A Guide to Kampot’s Natural Wonders: Rivers, Mountains and Sunsets

Khmer New Year, or Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of the most significant and joyous celebrations in Cambodia, marking the transition to the new year according to the traditional Buddhist calendar. In 2025, the festival will take place from April 14 to 16, bringing families, communities, and visitors together for three days of vibrant festivities, cultural traditions, and religious ceremonies. The celebrations begin with Maha Sangkran, the first day when people clean their homes, wear traditional Khmer clothing, and visit pagodas to offer prayers and seek blessings for the new year. The second day, Veareak Vanabat, is dedicated to acts of charity, as families donate food and essential items to monks, the elderly, and those in need, reflecting the spirit of kindness and generosity that defines the holiday. The final day, Veareak Leung Sakk, is marked by Buddha bathing ceremonies, symbolizing purification and renewal, and is a time for families to gather, share meals, and engage in traditional games and celebrations. Across Cambodia, cities, towns, and villages come alive with joyful activities, including cultural performances, music, and traditional games such as Chol Chhoung and Bos Angkunh, which bring communities together in playful competition. The highlight of Khmer New Year in 2025 will be the Angkor Sankranta Festival in Siem Reap, a large-scale cultural event hosted at Angkor Wat and other key locations, where visitors can experience traditional dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and culinary showcases that celebrate Cambodia’s rich heritage. As one of the most anticipated festivals of the year, Khmer New Year is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, where people honor their ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and welcome the future with optimism and joy. Whether in the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, the historic temples of Siem Reap, or the tranquil countryside, the spirit of the festival unites Cambodians in a shared expression of culture, happiness, and national pride.

Kampot, a charming riverside town in southern Cambodia, offers a blend of natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural experiences. Here are some things to do in Kampot:

1. Explore Bokor National Park: Take a trip to Bokor Mountain, where you can explore the national park’s lush rainforest, visit the old French hill station, and see the abandoned buildings, including the Bokor Palace Hotel.
2. Cruise along the Kampot River: Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the scenic Kampot River. You can take a sunset cruise or opt for a daytime excursion, which often includes stops at riverside villages and opportunities for swimming or kayaking.
3. Visit Kampot Pepper Farms: Kampot is renowned for its high-quality pepper. Visit one of the local pepper farms to learn about the cultivation process and sample some of the world-famous Kampot pepper.
4. Explore Kampot Town: Wander around Kampot’s picturesque streets lined with colonial-era buildings, boutique shops, and art galleries. Don’t miss the Old Market, where you can sample local snacks and shop for souvenirs.
5. Take a Kampot Pepper Farm Tour: Go on a guided tour of one of the pepper farms in the area to learn about the cultivation process of Kampot pepper, which is renowned for its unique flavor and aroma.
6. Visit Salt Fields: Take a trip to the nearby salt fields, where you can observe the traditional method of salt production and learn about the importance of salt in Cambodian cuisine and culture.
7. Explore Kep: Kep, famous for its seafood and relaxed atmosphere, is just a short drive away from Kampot. Visit the Kep Crab Market, relax on the beach, or hike up to Kep National Park for panoramic views of the coastline.
8. Try Water Sports: Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the serene waters of the Kampot River. You can also try your hand at windsurfing or kiteboarding if you’re feeling adventurous.
9. Visit Phnom Chhnork Cave: Explore the ancient Phnom Chhnork Cave, which features a Hindu temple dating back to the 7th century. The cave is located a short drive from Kampot and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
10. Sample Local Cuisine: Don’t leave Kampot without trying some of the local delicacies, such as fish amok, crab with Kampot pepper, or grilled squid. There are plenty of restaurants and street food stalls where you can taste authentic Cambodian dishes.

