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KAMPOT – Bokor Mountain is renowned for its year-round cool weather thanks to being more than 1,000m above sea level. It provides an escape from the heat found hardly anywhere else in the country.
Its reputation is also intertwined with the colonial past and historical association with two monarchs, of which the evidence is still visible.
Bokor Mountain, on the Elephant Mountain ranges, is home to Preah Monivong Bokor National Park. The park history dates back to the French colonial period during the reign of King Sisowath. French elites used it as a summer retreat due to its average temperature of 15-25 degrees.
Bokor became a resort for French officials and the Cambodian royal family in 1922 before becoming a borei or town in 1925.
This combined photo shows (clockwise) former residence of King Sisowath Monivong, Damnak Sla Khmao, Le Bokor Palace Hotel and former post station on the top of Bokor Mountain. Photo: Torn Chanritheara
French authorities built a school, Catholic church, post station and Le Bokor Palace hotel. Later, Sampov Pram Pagoda was built by the mother of King Sisowath Monivong.
On the top of Bokor, French colonists built a residence for King Sisowath Monivong for his summer retreat. The building, now in front of the former post station, is believed to be where the king passed away on April 24, 1946, after 14 years on the throne.
The former royal residence was later turned into the Bokor town office building. Now, it is part of the Sokha Hotel which got the right to develop the mountain.
Bokor is known for its all-year cold weather. Photo: Torn Chanritheara
King Norodom Sihanouk, who was chosen to succeed his grandfather, built another residence with several buildings on the mountain side called Damnak Sla Khmao. King Sihanouk went to Bokor during the summer and for filming during Sangkum Reastr Niyum period.
The abandoned residence is open to the public.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Le Bokor Palace was a casino.
During the civil war, Bokor was abandoned and later used as a military base.
In 1993, it became a national park and was named Preah Monivong National Park or, as it is commonly called, Bokor National Park. In 2004, the park became part of the ASEAN Heritage Park network due its uniquely diversified flowers and animals.
Visitors who want to spend time for inner peace or belief can go to Sampov Bram Pagoda, Yay Mao statue, the Catholic church or Chinese-God temple. Photo: Torn Chanritheara
The 33km AC road from mountain foot to the top makes it convenient for visitors by motorbike or car.
At 1075 meters-high, Bokor is a must visit place for many for one reason: three weathers a day.
Puy Kea, president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, said during a press tour to promote the national park, that visitors could encounter three weather types — cold, rain and foggy — an experience that can be found only at some places.
Visitors could also enjoy different features from eco-tourism sites, cultural sites and religious and spiritual sites.
Popok Vil waterfall, reservoir, Veal Sre 100, Veal Sre 500, Heaven Gate and Temple Rock are always on the list of must-see sites.
The 32km-long AC road is built by Sokha Hotel. Photo: Heng Sreylin
Residences of late King Monivong and King Sihanouk or colonial-era buildings such as Bokor Palace Hotel and post station have attracted visitors who wish to see the remnants of French rule and how the elite spent their summertime.
In addition to the dense forest and foggy climate, visitors who want to spend time for inner peace or belief can go to Sampov Bram Pagoda, Yay Mao statue, the Catholic church or Chinese-God temple. Also available are places for meditation in Sre 500 area, allowing people to find peace or heal inner wounds or breathe the cleaner air.
A 108-meter-high Buddha statue is being constructed which, once completed, will be the tallest statue in Southeast Asia. It is 30% complete.
Popok Vil waterfall, reservoir, Veal Sre 100, Veal Sre 500, Heavan Gate and Temple Rock are always on the list of must-see sites. Photo: Torn Chanritheara
For those who wish to spend the night there, Thansour Bokor Hotel is available. They also do camping.
Bokor, 190km from Phnom Penh and 11km from Kampot city, is easily accessed by many means of transport. People can get there through National Road 3 or 4.
The Sokha Hotel is building a new road from the mountain to National Road 4 which could also be linked to the expressway, opening a new gateway to the national park.
Also available are places for meditation in Sre 500 area, allowing people to find peace or heal inner wounds or breathe the cleaner air. Photo: Torn Chanritheara
The new road connecting Bokor and National Road 4 is being constructed. Photo: Torn Chanritheara