Kampot is a tranquil river town located in southern Cambodia. It’s known for its laid-back vibe, colonial architecture, and stunning views of nature. With mountains, waterfalls, salinas (salt fields), and local markets all around it, Kampot provides travelers with lots of opportunities to relax, have fun outdoors, and learn about Cambodian culture.
Explore Bokor National Park
Bokor National Park, an icon for nature lovers in Kampot, is located in the Bokor Mountain range. It was established in 1993, and it is home to an extraordinary variety of plants and animals. If you love to hike, you can hike on jungle trails, view hidden places, and enjoy the cool, fresh air of the mountains. A hike in Bokor National Park will allow you to escape the heat of the lowlands.
When you are out hiking, there will be lots of abandoned structures built by the French during their colonial times. These buildings add to the mystery of this area. During clear weather, there are stunning panoramic views of Bokor Mountain that sit above the coastline and the surrounding area.
Visit Bokor Catholic Church
The Bokor Catholic Church on top of Bokor Mountain is an impressive colonial building in Kampot City. Built during the 1920s by French missionaries, the church is constructed entirely from stone and uses ornate Gothic architecture that can still be seen today, more than 100 years after it was constructed. Inside, the church’s finishes are simple and elegant with high ceilings and remnants of stained glass windows, which show its former beauty and grandeur.
Each time the church is visited, it is generally obscured by fog, which creates either a dramatic or slightly eerie atmosphere. An excursion to this site allows visitors to experience Cambodia’s Colonial Period in History while also providing visitors with great opportunities to take pictures of this unique and beautiful site. It is also a peaceful, reflective venue amidst an area of wilderness.
Discover Popokvil Waterfall
Located in Bokor National Park, Popokvil Waterfall is a stunning double waterfall and is a must-see spot for all nature lovers. This waterfall is the most impressive during the rainy season when the water rushes from the rocks into a cool natural pool below.
On weekends, many locals and visitors come to this waterfall to relax, swim, and picnic in a lush green area surrounded by many trees. The sound of water rushing and food cooking, mixed with the scent of fresh air from the forest, makes for a soothing atmosphere. There are many short hiking trails throughout the area, which allow for more exploring of the beautiful scenery surrounding the Popokvil Waterfall. This waterfall is a great place to relax and enjoy nature, so this is one of the things to do in Kampot that you should try at least once.
Visit the Kampot Salt Fields
The salt fields of Kampot are an interesting demonstration of how traditional styles of life have supported people of the area for hundreds of years. Salt produced in Kampot has been renowned for its high quality and purity since the time it was first harvested from evaporated ocean water by the sun’s heat. Visitors will also be able to observe local farmers tending their shallow pools of salt and then subsequently harvesting the salt crystals by hand.
The ideal time for visiting the salt fields in Kampot is during the dry season, which is the influencing factor for most of the area’s salt production at this point in time. The beauty of the salt fields will be amplified with the use of natural light between dawn and dusk, when stunning reflective surfaces can be seen stretching across the entire fields of salt. All of this offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the cultural history of Kampot through the environment of its rural lifestyle.
Experience Kampot Market
Kampot Market is the town’s hub of life, representing daily life for residents, and is full of vibrancy during the day, with everything from fresh produce to tropical fruits to spices and seafood to street food. Upon sunset, the Kampot Night Market opens; it is another social venue, where you’ll find stalls providing food, souvenir shops, and places for casual dining.
This is where you will have the opportunity to taste traditional Cambodian dishes, purchase local crafts, and experience the local atmosphere. A walk through this market enables visitors to interact with the community and observe their daily activities. Therefore, a visit here will allow visitors to get to know Kampot.
Relax At Kep Beach
Kep Beach is in Kep and is located about 25 kilometers from Kampot, making it also an easy and popular day trip. The road to Kep Beach has stunning views of Kampot’s salt fields that dominate the horizon as you approach this scenic place. Kep Beach has exceptionally clear blue water, soft sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming and tidying up seaside, and a peaceful atmosphere. With the calm waters, it is perfect for dipping into the refreshing blue waters that surround this lovely beach.
Within this wonderful area, there are many resorts and boutique hotels in Kampot where you can spend your time and take in the vistas of the ocean. Kep Beach is a wonderful place to unwind and enjoy all of the coastal charm and the perfect blend of Kampot’s mountain adventure with the beach.
Relax at Teuk Chhou Rapids
Teuk Chhou Rapids – an opportunity for relaxation, natural beauty, and tranquility, located near the busy town of Kampot, about 15 kilometers away. As Teuk Chhou Rapids is surrounded by lush green surroundings, rolling hills, and the sounds of a babbling brook, this is a wonderful location for you to relax after your hectic time in town.
