Kampong Thom Province sits in the heart of Cambodia, between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and is one of the most rewarding places to pause on an overland journey through the country. It’s a largely rural province of rice fields, sugar palms, small villages and quiet roads, with a slower rhythm that gives travellers a more grounded sense of Cambodian life away from the main tourist centres.

The province’s great highlight is Sambor Prei Kuk, a remarkable pre-Angkorian temple complex set within peaceful forest. Once an important centre of the Chenla Kingdom, the site is older than the great temples of Angkor, with brick towers, carved lintels, sandy pathways and shrines partly embraced by tree roots. It’s atmospheric rather than grand, and that is exactly its appeal. With a good guide, Sambor Prei Kuk helps place Angkor in a much wider historical story.

Beyond the temples, Kampong Thom Province offers gentle countryside and glimpses of everyday rural traditions. Local markets, farming villages, lotus ponds and roadside food stalls all form part of the experience, particularly if travelling by private car with time to stop along the way.

The provincial capital, Kampong Thom, is modest and practical rather than polished, but it works well as a base for visiting the temples and breaking the journey between Cambodia’s major centres. Accommodation is generally simple, so this is better suited to curious travellers than those looking for luxury.

Kampong Thom Province is ideal for those who enjoy ancient history, quiet landscapes and places that still feel relatively untouched by mass tourism. It adds context, depth and a welcome change of pace to a Cambodia itinerary.