Bokor National Park, otherwise known as Preah Monivong National Park, is one of the largest protected areas in Cambodia and features bokor-mountain, a 3,540 foot (1,079 m) mountain that is home to the one spectacular abandoned French hill station - now being converted into a Chinese resort/amusement park development.
The park, most of which is inaccessible to visitors features tiered waterfalls and diverse flora and fauna, including elephants, pileated gibbons, leopards, tigers, and over 300 bird species.
Enshouded in mist and fog during the rainy season, the park has one waterfall that is best visited during or just after the monsoon season. Popokvil Falls, which means “Swirling Clouds,” is a great place to swim and are in walking distance from the hill station atop Bokor Mountain.
The ranger station atop the Bokor Hill Station can provide information about the park and lead explorations around the nearby area, including Popokvil Falls, which is not only mandatory but practical as there are still numerous land mines in the surrounding countryside.
Bokor Mountain
Bokor Mountain, is an absolutely beautiful and tragic mess. While still retaining its views and cool air on a clear day, the once protected area can be visibly seen undergoing the unabashed, unchecked stages of developmental mismanagement of the worst kind.
A partnership of Chinese, Korean, and Cambodian business interested paid around 145 million USD to purchase both the road and the entire mountain, and have worked since to decimate any reason why people would want to flock to it or to the future mega resort and community they plan to build there.
The wildlife once written about in travel guides of other publications are gone or have fled to the interior of the park; clear cutting can be seen from the side of the road on your journey up hill. Abandoned buildings, remnants of grotesque western wealth, privilege, and prejudice of colonialism turned Khmer Rouge torture chambers where thousands were imprisoned are now picnicking grounds for tourists and locals of means. NGO’s gave up in 2008 and a grandiose planned community 5 grocery stores, hospitals, schools, and supermarkets are to be completed in the next 30 years, with the resort to be completed by 2015. It is unclear who will be the baron of the land at that time.
Ruins atop Bokor Mountain include the Black Palace ruins, the Catholic Church, and the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino. A former Khmer prison the Casino held thousands of people before they were fed to the animal in the surrounding habitat. Only 26 prisoners were still alive by the time the Vietnamese ended their 5 month long battle. Be very cautious and stay on the well worn paths of Bokor Mountain as the area has not been adequately swept for mines left behind by the Khmer Rouge.
Where to Go
- Bokor Hill Station: A historic French colonial-era retreat atop Bokor Mountain, offering eerie abandoned buildings, cool mountain air, and stunning panoramic views.
- Popokvil Falls: A two-tiered waterfall located within Bokor National Park, perfect for nature lovers seeking a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy the natural beauty.