Travel Report: The Abandoned Villas of Kep.


The Abandoned Villas of Kep, Cambodia.
August 2020. There was a light patter of rainfall as Sladja and I climbed into the tuk tuk. The sky had been threatening this all morning, but had fortunately held off during our explorations of Kep Beach. Now, at least, we had a roof over our heads.
“You want see old villa?” asked the driver with a grin. “Yes!” I confirmed, hoping that the receptionist at The Beach House Hotel hadn’t let us down with his recommendation. “Do you know where they are?” I checked. He grinned again, firing up the engine. “They everywhere!” he laughed, “many many”.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Thus we chugged steadily down National Road, leading away from the town centre. Unsure as to what exactly lay in store, there was a mixture of excitement and curiosity in the air. Companions, if you will, for the lonely rain.
Ahead of us, we hoped, lay remnants of Kep’s illustrious past as one of South East Asia’s most opulent seaside stations. It was the French who transformed the place from thick impenetrable jungle into a playground for wealthy Europeans and the Cambodian elite. Arriving in 1908, they set about constructing a promenade, cobblestone streets, a handful of grand townhouses and a fancy hotel.
The Abandoned Villas of Kep.

The Queen’s Villa.
“You wanna see Queen Villa?” our guide asked, suddenly slowing. We sure did. Hence he parked at the side of the road and out we jumped. However, it quickly became apparent that the gated complex was locked. All we could do was peek through the bars into the garden, where several geese waddled around flexing their wings.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
By the 1930s the town (then known as Kep-Sur-Mer) had become so well-to-do even Cambodian royalty wanted in on the action. This mansion was supposed to become a summer residence for Queen Sisowath Kossawak. But for whatever reason it remained uncompleted and the Queen never moved in.

The Queen’s Villa.
As with nearly all of Kep’s abandoned structures, there’s very little info on The Queen’s Villa. Although closed to the public, some visitors manage to get in by paying the caretaker a few dollars. Sadly there was nobody around that day and we certainly didn’t fancy hanging around in the rain.

Kep’s Old Pier.
So we pressed on, though it was barely a few minutes before we stopped again. “Old Pier!” announced our chauffeur cheerfully. Again solid information is thin on the ground, though I understand it suffered heavily from scenes of fighting in the early to mid 1970s.
The Old Pier.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Neglected for over forty five years, Kep’s Old Pier is nothing short of a safety hazard. We definitely had to be careful as we crossed it via the two remaining stone paths. I’ve seen photos of the wooden boards that once served as the central walkway, but they’re long gone.

The Old Pier, Kep.
Eventually, the pier just bleeds into the sea. Kep’s “new” Boat Pier, built in the early 1990s, provides cruises to nearby Rabbit Island. I couldn’t help but wonder why they hadn’t destroyed this old thing. Or, at the very least, put in some kind of fencing to stop people falling through the gulf in the middle.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Back in the tuk tuk, our driver soon branched off the main road, leading us up into the hills. And it wasn’t long before the first villa came into view. Most of the surviving structures, I’d read, date back to the mid 1950s, the zenith of Kep’s construction wave.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Architecturally, these buildings were a mix of French modernism and traditional Cambodian. This new bold movement was called New Khmer, spearheaded by a talented young architect by the name of Vann Molyvann.
The Abandoned Villas of Kep.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
According to various online articles, these villas belonged to diplomats, millionaire entrepreneurs, acclaimed artists and aristocrats. Exploring that first house, with its graffitied exterior and leaf-strewn stairs, I found myself speculating on who had lived here. And what chaos it must have been when the country went to shit and they had to flee.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Some of the villas are so overgrown exploring is impossible. At the very least you need trousers and a long sleeved top, ideally with a cap and a big ass stick to beat away nettles, plants and snaking branches. What’s more, we had to keep our eyes open for creepy crawlies!