អាណាចក្រខ្មែរ គឺ ជា សម័យ មួយ ដែល មាន ភាពរុងរឿង បំផុតក្នុងប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្ រជាតិខ្មែរ។ ដោយសារ ហេតុដែលខ្មែរមានដែនដីធំធេង និងវិសាលភាព យ៉ាងច្រើន អាណាចក្រខ្មែរ ត្រូវបានហៅថា “មហាអាណាចក្រខ្មែរ”។ ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ របស់អាណាចក្រ នេះត្រូវបានចងក្រង និងរក្សាទុកតាមរយៈសិលាចារឹក និងសាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹត។

សាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹត គឺជាគម្ពីរ ឬ អត្ថបទបុរាណដែលត្រូវបានចារនៅលើស្លឹករឹត។ ស្លឹករឹតគឺជាស្លឹករបស់ដើមទ្រាំង ដែលមានប្រភពមកពីភាគខាងកើត និងខាងជើងនៃប្រទេសឥណ្ឌា និងស្រីលង្កា។ នៅក្នុងតំបន់អាស៊ីអាគ្នេយ៍ ដើមទ្រាំងនេះអាចរកឃើញនៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ថៃ និងភូមា។ នៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដើមទ្រាំងមានច្រើននៅខេត្តក្រចេះ និងកំពង់ធំ។

សម្ដេចព្រះសង្ឃរាជ ជួនណាត បានពន្យល់ថា ពាក្យ “សាស្ត្រា” ក្នុងភាសាបាលី និងសំស្ក្រឹត មានន័យថា ក្បួនច្បាប់ ឬ សេចក្តីដឹង ដែលពាក់ពន្ធ័ទៅនឹងចំណេះដឹង វិទ្យាសាស្ត្រ សាសនា ច្បាប់ និងទ្រឹស្តីអំពីជីវិត។ អ្នកស្រាវជ្រាវខ្លះទៀតក៏បានរៀបរាប់ថា សាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹតមានកំណើតចាប់ពីសម័យអង្គរ។

សាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹត ត្រូវបានផ្សព្វផ្សាយដល់ប្រជាជនខ្មែរយ៉ាងទូលំទូលាយ នៅសម័យកាលមុនៗ ហើយត្រូវបានប្រើប្រាស់ជាប្រចាំ។ ប៉ុន្តែពេលកន្លងមក វប្បធម៌សិលាចារឹក និងសាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹតក៏បានរលាយបាត់បង់បន្តិចម្តងៗ ដោយសារអវត្តមាននៃការរក្សាទុក និងការចែកចាយខ្វះខាត។

សព្វថ្ងៃ សាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹតភាគច្រើន ត្រូវបានរក្សា និងប្រើប្រាស់នៅតែក្នុងវត្តអារាមប៉ុណ្ណោះ ដូច្នេះ វាក៏មានហានិភ័យបាត់បង់បន្តិចម្តងៗ ផងដែរ។ បណ្តាលមកពីការរីកចម្រើននៃបច្ចេកវិទ្យាទំនើប ដែលរំពឹងឱ្យប្រើសៀវភៅ ឬវិធីសាស្ត្រឌីជីថលជំនួស។

សរុបមក សាស្ត្រាស្លឹករឹតគឺជាទ្រព្យសម្បត្តិបុរាណដ៏មានតម្លៃ ដែលបង្ហាញពីភាពចម្បងនៃវប្បធម៌ និងស្មារតីដ៏ខ្ពង់ខ្ពស់របស់ជាតិខ្មែរ។ វាអាចជាគម្ពីរសាសនា ឬឯកសារដែលរៀបរាប់អំពីពង្សាវតារនៃប្រទេសខ្មែរយើងផងដែរ។

The Khmer Empire was one of the most glorious periods in Cambodian history. Due to the vast territory under Khmer control, it earned the title of the “Great Khmer Empire.” This rich history has been recorded and preserved through stone inscriptions and Sastra Slëk Rëet (palm-leaf manuscripts).

What is Sastra Slëk Rëet made from?
Sastra Slëk Rëet refers to ancient texts inscribed on palm leaves, specifically the leaves of the T’rang tree (Corypha palm). This tree originates from the eastern and northern parts of India and Sri Lanka. In Southeast Asia, the T’rang tree can be found in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. In Cambodia, the tree is mostly found in Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces.

According to Samdech Preah Sangharaja Chuon Nath, the word Sastra in Pali and Sanskrit means “doctrine,” referring to knowledge, sciences, religion, law, and philosophies about life. Some scholars have stated that Sastra Slëk Rëet dates back to the Angkor period.

