Pursat covers 12692 square kilometers, It consists of 6 districts, 49 communes and 501 villages.
Pursat Province
Pursat is the fourth biggest province of Cambodia. The province is located in the western part of the country and borders clockwise from the north with Battambang, the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Chhnang, Kompong Speu, Koh Kong, and Thailand. Pursat offers a perfect access to both the Tonle Sap (just 35km far) and the Cardamom Mountains (right to the West). The name of Pursat refers to a type of tree.
For the time being, Pursat receives few travellers and the two main attractions, the Cardamoms and the Tonle Sap require a little initiative on the tourist's part to visit. Pursat is predominantly accessible by the National Highway No 5 form Phnom Penh (174km) and Battambang (106km). There is also an old slowly train working between Phnom Penh and Battambang, which stops outside (2km) from Pursat.
The provincial capital of Pursat is also called Pursat town. The city is located right in the middle between the Tonle Sap and the Cardamom Mountains on the riverbanks of the Stung Pursat. There isn’t that much to do in that small town, so most of the tourists coming here are more or less on their way to Battambang or Phnom Penh. For people just driving by, the impression of a boring ordinary town remains. The only tourist attraction in town is the marble workshops near the bridge on the main street. The precious marble stones originate from the Cardamoms, than they are brought here, followed up and sold near the Lam Siv Eng Restaurant. About 5 km from town is the tomb of Khleang Meung.
O'Da Rapids
is a river picnic area that the locals head out to on weekends to have a swim and kick back for a while about 52 km from town. There are Thais and Khmers working on building a logging road to extract timber from the area, which is why the river is now accessible for the locals on a fairly good gravel road for much of the way. The location is not really something to write home about, but the ride out gives you a chance to see life in the pursat countryside. To get there, turn left (if coming from Phnom Penh) at the small Caltex station (same as going to the hill temple). Down the road, 27 km from the turn, you come to the town of Leach; follow the curve of the right. At 0.7 km past that, turn left you will then see a mountain ahead. At 52.5 km past the Caltex turn, you arrive at a gate with entry fees listed, although there was nobody there to collect when I visited. The fees are listed in Khmer script, from 500 riel to 5,000 riel, depending upon whether you had a motorcycle; car of just came with others. Go beyond the gate to find the river and picnic areas.
Scenic Drive to Wat Bpahk-Dtrow A nice drive through rural farm country, followed by rolling forested hills, is what you get on the way to this hill temple area. With large boulders and trees lining the temple area, it’s a favorite spot for the locals on Sundays and holidays. There are footpaths leading to the different temples and monuments throughout the area. There are food and drink stands near the parking area. To get there just head east from the river bridge on National Hwy5 (towards Phnom Penh) and turn right at the small Caltex gas station-you go under a brick and metal mesh gateway. Just follow this road for about twenty of twenty- five minutes (around 14 km) and you will see the hilltop temple in the distance on the left. Turn left at the blue white pillars.
Leach Village
This village serves as a processing center for sandalwood oil, which in turn is used in perfume. The wood comes from the nearby forests of the Cardamom Mountains. Leach is around 27 km southwest of Pursat town.
Floating Village of Lake Tonle Sap
Heading east from Pursat town, about one-third of the way to Kampong Chhnang town is the town of Krakor. Just a few kilometers to the north are Lake Tonle Sap and the floating village of Kampong Loo-uhng. It’s a complete village on the water populated mostly by Vietnamese fishermen. You can arrange for a small non-motorized boat to show you around for 4,000 riel per hour.
Cardamom Mountains
Check the Koh Kong chapter for information on the fried from Koh Kong to Pailin, which cuts through the Cardamom Mountains on the western edge of Pursat province. The Cardamom Mountains of Koh Kong and Pursat provinces are said to be the most pristine wilderness area remaining in Southeast Asia. This ride takes you through the area.
Wat Preh S’dai and Pursat River
This is the temple that you can see from National Hwy 5 looking south toward the river bend. There is a new wat under construction on the temple grounds as well. It’s a nice setting with the river nearby. Just across the river road from the temple is a wooden bridge crossing the Pursat River. Just north of the bridge is a sandy beach.
Scenic Drive to Wat Bpahk- Dtrow
A nice drive through rural farm country, followed by rolling forested hills, is what you get on the way to this hill temple area. With large boulders and trees lining the temple area, it’s a favorite spot for the locals on Sundays and holidays. There are footpaths leading to the different temples and monuments throughout the area. There are food and drink stands near the parking area. To get there just head east from the river bridge on National Hwy5 (towards Phnom Penh) and turn right at the small Caltex gas station-you go under a brick and metal mesh gateway. Just follow this road for about twenty of twenty- five minutes (around 14 km) and you will see the hilltop temple in the distance on the left. Turn left at the blue white pillars.
Bak Tra Resort
Is the natural resort locates at 16-Kilomater distances from the provincial town of PurSat by Road N.56 to Kra Vanh District. The resort consists of: - Small Mountain having 50-meter height. - Forest riches in Thlong trees. - Big rocks throughout the forest. - Canal and natural well containing water permanently.
Kam Pheng
Locates at Pro Ngil village, Pro Ngil commune, Kra Vanh District in 20 -Kilometer distance from the provincial.
Kam Pong Luong Resort
Is the natural resort locating at the bank of Tonle Sap richingin white sand and clear water-suitable for swimming during the dry season. In addition, there are many other attractive sites under the projects to develop as the tourist spots like:
Koh Sam Pov Meas
It locates at the middle of Koh Pur Sat, in front of the Provincial Hall.
Luaing Trach
Luaing Trach How to go: 49 km (1h: 30mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Nature & Wildlife Preserves, Location: Lang Trach village, Svay Sa Commun .
Neak Ta Khleang Moeang
Is the main historical site in Cambodia and located at Snam Preah Commune, Ba Kan District in Six-Kilometer. The site is the sacred place prayed and worshipped by tourists who come from the near and far areas. This venerable site has a statue of Neak Ta Khleang Moeang respected and worshipped by the Cambodian people. The statue is newly made and put at the right place because the ancient statue is completely damaged by the civil war.
Phnom Dak Preah
locates at Ro Leap village, Ro Leap commune, Pur Sat District in 10-Kilometer distance from the provincial.
Phnom Baykhlor Resort
Is the natural and cultural resort.? It locates at Thuaut Chum village, Thnaut Chum commune, Ko Kor District in 20-Kilometer distance from the provincial town of Pur Sat by the National Road N0 5 then turning right more 12 Kilometers to the East. This resort consists of: - Beautiful scenery for tourists. - Mountain and forest. - Broken ancient statues and other varied sculpt.
Preah Theat
Located at Sre Sdok village, Sre Sdok commune, Kan Deang District in 20-kilometer distance from the provincial town.
