Bokor Mountain Visit
Header image: “Hands of Happiness” Kampot Beach
Kampot, featuring my Bokor Mountain visit
October 2026:
Old ruins & some later additions for your Bokor Mountain visit
A selection of old ruins (no, not my ancestors) awaits those who make a Bokor Mountain visit. Leftovers from the 1920s, when French colonials established a settlement for their military personnel to be stationed, away from the oppressive heat and humidity of Kampot town.
What to see on your Bokor Mountain visit
During your Bokor Mountain visit, among the remains to enjoy, there is a hotel and a Catholic Church. The original post office no longer exists. You can, however, visit the Royal Black Palace, the old Sampov Pram Buddhist temple, a Chinese temple, and the Lok Yeay Mao monument. More recent additions include a casino, hotel, and a long line of “out of place” apartments.
Natural beauty for your Bokor Mountain visit
During your Bokor Mountain visit, you may experience lush vegetation, lakes, waterfalls and camping facilities, with plenty of scope for trekking to complete an interesting trip which may perhaps whet the appetite for further exploration.
No longer a rough track for your Bokor Mountain visit
Although the road to the top is a well-kept sealed blacktop, one should exercise considerable care along its many twists and sharp bends during your Bokor Mountain visit. Local drivers will, of course, be familiar with stopping places for good views to add to many once at the top. No shortage of mist drifting around to spoil that snap of the church!
Be prepared for your Bokor Mountain visit
You will not find 7-Eleven or KFC, but there are coffee shops and local food. As it can turn chilly, take a jacket and wear good walking shoes. Flip-flops are not recommended.
Good value for money
For my Bokor Mountain visit, I paid $20 for a tuk-tuk and spent around 5 hours, including travel up and back, viewing popular sites. Obviously, paying more will allow a more detailed inspection of the park.
OK, let’s get underway for a Bokor Mountain visit
Mid October 2026: Bokor Mountain visit, first stop, Lok Yeay Mao
From Kampot town, take Road NR3 over the new bridge and then NR32 for the 30 Km journey, taking about 50 minutes to arrive at the monument.
I had a tuk-tuk from the Tourist Office, and luckily there was no sign of rain.
A short distance before the monument, on your left, there is a large restaurant with an excellent viewing platform affording panoramic vistas.
The statue of Lok Yeay Mao is 29 meters tall. The base of the monument is predominantly blue. As with many such historic places, no shortage of theories and speculation as to its origin, but whatever, it makes for a pleasant rest on the way through Bokor National Park to Bokor Hill Station.
Relax and amuse the monkeys on your Bokor Mountain visit!
With memorable views, strains of traditional music played by local musicians, and people praying and making offerings at the base of the monument, it makes for a relaxing place to rest and take photos before taking the next leg of your journey through the park.
Have bananas ready for the monkeys! Tip: Keep your bags, purses, hats, and phones secure. “Monkeys are faster than bag snatchers on motorbikes”
Are you ready for the second leg of your Bokor Mountain visit?
Continuing my journey from Lok Yeay Mao through Bokor National Park
However, before I set off on NR32, just across the road from Lok Yeay Mao, you can visit what remains of the Royal Black Palace.
Built of brick and blackwood some 90 years ago for King Sihanouk. Sadly, however, long abandoned and in ruins, showing no signs of its former glory. Only the shell remains. Windows, doors and all fixtures and fittings are conspicuous by their absence.
The local graffiti artists have also been rather busy, if not overly talented!
I have read that it affords some interesting views, but I found it so overgrown that it would likely be of more interest to botanists. Nonetheless, it is an important part of local history, so go take a look before it crumbles into total obscurity.
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Continuing your Bokor Mountain visit, taking NR32 from the Royal Black Palace
Passing a few buildings, including the Thansur Sokha Hotel, Sokimix Mart, and a Buddhist temple, brings you to a “junction/roundabout.” From here, you can take the minor road heading north for a couple of kms to the picturesque Bokor Mountain Lake. Looks like you can camp on the lake’s beach. There is a coffee shop where you can make enquiries, and there are toilets nearby. Looks to be a good base for trekkers.
You will see the new casino as per our image. Otherwise, after visiting the Chinese Temple, head south on the minor road, going past what appear to be many terraced apartments, boreys, under Sokha Real Estate Company, with whom all enquiries should be made.
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Next stop on your Bokor Mountain visit: The Old Bokor Hotel
Built during the 1920s for French military occupation. Undergone various renovations, improvements and changes of use since then; It’s now a conflicting, eclectic mix of architectures, none of which are particularly pleasing to the eye, maybe camouflaging something of past beauty!
When I visited earlier this month, “sadly”, it was closed…
Some images are not as clear as I would have preferred, but there were low clouds and light rain, making the exercise somewhat challenging
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Viewing the Bokor Catholic Church may appear a little eerie on your Bokor Mountain visit, when shrouded in mist!
On a clear day, excellent panoramic views; unfortunately, it was not a clear day. I am hoping for better luck on my next visit!
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Continuing my Bokor Mountain visit, I arrived at the entrance of the Popokvil Falls.
There is a large restaurant and toilets, and an entry fee of 2000 Riel to view this picturesque area. A short walk takes you to the top of the falls, where the water flows across boulders and large stones worn smooth over countless centuries. There are many warning signs indicating not to enter the falls. Tip: Just walking across the smooth stones may be hazardous even for those wearing professional footwear.
For anyone wishing to view the falls from below, I was informed that you can cross the river and make your way down. I think that you would need to be quite hardy, maybe foolhardy, to attempt this hazardous enterprise. Moreover, those who make the risky descent should not overlook that it is likely to be far more difficult for the return climb, especially in rain or low mist.
Good luck and be extra careful
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Bokor Mountain visit summary
Hi everyone, and many thanks for viewing the findings of my first Bokor Mountain visit.
Preah Monivong Bokor National Park is a huge area covering about 600 square miles or 155K hectares. Furthermore, under the Bokor City Development Master Plan, some 18% of the park has been designated for residential, tourism, and business development.
Within this vast area, there are a number of things of interest, and I have limited my visit accordingly. However, seeing anything when the mist arrives can be “disappointing”
For the majority of tourists making a Bokor Mountain visit, a few hours to explore is most likely sufficient. However, if this whets the appetite for more, I feel that a few days camping would open opportunities with a likelihood of experiencing some clear weather, and if you’re really lucky, be blessed with wonderful sunsets.
For those interested in camping, I would suggest visiting Mountain Lake Coffee, where they have food, drink, and toilets and will almost certainly have information for would-be campers. It’s about 2km from Sokimex Mart. Check Google Maps for the route, etc.
Otherwise, nearby, you can splash the cash for a stay at the Thansur Sokha Hotel. Check the internet for availability and prices, etc.
I wish everyone a safe and interesting experience when visiting Bokor Mountain, and as always, please let me know about your experiences. Good or Bad, Happy or Sad!!
Panoramic view of Kampot Town seen during my Bokor Mountain visit
