General Information
Located on the western side of the Tonle Sap lake, Pursat province
is covered mainly by moutainous terrain. Although the province is not
home to many ancient temples, the highlight of this province concerns
the history of the war between Siamese and the Khmers that took place
just before the French Colonial era in Cambodia. An popular historical
site is that of the Tomb of Oknha Klang Meung, the Cambodian hero who
led the war against Siamese and defeated them in 1482.
While in Pursat, visit the floating town of Kampong Luang, and take
in the natural beauty of the Ouda. These are unspoiled attractions that
this charming province boasts. This is also a town known for its
top-quality marble. Besides farming, most of the residents make their
living sculpting using marble as the main medium.
Kampong Luang, a town floating on the Tonle Sap Lake is just 40 km away from the Pursat town center. The floating village includes a police station, schools, restaurants, a clinic, shops and bars. The town is self-sufficient and is equipped with all the facilities of a grounded city.
The Ouda, a remote attraction, refreshes even the most tired travelers with its gorgeous scenery and tranquility. Any stress brought on by the challenges of work or family life will be carried away in the natural splendor of the river, which flows from the Arai River in the Cardamom Mountains. The mouth of the river, approximately 500 meters wide, is framed by thousands of large and small rocks. During the rainy season, the crystal clear water crashes over the smooth stones, but when the rains dry up, sentimental travelers can take a seat on the rocks to reflect on their journey. Opened just a few years ago, Ouda is located in Rokat Commune in Kravanh district 58 km from Pursat town.
Pursat and its surrounding attractions are sure to season even the savviest traveler. Lunch along the highway, dip into history with Oknha Kleang Mueng, a floating village tour, and a bathe in the healing waters of Ouda for an unforgettable trip.
Kampong Luang, a town floating on the Tonle Sap Lake is just 40 km away from the Pursat town center. The floating village includes a police station, schools, restaurants, a clinic, shops and bars. The town is self-sufficient and is equipped with all the facilities of a grounded city.
The Ouda, a remote attraction, refreshes even the most tired travelers with its gorgeous scenery and tranquility. Any stress brought on by the challenges of work or family life will be carried away in the natural splendor of the river, which flows from the Arai River in the Cardamom Mountains. The mouth of the river, approximately 500 meters wide, is framed by thousands of large and small rocks. During the rainy season, the crystal clear water crashes over the smooth stones, but when the rains dry up, sentimental travelers can take a seat on the rocks to reflect on their journey. Opened just a few years ago, Ouda is located in Rokat Commune in Kravanh district 58 km from Pursat town.
Pursat and its surrounding attractions are sure to season even the savviest traveler. Lunch along the highway, dip into history with Oknha Kleang Mueng, a floating village tour, and a bathe in the healing waters of Ouda for an unforgettable trip.
Attractions in Pursat province
River Bank Park
River Bank Park lies along the Pursat river, just north of the
concrete bridge on the west side of the town. Originally it was
constructed in Sangkum Reas Niyum period, before being destroyed by Pol
Pot. Later, the Park has been rebuilt following the instigation and
guidance of Mr. H.E. Ung Samy, the Governor of Pursat province. The Park
is called 14 Makara (14 January), and marks the day of liberation from
Pol Pot’s regime in 1979.
Koh Sampov Meas
Koh Sampov Meas Island Park lies in the middle of the Pursat River,
just in front of the Pursat hospital, 1km north of the first main
concrete bridge. Although it is currently in the process of being
upgraded to a provincial park for tourists and local residents, it
features some fine crafted sculptures for visitors.
