This is the Northwestern Cambodia chapter from Lonely Planet’s Cambodia guidebook.

Stretching from the Cardamom Mountains to the Dangkrek Mountains, with Tonlé Sap lake laying in the middle, Northwestern Cambodia offers outback adventure, pristine jungle, rare wildlife, and some of the country’s most inspired temples, including spectacular Prasat Preah Vihear and Banteay Chhmar, currently under consideration for Unesco World Heritage Site status.

Explore Southeast Asia’s first temple city at the impressive pre-Angkorian ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk
Put something back into the community with an overnight homestay at Banteay Chhmar, a massive 12th-century complex with the signature faces of Avalokiteshvara.

• Soak up the colonial-tinged charms of the riverside town of Battambang, surrounded by lush countryside and hilltop temples
• maps
• Make an adventurous overland pilgrimage to the majestic mountain-top temple of Prasat Preah Vihear
• transport
• Explore the backwaters of the colourful floating village of Kompong Luong, the largest floating community on Tonlé Sap lake
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Kompong Chhnang Province, Pursat Province, Battambang Province, Pailin Province, Banteay Meanchey Province, Poipet, Oddar Meanchey Province and Preah Vihear Province.