Tourism of Kandal
Kandal is one of the smaller provinces in Cambodia. The province completely surrounds, but will not consist of, the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Its capital is normally Ta Khmau (lit. Black Grandfather) and is just about 20km south of Phnom Penh. Kandal provides been re-known because of its ancient history. Among the major attractions is normally Udong, which served as the former capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618 and 1866. Several kings, including King Norodom, had been crowned here. The most interesting what to find there, are many Stupas, a few of them recently renewed, an enormous 8m high reclining Buddha and the battered Ta San Mosque on a small ridge.
The province isn’t definitely Phnom Penh it really is easily and quickly to enter, even if it’s only an excursion. There is fairly a couple of tourist destinations such as Ang Kor Chey Pagoda, which is located at Ban Tey Dek commune, Kean Svay District with a total distance of 29km from Phnom Penh or 32,6km from Ta Khmao by the National Road N0 1 (Phnom Penh-Svay Rieng province). You have to travel along the National Road N0 1 from Phnom Penh or Ta Khmao to Kilometre 29 then exceeds about 50 metres, there is a gate at the right with a handwritten sign: “Ang Kor Chey Pagoda”. If we enter by trail about 1,600m, we will reach the entertainment centre. The pagoda is constructed with five peaks as the temple’s peaks. Before reaching the pagoda, we need to pass over a 100-meter wooden bridge; under the bridge, there is a big pond for keeping water during the dry season.
Kandal province is 3,568 square kilometres big. It’s located in the middle-south of the country and is bordering to the North with Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Cham, in the East with Prey Veng, in the West with Kampong Speu and Takeo and to the South with Vietnam. The province consists of the typical plain wet area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations. The average altitude of the province is supposedly not more than 10m above sea level. The province also features two of the biggest rivers of the united states (actually they symbolize the provincial borders) the Tonle Bassac and the mighty Mekong.
Things to Do & See
Phnom Edtharoes
Phnom Edtharoes located at the Communes of Psardek and Phnom Bat in Ponhea Leu District. The mountain of Edtharoes has three names called Phnom Udong or Phnom Preah Reachtrop or Phnom Edtharoes, which can be accessed by National Road No 5 “Phnom Penh-Battambang” ie from Phnom Penh to the turning road at Kilomet 37 and turn left about 3.50 Kilometers by red soil road. The total distance from Phnom Penh to the mountain is usually 40.50 Kilometers. If we go from Ta Khmao to the mountain, the distance is 51.50 Kilometers.
The mountain of Edtharoes lasts from the North to the South in a length of 1,500 Meters and its width of 700 Meters. The mountain surrounded by roads including the eastern and western roads. In the North of the mountain, there is usually Phnom village and in the South, there is usually Porane village. The mountain has five peaks: The one-stupa peak has an equal height to the Tri Treng peak, the mountain peak, the four-stupa peak, the peak of Preah Ang Chol Nipean and the peak of Ariya Kasbak.
Phnom Prasith
It located at the communes of Ma Kak, Phnom Penh District, and Chhving, Ponhea Leu District. To get there by the document of Khmer Table Part 6; explains that tourists should travel along the National Road N0 5 (Phnom Penh-Battambang) until they reach the Kilometer 38 closed to Udong market, turn left about 16 Kilometers by the National Road N0 26 until they reach the turning road, turn left as long as they reach the Prasith Mountain. Nowadays, visitors do not like to go along the National Road N0 26 which is not in good condition and 100% safe.
This road is also the common border of Kandal and Kampong Speu. The popular road to reach the Prasith Mountain is the National Road N0 5, when we reach the turning road at Prek Pnov market in Kilometer 11, turn left about 13 kilometers. The total distance from Phnom Penh to Prasith Mountain is usually 24 km and from Ta Khmao to Prasith Mountain is usually 35 km. In the future, if the National Road N0 26 and other roads to Prasith mountain are in good condition and assuring security.
Wat Phnom Thom Mond
Wat Phnom Thom Mond is located at Prek Koy Commune, Sa Ang District in the distance of 23.50 Kilometers from Ta Khmao or in the distance of 34.50 Kilometers from Phnom Penh by the National Road No 21. The mountain of Thon Mond can be reached by the National Road No 21 from Phnom Penh to the market of Prek Touch the market of Sa Ang District and continue to the turning road at Svay Tany Primary School 20 Kilometers from Ta Khmao by the brand new National Road No 21 and turn right about 3.50 Kilometres. If you want to complement Tonle Basac River, the length of the waterway adds up to the length of the old Road No 21 from Phnom Penh to Sa Ang market in the length of 36 Kilometers. The monastery was built-in 1954 by a monk named Rath Phann.
