Kandal is one of the smaller
provinces of Cambodia. This province completely
surrounds, but does not include, the Cambodian capital
Phnom Penh. It’s capital is Ta Khmau (lit. Black
Grandfather) and is around 20km south of Phnom Penh.
The province is re-known for its ancient history. One of
the major attractions is Udong, which served as the
former capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns
between 1618 and 1866. A number of kings, including King
Norodom, were crowned here. The most interesting things
to see there, are: several Stupas, some of them recently
renewed, a huge 8m high reclining Buddha and the
battered Ta San Mosque on the smaller ridge.
As Kandal province isn’t far from Phnom Penh it is
easily and quickly to enter, even if it’s just a day
trip. There is quite a bunch of places of interest such
as Ang Kor Chey Pagoda, which is located at Ban Tey Dek
commune, Kean Svay District with a total distance of
29km from Phnom Penh or 32,6km from Ta Khmao by the
National Road N0 1 (Phnom Penh-Svay Rieng province). You
have to travel along the National Road N0 1 from Phnom
Penh or Ta Khmao to Kilometre 29 then exceed about 50
metres, there is a gate at the right with a handwritten
sign: “Ang Kor Chey Pagoda”. If we enter by trail about
1,600m, we will reach the entertainment centre. The
pagoda is constructed with five peaks as the temple’s
peaks. Before reaching the pagoda, we need to pass over
a 100-meter wooden bridge; under the bridge, there is a
big pond for keeping water during the dry season.
Behind the pagoda you’ll see an artificial site located
on the black hill characterized as resident of Neak Mean
Bon or King. It is said that the black hill is a former
palace, because they found ancient objects and equipment
like bowls and pots characterizing ancient features.
Now, the black hill has been organized and maintained by
guards, because it relates to the belief in sacred
objects there. Nowadays, Angkor Chey pagoda has a lot of
local visitors, especially those, who cling to abstract
belief; they go there to have themselves sacredly
watered. In addition, Ang Kor Chey pagoda is surrounded
with beautiful scenery offering cool shadows from the
trees and a pleasant environment.
Kandal province is 3,568
square kilometres big.
It’s located in the
middle-south of the
country and is bordering
to the North with
Kampong Chhnang and
Kamponf Cham, in the
East with Prey Veng, in
the West with Kampong
Speu and Takeo and to
the South with Vietnam.
The province consists of
the typical plain wet
area for Cambodia,
covering rice fields and
other agricultural
plantations. The average
altitude of the province
is supposedly not more
than 10m above see
level. The province also
features two of the
biggest rivers of the
country (actually they
symbolize the provincial
borders) the Tonle
Bassac and the mighty
Mekong.
How to get there
Bus (general
information):
As the Kandal province
is very closed to Phnom
Penh there is several
options to go there
depending in which
direction you would like
to go. Irrespective
where you would like to
go you’ll find a vehicle
at the central bus
station southwest from
the Central Market. Many
buses go to the other
provinces so they always
have to pass Kandal
province. If you would
like to go to the
provincial capital Ta
Khmau there is Sorya
buses going to the
provincial capital of
Takeo every day at 7am,
8am, 12am and 1pm. It
shouldn’t cost you more
than US$0.5-1.
Share Taxis:
Lots of share taxis
leave unscheduled every
day to Ta Khmau opposite
from the central bus
station. The prices are
around US$1-2.
Motorbike Info:
Almost every Highway
around Phnom Penh is in
best condition, so no
worries. Riding your
motorbike to Ta Khmau
you have to take
National Highway No 2 to
the South. If you would
like to hit the road to
the North you have to
take the National
Highways No 4 or 5,
depending on your
destination.
Where to eat
There are numerous
restaurants and bars in
Kandal. You can enjoy an
authentic dinning
experience at the
restaurants and bars in
Kandal province.
Restaurants offer you a
cuisine which is quite
light on the stomach.
And what’s more, the
dishes come at
reasonable rates. Mostly
the dishes come teemed
with rice or sometimes
noodles. You will also
get both Thai and
Vietnamese
characteristics in Khmer
food. The people of
Kandal (also all over
Cambodia) prefer a
stronger sour taste in
their dishes. The dishes
become spicier with the
addition of Prahok. If
you are yearning for
some Chinese cuisine in
Kandal, you won’t be
disappointed. A large
number of Chinese
restaurants are
scattered all across
Kandal.
