Kampong Thom rewards a slower stop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Its provincial capital, Stung Sen, is an easy base for the forest temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, while the river and surrounding countryside give the visit a different rhythm from Cambodia’s larger cities.
Conditions now
Kampong Thom
26°C
Drizzle · feels like 31°C
- Humidity 93%
- Wind 10 km/h
- Air: Good (AQI 46)
- TodayShowers32° / 24°89% rain
- TueDrizzle32° / 25°61% rain
- WedThunderstorms32° / 24°71% rain
- ThuShowers32° / 25°59% rain
- FriDrizzle32° / 25°59% rain
Updated hourly. Forecast and air quality by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Conditions can change quickly in the wet season.
Why go to Kampong Thom?
Come for the chance to see an earlier chapter of Khmer architecture and stay long enough to enjoy the town around it. Sambor Prei Kuk is not a smaller version of Angkor. Its brick sanctuaries, carved sandstone details and wooded paths tell a different story. UNESCO identifies the site with ancient Ishanapura, a capital that flourished in the late sixth and early seventh centuries. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.
What to experience
Sambor Prei Kuk
Give the archaeological zone an unhurried half-day. The principal temple groups are spread through a forest setting, so the pleasure is in walking between them as much as reaching any single monument. A local guide can help make sense of the site’s layout, religious imagery and conservation work. Read our Sambor Prei Kuk visitor guide before you go.
Stung Sen riverside and town life
Leave some time for a walk beside the Stung Sen River and a meal in town. Kampong Thom works especially well for travellers who enjoy observing everyday life rather than filling every hour with sights. The town is a practical base, not merely a place to sleep before the temples.
Phnom Santuk
If you have another half-day, consider Phnom Santuk, a hilltop religious site in the province. It is an active sacred place: dress respectfully, give worshippers space and ask before photographing people. Check local transport and conditions before setting out, especially if steps or heat may affect your visit.
How long should you stay?
One night gives you time to break a longer road journey and visit Sambor Prei Kuk. Two nights feel better if you want a relaxed temple visit, a town evening and a second outing without packing everything into one day. These are suggested rhythms, not fixed itineraries.
Getting to Sambor Prei Kuk
The temples are about 35 km from Kampong Thom town, roughly 170 km from Siem Reap and about 200 km from Phnom Penh by road. Most visitors hire a driver or tuk-tuk from town, or stop here on the journey between the two cities. Ask your driver to wait, because the paths between temple groups are best walked.
How to get there
- Compare operators and book BookMeBus · redBus Cambodia · 12Go · Baolau. These platforms list the operators on each route.
- From Siem Reap or Phnom Penh Kampong Thom town is on the road between the two cities, roughly 170 km from Siem Reap and about 200 km from Phnom Penh. Confirm whether your bus or minivan stops there.
- To the temples Sambor Prei Kuk is about 35 km from town. Most visitors hire a driver or tuk-tuk; ask them to wait, because the paths between temple groups are best walked.
Book through the operator, your hotel, or one of the platforms above. Cambodia Handbook is independent and not sponsored. Schedules change, so check the operator’s official website or office before you travel. Last checked 19 October 2026. See also transport booking and getting around Cambodia.
A simple two-day shape
Arrival day: travel to Stung Sen, settle in and take a gentle riverside walk. Full day: visit Sambor Prei Kuk with plenty of time for the forest paths and a local lunch. If you have a second full day, add Phnom Santuk or explore the countryside at a slower pace.
Planning notes
- Getting there: Kampong Thom is on the road journey between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Ask your transport provider where it stops and how you will reach your accommodation; services and schedules can change.
- At the temples: carry drinking water, wear comfortable footwear and protect yourself from sun and rain. Historic paths may be uneven.
- Fees and opening arrangements: confirm current details locally rather than relying on an old price or timetable online.
- Respect: do not climb fragile structures or remove anything from an archaeological site.
For the site’s historical significance, see UNESCO’s Sambor Prei Kuk listing. For a wider heritage route, browse our temples and heritage guide.
Kampong Thom FAQ
Is Sambor Prei Kuk a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. UNESCO added the Sambor Prei Kuk temples to the World Heritage List in 2017, recognising them as the remains of ancient Ishanapura.
How far is Sambor Prei Kuk from Kampong Thom town?
About 35 km, a short drive from Stung Sen.
How far is Sambor Prei Kuk from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh?
Roughly 170 km from Siem Reap and about 200 km from Phnom Penh by road.
How long do you need at Sambor Prei Kuk?
Allow an unhurried half-day. A second outing, such as Phnom Santuk, makes a relaxed two-day stay.
Nearby provinces
Continue into a neighbouring province. See all 25 on our provinces of Cambodia page.
Featured image: A brick tower at Sambor Prei Kuk, by PsamatheM, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.