Tourism of Takeo
Takeo province, bordering Vietnam south, is usually blessed with natural beauty and many historical sites. Takeo is usually often recognized as “the cradle of the Cambodian civilization,” and contains several significant pre-Angkorian sites.
While heading towards Takeo, make a trip to Phnom Chisor to visit a well-preserved 11th-century temple from the Angkor era. The temple is built on the crest of the hill and surrounded by panoramic views of the countryside. The climb up– 503 actions– to the top may be vigorous, but the stunning view of the countryside at the end makes it truly worthwhile. This ancient temple is now an active one where Buddhists make pilgrimages on religious occasions. There are monks’ quarters and a school. Fine carvings of Hindu deities can still be seen on the towers and at the libraries, and unique carvings decorate the door of the main temple.
In Takeo, the Tonle Bati-a favorite recreational spot for the locals during leisure-is a pleasant place to stop by for a standard Khmer meal. The nearby Tonle Bati Temple is usually a ‘largely intact’ Angkorian-style temple with a picturesque garden. The Yeay Pov Temple, named after King Ta Prohm’s mother, is usually another historical temple situated near the popular Tonle Bati Lake.
For families, a visit to the Phnom Ta Mao wildlife rescue centre is an enriching trip. The centre was set up to preserve rescued rare and endangered local wildlife. Eighty hectares of the area serves as a zoo for visitors.
Takeo’s economy consists basically of agricultural farming, fishery, rice and fruit cropping plus some garment factories producing for international markets. Because of its location following Vietnam, there is normally some trade evolving recently. Especially the rural households depend on agriculture and its own related sub-sectors.
The Takeo Marketplace is the spot to change money. There are many telltale glass cases of the moneychangers along leading, in addition to in the market region. They readily change dollars, riel and the Vietnamese dong.
Things to Do & See in Takeo
Ta Mao Zoo (Phnom Ta Mao)
About 10 kilometers further down the same road No 2 from Ta Prom temple, Ta Mao Zoo enjoys a picturesque location. The involvement of several wildlife NGOs has helped ensure that most of the zoo is usually of a fairly humane standard, although work to improve the conditions is definitely ongoing. There are several outstanding enclosures, one of which houses the tigers, bears, and elephants, etc. A good place to experience Cambodia’s wildlife at close quarters. Small entry fee.
Neang Khmao
A brick and sandstone temple in poor condition about 10 km from Ta Mao Zoo further along National Route 2. Built-in the nine century and located in Rovieng Commune, Samrong district, this is the temple pointed out in the legend of Takeo’s naming. About 58 km Phnom Penh.
Visiting a silk and Kroma manufacturing village
Cambodian farmers help to make traditional silk all throughout the kingdom but for day time-tripping, it may convenient to visit several interesting places such as Pea-ream and Thnoat communes in Bati district, and Tang Yab and Say-va commune in the Samrong district of Takeo province. At Tang Yab villages, well know as a ‘weaving handicraft village,’ is on one of the largest villages located nearby Chiso temple, it’s about 4 kilometres from the leg of the mountain, and is about 65 kilometers from Phnom Penh.
The villagers have retained their traditional way of life-based around their main handicraft, traditional silk weaving, Phamoung, Hol, Krama and cotton clothes. Visitors walking the villager trail around the village will hear the sound of looms emerging from every house. Many good weaving products are available for visitors to order or just buy it from these producer’s hands at a reasonable price.
Phnom Chiso
High on a mountain, this beautiful temple with spectacular views lies at the end of a 412 step walk from the southern side, and on its eastern side for a drive to the top. Also located in Rovieng Commune, Samrong District, two kilometres past Neang Khmao Temple then turn down left, the oldest sections of the atmospheric ruins date back to the early 11th century. Built by Suryavarman I (of Angkor Wat fame), the temple is definitely a small but impressive lateritic and sandstone structure.
Phnom Bayong Koa Temple
Some 40 km away from the central city of Takeo province, are two groups of ruins dating back to the Pre-Angkorian period. At these sites, there is the bigger group, belonging to the Bayong Koa and a smaller at the Ta Nhean temple.
Surrounding the temples is definitely green a lush forest exuding a heavy scent of a dense jungle, obviously left undisturbed for a very long while. It requires a good pair of shoes to explore these areas since the 390 methods that rise more than 300 meters to the foot of the Bayong Koa temple is definitely no easy climb for some.
The serenity and natural beauty of the Bayong Koa erected in the early 7th century by King Bhavaman I to pay homage to the Hindu god Shiva are captivating and enchanting.
Ta Nhean temple
Some 3 km away from the Bayong Koa temple is Ta Nhean (which means ‘grandfather Nhean’ in Khmer language) temples group were erected in the early 7th century by King Bhavarman I in homage to the Hindu god Shiva. Built of brick, lateritic and sandstone, the temple is definitely stylistically different from many of Cambodia’s better-known ancient structures between Prey Khmeng and Sambo Prey Kuk stylist. Further down the dirt road, there are villages of Preah Bat Chann Chum commune prepared to welcome visitors and tourists with local homegrown organic fruits for a cheap price. At the farmer’s market, you can buy hiking shoes and hats to climbing the temples. The local tour guide can be found to lead the climbing tour and explain the temple history.
