What is Kandal Province known for?
Kandal Province completely surrounds Phnom Penh, making it the most accessible province from the capital — and the most overlooked. With the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers flowing through it, Kandal is a patchwork of river islands, silk weaving communities, and market towns that offer a quick escape from urban life.
- Capital: Ta Khmau
- Best time to visit: November to April for dry weather and comfortable cycling on the islands. Koh Dach can flood partially during peak wet season (September–October). Silk weaving operates year-round. The islands are most lush and green August–November.
- Top attraction: Koh Dach (Silk Island)
- Budget: $8–15/day/day (Backpacker)
Kandal Province Guide
Province surrounding Phnom Penh with Mekong islands
Overview
Kandal Province completely surrounds Phnom Penh, making it the most accessible province from the capital — and the most overlooked. With the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers flowing through it, Kandal is a patchwork of river islands, silk weaving communities, and market towns that offer a quick escape from urban life.
The province's star attraction is Koh Dach (Silk Island), just a short ferry ride from Phnom Penh, where traditional Khmer silk weaving continues in family workshops. Ta Khmau, the provincial capital, sits just south of Phnom Penh with its own temples and markets.
Top Attractions
Koh Dach (Silk Island)
Mekong island famous for traditional silk weaving workshops. Watch weavers create intricate patterns on wooden looms and buy silk scarves directly.
Ta Khmau
Provincial capital with a bustling market, Khmer-style houses, and the notable Wat Ta Khmau temple.
Tonle Bassac Scenery
The Bassac River south of Phnom Penh offers scenic boat rides through rural landscapes and fishing communities.
Koh Oknha Tei
Another Mekong island near Phnom Penh with rural villages, fruit orchards, and weekend picnic spots popular with locals.
Phnom Pros Temple (Kandal)
Not to be confused with Kampong Cham's Phnom Pros — a hilltop pagoda with river views south of Phnom Penh.
Silk Weaving Workshops
Multiple family-run workshops on Koh Dach where visitors can see the entire silk production process from cocoon to finished fabric.
Phnom Chisor
An 11th-century hilltop Angkorian temple reached by climbing 500 steps, offering panoramic views over rice fields and the distant Mekong. The temple was built by King Suryavarman I and features well-preserved sandstone gopuras and a working pagoda at the summit.
Tonle Bati (Ta Prohm & Yeay Peau Temples)
A popular weekend retreat 33 km south of Phnom Penh combining two 12th-century Angkorian temples beside a scenic lake. Ta Prohm Kandal predates its more famous Siem Reap namesake, while Yeay Peau temple has an intriguing legend about a mother-son rivalry etched in local folklore.
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center
Southeast Asia's largest wildlife sanctuary, housing rescued sun bears, tigers, gibbons, crocodiles, and endangered birds on over 2,000 hectares of forest. Visitors can walk through large naturalistic enclosures and support the Wildlife Alliance's rehabilitation programs.
Koh Dach Cycling Trails
A network of unpaved paths criss-crossing Koh Dach (Silk Island) through mulberry gardens, lotus ponds, and weaving hamlets. The flat terrain and low traffic make it perfect for exploring by bicycle — rent one in Phnom Penh and carry it on the 10-minute ferry.
Community Tourism & CBET
- Koh Dach silk weaving tours — visit family workshops, try the loom, and buy scarves at producer prices ($5–50).
- Mekong island cycling — organized community tours crossing by ferry to cycle through villages and orchards.
- Ta Khmau market experience — guided walks through one of the region's largest provincial markets.
- Riverside fishing communities — boat trips to visit fishing families on the Tonle Bassac.
Regional Cuisine & Specialties
- Freshwater fish and river prawns — caught daily from the three rivers flowing through the province.
- Num banh chok — fresh rice noodles with fish curry sauce, a beloved Khmer breakfast available at every market.
- Koh Dach coconut and tropical fruit — island orchards produce excellent mangoes, coconuts, and bananas.
- Ta Khmau market food stalls — cheap and excellent Khmer food including grilled meats and soups.
- Sugarcane juice — fresh-pressed at roadside stalls throughout the province.
- Loc lac beef salad — wok-tossed cubes of beef on a bed of watercress with lime-pepper dipping sauce, popular at Ta Khmau restaurants.
- Kampot pepper crab — river mud crabs cooked with locally sourced Kampot pepper, a specialty at Tonle Bassac riverside eateries.
- Silk Island pancakes (banh chao) — crispy rice-flour crepes stuffed with bean sprouts, pork, and herbs, sold near the Koh Dach ferry landing every morning.
Best Time to Visit
November to April for dry weather and comfortable cycling on the islands. Koh Dach can flood partially during peak wet season (September–October). Silk weaving operates year-round. The islands are most lush and green August–November.
Budget Guide
Backpacker
$8–15/day
Day trip from Phnom Penh, meals $1–2, ferry $0.50
Mid-range
$20–40/day
Koh Dach guesthouse $10–20, silk shopping, meals $3–5
Luxury
$50–100/day
Private boat tour $30+, premium silk purchases, guided experience
Transport & Logistics
- Koh Dach (Silk Island) is reached by local ferry from Phnom Penh's Chroy Changvar area (10 minutes, $0.50).
- Ta Khmau is just 12 km south of Phnom Penh — reachable by local bus, tuk-tuk ($3–5), or motorbike.
- Bicycle is the best way to explore the islands — rent in Phnom Penh ($2–3/day) or on Koh Dach.
- Boat tours along the Tonle Bassac can be arranged from Phnom Penh ($15–30).
- No airport — Phnom Penh International Airport is within the province's boundaries.
- Phnom Chisor and Tonle Bati are 55 km south of Phnom Penh on National Road 2 — hire a tuk-tuk ($20–25 return) or join an organized day tour from the capital.
- Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center is 40 km south of Phnom Penh; tuk-tuk day hire is around $15–20 from Ta Khmau junction, and some tour operators run direct shuttle buses from Phnom Penh.
Safety & Cultural Tips
- Kandal is very safe, especially as most visits are day trips from Phnom Penh.
- Koh Dach ferry crossings are short and safe — life jackets should be available.
- Cycling on islands is relaxed but watch for sandy patches on unpaved roads.
- Don't swim in the Mekong without local advice — currents can be strong.
- Bargain respectfully for silk — prices at workshops are already fair compared to Phnom Penh shops.
- At Phnom Tamao, follow all Wildlife Alliance rules around animal enclosures — some animals are large predators and the naturalistic enclosures have minimal physical barriers in places.
- Phnom Chisor's 500-step staircase can be slippery after rain — wear rubber-soled shoes and avoid ascending during afternoon thunderstorms in wet season.
Events & Festivals
- Water Festival — November. The confluence of rivers near Kandal creates spectacular boat racing.
- Silk weaving demonstrations — some workshops host periodic open days and weaving competitions.
- Khmer New Year — April. Island and village celebrations with traditional games.
- Pchum Ben — September/October. Temple offerings at pagodas across the province.
- Phnom Tamao Wildlife Day — occasional open days at the rescue center with extended access, ranger talks, and behind-the-scenes tours of rehabilitation areas.
- Koh Dach Silk Weaving Competition — November/December. Local weavers compete on traditional looms, with prizes for the most intricate patterns and fastest production, drawing textile enthusiasts from Phnom Penh.
- Phnom Chisor Pilgrimage Season — January/February. Buddhist devotees climb the 500 steps at dawn for alms-giving ceremonies, and the hillside is lit by hundreds of incense sticks creating a memorable atmospheric scene.
Kandal FAQ
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