Visitors can spend time relaxing by the river, enjoying a picnic, or listening to the tranquillity of nature’s creation, including the song of the birds, and the soothing sound of flowing water. Most people, during the warmer days, come to this location for swimming, cooling off, and to spend time with their friends or family. For nature lovers who would like to unwind, discover nature, or experience the fresh air of Kampot, then Teuk Chhou Rapids is your place to do so!
Swim At Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)
Koh Tonsay is located in Kep Province but can be easily accessed from Kampot because of its proximity. Koh Tonsay was formerly an extremely popular beach destination for local residents and tourists alike. However, since Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem became popular destinations, they have become much less crowded.
Currently, Koh Tonsay is very peaceful, quiet, and natural compared to many other islands. There are fewer services available on Koh Tonsay. However, the overall pace of life is much slower and more relaxing. Visitors can relax on the beach, take in the fresh air off the ocean, and enjoy the clear, blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds and gentle waves. If you are looking for a place to escape and enjoy nature in its purest form, Koh Tonsay is the perfect choice and one of the favorite things to do in Kampot.
Visit the Durian Roundabout (Durian Square)
Generally, the Durian Roundabout is a very well-known identifier and stopping point for most tourists in the Kampot region of Cambodia. This area of the world has been frequently referred to as Cambodia’s “Fruit Capital,” with durian being its most popular product. A permanent display of the local fruit culture can be found in the form of an enormous sculpture of a durian (the “king of fruit), which serves as a backdrop for several other large sculptures of tropical fruits, such as coconuts, rambutan, and pineapple.
This area is lively and showcases the local pride that has been developed from Kampot’s rich and productive agricultural economy, and many visitors have an enjoyable time photographing themselves, walking around, and experiencing the sights and sounds of the everyday life of the locals. In the late afternoon and evening, the area comes alive with locals gathering around the large sculpture and taking advantage of the street vendors who set up shop in that area.
Visit Kampot Pagoda (Wat Kampot)
Kampot Pagoda, also referred to as Wat Kampot, is one of the oldest cultural sites in this town that dates back to the 19th century. This pagoda is set alongside the Kampong Bay River, with trees all around it, making it a serene environment conducive to reflection. The pagoda’s major hall has beautiful carvings and ornaments that display Khmer architectural works.
On the inside, visitors can appreciate well-decorated statues of Buddha and important Buddhist figures. Exploring the surroundings, you can also see mini shrines, zones for meditation, and gardens, which are well-maintained by locals who pray and rest in these areas. You may be fortunate enough to see a Buddhist ritual, such as chanting, praying, or monks accepting offerings, giving a better insight into religious practices in Kampot.
Explore Wat Chum Kriel
The historic Buddhist temple Wat Chum Kriel features an elegant Khmer architectural design with numerous stone carvings and a tranquil setting. The temple is a significant religious monument and serves as a temple for the local monks and residents to worship the Buddha.
Visitors are permitted to walk around the temple grounds, view the many Buddha statues and traditional murals, and learn about the long history of the Buddhist religion in Cambodia. It is a quiet and serene location for anyone interested in the history, culture, and spirituality of the area, and provides a perfect environment for those who wish to visit the temple during their travels.
Visit Kampot Pepper Farms
Kampot pepper is internationally renowned for its strong scent and unique taste, being one of the best things to do in Kampot. The Kampot province used to be one of the greatest pepper producers in the world, and a visit to a pepper farm in the area is something not to be missed. One can visit pepper farms to observe how black, red, white, and green peppers are produced based on their ripeness.
There are a number of working farms that provide educational tours on how to cultivate black pepper. These visits allow a person to not only appreciate pepper but also gain insight into the cultural significance and history behind black pepper farming in the local area. This is just one of the reasons that Kampot pepper is different from and higher quality than other types of black pepper.
Enjoy Kampot’s Local Cuisine
Kampot is also a great place that food connoisseurs can visit if they wish to discover authentic Khmer cuisine. For those who wish to indulge in authentic local dishes, they can head over to the Kampot Night Market near the Durian Monument.
One of the things that has to be sampled is Bok-lo-hong, which is a traditional Cambodian salad made from green papaya. The salad consists of shredded green papaya, garlic, green chilies, tamarind paste, sugar, fish sauce, long green beans, tomatoes, green chilies, and roasted peanuts.
A popular dish in the country is the grilled chicken, which is renowned not only for its crisp skin but also for the juicy meat. The dish comes with stir-fried morning glory and green tomatoes in a sweet and sour sauce. Those interested in seafood would not regret trying the green crab of Kampot, which has firm and sweet meat. The green crab has a nice, sweet flavor and is considered the freshest delicacy if steamed immediately.
Final Thoughts: Is Kampot Worth Visiting?
Kampot is definitely worth visiting if you are interested in a relaxed and authentic destination that has the perfect balance between nature, culture, and local life. Whether you enjoy exploring national parks and rivers and trying unique food activities, there is definitely something for everyone. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals of the town make it easy to fall in love with the town. Seni World can help you plan your trip and experience the best things to do in Kampot.
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