Phnom Kleng Mountain
Wat Phnom Kleng is among the monasteries since the 18th century and built in the 1950s by a famous local monk. Because of the generous support from the people, the monastery has turned into a popular place in Takeo province. On the weekends, locals and non-locals move there to pray for luck and happiness. Why is Phnom Kleng special scenery is normally that pagoda had been surrounded by rice-fields? Thus, the pagoda offers natural splendor, oxygen, and tranquility. If one is normally bold enough to climb to the peak of the mountain, the summit provides a panoramic view of the countryside. Phnom Kleng is situated in the Prey Slek commune of Traing district, Takeo province, far away 100 km from Phnom Penh. Travel along Road No. 2 until you reach Takeo Town, straight along away about 15 km.
Angkor Borei and Ta Keo museum
There’re two museums that have already been established in Takeo province, one located at Angkor Borei district near the Phnom Da temple and the other is in the central part of Takeo town. This provincial museum is among the most interesting design and layout which adopted the most artistic style to Phnom Da architectural arts.
The majority of the cultural items are collected from residents in the Takeo area. The museums are daily opened from 8-11 am and 2-5 pm from Monday to Saturday, the entry fee is normally 1$ per adult foreign-visitors.
Tonlé Bati Resort
The Tonlé Bati is a little lake located along the National Road 2, about 35 km south of Phnom Penh. It really is a favorite weekend destination for the neighborhood population. Innovative bamboo shelters line the medial side of the lake, providing resort-style comfort. That is also a favorite fishing spot for tourists and the neighborhood people.
Near to the lake, along the highway towards Takeo Province, maybe the Ta Prohm temple, a comparatively well-preserved 12th Century Angkorian temple built by King Jayavarman VII. Yeay Peau, another Angkorian temple can be close to the Tonlé Bati. Of both, Ta Prohm may be the more extensive and impressive, maintaining several very well-preserved gorgeous carvings. Yeay Peau is normally an individual sandstone tower situated next to a dynamic pagoda. The name Yeay Peau is in fact named after King Ta Phrom’s mother.
Food in Takeo
There are always a handful of decent Khmer food restaurants close to the waterfront, following the canal that heads to Vietnam, Angkor Borei and Phnom Da. You may even find a lot of cookeries in the region around the Independence Monument. By evening this is actually the spot to snack on Cambodian desserts or like a “tukalok” (fruitshake). And for the night time scene, there simply isn’t much heading on in Takeo town -your best bet is to take it easy and understand that Phnom Penh is one hour away.
Apsara Restaurant
This is an alternative solution spot for an excellent Cambodian meal through the dry season when this portion of the town is less stinky compared to the area close to the water. It comes with an English menu plus some tasty soups certainly are worth a recommendation.
Restaurant Stung Takeo
This place is made on stilts, as the complete area becomes a huge lake through the wet season. The restaurant overlooks the canal to Angkor Borei, and it’s probably the most popular lunch stop around. It’s an excellent spot to tuck into some Khmer food prior to making a vacation to Angkor Borei and Phnom Da.
Doun Keo Restaurant:
This place is among the first restaurants that you encounter as you enter Takeo from Phnom Penh. It’s an agreeable simple place, which features a rather decent Khmer and Chinese food.
Buying Things in Takeo
As you will visit any provincial of Cambodia, Takeo province you can purchase most commodities at every market located near center of town, despite the fact that small towns like Samraong District have at least one market for shopping.
You may even look for a market around centre, which really is a busy area with local shops dealing with the neighborhood daily consumer products, like fish, pork, beef, fruits, vegetables, meats, packed products and grocery items for your individual cooking or eliminate. The majority of the drink and food shops is situated in the guts of the marketplace.
WAYS TO GET To Takeo
By Bus: Phnom Penh and Takeo province are linked by the National Highway No 2, which remains in reasonable condition with a few potholes to slow the velocity down. Hour Lean and PPPT bus companies both run air-con buses between Phnom Penh and Takeo (6000riel, 2hours, 77km). They leave from the Central Station just southwest from the Central Market in PP. Leaving off to PP from Takeo you might find the buses before the Phsar Leu. Both buses need to pass Tonlé Bati and Phnom Chisor, both interesting sides of attraction.
By Shared Taxis/Moto: The purchase price from PP by share taxi is just about 6000riel, by minibus around 3000riel. Travellers continuing by road to Kampot should have a moto (5000riel) for the 13km journey Angk Tasaom and arrange a seat in a minibus or share taxi (5000riel) to Kampot.
For 1000 riel you can obtain any place in town. The daily rate is normally US$ 5 plus fuel for distant sights.
By Motorbike: Phnom Penh and Takeo province are linked by the National Highway No 2, which remains in reasonable condition with a few potholes to slow the velocity down. That is a maximum 2 hours ride for merit skilled motorbikers.
If your motorcycle includes a mechanic problem, return to Phnom Penh, as it’s only one hour away. Call your rental outfit in Phnom Penh (always carry theft rental agreement) and they’ll arrive down to perform motorcycle surgery or haul the bike back to Phnom Penh.