Pursat New Market
Pursat New Market stands along the Pursat riverbank on the west
side of the town, about 700m north of the concrete bridge. The market
sells everything from agriculture products to electrical goods and
jewelry. The fruit stalls are particularly well stocked with an array of
fruits, especially the famous local oranges (Kroch Po Sat). Pursat
province is the only region where marble is found and therefore Pursat
is very famous throughout the country for its marble products. Skillful
craftsmen can be seen at work sculpting huge Buddhas or beautiful
statues. There are over 160 carving workshops in most districts, except
the mountainous Veal Veng district. Most workshops are small private
enterprises, although the odd one employs up to 13 craftsmen. Many
workshops and shops in Pursat sell examples of the magnificent marble
handiwork, which can make stylish souvenirs.
Marble & Wood Carves
Another interesting craft place to visit is Bunrany Hun Sen, a
vocational craft training centre. It is the ideal place to see and chat
with local people, learning time-honored traditional craft such as
weaving silk scarves, grass mats, sewing beautiful bags and purses or
learning the trade of a sculpture. The centre is located next to Pursat
High School on the north side of Pursat, along street No9.
Kampong Luong Tonle Sap Lake
The floating village of Kampong Luong on the Tonle Sap is the most
unique and interesting place to visit in Pursat Province. It’s a
complete village on water populated by over 10,000 inhabitants. Everyone
lives in boats and the whole village moves up and down with the level
of the water in the lake. The town has most of the usual facilities,
restaurants, schools and even karaoke bars.While there is nowhere for
visitors to stay overnight, it is possible to get there and back in a
day, as it is between 35km- 40km northeast of Pursat. The easiest way to
get there is by taxi or moto taxi to Krakor, which is on the way to
Kampong Chhnang town. A moto driver from Pursat should be approximately
USD $6 per day and the journey should take about 1 ½ hours each way. At
Kampong Luong you can charter a boat to show you around and it should
cost approximately USD $3/person for an hour, with a maximum of four
tourists allowed per boat.
Chrak La Eang waterfall
Chrak La Eang waterfall is a sight of natural beauty, with views of
the waterfall and forests. Visitors can swim or slide down the
cascading river or relax in the calmer 2km stretch of stream. To get
there, head for Chheu Tom commune, Krakor district, and 73km southeast
of Pursat town and about 41km from Krakor market. It takes approximately
2 hours on a motorbike and 1 ½ hours driving in a pick-up from Pursat.
A Motodup should cost approximately USD $10-15 for a return trip and
price is negotiable.
Phnom Lang Trach
Phnom Lang Trach is a beautiful mountain region, lying along road
No 55, with tall gallery forests and large natural boulders. The site is
49km southeast of Pursat town or, 17km south of Krakor market, situated
in Svay Sor commune. Krakor district is to be found in the same
direction to Chrak La Ean and takes only one hour to get there by road,
either by motorbike and pick-up. A motodup charges about USD $8 for a
return trip from Pursat and charges about USD $3 both ways from Krakor.
Remember to agree the price before you leave.
Odar
Odar is a beautiful natural attraction situated along the Kravanh
mountain chain, 55km south of Pursat town and 26km from Phnom Kravanh
district. Along both sides of the winding road, you can see forested
hills and hear birds and seasonal cicadas humming.It takes only 1 ½ -2
hours to get there in the dry season by motorcycle and should costs
$10-15 for both ways. Unfortunately, the sight is not accessible in the
rainy season.
L´Bak Kamronh
For a beautiful year-round river, visit L´Bak Kamronh, about 53km
south-west of Pursat town. It is situated in Ang Krong village, Samrong
commune Phnom Kravanh district. Cascading water flows over the many
rising boulders during the whole dry season. It takes 1 hour driving in a
pick-up and 1 ½ hours driving a motorbike. A motodup costs $8 for both
ways.
Phnom Lok
Phnom Lok is a famous mountain site where a Buddhist once monk
lived on retreat and in solitude for most of his life. It is opposite
L´Bac Kamrouh, next to National road No56 on the right side (from east
to west). The Mountain was named, by local people, after the monk (Lok)
and now known as Phnom Lok (Monk mountain) forever.
Wat Sbov Reach
Wat Sbov Reach is a Buddhist temple which has been restored to its
former glory and is located in sbov Reach village, Leach commune,
Kravanh district. The original Wat was built at least 400 years ago.
