A Mountain Hideaway with a Story to Tell

Bokor Hill Station was built in the 1920s by the French, who wanted a cooler retreat away from the heat of Phnom Penh. They built a hotel, a casino, a church, and other buildings more than 1,000 meters above sea level. The Old Bokor Palace Hotel still stands today, although it has been partly restored.

During later conflicts, the area was abandoned and left to decay. The Khmer Rouge once used it as a base. Over the years, the forest started to grow back around the buildings. When you visit today, you can still feel a sense of the past, even though some newer buildings have appeared.

What to See on the Hill

The road up Bokor Mountain winds through quiet forest. As you get higher, the temperature drops, and fog often rolls in. It feels very different from the town below. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Gulf of Thailand, and sometimes even to Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.

Here are some highlights along the way:

• The Old Catholic Church – simple, silent, and full of character

• Lok Yeay Mao Monument – a large statue overlooking the cliffs

• Popokvil Waterfall – best seen during the rainy season

• Old casino ruins – open to explore and still full of atmosphere

Even with recent development, the mountain still feels calm and quiet, especially in the morning or on misty days when the ruins seem to disappear into the clouds.