Nowadays, by the supports from generous people, the monastery became a tourist attraction in Kandal province. However, because people believe the goodness and effectiveness of the monastery, the monastery can attract many local visitors, who move there especially on the mountain.
Tum Pek Pagoda
Located at Krang Yau Commune, Sa ang District, Kandal province. Kandal province provides an 8,000-hectares land area and 12,700 people. Krang Yau may be the developed area of Samdach Hun Sen having projects on development and agricultural product processing; in this region, there are vast rice fields, canal networks and good red soil roads connecting from village to village.
In Krang Yau pagoda, there are three pagodas, namely: An Det, Kong Nea Ream and Tum Pek pagoda. Among the three pagodas, only Tum Pek pagoda that has been arranged as the tourist-attractive site which has eight artificial temples constructed by the supreme dead of the pagoda in the purpose of changing the area as the tourist attractive site by making roads around the pagoda, planting trees along the mountain valley and excavating ponds. In addition, the pagoda has arranged a one-hectare wedding part for new couples to plant trees as their remembrance; in the eight temples, the pagoda has displayed the beautiful ancient objects for tourists.
Kean Svay Krau Pagoda
Kean Svay Krau Pagoda is located at Phum Thum commune, Kean Svay District in a total distance of 19 km from Phnom Penh or 20 km from Ta Khmao. To get there, we travel along the National Road N0 1 (Phnom Penh Svay Rieng), pass over Preak Monivong bridge (the Kbal Thnol bridge) to kilometer 19, then turn left by a trail into the gate of Kean Svay Krau Pagoda in 300-metre distance will reach the entertainment center.
The resort of Kean Svay Krau Pagoda is located at Kean Svay District and has 10-kilometre distance from Phnom Penh along the National Road N0 1. The resort has the natural beauty decorated by small and big high trees, crop and fruit trees giving cool shadow with green scenery. Long ago it was not a resort; it occurred after 1979 and has main point at Kean Svay Krau pagoda. In addition, the resort is stretched over by an excellent river of Ktob shared from Mekong River flowing over the fertile region with abundant crop farms. The river of Ktob appears to solely provide itself to the neighborhood people.
Sa Ang Mountain
Located at Sa Ang commune in a distance of 23 km from Ta Khmao or 34 km from Phnom Penh and will be accessible by the brand new National Road N0 21 (constructed through the Pol Pot time stretching over the plain area of Toul Kra Sang); from Ta Khmao to meet up the Old National Road N0 21 at Chhouk Leap Pagoda, Roka Kpos Commune in the 12-kilometre distance; from Chhouk Leak Pagoda to the marketplace of Sa Ang District in 5-kilometre distance, turn right 2.5 km by a trail, will reach a gate of a pagoda, then turn right 2.5 km by a trail, will reach the mountain of Sa Ang.
The mountain of Sa Ang is a kind of natural and cultural site, there exists a pagoda constructed at the best peak of the mountain where we are able to view the stunning scenery of the encompassing. Sa Ang Mountain doesn’t have many trees as Thon Mon Mountain; but around the pagoda, there exist a big lake riches in fish, flowers of Rum Chong and ProLit; besides boating, tourists can enjoy fishing. During the rainy season, Sa Ang Mountain appears to be an island surrounded by vast water.
Handicraft Centre
Handicraft center is situated at Koh Dach Commune, Mok Kampoul District at the center of Mekong River. The commune of Koh Dach provides 12-kilometer length from 100m to 2,500 Meters, borders Prek Luong commune at the East and Uk Nha Tey commune, Koh Dach district at the west, and faces with the communes of Prek Leap and Bak Kheng, Mok Kampoul District.
The commune of Koh Dach has five villages, namely: Koh Dach, Kbal Koh, Lvea, Chong Koh and Roneah village. The commune’s Hall is situated at Kbal Koh village. Because of flooding of Mekong River flowing from Upper Mekong to lessen Mekong then to Vietnam provides caused the region of Kbal Koh gradually collapsed. The primary careers of the neighborhood people there are:
– Planting sub-product crops such as corn, sesame, bean, and banana.
– Planting fruit tree
– Manufacturing mosquito net, silk sarong, Phamuong, Hol, silk krama and running small businesses. The commune of koh Dach has three pagodas, namely Ampor Phal, Kra Pumpich and SaMaki kbal koh.
