From Beautiful Beaches To Ancient Ruins: 9 Places To See In Cambodia

Angkor Archaeological Park homes the Angkor Wat, an important symbol for the country since the Cambodian flag has the silhouette Angkor Wat emblazoned on it. Its name translates to 'Holy Temple', originally built as a Hindu temple of lord Vishnu; and in the latter part of the twelfth century it was changed to a Buddhist temple. It is said to be the world’s largest complex of stone temples, spread over a 152.6 hectares site featuring splendid architecture with ancient scriptures carved into its walls that represent Angorean history. Around seventy two major temples or other buildings found within this area, and the remains of several hundred additional minor temple sites are scattered throughout the landscape beyond. Do make sure that you wear comfortable shoes and carry water with you since there's a lot of walking involved here.

Timings: Angkor Wat temple is open everyday between 5:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Angkor Archeological park is open between 5:00 AM and 7 PM. However most of the temples are only open between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM.

Best Time To Visit: Early in the morning since the view is extraordinary at the time of sunrise

Entry: U$D 37 per person for 1-day access for foreign visitors. Free for Cambodia's citizens.

On you way to Angkor Wat, you are bound to cross Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. A visit to Cambodia is incomplete without heading to Phnom Penh. The city's a good mix of historical spots and fun stuff like bustling markets, great hotels and popular nightlife scene.

Unmissable tourist spots in the city are — The Royal Palace located in Sisowath Quay which has a free entry for visitors; the National Museum of Cambodia, where you can explore prehistoric, pre-Angkor, Angkor, and post-Angkor eras' exhibits, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum if you wish to learn about the atrocities the city once called the 'Pearl Of Asia' went through.

The chaotic yet charming city is stepping out of the shadows of its war-torn past to emerge as a sophisticated modern capital with boutique hotels, nice eateries and boho bars. Sisowath Quay boulevard is one of the most chill areas in the city and serves as a central meeting point of almost all roads that lead to the city’s key attractions. Also, the view of the riverfront from it makes it a nice spot for taking a stroll and taking in your surroundings.

For shopping, you must check out the Central Market (or Phsar Thmey) where you can find everything from clothing, jewellery, flowers and shoes to gemstones, local handicrafts and fresh produce. If your bargaining skills are great, you will be able to find great deals here. Try to buy silk fabric since Cambodian silk is quite famous for its quality.

Cambodia is known among tourists for its absolutely stunning beaches. Of course they aren't as popular as the beaches in Thailand or Indonesia but are definitely equally scenic minus the crazy crowds. Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem and Preah Sihanouk are the most popular ones. While Preah Sihanouk is quite a tourist hotspot with casinos and nightlife attracting more people — Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem are relatively untouched pieces of prime natural beauty and are the perfect getaway from the bustling cities. Take a hike to Long Set Beach for a leisurely day of snorkelling. For the return journey, hop on a boat that will stop and let you swim around in the sparkling bioluminescent plankton during the night. There are also tree-house bungalows that are well worth a visit and stay.

There are numerous other islands along the coast, including the largely unexplored Koh Sdach Archipelago and the large, nearly undeveloped Koh Kong. Don't overlook the smaller islands near Sihanoukville, such as Koh Russey, which has upscale resorts, and Koh Ta Khiev, which has low-key backpacker bungalows. Koh Krabey is another spectacle that is home to the luxurious Six Senses Hotel for those who enjoy the finer things in life.

These twin provinces down south are extremely popular among tourists who want to experience the authentic post-French colonisation character these two have to offer. Speaking about Kampot — worn-out European-style architecture peppers the streets, and time seems to slow down as soon as you enter this sleepy little town. Lounge about Kampot to take in the beauty of this laidback town, or use it as a base to explore the Bokor National Park and the cave-temples of the surrounding area. The Bokor Hill Station, a French ghost town, is also located in the area. Additionally, explore the pretty river by paddleboard or kayak, or take one of the popular firefly cruises if you like.

Moving to Ke p— it's definitely not your usual silky beach with clear blue water destination. It's more of visiting the beautiful national park or poking around some of the decaying pre-war French villas. Kep is is developing slowly as more visitors go there and makes for the perfect place to relax and dine out on freshly caught seafood, in particular crab. 

