Kampot

The charming village of Kampot, which is adjacent to the Elephant Mountains and situated 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Kep along the Preaek Tuek Chhu River, has a devoted traveler following that dates back many years. It is not difficult to understand why so many tourists have grown enamored with this relaxed riverfront village, which is lined with run-down shops, eateries, and guesthouses. Under French administration, Kampot functioned as the Circonscription Résidentielle de Kampot's capital and was for a long time the most significant seaport in Cambodia. The French claimed that Kampot was made up of many multiethnic villages in the late 19th century, each with its own characteristic architectural style.

The Khmer (Cambodians), Chinese, Vietnamese, Malay, and of course Europeans were all represented in these enclaves (mainly the French). Today's architecture in Kampot is varied and dilapidated, reflecting the town's multi-cultural past. Explore the fading French colonial buildings with Southeast Asian-influenced structures by renting a bicycle. The National Bank, Kampot Provincial Museum, and the Red Cross building are some of the historic colonial structures that have been exquisitely restored to their former splendor.

The Hotel Old Cinema, with its recognizable pale-yellow art-deco front, should not be missed. The elegant boutique hotel, which was originally built in the 1930s as the Maison de théâtre Le Grandeur, has a restaurant, an outdoor pool, a bar, and a stunning garden. Many visitors to the town over the years stayed for an extended period of time because they loved it so much. Prior to their arrival, there was no pub culture or expanded culinary variety, but these things are now being contributed by the tiny but expanding ex-pat community.

Particularly in the off-season, the village experiences few tourists. Although it is generally thought to be safe, there has been an uptick in crime targeting foreigners and visitors. The local administration has been charged with failing to adequately respond to threats made against foreign nationals as well as with obfuscating and even stifling media exposes of police force corruption.

Boutique resorts and backpacker retreats intermittently interrupt the undeveloped river banks upstream from the town center. The everyday ritual of swinging in a hammock, holding a beer in one hand, and observing the river drifting slowly down to the sea is offered by bungalows along the river banks.

Location: Krong Kampot, Cambodia

Best time to visit: October to Early May