You have to take a few
sips of the famous Palm
wine and rice wine in
exotic bars in Kandal.
At least the golden
muscle wine offers you
an authentic Khmer
experience.
The reputed
restaurants and bars in
Kandal include the L’
Eléphant Blanc Resort,
Srey Touch Restaurant,
Club Evergreen Co Ltd,
Say Sabok Restaurant and
Bar, Villa 777
Restaurant, Ses Sor
Restaurant, Restaurant
Sountepheap Water Park
and Samros Bopha Boeung
Taben Guesthouse &
Restaurant among others.
Say Sabok Restaurant
& Bar: (tel:011564615)
Located in Kandal
province closed to the
Riverside. Restaurant
with Khmer and
international cuisine.
Big Bar. Also rooms to
stay overnight.
Ses Sor Restaurant:
(tel:012613362)
Located at the National
Road No N°2 , No 068 in
Takhmao. They have a
huge range of Khmer and
Chinese dishes.
L’ Eléphant Blanc
Resort: (tel:024398688)
Located on the National
Road No 1, 7 Km after
the Monivong Bridge, in
front of Prek Eng
Commune. A big resort
offering almost
everything you need,
whether it’s a
comfortable room or an
exquisite dish.
Restaurant
Sountepheap Water Park:
(tel:01282138)
Located on the National
Road No 1 near
Mittapheap Village, Prek
Eng Commune, Kien Svay
District, (on the
right).
Where to stay
Many
guesthouse can be found
in cheap price in the
city but luxury hotels
are not available. Phnom
Penh is a part of Kandal
Province and it is few
minutes by taxi or
motordop, where you can
have luuxry
accommodation. For
booking please visit
http://www.tourismcambodia.com/hotels/
Shopping
As it
is quite common in
Cambodia even small
cities, such as Ta Khmau
have at least one big
market. You may also
find a market in Ta
Khmau centre, which are
very busy areas with
local shops dealing the
local daily consumer
products, like fish,
fruits, vegetables,
meats and packed
products. Most of the
food and drink shops are
surrounding the market.
To take something
special from this
province along, buy some
famous palm, rice or
muscle wine.
Where to see
Ang Kor Chey Pagoda
Ang Kor Chey Pagoda is located at Ban Tey Dek commune,
Kean Svay District in total distance of 29 kilometers
from Phnom Penh from Ta Khmao by the National Road No. 1
(Phnom Penh-Svay Rieng province).
We travel along the National Road No. 1 from Phnom Penh
or Ta Khmao to Kilometre 29 then exceed about 50 metres,
there is a gate at the right hand side written “Ang Kor
Chey Pagoda”. If we enter by trail about 1,600 meter, we
will reach the entertainment center. The pagoda
constructed with having five peaks as the temple’s
peaks. Before reaching the pagoda, we need to pass over
a 100-meter wooden bridge; under the bridge, there is a
big pond for keeping water during the dry season. Behind
the pagoda, three is an artificial site located on the
black hill characterized as resident of Neak Mean Bon or
King. It is said that the black hill is a former palace
because we found ancient objects and equipment like
bowls and pot characterizing the ancient feature.Now,
the black hill has been organized and maintained by
guards because it relates to the belief in sacred
objects there.
Nowadays, Angkor Chey pagoda has a lot of local visitors
especially those who cling to abstract belief; they go
there to have sacredly watered. In addition, Ang Kor
Chey pagoda has the beautiful scenery with cool shadow
from the trees and pleasant environment.
Handicdraft Centre (Mekong Island)
Handicraft center is located at Koh
Dach Commune, Muk Kampool District at the middle of
Mekong River. The commune of Koh Dach has 12 kilometers
length and width from 100m to 2,500 Metres, borders Prek
Luong commune at the East and Uk Nha Tey commune, Koh
Dach district at the west, and faces with the communes
of Prek Leap and Bak Kheng, Muk Kanpool District. The
commune of Koh Dach has five villages, namely: Koh Dach,
Kbal Koh, Lvea, Chong Koh and Neah village. The
commune’s Hall is located at Kbal Koh village. Due to
flooding of Mekong River flowing from Upper Mekong to
Lower Mekong then to Vietnam has caused the area of Kbal
Koh guadually collapsed.
