Nov 22, 2010

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Sihanoukville Province

  • Nov 22, 2010
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  • Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s most popular beach resort, catering to domestic tourists, backpackers, and retirees alike. The town was founded by former monarch Norodom Sihanouk as a coastal getaway and deep water port in the 1950’s. Most of the Kingdom’s imports and exports pass through the port which provides valuable employment to local people.

    Sihanoukville, named after King Norodom Sihanouk since its independence from France in 1953. It is known locally as Kampong Saom. Located 230 kilometers southwest of the Capital Phnom Penh, the province has become one of the best seaside destinations in Asia to be explored.

    Sihanoukville has a different look and feel than most Cambodian towns. Constructed as a port city in the late 1950s, the town is much newer, more urban and cosmopolitan than most Cambodian provincial cities. Nowadays, Sihanoukville is as much a beach town as it is a port town, catering to beach-going weekenders from Phnom Penh as well as a steadily increasing number of foreign visitors. Still, the pace of life in Sihanoukville is very relaxed.

    The popular beaches that line the contour of the city from north to south are the Victory 
    Beach, Deum Chrey Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha Beach, Serendipity Beach, Ochheuteal Beach, Samdech Hun Sen Beach, Hawai Beach, Ream Beach, and the Otres Beach.
    Besides mesmerizing the tourists, other popular off-the-beach attractions include the tropical islands, the beautiful Kbal Chhay waterfall and the Ream National Park.



    Tourist attractions in Preah Sihanouk province come in great many varieties which are sure to leave the tourists with cherished memories.

    Ream national Park
    Ream National Park is located between Koh Thmei and Sihanoukville, about 18 kilometers from downtown Sihanoukville. The park, which has been open and protected since 1993 by royal degree because of its national, scientific, educational and recreational values, covers 21,000 hectares including 15,000 hectares of terrestrial and 6000 hectares of marine habitats.

    The National Park features secluded beaches, mangroves forests, tropical jungles, 155 different species of birds, monkeys and during the months of December, January and February the infamous white fresh water dolphin. It also offers a good transportation service to some island such as Koh Ta Keav and Koh Rusei. Those tourists who do visit the islands should travel in groups and bring their own food.

    Lomherkay Beach is also known s “Hawii Beach, King’s Beach, South Channel Beach” like the other major beaches, lomherkay Beach is lined with umbrellas and chairs and little beach shack bars and seafood restaurants, though no where near as densely as Ochheuteal. Lomherkay Beach is get a bit less tourists than Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches. Access the beach from the small rod at the southern end.

    Deum Chhrey Beach is located in front of City Hall. Few tourists swim here because there is a big restaurant nearby. It is popular with tourists who like to walk along the beach, however, because there is a picturesque park filled with statues, making site popular with photographers.

    Ochheuteal Beach is the most active beach in Sihanouk vile and very popular with travelers and weekenders alike thatch roofed seafood shacks and beach bars line the sand from one end of Ochheuteal to the other, next to it is known as “serendipity beach” which is especially popular with budget travelers, is the only beach in Sihanouk bile to offer rooms right on the sand, as well as some hillside bungalows with spectacular views of the ocean. Also it has several restaurants and beachfront bars ranging fro the laid back to all night party bars.
    Otres Beach is the next beach south of ochheuteal and in many way resembles Ochheuteal a 3km crescent of near white sand but far less trusted than Ochheuteal. The road over the hill form Ochheuteal (through Queen Hill Resort) allowing easy access to Otres Beach is relatively new and the beach is largely undeveloped. There are scattered grass umbrellas along the beach and few thatch roof beach bars and restaurants clustered toward near the end including the Star Bar offering beachfront bungalow, bars and restaurants and Otres Nautical offering water sports equipment boats, windsurfing…etc.
    Victory Beach: At over two kilometers, Vicotry beach is quite long but it is divided into two by a rocky point and a small hill. Set at the base of the very popular Weather Station Hill. The section of Victory Beach is in the area of the Vietnam-Cambodia Monument (Victory Monument) is popular because it is a bit quieter and more relaxed than Ochheuteal Beach and there are a few food beach bars and restaurants right on the sand, in addition, Victory Beach is a particularly good sunset beach.
    Kbal Chhay waterall is located in Khan Prey Nup, about 16 kilometers north of downtown Sihanoukville. To reach the site from Sihanoukville, take National Road 4 toward Phnom Penh. About 7 kilometers outside of town, there is a sign announcing the site. Turn left and go 9 kilometers along a trail. The water at Kbal Chhay comes from many Sources along the mountain range, although only three of these sources are visible. The waterfall, which is 14 meters high, is at the point where those three sources join.
    Kbal Chhay was discovered in 1960. three years later, it was developed into a reservoir to supply clean water to the city of Sihanoukville. The reservoir construction, however, was interrupted due to civil war, and the site became a hide-out for the Khmer Rouge. In 1997, Kbal Chhay was marked for development, and a year later Kok An Company was awarded a contract to construct a road and develop the site for tourism.

    Prampi Choan Beach is short and narrow, and the waves are bigger than at other beaches, making it popular with locals, who favor it most after Sokha Beach.

    Tek Tleak Tmor Rung is located at Kom Pong Siela district, about 113km from the town by the national road No.4 to Phnom Penh Capital city.
    Wat Leu is 132 high constructed in 1964. It is located at the top of Sihanouk vile mountain. It’s painting depict the life of Buddha; the one of the Buddhism ancient pagoda which is not only sacred (Buddhist respect) but it’s also a beautiful place with fresh air and overlook town from the top. 

    Islands
    Approximately 34 islands lie within the jurisdiction of Sihanoukville. These include the larger islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem to the west, the islands inside Ream national park Koh Thmei and Koh Ses, and also a number of smaller islands found both close to shore and offshore, stretching as far north as the northern tip of Kampong Som Bay. Many of the islands have small beaches and some have been identified as good for snorkeling. These include Koh Khteah, Koh Chraloh, Koh Ta Kiev and Koh Chraloh. The island of Koh Tang, Koh Prins and Poulo Wai have good environments for diving. Most of islands are accessible by regular boat trips.

    Koh Pors:
    Koh Pors is an island 1 kilometers from Loum Hekay beach, off the coast of Sihanoukville. The beach is flat and very quiet. It attract few visitors, because it is undeveloped. Those tourists who do visit the island travel in groups and bring their own food.

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