Bontee Dae Populated Place

An unassuming, quiet village, Bontee Dae offers a glimpse of pastoral Cambodian life and is devoted to marble carving. Many villagers keep workshops beneath or in front of their homes, where visitors can respectfully watch the art of marble carving and perhaps make an offer to buy a piece.

Looping back toward the river road, proper shops are set up where you can see local artisans at work and purchase beautiful, inexpensive souvenirs.

Bontee Dae is a very small village extending east and south of Wat Bontee Dae on the eastern side of the Stung Pursat River, just north of National Road No. 5. It is reached by passing through the grounds of Wat Bontee Dae and exiting the temple’s eastern gate, then heading south along the small village roads. Pursat itself is best reached by bus or private car from Battambang or Kampong Chhnang and Phnom Penh.

• What it is: A very small marble-carving village.
• When to go: The dry season (November through May), when road conditions are best.
• Nearest town: Phnom Penh is 115 miles (187 km) southeast on National Highway 5; Battambang is 65 miles (104 km) northwest of Pursat.
• Don’t miss: Buying a souvenir directly from the artisan who carved it.