The main careers of the local people there are:
- Planting sub-product crop such as corn, seasame, bean
and banana.
- Planting fruit tree
- Manufacturing mosquito net, silk sarong, Phamuong, Hol,
silk krama and running small businesses.
The commune of koh Dach has three pagodas, namely Ampor
Phal, Kra Pumpich and SaMaki kbal koh. The interesting
tradition of the people existing long time ago is the
real handicraft of Khmer. In all accommodations of the
people has individual loom according to the capital of
each family. In addition, the commune of Koh Dach has
racing boats for men and women. Am Pon Phal pagoda has
two boats are rowboat and dugout for men; Sa Mak, Kbal
Koh pagoda has two boats are rowboat and dugout for men;
Kra Pum Pich pagoda has two boats are one rowboat for
men and one rowboat for women. According to the wealth
of the island having natural resources and interesting
tradition, in the future, if the country has political,
economic and security stability, we are able to arrange
this island to become the main tourist attraction of the
province by implementing as follow:
- To foster the weaving, manufacture and talent of
weavers, and to expand the handicraft work in
manufacturing Hol, Pha Muong and Silk Kroma to meet the
international standard for tourists.
- To repair road network in the commune and to well
organize the village by building the Khmer architectural
houses and educating the people to maintain their
tradition such as lifestyle, dress and popular game.
- To arrange the Kbal Koh area as swimming zone and to
organize guesthouses, restaurant and canteens in
maintaining their sanitation.
- To expand boat racing teams for men and women to be
active in their performance during the national and
religious festivals.
Kean Svay Krau Pagoda
Wat Kean Svay Krau is located in Phum Thom commune, Kean
Svay district, about 19 kilometers from Phnom Penh, or
about '30 kilometers from Takmao. To reach Wat Kean Svay,
cross the Monivong Bridge and travel east for 19
kilometers on National Road 1. The gate to the pagoda is
on the left. The site is about 300 meters inside the
gate.
The site covers 10 hectares and is lush with trees and
other vegetation. Many kinds of crops and fruit are sold
here. It became a tourist destination in 1979. Its main
attraction is Wat Kean Svay Krau. The site is popular
with many tourists from Phnom Penh who come to see the
floating houses and restaurants, where they can enjoy
delicious foods such as grilled chicken and fish, as
well as jack fruit, sapodilla, mango, banana and
coconut.
Fruit trees line the edge of the Ktub River, creating an
inviting atmosphere for tourists to sit and relax and
enjoy the beautiful scenery. The river is also a key
transportation link to Ka Om village, another popular
tourist site.
Because of the natural beauty of Kean Svay, the
provincial tourism service and local authorities hope to
make the site more popular with tourists. They have
added parking and restroom facilities and increased
security.
Koh dach
Koh Dach is 29 km (1h:30mn) from Phnom Penh on National
Road No 6a, Kon Dach Commune, Mok Kampoul District.
Phnom Edtharaes
Phnom Edtharoes Phnom Edtharoes located at the Communes
of Psardek and Phnom Bat in Ponhea Leu District. The
mountain of Edtharoes has three nemes called Phnom Udong
or Phnom Preah Reachtrop or Phnom Edtharoes, which can
be accessed by National Road No 5 "Phnom Penh-Battambang
" ie from Phnom Penh to the turning road at Kilomet 37
and turn left about 3.50 Kilometers by red soil Road.
The total distance from Phnom Penh to the mountain is
40.50 Kilometers. If we go from Ta Khmao to the
mountain, the distance is 51.50 Kilometers. The mountain
of Edtharoes lasts from the North to the South in a
length of 1,500 Meters and its width of 700 Meters. The
mountain surrounded by roads including the eastern and
western roads. At the North of the mountain, there is
Phnom village and at the South, there is Porane village.
