Kampong Cham is one of the most breathtaking destinations in Cambodia with many archaeological sites and intertwined snakes. Read the following travel guide to equip yourself with essential information about this place, including weather, transportation, places to visit, etc.
General Information
Located on the Mekong River, Kampong Cham, with a population of 61,750 (2021) is the 12th largest city in Cambodia – one of Indochina‘s most important archaeological sites. There are numerous temples and pagodas with stunning architecture in and around the city. The province’s famous symbol is two intertwined snakes located in Bridge Kampong Cham, the provincial capital.
Kampong Cham map
There aren’t many tourists in Cambodia who have heard of or put Kampong Cham on their bucket list. However, this Mekong River city is only three hours from the capital, Phnom Penh, making it an ideal opportunity to explore some of the country’s rural provinces away from the country’s urbanizing highlights. Cambodia’s complex and diverse makeup can only be truly understood by exploring its lesser-known corners.
Weather and best time to visit
The wet season is oppressive and cloudy in Kampong Cham, the dry season is hazy and partly cloudy, and it is hot all year.
Kampong Cham weather
From March 9 to May 17, the warm season lasts two and a half months, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 94°F (34,5°F). April was the hottest month in Kampong Cham, with an average high temperature of 96°F (35,5°C) and a low temperature of 80°F (26,5 °C).
From August 31 to January 10, the cool season lasted 4,4 months, with an average high temperature of less than 89°F (31.5°C). December is the coldest month in Kampong Cham, with average lows of 73°F (22,8°C) and highs of 88°F (31°C).
The months of January, July, and November to December are ideal for visiting Kampong Cham because the weather is not too hot and the humidity is low. In Kampong Cham, the average high temperature in March is 97°F (36°C), and the average low temperature in October is 88°F (31°C). This is an excellent time for outdoor activities. Visitors should go early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the scorching sun and to enjoy the temple’s sunrise and sunset views of the surrounding countryside. This is also an excellent time for a boat trip.
Getting to Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham is located 124 kilometers northeast of Phnom Penh and can be reached by boat or paved road. However, Kampong Cham does not have a train station. As a result, hired buses and taxis are the only transportation options. If you are traveling from Kampot, Kep, or Sihanoukville, you must stop in Phnom Penh. Coming from Laos, there are direct bus services connecting Kampong Cham with some cities in the northeast. From Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham, it takes about 2.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by boat.
Many bus companies, including Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, Sorya Bus, Neak Krohorm, Virak Buntham, and Kampot Express, provide modern air-conditioned buses to Kampong Cham town. Buses run every 15 minutes to an hour, from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Besides, bullet Boats are an excellent way to travel along the Mekong. The journey from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham usually takes two hours and costs 10,000 riels. Boats leave from the Tonle Sap River on the Phnom Penh side about 150 meters north of the Japanese Bridge. A three-hour boat ride from Kampong Cham to Kratie costs around 15,000 riels.
There isn’t much reason to take a taxi from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham because the air-conditioned buses are both cheap and fast. It costs 8,000 riels to take a shared taxi from Kampong Cham to Kampong Thom.
Getting around Kampong Cham
The central part of Kampong Cham is small enough to walk around on foot. The riverside is within hearing distance of the majority of major attractions and restaurants.
We recommend renting a pushbike to get to the lighthouse and temples (about 2 USD for a full day). They provide motorcycles as well. The owners are extremely friendly and can give you directions. Pay in advance, and if it’s peak season, consider arriving the day before to reserve your wheels.
If it’s too hot or raining to ride, you can book tuk-tuks or taxis. We strongly advise you to rent a car.
Where to Stay in Kampong Cham
During the French colonial period, Kampong Cham was an important trading post, and the legacy of that time can be seen on the streets, in the ennobled classic buildings, and on the wide boulevards alongside the Mekong River. In Kampong Cham, there are many low-cost hostels, as well as traditional homestays, villas, and even high-end hotels and resorts. You can relax in resorts in the middle of the peaceful countryside while still enjoying full facilities such as a spa and a gym.
Best places to visit & things to do in Kampong Cham
Koh Pen bridge
Koh Pen bridge
Cambodia’s Kampong Cham Bamboo Bridge was the world’s longest bamboo bridge. The Koh Pen Bridge, which connected the Kampong Cham waterfront to Koh Pen (Bamboo Island), was nothing short of an engineering marvel. Every year on both sides of the rainy season, this bamboo bridge was demolished and rebuilt.
Koh Pen island
Koh Pen beach
Like Koh Dach near Phnom Penh, Koh Pen is a long, narrow island in the middle of the Mekong. A short bike ride from central Kampong Cham via the Bamboo Bridge (or by ferry if you visit during the rainy season), Koh Pen is home to some of Cambodia’s most beautiful rural villages. The island is green and overgrown with the end of the monsoon and its shady paths are ideal for an afternoon horseback ride.
