Bokor Hill Station
Historical Site Abandoned French hill station with colonial ruins
Abandoned French‑era hill station and protected area on Bokor Mountain near Kampot, Cambodia; contains ruined colonial hotel, church and casino within Bokor National Park and offers cooler hilltop climate and views. Reachable as a day trip from Kampot or for overnight stays.
Overview Bokor Hill Station is a former French colonial hill station and resort on the Bokor Plateau within Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in southern Cambodia, known for abandoned colonial buildings and mountain views. It was developed as a resort by the French in the 1920s.
What visitors find Visitors encounter ruined French-built structures including an old hotel and casino, a church and other colonial-era buildings set on the fog-prone plateau, plus panoramic views over coastal plains and the Gulf of Thailand. The plateau’s cooler climate and scenic drive are part of the attraction.
History Constructed by the French in the early 20th century as a hill-top retreat, Bokor Hill Station remained in occasional use through mid-20th-century Cambodian history before long periods of abandonment. More recent decades have seen redevelopment interest and visitor access managed within the national park.
Location The hill station sits on the Bokor Plateau in Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in Kampot Province, southern Cambodia, rising to roughly 1,000-1,100 metres above sea level and overlooking the southern coastal plain and sea.
- High-elevation hill station: Situated on the Bokor Plateau at roughly 1,000-1,100 metres elevation, the site was developed by the French in the 1920s as a cool-season hill station and resort.
What to See #
- Old hotel and casino ruins: The colonial-era hotel and casino ruins built by the French in the 1920s, now an atmospheric ruin open to visitors.
- Colonial-era buildings and church: Several religious and administrative buildings from the colonial period including an abbey/church and government structures clustered near the summit.
How to Get to Bokor Hill Station #
Bokor Hill Station sits inside Bokor National Park above Kampot. The usual approach is by paved mountain road from Kampot town - the drive from Kampot to the hill station typically takes under an hour (around 30-45 km depending on exact start point) on the Bokor mountain road. From Phnom Penh you first drive to Kampot (along National Highway 4, roughly 150 km) and then follow the road up to Bokor; most visitors use a car, taxi or guided tour.
Tips for Visiting Bokor Hill Station #
- Drive or take transport up from Kampot early in the day to reach viewpoints before the clouds and crowds; the hill's foggy, cool microclimate makes sunrise and early morning especially atmospheric.
- Approach by the main road from Kampot (National Road up to Bokor Plateau) and allow time to walk around the old French-era structures (the Palace Hotel, the church and the casino) rather than just stopping at a single viewpoint.
- Include nearby natural attractions (Popokvil Waterfall, the plateau viewpoints) in the same trip - many visitors focus only on the ruined buildings and miss the park's short nature trails and waterfalls.
- Watch the weather forecast: fog and low clouds can roll in quickly and obscure views, so if clear vistas are important adjust timing or plan a backup day.
Best Time to Visit Bokor Hill Station #
Bokor Hill Station is most pleasant in the cool, dry season (November-February) when temperatures are milder and views are clearer.
Weather & Climate near Bokor Hill Station #
Bokor Hill Station's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 28°C. Heavy rainfall (2468 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 19 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the warmest month with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (263 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (321 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (397 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (378 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (376 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (280 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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