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Negotiating the next villa seemed much more manageable thanks to its short grass and a number of pretty trees. In between all the scattered garbage, I should add. Nevertheless, it was so hospitable there were chickens pecking around and a few goats and cows grazing toward the back of the compound.
I was also able to climb the stairs up onto the roof. There wasn’t anything to see up there, but it was cool to gaze back down at tiny Sladja, who’d remained roadside under the shelter of her umbrella.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
On the way out, there was a hairy moment or two when a pair of wild dogs came running over. They were getting all territorial, barking aggressively and half-lunging at me before pulling back each time.
What To See and Do, Kep.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Over the next hour or so the villas came and went. Some were wholly intact, with impressive latticework and sweeping balconies. In contrast, others were little more than a single tower and mounds of sad rubble.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Back in the town’s heyday, there was a large casino. Visited, some articles claim, by French film legend Catherine Deneuve and former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy. But our driver said he didn’t know if there were any remains, adding that it was probably destroyed by The Khmer Rouge.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
We were up on one of Kep’s highest roads when we came upon a section of the way semi-blocked by a fallen tree. Pulling up, our guide got out to join a couple of local men who were attempting to drag it to the side of the road.

Samot Raingsey Pagoda.
Just a few metres away, we spied an entrance gate to what appeared to be a large Buddhist temple. So we took the opportunity to stroll in for a look.

Samot Raingsey Pagoda.
With nothing in English to indicate where we might be, I had to use Google Maps to enlighten us that we had just entered Samot Raingsey Pagoda.
Samot Raingsey Pagoda.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
But try as I might, I couldn’t find out any information about the pagoda and its history. Furthermore, the entire complex was deserted, not so much as a monk in sight.

Samot Raingsey Pagoda.
It truly felt like one of those where-the-hell-are-we? moments as we wandered through this empty, isolated temple up in the hills of off-the-beaten track Cambodia.

Samot Raingsey Pagoda.
In fact, looking back, it was one of my favourite moments of the day. We could have been the only two people on Earth during that blissful half an hour of silence. “I think we better go” I whispered. “He’ll be wondering where we are”.
If we’d been surprised by the pagoda, that was nothing compared to the moment we drove past a sizeable penis sculpture discreetly set among the shrubbery by the side of the road!

A golden surprise.
After seven months in Cambodia we were used to phallic imagery and its symbolisation of fertility and strength. Usually these sculptures came in the form of the linga, as seen during our day exploring the stunning Temples of Koh Ker. This though was the first time we’d seen a blatant penis replica. We tried asking the driver about it but he just shrugged and laughed nervously.
The Abandoned Villas of Kep.

Lost for words.
A short while later we began descending the twisting roads back down to the beach. Along the way, we stopped at several villas with amazing views over the beach and sea. It wasn’t until I started taking the below photo that I saw the laundry drying on the line. I’d heard that some of the old villas had squatters in them and here was the proof. “Uh Sladja, let’s go!”

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
In a neighbouring villa garden, we caught a delightful glimpse of Kep Lady through the branches. It seems wherever you are in Kep, she’s never far away.

The ubiquitous Kep Lady.
Down by the main road to Kep Crab Market we stopped by one last villa with a large crumbly balcony. Here, someone has gone to the trouble of maintaining a number of plants housed in beautiful stone pots.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Inside though, it was the usual story of leaves, graffiti and encroaching jungle. When I subsequently heard a mischievous rustle in the leaves above our heads, I admittedly jumped a little. Looking up, I caught the flash of a tail followed by a short, sharp screech.
The Abandoned Villas of Kep.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
Sure enough there was a monkey feasting on some snatched scraps from the roadside. He was screeching at his dubious associates, a dozen or so creatures gathered by a collection of trash containers to the side of the road.

Mr. Monkey.
They were fishing out bits of discarded food and generally bickering amongst each other. When one monkey stole a chicken leg from the clutches of another, all hell broke loose with an almighty chase that stretched all the way down the road. Several monkeys ducking dangerously between the passing cars and tuk tuks as they ran.
Having started the day with the Queen’s Villa, it seemed apt that we finished our tour with a brief look at The King’s Villa. Home to King Norodom Sihanouk during the summer months of the mid 1960s, this compound famously had the best views in all of Kep.
And while the entrance gate was open that day, it took just a few tentative steps to realise that the jungle was so thick and overgrown the access path was now impassable.
The King’s Villa.

The King’s Villa.
“You like Kep?” asked the driver, Sladja and I exiting the tuk tuk one last time. We confirmed that yes, we did. “You like crab?” came the next question, as he gratefully stuffed the wedge of dollars I’d given him into his pocket.
Sure, we liked crab. Which was just as well, seeing as we were in the crab capital of Cambodia. With one last glance back at the hills, with its ghostly remains of a once glorious past, we began the long but leisurely walk to Kep Crab Market.

