Bokor Hill Station
Kampot [Kâmpôt]
Bokor Hill Station is a historic French colonial hill station located atop Bokor Mountain in southern Cambodia's Preah Monivong National Park. Established in the early 1920s as a temperate mountain resort for French colonial residents and military personnel seeking relief from the tropical heat, it features several notable colonial buildings including the grand Bokor Palace Hotel, a villa for the Résident Supérieur, and a Catholic church. The station was abandoned multiple times due to regional conflicts, including during the First Indochina War and the Khmer Rouge era, leaving many structures in a state of picturesque decay. In recent years, modern infrastructure improvements have made the site more accessible, and redevelopment efforts are underway to restore the old hotel and casino while adding new facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and a golf club. The site also includes natural attractions like the nearby Povokvil Waterfalls and the historically significant Black Palace, a former summer residence of King Sihanouk. Today, Bokor Hill Station offers visitors a unique blend of colonial history, cultural heritage, and scenic mountain landscapes.
Planifiez votre voyage en Cambodge avec l'IA
Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: The best time to visit Bokor Hill Station is during the dry season when the roads are easily accessible and the waterfalls are more likely to be flowing. It is advisable to purchase tickets or book accommodations in advance due to ongoing redevelopment and limited facilities. Visitors should prepare for cooler mountain temperatures and bring suitable clothing. Discounts may be available for groups or extended stays. The newly paved road from National Highway 3 makes the ascent much easier compared to the old route, enhancing accessibility for tourists.
Faits intéressants
- •Nine hundred workers died during the construction of the resort within nine months due to the remote and challenging mountain conditions.
- •Bokor Hill Station was used as a filming location for the movies City of Ghosts (2002) and R-Point (2004).
- •The site includes the Black Palace, a former summer palace of King Sihanouk, located about 10 km before the hill station.
- •Despite long periods of abandonment, many colonial-era buildings like the Bokor Palace Hotel and a Catholic church still stand today.
- •The new road to Bokor Hill Station incorporates advanced drainage and slope stabilization to prevent landslides.
Histoire
The Damrei Mountains, where Bokor Hill Station is located, have long been sacred to Cambodians.
The hill station was constructed in the early 1920s by the French as a mountain retreat for colonial soldiers and residents, with the grand Bokor Palace Hotel opening in 1925.
The station was abandoned in the late 1940s during the First Indochina War due to local insurrections.
It was briefly revived in 1962 with the opening of a casino and new hotels but was abandoned again in 1972 as Khmer Rouge forces took control.
The area remained a Khmer Rouge stronghold until the early 1990s.
Modern redevelopment began in the 2000s with infrastructure improvements and restoration projects.
Guide du lieu
Bokor Palace Hotel1925
The centerpiece of the hill station, this grand colonial hotel was inaugurated in 1925 and served as a luxury retreat for French colonial residents. It remains an iconic ruin undergoing restoration, showcasing French colonial architecture and history.
Catholic Church1920s
A colonial-era Catholic church built to serve the spiritual needs of the French residents and soldiers. Though abandoned, it remains a significant cultural landmark within the hill station.
Black Palace (Damnak Sla Khmao)Mid-20th century
Located about 10 km before the hill station, this was the summer palace of King Sihanouk. It is now abandoned but remains an important historical site linked to Cambodia's royal past.