Ang Kor Chey Pagoda
Ang Kor Chey Pagoda is located at Ban Tey Dek commune, Kean Svay District in a total distance of 29km from Phnom Penh or 32.6 km from Ta Khmao by the National Road N0 1 (Phnom Penh-Svay Rieng province). We travel along the National Road N0 1 from Phnom Penh or Ta Khmao to Kilometre 29 then exceed about 50 meters. There is a gate at the right-hand side written “Ang Kor Chey Pagoda”. If we enter by trail about 1,600 meters, we will reach the entertainment center.
The pagoda constructed with having five peaks as the temple’s peaks. Before reaching the pagoda, we have to pass over a 100-meter wooden bridge; beneath the bridge, there is certainly a big pond for keeping water through the dry season. Behind the pagoda, there is certainly an artificial site on the black hill characterized as a resident of Neak Mean Bon or King. It is stated that the black hill is a former palace because we found ancient objects and equipment like bowls and pot characterizing the ancient feature. Now, the black hill has been organized and keep maintaining.
Koh Dach
Koh Dach located 20 km northeast of Phnom Penh and comes with a region of 30 square kilometers. It could be reached by National Road No6A and by boat along the Mekong River.
Koh Dach includes a traditional silk-weaving village where local craftsmen are skilled at spinning and weaving because of their livelihood. In addition, it has fishing villages on the lender of the river.
Phnom Udong
About 40 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh along National Route 5, a mountain topped with the spires of stupas rears from the plain just like a fairytale castle. That is Phnom Oudong, at onetime a historical capital.
As the administrative centre, it had been called Oudong Meanchey; Oudong means noble or excellent, and Meanchey means victory. From 1618 until 1866 it had been house to a succession of kings, deposed from the former capital of Longvek by the invading Thais. The mountain itself runs from southeast to northeast, with a minimal saddle in the centre. Khmers state it gets the form of a Naga the magical multi-headed serpents that guard the Buddha. Along Route 5, signs point the best way to silversmithing villages, a legacy of days gone by when kings and nobility used to come quickly to the Tonle Sap to bathe and the people would offer them delicate gifts fashioned from the platinum. Turn left at the large billboard, and at the foot of the mountain is normally a flurry of picnic huts. On weekends, hoards of individuals descend on the region from Phnom Penh to consume roast chicken, fish and palm fruit in the cool of the thick forest. At the bottom of the mountain close to the path, a memorial containing bones of a few of the a huge selection of bodies exhumed from a big Khmer Rouge killing field here has been built testament to the area’s bloody past. Stairs left lead to an enormous, shattered statue of Buddha, your feet almost the just part still intact. On the road up the mountain to the proper, the stairs climb steeply and a big structure rises on the left. Inside, huge pillars stand underneath sky, and among their bullet-strafed skeletons, a statue of Buddha sits, only his right arm and shoulder still intact from the ravages of aerial bombings and shelling that shook Oudong from 1970 onwards. The Khmer Rouge finished the work in 1977, setting explosives in the temple. That is Arthross Temple (Temple of Eight Points), and legend provides it that the Buddha here, facing north rather than the traditional direction of east, is normally a testimony to the strength and power of the ancient Cambodian kingdom.
In the 18th century, locals state, a Chinese king sent his people out across Asia to recognize potential threats. If they found Oudong, they saw the mountain shaped such as a Naga, a cavern along with the Arthross end, and observed the wealth and power of Khmer society. They went house and told their king that the Khmers had been already a robust race, and really should a Naga appear through the cavern of Arthross, they might be strong enough to rule the world.
The Chinese king didn’t want this, nor did he wants a war. Instead, he asked the Khmer king if he could create a temple above the cavern, with the Buddha facing towards China to be able to protect his kingdom. This is named Arthaross temple (Arthaross means 18 corners) because there are 18 points, or corners, included in the structure of the temple. This temple also once stood 18 hats high a Khmer measurement the distance of an arm from elbow to fingertips. One hat is approximately half of a meter. Behind Arthross is normally Chker Amao stupa. Chker Amao was your dog of the top monk of Preah Sokhun Mean Bon. He was reportedly so remarkably clever that the monk could send out him shopping with a list linked with his collar and the faithful dog would walk from market stall to advertise stall, collect the shopping, then take it house. When he died he was reincarnated as the son of a Chinese king. The young prince started to obtain terrible headaches, and the court astrologer diagnosed the problem as the roots of the bamboo growing over the dog Amao’s head in his Oudong grave. The king sent his visitors to Cambodia to slice the roots of the bamboo and build the temple that became Chkeri Amao Temple to consecrate the location. As the ridge meanders northeast, three small viharas Vihear Preah Ko (Sacred Cow), Vihear Preah Keo (Sacred Precious Stone) and Vihear Prak Neak (The Buddha Protected by a Naga) have already been restored and show a statue of the sacred cow, glittering golden Buddhas and vibrant murals. The invading Thais took the initial Preah Ko and Preah Keo when Longvek fell in 1594. These statues were thought to have held golden books filled with all of the knowledge in the world within their bellies, and legend says that whenever they were dropped to the Khmers marks when the Kingdom of Cambodia fell behind her neighbors. As the top of the naga makes sight, three huge stupas mark the resting host to kings. The 1st stupa, Chetdei Mouk Pruhm, can be where in fact the remains of King Monivong lie. He died in 1941. The center stupa, using its four bayon faces searching over Kandal everywhere, can be Trai Traing, built by King Norodom for his father, King Ang Duong, in 1891.The last is named Damrei Sam Poan and was built-in the 17th century for King Soriyopor. At the stage of the mountain, an enormous stupa is merely in the ultimate stages of construction. That is probably where in fact the Buddha relics which were once housed in the vihara beyond your place in Phnom Penh will become placed.