The mountain has five peaks: The one-stupa peak has
equal height to the Tri Treng peak, the mountain peak,
the four-stupas peak, The peak of Preah Ang Chol Nipean
and the peak of Ariya Kasbak. In addition, this site has
natural beauty with the beautiful scenery and fresh air,
which can attracts visitors especially by the history
concerning the building of the Royal Palace from
17th-19th century (1620-1866) during the reign of King
Chey Chetha II. This region has 18 ancient stupas.
Phnom Odong
Phnom Udong is located in Psar Dek and Phnom Bat
communes, Ponhea Leu district, about 41 kilometers north
of Phnom Penh. The city drops behind while fishing
villages and rice paddies surround either side of the
sweeping plains of Kandal province. Then without
warning, a mountain rises above it all, topped by the
spire of stupas like some fairy castle. The road to
Udong is clearly marked, and the distance along this
road to the former city is less than 4 kilometers.
Picnic huts selling everything from sweet palm fruit to
roasted chicken cluster around the base of the hill.
There are three names for this hill: Phnom Udong, Phnom
Preah Reach Troap and Phnom Edthareus. The site includes
the summits of five hills: Chetdei, Trai Treung, Chetdei
Kampul Buon, Preah Ang Chol Nipean, and Ariya Kasaks.
Chetdy and Trai Treung summits are the same height. The
area of Phnom Udong is about 1,500 meters by 700 meters
from the east to the west.
Close up, Udong actually appears as two hump-backed
hills. The smaller is topped by shrines and the remains
of Ta San mosque, built by a Cham Muslim on ground given
to him for the purpose by one of the ancient kings. The
main hill is said to be shaped like a naga. The stupas
on the main hill house the remains of past monarchs,
includil'lg King Moniyang and King Ang Duong. A new huge
stupa at the end of the mountain ridge was completed in
2002 and built to hold relics of the Buddha. The relics,
once housed in a small stupa near the railroad station
in Phnom Penh, were .relocated to the new stupa by King
Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in
December 2002.
This site is of particular interest to visitors seeking
to learn about early Cambodian history. Udong was home
to several kings when it served as the Cambodian capital
between AD 1618 and 1866. In addition, it offers more
than an exhibit of ancient history. At the top of the
stairs on the left lies the city's most impressive
structure, Vihear Preah Edthareus, sanctuary of the 18
cubit Buddha, retains the scars of heavy strafing
inflicted in face-to-face firefights between Khmer
Rouge, Lon Nol and American troops in the 1970s. The
eight huge columns of the shrine rise into the sky, the
roof they once supported was destroyed when Khmer Rouge
forces blew up the temple in 1977. The arm and part of
one side of a huge Buddha remains, and his face has
placed at the foot of the pedestal and a modern shrine
built around it.
However, the severity of the fighting and the extent of
the damage to this once magnificent building do not take
away from its haunting beauty. The views of the
surrounding countryside from entire ridge are
breathtaking, and the silence casts an air of serenity
over the battleground of a war long past.
Phnom Prasith
Phnom Prasith is located in Makak commune, Ang Snoul
district and in Chhviang commune, Ponhea Leu district,
north of Phnom Penh. To get there, take National Road 5
north about 11 kilometers to Prek Pneuv Market point.
From there, turn left and drive another 13 kilometers
along a dirt trail. The total distance is about 24
kilometers from Phnom Penh or about 35 kilometers from
Takmao provincial town. In the future, once National
Road 26 is completed and the trail to Phnom Prasith is
improved, visitors will be able to visit Phnom Prasith,
and then continue on to Phnom Udong. Or, they could
visit Udong first and Phnom Prasith later.
Phnom Prasith is composed of two hills, the East Hill
and the West Hill. The West Hill has no stories. The
East Hill, however, has stories relating to religion and
the Khmer king. It also has a large statue of the
reclining Buddha reaching nirvana.
There are not many big trees in Phnom Prasith, and there
are no development plans for now. The site attracts few
visitors because there is poor organization and
management. Nevertheless, this area has beautiful
scenery, abundant fresh air and is rich in culture and
history.
About 1 kilometer from Phnom Prasith, there is a
man-made cultural site called Phnom Reap or Prasat
Vihear Suor. Based on the style of Angkor Wat which is
why it is called the New Angkor Wat, Phnom Reap was
constructed of stone and cement between 1996 and 1998
for about 1 million US dollars. The money was raised
from local and foreign sources by Mr. Meas Sarin.