The vast 20,746 sq km (8010 sq miles) Cardamom Rainforest Landscape protected area includes one of the last unfragmented rainforests left in Southeast Asia – the remote Cardamom Mountains. a hidden gem for everyone. While you can stay at homestays run by local families or some of the most luxurious eco lodges in all of Southeast Asia, or, turn to the Chi Phat and Steung Areng Community-Based Ecotourism villages. 

Chi Phat's Community-Based Ecotourism project is located in the southwestern Cardamom Mountains, making it an ideal destination for tourists seeking an unforgettable eco adventure! Visitors can join guides on excursions lasting from a few hours to several days. A popular activity is a visit to ancient caves to see 500-year-old burial jars left behind by indigenous groups who lived in the mountains around the time of the Angkor Empire's final days. Not a fan of history? There are plenty more excursions to choose from such as bird watching tours, mountain biking or simply hopping on the back of a motorbike to cool off at the nearest waterfall.

The more remote option is Steung Areng, which is located in the heart of the Central Cardamom Mountains National Park. Similarly to Chi Phat, experienced local guides provide a variety of treks, as well as mountain bike and motorcycle tours. Steung Areng, like Chi Phat, hosts restaurants and homestays for their guests.

Siem Reap’s only reason for existence may be as the gateway to the temples of Angkor, but this charming town has emerged as a world-class destination in its own right, thanks to a superb selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, not to mention energetic markets, cool boutiques and edgy galleries. Beyond the town center lie otherworldly floating villages on the Tonlé Sap lake, adventure activities such as quad biking and ziplining, and cultural pursuits such as cooking classes and martial arts courses.

One of the most distinctive features of Mondulkiri is its rugged terrains with dense forests, rolling hills and picturesque waterfalls. The province is home to several protected areas, including the Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary that make it a wildlife lover's haven. You can 'walk with the herd' at Elephant Valley Project (an excellent alternative to dangerous elephant riding) or spot douc langurs or gibbons on a 'Jahoo' tour. Add thunderous waterfalls and a jungle zipline to the mix, and you have the perfect recipe for an ecotourism excursion. You also get to see the homes of the indigenous Buong people residing here.

Winding along the banks of the Sangker River, Battambang is the traditional face of urban Cambodia and one of the country’s best-preserved colonial-era towns. Streets of shophouses host everything from fairtrade cafes to art galleries. Beyond the town in the countryside is a cluster of ancient temples, which, while not in the same league as the temples of Angkor, and are usually less crowded. Start your day here by exploring the trade villages since Battambang is the artistic hub of Cambodia. Here you can see local families preparing rice paper, rice made snacks, Cambodian cheese and some really beautiful wooden handicrafts too.

Your next stop should be the Killing Cave which was once used by the Khmer Rouge as an execution site. It’s a stark reminder of the horrors Cambodians endured during the civil war. The Bat Cave isthe next spot to visit which is one of the most popular things to see in Battambang. As the sun sets, thousands of bats escape from the cave, making waves in the sky as they head out to hunt. The spectacle lasts for over twenty minutes. The cave the bats burst out of is the Killing Cave, which has led some locals to believe that the bats represent the souls of the victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide, trying to free themselves from the horrors of the war.

The town, Kratie is predominantly known as the home of the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin, and many visitors flock here to float on the calm river waters hoping to spot one. The Mekong Irawaddy is a breed of dolphin found specifically in Asian coastal regions, so it’s really special to see this unique animal in its natural habitat, which local initiatives work hard to protect.

You can also visit the nearby Koh Trong island which is quite beautiful. You can take the small ferry journey across the water for a quick swim, or to climb Koh Trong’s small inclines for views that span Kratie. But the most popular thing to do here is to hire a bike on the island and explore the beaches and fishing villages.

You can also check out the Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre from here. With more than forty indoor tanks, the facility, which is run by a monk, helps breed and nurture the rarest and largest freshwater turtle species over ten months or a year, before releasing them into the Mekong river.