Chhlong

Chhlong was a river port of some importance in the colonial period and the money left buildings behind: a governor's residence in a French style with shutters and a verandah, now restored as a hotel, a few other colonial villas, and an unusual old Khmer wooden house on stilts with over a hundred columns, its timbers carved. The town has since gone quiet, with a river frontage, a market and a wat, and very little traffic passing through since the main road runs elsewhere. That quiet is the appeal for the small number of travellers who stop, usually cycling the Mekong or breaking the journey between Kampong Cham and Kratie. The riverbank at the end of the day, with fishermen working, is the best of it.

What to look for

• Colonial villas - French-era houses along and behind the waterfront.
• The hundred-column house - an old carved Khmer timber building on stilts.
• The river frontage - fishermen and boats on the Mekong.
• A very quiet town - a former port with little traffic now.

When to go

November to March for comfortable weather and river views. The town is quiet at any time. It works as a two-hour stop on the road between Kampong Cham and Kratie.

Practical notes

There is very little to do beyond walking the streets and looking at buildings. Most of the colonial houses are private or in poor condition. Accommodation is limited to one restored hotel and basic guesthouses. Facilities for visitors are minimal.

Nearby

Kratie lies north; Kampong Cham is south.