Filled with a few of Southeast Asia’s finest experiences, from temples to seashores and great wildlife, it really pays to spend a number of weeks exploring Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s as soon as ravaged however now resurgent capital, is the place to verify the heartbeat of latest life in Cambodia. Nonetheless, Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor, is beginning to give the capital a run for its cash with its refined eating places, vigorous bars and stylish boutiques. Then there’s World Heritage-listed Angkor, house to among the most spectacular temples on earth.
Down on the South Coast are a number of up-and-coming seashore resorts and a smattering of tropical islands which are actually starting to take off. Northwestern Cambodia is house to the French-colonial metropolis of Battambang, providing a extra conventional slice of Cambodian life and a number of other distant jungle temples, whereas the nation’s wild east is the place elephants roam, waterfalls thunder and freshwater dolphins frolic.
All in all, it is fairly a package deal. Listed below are the most effective locations to go to in Cambodia to begin your journey.
1. The temples of Angkor
Greatest for spectacular spirituality
One of many world’s most iconic locations, the temples of Angkor usually take the primary spot on lists of the world’s prime sights. Probably the most iconic constructions listed below are Angkor Wat, the world’s largest non secular constructing, and the Bayon, one of many world’s most unusual temples, with its enigmatic assortment of carved stone faces. Then there’s Ta Prohm, the place wild nature has run riot over historic carved masonry.
The traditional Khmers packed the equal of all Europe’s cathedrals into an space the dimensions of Los Angeles, so it pays to take time to discover. There are many outlying temple websites that see smaller crowds, together with exquisitely carved Banteay Srei, the overgrown ruins of Beng Mealea and the Mayan-style pyramid temple of Prasat Thom at Koh Ker.
2. Cambodia’s Southern Islands
Greatest for seashores
Whereas the sand-sprinkled Cambodian coast will not be fairly as well-known because the seashores of Thailand or Indonesia, it nonetheless affords the total tropical hideaway expertise, solely with out the loopy crowds. Neighboring Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are the most well-liked islands, fringed by azure waters and plentiful powder-white sand.
There are a lot of extra islands alongside the coast, together with the largely undiscovered Koh Sdach Archipelago and the big, nearly undeveloped Koh Kong. Do not overlook the smaller islands near overbearing Sihanoukville, like Koh Russey with its upscale resorts and Koh Ta Khiev with its low-key backpacker bungalows.
3. Phnom Penh
Greatest for fantastic eating and nightlife
The Cambodian capital is a chaotic but charming metropolis that has stepped out of the shadows of its war-torn previous to embrace a brighter future. Boasting probably the most beguiling riverfronts in Southeast Asia, Phnom Penh is rising as a complicated fashionable capital due to its spectacular assortment of boutique motels, epicurean eateries and boho bars.
City explorers can feast all day and get together all night time, or expertise the inspiring Nationwide Museum and the harrowing Tuol Sleng jail, showcasing the most effective and worst of Cambodian historical past. As soon as generally known as the “pearl of Asia,” Phnom Penh is regaining its shine.
4. Kampot and Kep
Greatest for countryside surroundings
These twin provinces down south supply an ideal mixture of journey comforts and genuine character for these looking for a extra rounded expertise than the stop-and-flop vibe on the islands. Charming Kampot city affords a variety of backpacker hostels, riverside resorts and boutique motels the place you possibly can base your self when you take within the French architectural legacy, discover the beautiful river by paddleboard or kayak, or enterprise into the bucolic countryside on two wheels.
Beachside boutique charmer Kep has its well-known Crab Market, mountaineering in Kep Nationwide Park and close by Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), an ideal spot to flee the hubbub. Rural adventures embrace the winding ascent to the atmospheric Bokor Hill Station, hidden cave pagodas from the seventh century, and visits to rustic pepper farms. Take time to cruise by way of the salt flats at sundown as staff use a standard yoke and baskets to reap the area’s white gold.
