Kep
Krŏng Kêb is a Provinces of Cambodia. Krŏng Kêb area is 336.
Introduction
Alternatively, you can choose to swim or just relax on the warm beach of kep city, which was established by the French in 1908. Today Kep is popular mainly to the domestic tourists who choose Kep as their holiday destination. What's more, Kep offers great sea food and magnificent views of the mountains and the beaches. Taking a boat to the nearby islands is also a breathtaking experience. Another itinerary, which must not be missed, is an excursion to the serene waterfalls of 'Tuk Chhou" situated about 10 km from Kompot.The background of Kep City is locating at Southwest of Phnom Penh, the city can be accessible by the National Road No 3 from Phnom Penh via Kampot province in 173 kilometer or by the National Road No 2 from Phnom Penh via Takeo province. The Kep City was organized in 1908 during the French colonail time. The city was developed as the beautiful seaside tourist resort in 60th decade during the time of Sang Kum Reas Ni Yum. The story related to the name of Kep said that there was a king named Sa Kor Reach who had the mighty spell. He put the sleeping spell to a commander at AngKor Thum, then stole the commander's white horse and fled together with his troop to the Southwestern seaside. When he took a rest at the seaside, he was approached by the commander's troops who had chased him from behind. Suddenly,he got on the horseback; the horse jumped up. and mad him falls down with the horseseat, Then, he got on the horseback again and fled away without picking up the horseseat because the commander's troops nearly approached him. So that, we called the area ' Kep Seh ' means ' the horsesseat ' then we only called ' Kep ' until now.
History
From the early 1900's until the 1960's, Kep was a thriving resort town for the rich French elite. Some time after Cambodian Independence from France, Kep became the most exclusive and prestigious beach town in Cambodia. Hundreds of large and luxurious villas lined the beach front and occupied several streets back. Today, the story behind the downfall of Kep is contested. Likely abandoned by the French when Cambodia claimed independence but then occupied by rich Khmer, it is alleged that the villas were destroyed during the Khmer Rouge, where the battle front with the Lon Nol army was a mere 8km west at "The White Horse Monument." Kep was possibly further damaged during The Vietnam War. You can still see the burnt out shells of villas and infrastructure, including public baths and change rooms, scattered around Kep city.
The background of Kep City: Kep is the seaside-tourist city locating at Southwest of Phnom Penh; the city can be accessible by the National Road No 3 from Phnom Penh via Kampot province in 173-kilometer distance or by the National Road No 2 from Phnom Penh via Takeo province. It also can be accessible by rail from Phnom Penh to stop at Dam Nak Cham Eu station. Then continue more seven Kilometers by a road to Kep City.
Foreign tourists can go from Vietnam to Kep City via bordercross of Ha Tieng (Prek Chak) in 40-kilometer distance. Tourists can also go from Sihanouk Ville or from Vietnam by boat or ship to the port of Kep City.
Kep City was organized in 1908 during the French colonial time. The city was developed as the beautiful seaside tourist resort in 60th decade during the time of Sang Kum Reas Ni Yum.
The name “Kep” is taken from French word “Le Cap” means peninsular. The story related to the name of Kep said that there was a king named Sa Kor Reach who had the mighty spell. He put the sleeping spell to a commander at Ang Kor Thum, then stole the commander’s white horse and fled together with his troop to the southwestern seaside. When he took a rest at the seaside, he was approached by the commander’s troops who had chased him from behind. Suddenly, he got on the horseback; the horse jumped up, and mad him falls down with the horseseat. Then, he got on the horseback again and fled away without picking up the horseseat because the comander’s troops nearly approached him. So that, we called the area “Kep Seh” means “the horseseat”; then we only called “Kep” until now.
Kep is a small city rich in fresh seafood like crab, snail and cuttlefish. The city has one beach only having 1,000-meter length. The beach is different from the Sihanouk Ville beach because it has black sand.
People
The population is 20,130 male and 20,150 female with 40,280
Get In
From Kampot: The road from Kampot to Kep is paved and smooth. 25km, 30-45 minute trip. Follow the road from Kampot to the White Horse Monument. Bear right. At the next main turnoff, bear right to the beach/market area. Motodups charge about $2-$3 one way and $6 round trip.
From Phnom Penh: The road from Phnom Penh to Kep is paved and smooth for the most part. Exit Phnom Penh on the airport road (Russian Blvd) heading west. At the large roundabout on the edge of town, follow the left exit which is national route 3 (the road to the right is national route 4 to Sihanoukville) - After 90mins drive you will come across the largest town since Kep. This is a good point for a rest stop and a bite to eat. Continue straight through the town, after 10km you will see a fork in the road. Follow the fork to the left (the right fork will take you to kampot) - The road will now be distinctly smoother - After another half hour and having taken two very sharp right turns, you will pass through another small township where will you cross a bridge. If you look to the right you will see spectacular views as the sun sets. After another 45mins the road quality will deteriorate suddenly - 15-20mins later you will see The White Horse monument to your left - you need to turn left at this monument (continue straight to go to Kampot.) You can either continue going straight when a road divider appears in the middle of the road, or turn left and take the beach front road past the crab market. A taxi will charge $35-45 one way. There is also a good airconditioned bus which departs from olympic stadium twice a day.