Today, Phnom Reap attracts many Cambodian and foreign
tourists. It is often used as the backdrop for Cambodian
videos.
Sa Ang Mountain
Saang Phnom is located in Saang Phnom commune, 23
kilometers from Takmao, or 34 kilometers from Phnom
Penh. To reach the site, travel along new National Road
21, which was constructed during the Khmer Rouge regime,
via Tuol Krosang plain. From Takmao, new National Road
21 meets old National Road 21 at Wat Chhoung Leap, Rokar
Kpus commune. The distance is about 12 kilometers. From
Wat Chhoung Leap drive 5 kilometers to Saang district
market and look for a trail on the right. Go another 2.5
kilometers until you see the pagoda gate. Turn right and
go another 2.5 kilometers to reach the hill.
There is a pagoda at the top of the hill. Saang Phnom
has fewer trees than Phnom Thon Mond, but a big lake
surrounds the hill, and there are many Rumchong and
Prolit flowers (a kind of white or yellow water lily
with a long edible stalk). The lake is full of fish, and
many visitors enjoy taking boat rides and fishing.
During the rainy season, Saang Phnom looks like a small
forest island. The air is cool and fresh there.
Recently, the provincial tourism services, working with
local authorities, planted more trees and improved
security and sanitary conditions for tourists. The site
is especially popular during traditional festivals and
public holidays.
Tum Pek Pagoda
Tum Pek Pagoda Located at Krang Yau Commune, Sa
ang District, Kandal province. Kandal province
has 8,000-hectar landarea and 12,700 people.
Krang Yau is the developed region of Samdach Hun
Sen having projects on development and
agricultural product processing; in this region,
there are vast rice fields, canal network and
good red soil roads connecting from village to
village.
In Krang Yau pagoda, there are three pagodas,
namely: An Det, Kong Nea Ream and Tum Pek
pagoda. Among the three pagodas, only Tum Pek
pagoda that has been arranged as
tourist-attractive site which has eight
artificial temples constructed by the supreme
dead of the pagoda in the purpose of changing
the area as the tourist attractive site by
making roads around the pagoda, planting trees
along the mountain valley and excavating ponds.
In addition the pagoda has arranged one-hectar
wedding part for new couple to plant trees as
their remembrance, in the eight temples, the
pagoda has display the beautiful ancient objects
for tourists.
Wat Phnom Thon Mond
Wat Phnom Thon Mond Wat Phnom Thom Mond is
located at Prek Koy Commune, Sa Ang District in
the distance of 23.50 Kilometers from Ta Khmao
or in the distance of 34.50 Kilometers from
Phnom Penh by the National Road No 21. The
mountain of Thon Mond can be reached by the
National Road No 21 from Phnom Penh to the
market of Prek Touch “the market of Sa Ang
District” and continue to the turning road at
Svay Tany Primary School “20 Kilometers from Ta
Khmao by the new National Road No 21” and turn
right about 3.50 Kilometres. If we want to go
along Tonle Basac River, the distance of
waterway equal to the distance of the old Road
No 21 from Phnom Penh to Sa Ang market in the
distance of 36 Kilometers.
The monastery was built in 1954 by a monk named
Rath Phann. Nowadays, by the supports from
generous people, the monastery became a tourist
attraction in Kandal province. On the other
hand, because people believe the goodness and
effectiveness of the monastery, the monastery
can attract many local visitors, who go there
especially on the great public holiday and on
the Buddhist holidays for praying for happiness
and other wishes. In addition, Phnom Thonmond is
derived from the natural beauty (trees from
mountain’s foot to the peak, fresh air, on the
top we can view the scenery to get good feeling)
and its reputation can attracts a lot of
visitors.
In accordance with the fancy of the local
visitors, the Provincial Tourist Office
collaborated with the Territory Authorities and
the Monastery Committee, has conducted the
arrangement of pagoda’s yard by filling the yard
with soil, enlarging the yard, and producing a
lot of attractively artistic statures relating
to the story and history of the Thon Mond
mountain. In addition, the Office of the
Monastery Committee had planted more trees, dug
ponds and arranged parking site at the pagoda.