5 km northeast of Bokor Hill Station is Popokvil Waterfall, a two-tiered waterfall with a natural pool at the centre. Popokvil translates to swirling clouds, due to how it appears when the water levels are high.
Depending on the season you visit, you can either swim or hike along the trail next to the waterfall or admire it from the viewpoint when it is full during the rainy season. During summer, most of the water dries up, and you can find people camping near the rocks beside the waterfall.
Popokvil Waterfall entry fees - 0.5 USD or 2000 KHR
Wat Sampove Pram - A small pagoda with many Buddha statues, worth making a stop.
A large monument of a meditating Buddha overlooking the coast would be your first stop in the national park. This impressive 27-meter statue is the latest addition to the park, built in 2010. Walk to the top for great views of the coast.
Other popular attractions include Le Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino which was built in 1925, both of them in ruins now. On a clear day from the top of the hotel, you can see views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Southern Cambodian islands and Phu Quoc island.
Another monument is an old Catholic church, parts of which exist today. It sheltered Khmer Rouges who fought with each other, and you can still notice bullet holes on the walls.
Black Palace - It is a modest-looking royal holiday residence of King Sihanouk, which is in ruins and is hard to explore fully due to the growth of lichens.
Popokvil Waterfall - About 5 km northeast of Bokor Hill Station is Popokvil Waterfall, a two-tiered waterfall with a natural pool at the centre. Popokvil translates to swirling clouds, due to how it appears when the water levels are high.
Depending on the season you visit, you can either swim or hike along the trail next to the waterfall or admire it from the viewpoint when it is full during the rainy season. During summer, most of the water dries up, and you can find people camping near the rocks beside the waterfall.
Popokvil Waterfall entry fees - 0.5 USD or 2000 KHR
Wat Sampove Pram - A small pagoda with many Buddha statues, worth making a stop.
Ticket details
There is no entry fee for Bokor National Park or the hill area, but if you arrive by a two-wheeler, the parking fees is 0.5 USD or 2000 KHR (Cambodian Riel).
Tips
- If you plan to rent a bike, make sure you have sufficient fuel as there are no stations on the road once you go out of Kampot town.
- Apart from a small refreshment area in the waterfall and the Buddha temple, there are no options for food and drinks. It's better to pack something with you.
- If you are going there around monsoon or in winter, carry some warm clothes, a raincoat or an umbrella. The weather at the top can be unpredictable. It can suddenly rain and also, it is usually cooler during these seasons.
- You'll have to base yourself in Kampot as there are plenty of guesthouses there to take a trip to Bokor National Park. But if you want to spend a night in the park, at around 70 USD, you can stay in the luxurious resort Thansur Sokha Hotel at the top.
- It is best recommended to do the trip on your own using rented vehicles. But if you are not sure of driving or prefer exploring comfortably, you can opt for a day trip tour, which is priced between 10 USD to 25 USD. This tour charge includes lunch and free pick up from your hotel.
How To Reach Bokor Hill Station
Located 8km from Kampot downtown, it takes about 35 minutes to drive to the top. The best way to reach is to hire a motorbike and drive by yourself since this would allow you to stop at all points of interest once you are in the national park. Also, the upward journey in bikes along the curves offer excellent views, making it for a beautiful short drive. Bike rental cost(100 cc) is about 12 USD per day with an additional 5 USD for fuel.
You can also rent a mountain bike in Kampot to explore the national park. But it is recommended that you have some prior mountain biking experience as the uphill ride can be challenging. If you want to go by a cab, it can be booked via your guesthouses or tour agents.
You can also rent a mountain bike in Kampot to explore the national park. But it is recommended that you have some prior mountain biking experience as the uphill ride can be challenging. If you want to go by a cab, it can be booked via your guesthouses or tour agents.
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