Veal Veng
Veal Veng is located in southwestern Pursat province and 125km from
Pursat town. Three guesthouses have recently sprung up in Pramoy,
providing affordable accommodation (USD $5 per night). Several
restaurants cater with local food; however, take your phrase book, as
English is not widely spoken and menus are in Khmer.
For those wanting to step off the beaten track, Veal Veng offers an
opportunity to visit a destination. For a rural jungle experience, plan
to spend 3-7 days exploring the area, maybe climbing the second tallest
mountain in Cambodia, Phnom Samkos (1,717m) or maybe Phnom Tumpor. Local
guides can be hired at USD $5 per day and a good guide may even be able
to show you signs of elephants, sun bears and even tigers (although
bear in mind this is very rare). The best time to visit is between
November to February, as leeches are very common in the rainy season!)
The town of Pramoy, Veal Veng was one of the last outposts of the Khmer Rouge, and is now growing quite rapidly due to successful landmine clearing. A high percentage of people have migrated from other districts but some ethnic people still remain – the Por, although most can be found in the O Som commune.
It takes about 3 hours to reach Veal Veng and several shared taxis leave Pursat each day from local taxi station, eastern old market. To secure enough space inside, its worth paying a little extra for two seats USD $ 5 one way trip.
The town of Pramoy, Veal Veng was one of the last outposts of the Khmer Rouge, and is now growing quite rapidly due to successful landmine clearing. A high percentage of people have migrated from other districts but some ethnic people still remain – the Por, although most can be found in the O Som commune.
It takes about 3 hours to reach Veal Veng and several shared taxis leave Pursat each day from local taxi station, eastern old market. To secure enough space inside, its worth paying a little extra for two seats USD $ 5 one way trip.
Koh Thas, Private site
Koh Thas is a new island resort created in early 2009, located in
Bachin Chien Commune in Kravanh District. To visit Koh Thas from Pursat,
you must travel five minutes west along National Road 5 heading towards
Battambang until you see a large white entrance gate for Oknha Klang
Meung historical shrine on the hand side of the road 56 to Veal Veng
District. Take a left here and travel through the gate. After one and a
half kilometers you will see the historical shrine. Continue following
the red dirt road five kilometers until the road ends and you must turn
right or left. Here you should turn right and follow this road for eight
kilometers until you see the Koh Thas sign. At the sign, turn left and
go one kilometer until you see the island. The trip should take no more
than forty minutes. A moto ride is six dollars round trip and a
Motoreumork ride should be around 15 dollars round trip depending on the
numbers of passengers.
In the past the island was known by locals as O’rumchong Island. The
original name derives from the saying “On Rong Cham” means “I wait for
you.” This name comes from a local folklore love story about a girl who
waits for a boy she loves so long that she returns to stone. More
recently the island’s name has changed to Koh Thas because the island is
flat and shaped like a tray for serving food. In Khmer culture, food is
often served on a tray during formal occasions to show respect to
elders.
To access the island you must cross a narrow suspension bridge that hangs above the Pursat River. One on the island, there are many small huts with straw roofs where you can relax and eat a variety of traditional Khmer food, If it is a hot day you can swim or rent a pedal boat shaped like a duck or a swan. If you’re on the adventurous side, you can strap yourself into a harness and glide along a cable cord that hangs above the Pursat River. Overall Koh Thas is a wonderful place to relax and take in Khmer culture.
To access the island you must cross a narrow suspension bridge that hangs above the Pursat River. One on the island, there are many small huts with straw roofs where you can relax and eat a variety of traditional Khmer food, If it is a hot day you can swim or rent a pedal boat shaped like a duck or a swan. If you’re on the adventurous side, you can strap yourself into a harness and glide along a cable cord that hangs above the Pursat River. Overall Koh Thas is a wonderful place to relax and take in Khmer culture.