The Abandoned Villas of Kep.
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33 Comments
Such a shame these villas are abandoned, must be eerie walking amongst them
It was a surreal experience. Kinda sad, but fascinating to me. Thanks for reading guys!
How sad that these beautiful old villas have been abandoned and are mostly derelict. The temple / pagoda looked exquisite though as did several of the balconies. I’m surprised that they hadn’t been cordoned off in case they were unsafe but I’m sure you were both careful!
We were pretty careful, but yeah, “safety” isn’t much of a thing in Cambodia, you often have to exercise your best sense of caution. Thanks for reading Marion.
That’s impeccable! I’ll save this one when I go to Cambodia soon. Thank you!
Cheers, glad you enjoyed it!
It must have been so eerie to walk through and explore an abandoned villa. It also goes to show how resilient nature can be and how it’s started to reclaim the space.
Eerie is the right word. You can almost taste the history around the walls, but sadly the details remain out of reach.
What an interesting intersect between the run down villas and the stunning pagoda. Great post!
I hadn’t thought of the juxtaposition, but you’e right. Thanks for reading!
The Queen’s Villa was especially odd. The grounds seemed to be well maintained but the villa itself looked to be an abandoned shell. There’s a story in there. Too bad you weren’t able to find it. Same but reversed with the uninhabited Pagoda. Real mysteries.
As a writer it’s unsatisfying not to be able to uncover more. But it is what it is and still one of my favourite Kep experiences.
Ghost towers in Bangkok deserted resort villas in Cambodia, you find all of the eerie places! Think of what it must have been like in its prime.
I do seem to make a habit out of these kinds of spots, you’re right. In its prime, Kep must have been a sight to see. It’s a sad tale and even more tragic is that it’s going to be a while before the good times return. Here’s hoping overseas tourists start returning towards the end of the year.
I can’t believe these are deserted, it’s so beautiful you would think it would be a prime hotel spot. I like that nature is taking it back though – but definitely eerie, like those Bangkok Towers!
Thanks for commenting Hannah. I think these villas could be cleaned up and restored pretty cheaply. But I guess Kep is just a little too isolated to draw in investors. It’s a pity.
From the landscaping, it looks like someone is taking care of the Queen’s Villa. Surprising there aren’t more squatters of the human and animal variety. Thanks for finding and sharing another quirky but interesting attraction.
Appreciate your feedback John. This kind of tourism wouldn’t interest everyone I guess, but I found it really fascinating.
I can imagine that, should the villas had withstood the brutal history of Cambodia, they’d still be flourishing today. The Samot Raingsey Pagoda is a colorful delight, and even if the tour wasn’t as insightful with information as you might’ve liked, simply observing the history through the ruins and details tells a lot, more so than words.
Glad you enjoyed this curious tour. I think you’re right in that there’s a benefit to experiencing something like this without all the information. It feeds the imagination.
How bizarre. That beautiful temple with no-one in it.
Thanks for reading Coral. Kep as a whole is a bizarre place and from what I understand few people bother to go touring these old buildings. Appreciate your comment!
Three times when we there… couldn’t stop thinking about the brutality. However our driver took us around and there were places that we enjoyed.
The Khmer Rouge sites are hard to see, I agree. Do you think you’d go back again?
Not sure… always want to see a country where we haven’t been.
These villas are a sad reflection of the upheavals Cambodia has experienced. In some ways they bear witness to the tragedy better than if they had been rebuilt.
I guess they could be considered an open air museum of Kep’s past glories and tragedies. Just a little insight into one or two of the homes and who lived there would perhaps help bring in more visitors.
A high-end ghost town, kind of creepy, but it’s no wonder they all left at such a tragic time. Nice to find the temple seemed to be well cared for.
Thanks for catching up on some recent articles Ruth!
I just post once a week, and I’m finding it’s easiest to seek out blogs I enjoy once a week or so as well. It’s hard to keep up when there are so many good ones out there!
Appreciate your readership!
such a fascinating place and experience. great history, you write it well
Thanks so much for reading and contributing to the thread!