Pursat brings together different perspectives: at the sacred site of Neak Ta Khleang Moeang, prayer and worship take center stage; on Tonle Sap Lake, visitors can experience the floating village of Kampong Luang from a boat. Waterfall areas and a climb up Phnom Tumpoar add to this cultural and scenic range. This lets you distinguish between a religious site, named waterfall areas, a mountain trail and an experience on the water.
Prayer and history at the sanctuary
Neak Ta Khleang Moeang is a sacred site where visitors pray. The site is dedicated to a statue revered by Cambodians. The statue was recreated in 1993 after the ancient statue was completely damaged during the civil war. Religious worship and the history of the image are therefore among the defining aspects of this site. The year marks the recreation; the damage refers to the earlier, ancient statue.
Waterfall destinations and trails in Pursat
The Chrak Leang waterfall destination, which locals also call the Yeok waterfall area, is in Bamnok village, Chhoeuteal commune, Krakor district, Pursat province. It is 73 kilometers from the provincial capital, Pursat, and 195 kilometers from Phnom Penh. From Krakor town, it is a further 41 kilometers via Road 53B. These distances therefore refer to different starting points and provide a sense of the area’s location.
The waterfall destination has eleven named visitor areas. These include Tangok Koy, Koh Yeay Chamta, Teuk Chhou, Monorom and Thmor Sandok. Also named are Damnak Preah waterfall, Mlub Chrey Krem, Koh Sopheap, the waterfall area, Koh Dach and Koh Phnhiav.
The climb up Phnom Tumpoar in Veal Veng district offers a different way to get around. Visitors first travel 1.5 kilometers in a tractor-pulled cart, then walk to halfway up the mountain, or to the first camp, Puor Phnum, at an elevation of 660 meters. The route therefore combines a ride with a walk. Check the current arrangements for these sections before making specific plans.
Thmada Toch waterfall, also called Phnom 1500 waterfall, is in the same district. The different names can help you distinguish this waterfall from the other named destinations in Pursat.
Kampong Luang and Tonle Sap Lake
Visitors can take a boat trip with the Kampong Luang floating village community in Kampong Luang commune, Krakor district. Along the way, they can see the floating village and forest, observe traditional fishing and experience the sunset over Tonle Sap Lake. These options combine views of the water with a glimpse of life in the floating village. As boat availability may change, check before making plans.
The wider landscape
Tonle Sap is a significant topographical feature of Cambodia. It is fed by the Mekong and the Tonle Sap River. The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve encompasses the lake, surrounding floodplains and freshwater swamps, as well as seasonally flooded rice fields and grassland. The boat trip at Kampong Luang focuses on the lake; the wider Cambodian landscape also shows the range of habitats connected to it.
Discover more destinations: Krong Pursat, Kratié, Kracheh, Takéo Province, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey Province, Ratanakkiri, Kandal.
For the broader travel overview: Cambodia.