Nokor Wat Ruins
Nokor Wat Ruins
This Angkor-era temple was built in the 11th century in a style similar to the world wonder temples at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. There are tombs with human remains from the Khmer Rouge genocide in this Kampong Cham wat, as well as wall paintings depicting death, torture, and souls fleeing to the afterlife. There is a very disturbing atmosphere. To get there, bike or tuk-tuk one kilometer out of town towards Phnom Penh. There are monks nearby who should be politely and respectfully asked to open the temple for you to enter.
Twin mountain temples, Phnom Pros, and Phnom Sre
Phnom Pros and Phnom Sre
Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (literally “hills for men and women”) are a few kilometers from Wat Nokor. In fact, it is a vast complex of shrines, gardens, temples, a library, and many food stalls. The whole area is a place of Buddhist pilgrimage and if you are traveling on a weekend or near a religious holiday you will see many families paying their respects. A walkway of 308 steps takes visitors to the top of Phnom Srei. Phnom Pros is closer to the road and easier to access via a short flight of stairs. As Phnom Pros has a working monastery, you will often see monks walking around.
Phnom Hanchey Hilltop Temple
Chup Rubber Plantation
Rubber plantations can be found throughout South East Asia, including one in Kampong Cham. Take your bicycle or motorcycle to the plantation, which is about 20 kilometers outside of town. The tall rubber tree forest is a breathtaking sight. Row after row, these grandiose, leafy pillars with incredibly thick trunks are perfectly arranged, leaving little alleys of dirt and light running between them like a scene from Alice in Wonderland. It’s best to go early in the morning to avoid the heat and to see the farm workers at work.
The Big market
Local market in Kampong Cham
No matter where you are in Cambodia, a trip to the local market is the best way to start the day. The main market in Kampong Cham is located in the heart of the city. The fresh food section provides numerous opportunities for photographers. The Kampong Cham market is a major draw for tourists who want to bring back some souvenirs from this exotic Asian land. It’s teeming with shops selling gold and silver jewelry, antique coins, knockoff name-brand watches, and other knickknacks.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park
The vast Riverside Park is the crowning glory of Kampong Cham. The pedestrian promenade and green spaces along the winding line of the Mekong stretch from the end of the Japanese bridge to the end of the main street. Benches scattered along the walkway are shaded by tall palms and ruffled bougainvillea vines. You will occasionally come across a bazaar statue. As night falls, the park comes alive and transforms into a lively festival of aerobics, street food, and family walks.
What & Where to Eat in Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham Night Market
Kampong Cham Night Market food
The Kampong Cham Night Market is an excellent place to sample street food and Cambodian cuisine. The market is set back from the riverfront, with clothing shops in the front and restaurants in the back. People arrive on motorcycles and park alongside the plastic tables. Rice flour pancakes make an excellent late-night snack. They’re rolled into an attractive cone shape after being smeared with gooey coconut cream and sprinkled with shredded coconut colored yellow or orange. Ly Ly BBQ, a massive undercover barbecue restaurant at the back of the market, is also a local favorite.
Smile Restaurant
Khmer cuisine served in Smile restaurant
This is a popular and well-known option in Kampong Cham. This breezy restaurant is popular with ex-pats and tourists and is run by the NGO Buddhism for Social Development Action (BSDA). They serve generous portions of Khmer cuisine (the loc lac is delicious), fruit smoothies, and a full menu of Western dishes. Prices are slightly higher than usual, but profits help to fund their social development work.
Destiny Coffee House
Destiny coffee house drinks
Finding real espresso in rural Cambodia is such a treat! This Kampong Cham coffee shop serves latte art, pop cakes, iced Thai tea, fruit shakes, and fresh juice—everything you could want in a modern café. The décor is spotless, there is free WiFi, and the café is air-conditioned. It’s a contemporary oasis. The cherry on top is that Destiny Coffee House is also a Cambodian NGO that teaches children and youth service skills so that they can provide a better future for themselves and their families.
Lazy Mekong daze
Pizza served in Lazy Mekong daze
Sometimes, while traveling, you simply miss something, such as pizza. The crust on the pizza here is authentic – thicker than most, but not as thick as a Pizza Company crust or mass-produced. It has a unique crunch on the bottom and chews on top that you won’t find anywhere else in Asia. The toppings are sufficient but not excessive, and the cheese has a high-quality taste and reliability. It’s simply good pizza, and I’m surprised to find it so close to the river. Oh, the Greek salad had creamy feta, and a request for more balsamic vinegar was a nice touch.
Mekong river crossing restaurant and pub
Food served at Mekong river crossing restaurant and pub
This restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, with a menu that includes everything from pizza and hamburgers to traditional Khmer dishes. It’s a nice place to sit outside the dimly lit restaurant and pub in the evening, sipping a cocktail or beer and watching the people go by. The restaurant is on a corner with a great view of the river and the Japanese Bridge.
We hope the information in the article “Kampong Cham travel guide” will be helpful to you. If you want to have more information and ideas to build an unforgettable itinerary in Kampong Cham, do not hesitate to contact us!