'''Pursat''' is a small town in western [[Cambodia]], and is the capital of the province of the same name. The town itself isn't much of an attraction, nor does it contain anything that will distinguish it from the other small provincial capitals in this country. One great thing it does offer, however, is fantastic access to the Cardamom Mountains, giving it a healthy potential for eco-tourism.
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'''Pursat''' is the capital of western [[Cambodia]]'s Pursat province. It is indistinguishable from Cambodia's other small provincial capitals. This sleepy town holds marginal interest, though may be used a base for visits to the [[Tonle Sap Lake]] or Cardamon Mountains.
==Get in==
==Get in==
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'''Overland'''
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Fully paved National Highway 5 runs northwest from [[Phnom Penh]] via Pursat to the county's second largest city, [[Battambang]]. All buses between Battambang ($2.50 from Pursat) and [[Phnom Penh]] ($5 from Pursat) will stop here. Buses run every half-hour in the morning and early afternoon. Buses take 4 hours to Phnom Penh and 1.5 hours to Battambang. All the major bus companies service Phnom Penh. Sorya and Capitol Tour are the most reliable big names. Capitol Tour runs the lastest afternoon departure from Phnom Penh at 2:00pm, and sometimes 3:00pm.
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*Running through the province is the highway that runs between the national capital of [[Phnom Penh]] towards the southeast, and the second largest city in the country, [[Battambang]] towards the northwest. This is one of the better roads in the country.
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*'''Rail travel''' to Pursat is an option, as the trains that go between Phnom Penh and Battambang stop here. The ride is scenic, but agonizingly slow, and best be avoided.
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==Get around==
==Get around==
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Central Pursat is easily covered foot. Motodops hang around the market, bus stations, train station, and sometimes along the highway. A ride anywhere in town should cost around 1,000 riel. A day trip to Kampong Luang or elsewhere can be negotiated for $5 or more. The occasional tuk tuk can also be found. The Phnom Pech Hotel rents small motorbikes by the day and half-day.
==See==
==See==
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Like all of Cambodia's former railway towns, Pursat hosts a charming French-built railway station that has decayed into a slum, which gives the area an interesting vibe. The railway is currently being restored, with services to resume in 2013.
==Do==
==Do==
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Walking the town will let its provincial dusty chams shine on any visitor. Children will scream "hello" at any passing tourist. Locals may invite you for some food or karaoke.
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As in [[Battambang]], there is a "bamboo train".
==Buy==
==Buy==
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==Eat==
==Eat==
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Common to any society that has emerged from food shortages, provincial Cambodia lacks a culture that reveres cuisine and instead favours sustanance. In short, don't expect more than a cheap meal rice and some gristly meat. Stalls and cafes around town offer similar nondescript human fuel.
==Drink==
==Drink==
==Sleep==
==Sleep==
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The Phnom Pech Hotel
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*<sleep name="Phnom Pech Hotel" alt="" address="Road 1, Pursat, Cambodia" directions="" phone="052951515" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" lat="" long="">This hotel is about 200m North from the main bridge on the westbank of the river. The prices range from US$6-15. Rooms usually equipped with Western bathroom, cable TV and fan or air-con depending on the price. There is an attached restaurant serving decent food.</sleep>
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==Get out==
==Get out==
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*Pursat offers access to the Cardamom Mountains, giving it potential for eco-tourism.
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*28km away lie the floating villages of Kampong Luang on the [[Tonle Sap Lake]], a poplular day trip.
Pursat is the capital of western Cambodia's Pursat province. It is indistinguishable from Cambodia's other small provincial capitals. This sleepy town holds marginal interest, though may be used a base for visits to the Tonle Sap Lake or Cardamon Mountains.
Fully paved National Highway 5 runs northwest from Phnom Penh via Pursat to the county's second largest city, Battambang. All buses between Battambang ($2.50 from Pursat) and Phnom Penh ($5 from Pursat) will stop here. Buses run every half-hour in the morning and early afternoon. Buses take 4 hours to Phnom Penh and 1.5 hours to Battambang. All the major bus companies service Phnom Penh. Sorya and Capitol Tour are the most reliable big names. Capitol Tour runs the lastest afternoon departure from Phnom Penh at 2:00pm, and sometimes 3:00pm.
Central Pursat is easily covered foot. Motodops hang around the market, bus stations, train station, and sometimes along the highway. A ride anywhere in town should cost around 1,000 riel. A day trip to Kampong Luang or elsewhere can be negotiated for $5 or more. The occasional tuk tuk can also be found. The Phnom Pech Hotel rents small motorbikes by the day and half-day.
Like all of Cambodia's former railway towns, Pursat hosts a charming French-built railway station that has decayed into a slum, which gives the area an interesting vibe. The railway is currently being restored, with services to resume in 2013.
Walking the town will let its provincial dusty chams shine on any visitor. Children will scream "hello" at any passing tourist. Locals may invite you for some food or karaoke.
As in Battambang, there is a "bamboo train".
Common to any society that has emerged from food shortages, provincial Cambodia lacks a culture that reveres cuisine and instead favours sustanance. In short, don't expect more than a cheap meal rice and some gristly meat. Stalls and cafes around town offer similar nondescript human fuel.
Phnom Pech Hotel, Road 1, Pursat, Cambodia, ☎ 052951515. This hotel is about 200m North from the main bridge on the westbank of the river. The prices range from US$6-15. Rooms usually equipped with Western bathroom, cable TV and fan or air-con depending on the price. There is an attached restaurant serving decent food.edit