5. The Cardamom Mountains
Greatest for bike adventures
The huge 20,746 sq km (8010 sq miles) Cardamom Rainforest Panorama protected space contains one of many final nice wilderness areas of Southeast Asia – the distant Cardamom Mountains. An space of breathtaking magnificence and astonishing biodiversity, this inexperienced hall contains lots of Cambodia’s most excellent pure websites.
If you happen to can, discover by bike to immerse your self within the panorama. Highlights embrace the remoted Stung Areng Valley, the rolling grasslands and dramatic drop-offs of Khnong Phsar, award-winning ecolodges in Botum Sakor Nationwide Park and the Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary with its iconic waterfall, myriad eco-adventures and fairytale lodging. If you wish to take a experience on the wild facet, the Cardamom Mountains are the place to do it.
6. Siem Reap
Greatest for a style of native life
Siem Reap’s solely purpose for existence could also be because the gateway to the temples of Angkor, however this charming city has emerged as a world-class vacation spot in its personal proper, due to an outstanding number of eating places, cafes and bars, to not point out energetic markets, cool boutiques and edgy galleries. Past the city heart lie otherworldly floating villages on the Tonlé Sap lake, journey actions akin to quad biking and ziplining, and cultural pursuits akin to cooking lessons and martial arts programs.
For a distinct expertise, head to close by conventional villages the place it is potential to expertise native life in easy, welcoming homestays. Siem Reap was hit exhausting by the COVID-19 pandemic, which noticed many companies shut, however there have been some actual strikes to “construct again higher” with renovated roads, riverside gardens and cycle lanes all through town.
7. Mondulkiri
Greatest for wildlife-spotting
Within the northeast of the nation, the limitless rice fields and sugar palms that characterize the panorama in most of Cambodia give approach to the wild rolling hills of Mondulkiri, house to the Indigenous Bunong folks.
Wildlife is an enormous draw right here, with alternatives to “stroll with the herd” at Elephant Valley Undertaking (an ideal various to dangerous elephant-riding) or spot douc langurs or gibbons on a trek by way of the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. Add thunderous waterfalls and a jungle zipline to the combination, and you’ve got the proper elements for an ecotourism journey.
8. Battambang
Greatest for contrasting historic structure
Winding alongside the banks of the Sangker River, Battambang is the normal face of city Cambodia and one of many nation’s best-preserved colonial-era cities. Streets of shophouses host every thing from fairtrade cafes to artwork galleries. Past the city within the countryside is a cluster of historic temples, which, whereas not in the identical league because the temples of Angkor, are often much less crowded.
Battambang can be the house of the inspiring Phare Ponleu Selpak, a famend arts NGO that trains performing artists and hosts inspirational efficiency artwork reveals that mix circus abilities with theater and storytelling. Battambang is a world away from the crush of Phnom Penh and the crowds of Angkor, and positively value a deviation from the vacationer path.
9. Preah Vihear Temple
Greatest for ruins with a view
The mom of all mountain temples, Prasat Preah Vihear, stands majestically atop the Dangkrek Mountains, the forest-cloaked ridge that types a once-contested border between Cambodia and Thailand. The inspiration stones of the temple stretch proper to the sting of a cliff that falls precipitously away to the plains beneath, and the views throughout northern Cambodia are completely breathtaking.
Constructed over 300 years in the past, the temple is a three-dimensional illustration of Mt Meru, the middle of the universe in Hindu mythology. It affords some fascinating insights into the evolution of carving and sculpture through the Angkorian interval. It’s all about location, although, and it doesn’t get higher than this – distant, exhausting to succeed in, however properly well worth the effort.
10. Kratie
Greatest for Mekong River adventures
The jumping-off level for journeys to identify uncommon freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins on the Mekong River, Kratie is a busy junction on the overland route between Phnom Penh and northeastern Cambodia or southern Laos. Dolphins apart, the city has a sure decaying colonial allure and boasts among the nation’s finest Mekong sunsets.
Close by Koh Trong island is a calming place to expertise genuine Khmer hospitality at a neighborhood homestay or discover by rented bike. North of Kratie lies the Mekong Discovery Path, with a bunch of adventures and experiences themed across the mom river, together with community-based homestays, bicycle rides and boat journeys.
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