Bokor Hill Station: A Misty Mountain Escape

Bokor Hill Station, located in Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, stands as a testament to Cambodia's colonial past and turbulent history. Built in the early 1920s by the French as a retreat from the heat, the station quickly became a luxurious resort town. The centerpiece was the grand Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino, complemented by villas, a church, and a post office. However, the construction of this resort came at a great human cost, with approximately 900 lives lost during the construction period.The hill station was abandoned several times, first in the late 1940s during the First Indochina War due to local insurrections. It was resettled in 1962, with new hotels and casinos adding to its appeal. However, this was short-lived, as the Khmer Rouge took over the area in 1972, leading to another abandonment. The Khmer Rouge used the church as a barracks until they were driven out in 1993. Today, the Bokor Hill Station is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.Key attractions include the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino, now a refurbished hotel, the abandoned Catholic Church, Damnak Sla Khmao (the Black Palace), and the Popokvil Waterfalls. The hill station provides panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand and the surrounding countryside.