Northwest Lowlands

A sunset in Kampong Chhnang shows the green rice field in the front and palm trees and hills in the background.

They don’t call this area the rice bowl of Cambodia for no reason. To get to the Northwest corner of Cambodia you will definitely pass a rice field in one of its forms, whether dry and waiting for the next rainy season, or flooded with water in the harvest season.

Many tourists head directly to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat and lets be honest, as they should. There is something very special about watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat or standing under the trees at Ta Phrom, whose roots are wrapping themselves around the temple.

But as with many places across Cambodia there is also lots more for the area to offer. Stepping out of the main circuits in the Ankgor Wat complex brings you to pink tones of Banteay Srey, or the little known Prasat Prei Monti nearby where they filmed First They Killed My Father. And Siem Reap has much to offer with visits to museums, shopping or a day trip to Beng Melea or Kulen Mountain.

River flowing over ancient stone carvings at the River of a Thousand Lingas in Kbal Spean, Cambodia. — The River of 1,000 Lingas at Kulen mountain near Siem Reap. Kulen is a great day trip from Siem Reap.

Battambang, the favourite of our provinces (where we used to live), is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and its location is perfect for a stop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap where you can spend a few days taking in bats leaving Mount Sampov at dusk or riding the Bamboo Train. Its also perfect for visiting interesting temples, tasting street food or joining the locals for a picnic at the old airport.

View along the railway track from the bamboo train platform in Battambang, Cambodia. — The bamboo train in Battambang is an adventurous way to experience the local countryside.

From Battambang you can head further north into Banteay Meanchey and Oddor Meachey where you can visit Anlong Veng and the learn about the Khmer Rouge history or take the road south to Pursat, enjoying all that the hills over Veal Veng have to offer. Further south towards Phnom Penh you can stop in Kampong Chhnang to see life on the Tonle Sap or watch how they make clay pots.

Concrete statues of Khmer Rouge soldiers with missing heads at a historical memorial in Cambodia. — Headless concrete statues depicting Khmer Rouge soldiers just outside Anlong Veng in Oddar Meanchey Province.

There are many places in this region you can join together to make a long extended trip, but it is also perfect for stopping by on your way to some of the more well known places.