PhnomBokor

he 1040 metres high Bokor mountain and the Bokor national park is located at the southern tip of the Elephant mountains near the Cambodian-Vietnamese border. It was first accessed in 1916 and developed later as a popular altitude resort during the French protectorate and during the regime of prince Norodom in the nineteen sixties.

In its history, this hill resort has been abandoned twice, first when Vietnam overran the place in the late forties while fighting the French and next in 1972 when it was controlled by the Khmer Rouge.

The Bokor national park was founded in 1993 and it consists of untouched jungle, waterfalls, rivers and unspoiled nature. Recently, the park has received funding to focus on protection and monitoring of wildlife and on community outreach programmes. Since this programme began, poaching of endangered wildlife and illegal logging has strongly diminished.

The hill has been open for tourism since 1997. There is so much to be seen, such as an old abandoned catholic church, the derelict French colonial style hotel and casino, Holiday Villa and a Buddhist monastery that is built on the verge of the mountain. Enjoy the fabulous view over Cambodian and Vietnamese coast and islands from the top, 1081 metres above sea level.