What to see and do in Kampong Chhnang?

Ideally located on the road that connects Phnom Penh and Battambang, on the western bank of Tonlé Sap, Kampong Chhnang Province is a choice stopover. It is full of hidden treasures that will delight travelers who want to get off the beaten track during their trip to Cambodia.

Geographical location of Kampong Chhnang

Located in central Cambodia, 45 kilometers North of Phnom Penh, the capital of the kingdom, Kampong Chhnang Province is part of the fertile valley of the country, called the green furrow. Kampong Chhnang surrounds the Southern end of Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It is one of the 9 provinces concerned by the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, whose remarkable character has been recognized by UNESCO. As a result, it benefits from the alluvium that enriches its land and allows rice fields to be cultivated as far as the eye can see. Leaving the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang Province offers magnetic countryside landscapes. To realize this, just before arriving in this province, stop at Oudong, one of the monumental necropolises of royalty.

From the top of the hill topped by a group of temples and stupas and where this site was built, you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the province of Kampong Chhnang covered with a beautiful mosaic of rice fields and even the Tonlé Sap River. Kampong Cham province is quite prosperous compared to other provinces in Cambodia, especially thanks to the Tonlé Sap River, which is very rich in fish and supports thousands of families.

Explore the floating villages

This is one of the major attractions of Kampong Chhnang Province. To do this, embark on a motorized pirogue to discover the floating village of Chnok Tru. It offers a completely surprising lakeside face for having everything placed on the water: wooden houses, shops, schools, churches, temples, pagodas, karaoke, restaurants, etc. It is a real pleasure to sail the canals of this floating village and observe this very unique aquatic life.

The floating village of Phoum Kantal is resolutely focused on fishing, and you can see the huge traps where the fish are raised under the houses. More fishermen than elsewhere cast their nets in the hope of a miraculous catch, such as catching a giant catfish that can weigh up to 300 kilos! Many of these floating villages are inhabited by Vietnamese, most of them Catholic, who fled the war in the 60s/70s.

Discover local crafts: pottery

Clay pottery is the symbol of Kampong Chhnang Province. It is a traditional craft that has been perpetuated for thousands of years. The pottery of this place is renowned throughout Cambodia. The way of working the material remains deeply rooted in tradition and is passed down here from generation to generation. Potters have always used the same manufacturing technique, that of hand-modeled pottery. To see this for yourself, be sure to visit a craft pottery workshop like the small Andong Russey pottery village.

There's an unusual thing, many potters do not have a wheel, so it is they who turn around the ball of clay to try to obtain an object whose walls have a regular thickness. A real work of agility and patience! After firing, you can observe the craftsmen delicately decorate the pottery with traditional religious or daily life motifs.

Despite technological progress, Khmer potters are still very attached to ancestral techniques and produce a multitude of terracotta objects that retain an undeniable cachet and an old-fashioned charm that the metal or plastic containers that flood us with modern industry do not have. This can be an opportunity to bring back an original souvenir from Cambodia while supporting the local economy.

Kampong Chhnang City

Kampong Chhnang City, the capital of the eponymous province, is a pleasant town that is not lacking in picturesqueness. Translated as "port of pots", the city is mainly focused on pottery, river activities and rice growing. Its bustling market bears witness to its prosperity and it is very pleasant to get lost there to appreciate the variety of products on offer. See the few old buildings from the colonial era still standing and the wooden houses on stilts on the very lively port. A delightful stop on National Road 5 which connects Phnom Penh to Battambang.

Also to see on the road:

On the road between Phnom Penh and Kampong Chhnang, you can stop along the Tonlé Sap River at the floating village of Kampong Luong and the small town of Kampong Tralach. This ancient city was one of the most important cities in the country and is home to an ancient pagoda isolated in the middle of the rice fields. Also worth seeing is the site of Phnom San Touch, which has many rocks steeped in Cambodian legends that surround it. A dazzling natural site that offers a magnificent view of the Tonlé Sap.

Best season to visit Kampong Chhnang?

During the dry season from November to May.

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