Anlong Veng: The Last Stronghold

Understanding the History

While the rest of Cambodia was liberated in 1979, the Khmer Rouge leadership retreated to this remote area in the Dangrek Mountains. Anlong Veng remained under their control until 1998. Today, it is a peaceful town, but the scars of that era are still visible in the landscape.

Located 130km north of Siem Reap, Anlong Veng offers a raw and unfiltered look into recent history. It is not a polished museum experience; it is a journey into the forest bunkers and villas where the leaders of the regime lived out their final days.

Key Historical Sites

1. Ta Mok's House (The Butcher)

Perched on the edge of a lake filled with dead, skeletal trees, this was the villa of the brutal military chief Ta Mok. He deliberately flooded the forest to create a defensive moat around his home. The house is empty now, but look for the wall murals of Angkor Wat—a sign of the extreme nationalism that drove their ideology.

2. The Cliff View (Dangrek Mountains)

As you drive up the steep road toward the Thai border (to see Pol Pot's cremation site), stop at the viewpoint. You are standing on the edge of the Dangrek Escarpment. The view stretches for miles over the Cambodian plains. This natural wall is exactly why the Khmer Rouge were able to hold this territory for so long.

3. The Peace Center

Located on the cliff top, this small center offers the best context. It explains the reconciliation process that allowed the defecting soldiers to reintegrate into society, finally bringing peace to Cambodia in the late 90s.

🚗 Trip Planning

The Route: Anlong Veng is a long day trip from Siem Reap (3 hours one way). We recommend doing it as a stopover if you are driving to Preah Vihear Temple.

Tickets: Bring small USD bills ($1, $2, $5). There are small entrance fees at Ta Mok's house and the waterfall nearby.