These palm-leaf manuscripts were widely shared among Khmer people in the past and used over many generations. However, as time went on, both the tradition of stone inscriptions and the use of palm-leaf manuscripts have gradually faded. Today, Sastra Slëk Rëet is mostly preserved and used only within Buddhist pagodas. As a result, it is slowly being lost due to the rise of modern technology such as printed books and digital formats.

In conclusion, Sastra Slëk Rëet is a valuable cultural heritage of the Khmer people. These texts, written on palm leaves, include religious scriptures and historical records that reflect the wisdom and identity of the Khmer civilization.

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A stay at Sokchea Kampot Hotel offers more than just comfort and convenience—it opens the door to some of Cambodia’s most fascinating cultural and agricultural experiences. Among the most memorable day trips from the hotel are visits to the region’s iconic salt fields and pepper plantations, where guests can witness traditional livelihoods that have shaped Kampot’s identity for generations.

Just a short drive from the hotel, the Kampot salt fields stretch across a shimmering landscape near the coast. During the dry season, visitors can observe the meticulous process of salt production, from channeling seawater into evaporation ponds to collecting the gleaming crystals by hand. The scene is both picturesque and educational, revealing the hard work and natural harmony behind this essential trade.

Equally captivating are the pepper plantations nestled in the lush countryside. Kampot pepper, renowned worldwide for its exceptional aroma and quality, has earned a protected geographical indication (PGI) status. A guided tour offers guests the chance to stroll through verdant vines, learn about organic farming methods, and sample freshly harvested pepper varieties—from mild to fiery.

Sokchea Kampot Hotel can easily arrange private tours or group excursions to these sites, ensuring comfort and authentic insight along the way. Whether for photographers, food lovers, or cultural explorers, these day trips provide a deeper appreciation of Kampot’s rural charm and rich heritage.

Exploring the salt fields and pepper plantations truly completes the Kampot experience.

Boat trips on the Kampot River are one of Cambodia’s most memorable travel experiences, offering a peaceful escape into nature and a unique perspective on the region’s charm. The river winds gently past lush mangroves, small fishing villages, and the picturesque Bokor Mountain range, creating a breathtaking backdrop for any journey. Whether you choose a lively sunset cruise or a quiet morning ride, the Kampot River promises an atmosphere that is both serene and captivating.

Sunset cruises are especially popular, and for good reason. As the sun dips behind the mountains, the water glows with shades of gold, pink, and purple. Travelers often find themselves relaxing on deck, enjoying cool breezes and listening to the soft hum of the boat while watching fireflies twinkle along the riverbanks. Many tours offer local drinks or snacks, adding an extra layer of comfort and enjoyment to the experience.

Morning boat trips, on the other hand, highlight Kampot’s peaceful side. The stillness of the river at dawn, coupled with birdsong and the sight of fishermen beginning their day, creates a calming and authentic glimpse into rural Cambodian life. Some tours even allow for kayaking or swimming, giving visitors a more interactive way to enjoy the river.

Ultimately, a Kampot River boat trip is more than just a leisure activity—it is a chance to connect with the natural beauty and gentle rhythms of one of Cambodia’s most scenic regions. For any traveler, it is truly a must-do experience.

We are incredibly honored to receive the Travelers Review Award 2025 from Booking.com! This recognition is a true testament to the dedication of our team at Sokchea Kampot Hotel and, most importantly, to the trust and support of our wonderful guests. We sincerely thank each and every guest who took the time to share their experiences and reviews on Booking.com. Your kind words and valuable feedback inspire us to continuously improve and provide the best hospitality possible.

At Sokchea Kampot Hotel, we are committed to offering warm and welcoming stays, ensuring every guest enjoys a peaceful retreat by the beautiful riverside of Kampot. Whether you visit for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or simply a relaxing escape, we take great pride in delivering exceptional service and unforgettable moments.

This award motivates us to strive for even greater excellence in the years to come. Thank you again to Booking.com for this prestigious recognition and to all our guests for making this achievement possible. We look forward to welcoming you again soon and creating more memorable experiences together!