Phnom Bai Chuw Travel Guide

Phnom Bai Chuw means ‘ocean of trees’, a fitting name for this hill overlooking a ‘sea’ of treetops. The best views happen right before the sun sets.

Phnom Bai Chuw is located about four miles north of Sen Monorom, the biggest provincial town in the region. The easiest way to get here is to hire a driver who knows the way from the town proper. The drive may be slow-going depending on current road conditions, but this only means there will be fewer tourists when you arrive.

The hilltop view is admittedly impressive, with trees covering hundreds of acres in every direction. There’s a mixture of deciduous and pine trees, the latter of which were planted in the 1960s. Hikes through the forest are memorable for the bed of pine needles that cover the forest floor. Just be sure to hire a guide who knows the area, as unexploded ordinance is always an issue in Cambodia’s back country.

While it’s not an impressive enough attraction to lure tourists from other provinces, Phnom Bai Chuw is worth a visit for anyone spending a night or two in Sen Monorom. This is especially true for those who have an evening free and need a few postcard-worthy pictures to show off when they get home.

In brief

What is it? An impressive hilltop view over a forest of pine trees.


Opening hours: 08:00 to 19:00, daily.


Entrance fees: no entrance fee.


Address/website: www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/?AtID=272&ProID=13&ItemN=9&View=Detail.

Where: four miles north of Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri Province.

How to get there: hire a driver from Sen Monorom town proper, which is a day’s journey by road from Phnom Penh.