Pursat Travel Guide
Pursat is one of Cambodia’s less visited areas, located as it is in the west of the country and abutting the Thai border. People come to stay in the provincial capital Pursat and to visit the pretty surrounding mountains.
The region sees few tourists, yet the town has a delectable setting on the banks of a river between Tonle Sap Lake and the Cardamom Mountains. Eco-tourists are particularly fond of the Cardamom Mountains and the floating villages of Kampong Luang, as well as the nearby great Lake Tonle Sap.
You will find, however, that it is quite difficult to get about due to the lack of English-speaking personnel. This along with the bland food and the relatively pricey accommodation means most visitors don’t stay for long. Although fairly isolated, Pursat has a direct highway connection with the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, which is just over 100 miles away to the southeast.
Getting There & Away
Bus is the only public transport option for getting to Pursat and there are several services throughout the day on the Phnom Penh to Battambang route. Trip time is four hours from the capital and 90 minutes from Battambang. Buses arrive every 30 minutes in the morning. Phnom Penh’s and Siem Reap’s international airports are about equidistant from Pursat.
Things to Do
Pursat Attractions
- Koh Sampovmeas
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This is pursat town’s main attraction; an island park in the city with nice lawns, seating and khmer-style pavilions.
- The rural east bank
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Small marble-carving shops are along the river road south of town, where you can buy a smiling buddha statue for next to nothing.
- Bun Rany Hun Sen Development Center
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If you have time in pursat, you can do courses here in cloth weaving, mat weaving, and marble carving.
- Cardamom Mountains
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Eco-tourism is quite popular in these nearby mountains although don’t expect five-star resorts or the like.
Kampong Luang floating villages
located about 20 miles from town on Tonle Sap Lake are these pretty floating villages, which make an interesting daytrip.