Across on small ridge, Ta Sann Mosque is a testament to King Ang Duong’s broadminded intellectualism. Grandfather Sann was created in Champa, the former Islamic empire that once shared Indochina with the Khmers, and was an Iman at Phnom Chumreay. He and the king became firm friends during long discussions about the dharma of both religions, and the king offered him a 50 square meter area on any mountain he thought we would create a mosque, which he snappily accepted. But Oudong hasn’t always witnessed such magnanimous tolerance. The choice stairway that tumbles down the mountainside close to the stupas of past kings passes murals depicting the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Nobody here offers forgotten that past, and the bullet-riddled temples are a day to day testament from what this fairytale city of the dead offers suffered recently.
Today, Oudong remains a sacred place where in fact the construction of an enormous stupa has been created to store and conserve the relic of Preah Serei Roek Theat (Ash of the Buddha).
Buying Things in Kandal
You may even look for a market in the town’s centre, Ta Khmau has at least one big market. which really is a busy area with local shops dealing with the neighborhood daily consumer products, like fish, pork, beef, fruits, vegetables, meats, packed products and grocery items for your individual cooking or eliminate. The majority of the drink and food shops is situated in the guts of the marketplace. it really is special to buy some famous palm, rice or muscle wine.
WAYS TO GET There
By Bus: As the Kandal province is quite closed to Phnom Penh there are certainly several choices to move there depending on where direction you want to move. Irrespective of where you want to go you’ll look for a vehicle at the central bus station southwest from the Central Market. Many buses visit the other provinces so they always have to pass Kandal province. If you would like to go to the provincial capital Ta Khmau there is Sorya buses going to the provincial capital of Takeo every day at 7am, 8am, 12am and 1pm. It shouldn’t cost you more than US$0.5-1.
By Taxis: Lots of share taxis leave unscheduled every day to Ta Khmau opposite from the central bus station. The prices remain US$1-2.
By Motorbike: Almost every Highway around Phnom Penh is in the best condition, so no worries. Riding your motorbike to Ta Khmau you have to take National Highway No 2 to the South. If you would like to hit the road to the North you have to take the National Highways No four or five 5, based on your destination.
By Flight: For the moment, there is absolutely no flight schedule and airport to Banteay Meanchey, only main destinations in Cambodia give you affordable flight and quick simpler.
By Boat: Currently, there is absolutely no boat for the usage of and from Kandal, You can go [[Takeo]] by road transportation.
Food in Kandal
The reputed restaurants and bars in Kandal are the L’ Eléphant Blanc Resort, Srey Touch Restaurant, Club Evergreen Co Ltd, Say Sabok Restaurant and Bar, Villa 777 Restaurant, Ses Sor Restaurant, Restaurant Sountepheap Water Park and Samros Bopha Boeung Taben Guesthouse & Restaurant amongst others.
Tell you Sabok Restaurant & Bar
Situated in Kandal province closed to the Riverside. Restaurant with Khmer and international cuisine. Big Bar. Also rooms to remain overnight.
Ses Sor Restaurant
Located at the National Road No N°2 , No 068 in Takhmao. They have an enormous selection of Khmer and Chinese dishes.
L’ Eléphant Blanc Resort
On the National Road No 1, 7 Km following the Monivong Bridge, before Prek Eng Commune. A big resort offering almost anything you will need, whether it’s a comfortable room or a perfect dish.
Restaurant Sountepheap Drinking water Park
On the National Road No 1 near Mittapheap Village, Prek Eng Commune, Kien Svay District, (on the proper).