Kampong Tralach

Kampong Tralach District, "Port of the Winter Melon”, is a district (srok) in the south east of Kampong Chhnang Province, in central Cambodia. The district capital is Kampong Tralach town located 37 km south of the provincial capital of Kampong Chhnang by road. 

Kampong Tralach District, "Port of the Winter Melon”, is a district (srok) in the south east of Kampong Chhnang Province, in central Cambodia. The district capital is Kampong Tralach town located 37 km south of the provincial capital of Kampong Chhnang by road. The district shares a border with Kandal province to the south and Kampong Cham province to the east. The Tonle Sap River runs through the district crossing roughly from north to south.

An oxcart ride is a common means of transportation in Kampong Tralach

History

Kampong Tralach played an important role in the history of Cambodia. Its former capital Lovek was Cambodia's main city after the Siamese King Borommaracha II sacked Angkor in 1431. The new capital was located on the banks of the Tonle Sap River, halfway between Phnom Penh and the lower end of the Tonle Sap. This new site was chosen to be more defensible than Angkor. The city became a wealthy trading centre and attracted various Europeans traders and missionaries through the 16th and 17th centuries.

Kampong Tralach district lies in the south east of the province and shares a border with Kandal and Kampong Cham provinces. Reading from the north clockwise, Kampong Tralach borders with Rolea B'ier district to the north and Chol Kiri District to the northwest. The eastern border of the district is shared with Batheay district of Kampong Cham province. To the south the district shares a border with Ponhea Leu district of Kandal province. The western border of the district joins with Sameakki Mean Chey and Tuek Phos districts of Kampong Chhnang.

Attraction

• Kampong Tralach Village: It’s a less crowded village with a small dusty road perpendicular to the river. You can admire the charming streets and enjoy a stroll crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy. Paddy field is one of the most attractive beauty spots in the village. That’s why the best time to visit Kampong Tralach is in harvest season to behold the yellow rice paddies and exciting farming activities.

Visit Kampong Tralach Village by oxcart ride

• Wat Kampong Leu Vihara: Dating back to early last century, Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda was indicated by the latérite foundations and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. The Vihara is a modest pagoda in the middle of rice field. Due to its isolation, the pagoda has received very few visitors. However, you will be amazed by its authentic charm with beautiful paintings and scenic frescoes. The only existing structure of the Vihara needs to be maintained by the local authorities.

Wat Kampong Leu Vihara of Kampong Tralach

Weather

The weather in Kampong Tralach is kind of tropical climate. The average temperature is 27.7°C and precipitation averages 1331mm. The rainy season varies from May to October, while the rest of the year has much less rainfall than in summer.

Transportation

The district has significant road infrastructure and National Highway 5 which runs from Phnom Penh to Poipet crosses the district from north to south. Kampong Tralach District is one of the smaller districts in Kampong Chhnang province by land area but has one of the largest district populations in the province due to well irrigated land and good transport infrastructure. National Road 138 starts at Kampong Tralach and runs across the district to its terminus at Chleb in Tuek Phos district. Numerous smaller tertiary roads run either to the nearby national railway line or to the Tonle Sap.