Introducing Northwestern Cambodia
Offering a blend of highway accessibility and outback adventure, Northwestern Cambodia covers a broad swath of the country, running all the way around Tonlé Sap Lake, extending from Kompong Chhnang west to the Thai frontier and north to the Dangkrek Mountains (Chuor Phnom Dangkrek), which mark Cambodia’s northern border with Thailand.
Of the region’s municipalities, Battambang – Cambodia’s second-largest city – attracts the most visitors thanks to an alluring blend of classic colonial architecture and excellent day trip options. Other towns serve as gateways to some of the country’s most captivating corners – Kompong Thom is a good base for a visit to the temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, Pursat makes a fine jumping-off point for the wilds of the northern Cardamoms, and Anlong Veng is a short moto ride from a string of eerie Khmer Rouge sites.
The remote jungles conceal some of Cambodia’s most inspired temples, forgotten to all but the intrepid for decades. Preah Khan and Prasat Preah Vihear are sublime spots but are only for those with a serious thirst for adventure. Koh Ker is more accessible than ever thanks to a new road and Banteay Chhmar now has a pioneering community-based homestay project.
The Northwest is where you’ll find some of Cambodia’s most important wilderness areas, most well off the beaten track. The Cardamom Mountains in the southwest are home to pristine jungle and rare wildlife, while the forests and marshes of Preah Vihear Province provide ideal habitat for endangered birds such as the giant ibis, Cambodia’s national bird.
Activities in Northwestern Cambodia
Battambang
Battambang has a unique charm among Cambodia’s larger urban centres.
Preah Vihear Province
Bordering Thailand and Laos to the north, vast Preah Vihear Province (ខេត្តព្រះវិហារ), much of it heavily forested and extremely remote, is home to three of Cambodia’s most impressive Angkorian legacies.
Northwestern Cambodia destination guides
Anlong Veng
For almost a decade this was the ultimate Khmer Rouge stronghold, home to Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ta Mok, among the most notorious leaders of Democratic Kampuchea.
Hotels in Northwestern Cambodia
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Northwestern Cambodia
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Northwestern Cambodia
Sisophon
Sisophon (also confusingly known as Svay, Svay Sisophon, Srei Sophon and Banteay Meanchey) is strategically situated at northwest Cambodia’s great crossroads, the intersection of NH5 and NH6.
Need to know
Entertainment in Northwestern Cambodia
Pailin
The remote Wild West town of Pailin has little to recommend it except a particularly colourful hilltop temple and its usefulness as a gateway to an adventurous trip across the Cardamom Mountains – unless you happen to be an ex-Khmer Rouge...
Shopping in Northwestern Cambodia