Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
particularly the offerings at the
crab market
- while foreigners linger to enjoy Kep's
mellow atmosphere, excellent accommodation options, and the possibility of trips to
offshore
islands
and into the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Traces of the town's sombre past remain. The region is dotted with the gutted shells of
colonial villas
- tragic evidence of the Khmer Rouge's destruction. Until recently, most
were smothered by prolific tropical vegetation and home to squatters; now some have
been restored, with more likely to follow, although the di
culty of establishing
ownership means this will be a slow process.
Colonial villas
Between the Yeah Mao statue and the Rabbit Island pier, you can still see
colonial villas
that were deliberately wrecked by the Khmer Rouge and left to be
swallowed up by the jungle. Dating back to Kep's golden era of the 1960s, many of
these modern gems were inspired by the French contemporary architect Le Corbusier.
You'll also see plenty of ostentatious government buildings, a vast mansion on the
hill belonging to a government minister and another colonial construction near
Breezes
restaurant, known as the
Queen's Palace
, that King Norodom Sihanouk built
but never stayed in.
Kep National Park
On the hill behind Kep, you can get away from it all and enjoy fantastic views over the
province and bay by following an 8km track through
Kep National Park
($1; access is
behind
Veranda Natural Resort
); the hike to the mountain top will take about an hour
and a half, or you can go around the mountain in two to three hours. Viewpoints and
benches scatter the trail. The
Led Zed Café
, 300m inside the park, makes a useful
refreshment stop; you can pick up a park map from here and get good information on
other local trails, including a hike to 182m Sunset Rock.
White Horse Monument & Kampot
KEP
EATING & DRINKING
La Baraka
Breezes
Kim Ly
Sailing Club
Toucan
Veranda Natural Resort
ACCOMMODATION
Beach House
Brise de Kep
Jasmine
Kep in Touch
Kep Lodge
Knai Bang Chatt
Kukuluku
Malibu Estates Bungalow
Rega Guesthouse
4
1
6
2
5
3
9
8
3
7
5
6
2
1
4
KEP
NATIONAL
PARK
MARKET
ROUNDABOUT/
TRAFFIC CIRCLE
Psar K'Dam/
Crab Market
& Rith Travel
KEP
NATIONAL
PARK
Independence Monument
Psar K'Dam/
Crab Market
Psar
Chas
Shopping
Precinct
Rabbit Island
Pier (Boat Pier)
N
SEE INSET FOR DETAIL
Green Tours
Supermarket
Transport/Bus Stop
Kep Beach
0
250
0
1
Statue of
Yeah Mao
metres
kilometre
