Once you’ve seen all there is to see in Thailand and Vietnam, you might be interested in seeing some more old ruins.
The good news is that your needs can be met in Cambodia. Visit the legendary site of Angkor to see temples unmatched in scale and majesty in southeast Asia, even as the larger cities swiftly modernise.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Cambodia
Some of the best places to go in Cambodia are its smaller towns and villages, where visitors can go on jungle hikes and view even more amazing historical monuments, as well as experience a more traditional way of life.
1. Kep
Kep is a quaint seaside town that’s perfect for a day at the beach. Snorkelers get a great view of the coral reefs lying just below the surface. Although Rabbit Island is a popular beach in Kep, it is quite basic, with no running water and only a few hours of electricity each evening. Day visits are the most common way to see the island.
Kep was established in 1908 as a colonial getaway for the French elite; much of the town’s original mansions were demolished during the Khmer Rouge era and their skeletal remains may still be seen today. Kep National Park not only offers breathtaking seaside vistas, but also a butterfly sanctuary and organic pepper farms that visitors can tour.
2. Banlung
Banlung, located in northern Cambodia, is a fantastic place to visit for nature lovers. Adventurers can get up close and personal with nature on overnight or multi-day expeditions into the jungle offered by a number of tour companies.
Visitors can see many different kinds of monkeys and other animals, though some people don’t like being so close to leeches. Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake is a great place to see deep lakes and observe local Cambodian women engaged in traditional weaving.
3. Battambang
Tourists interested in Cambodia’s past go to Battambang, the country’s second largest city. Battambang was founded as a commercial hub in the 18th century, and it was afterwards incorporated into French Indochina.
Several Buddhist temples and shrines in the style of Angkor can be seen in the city. Walking or riding a bike is a great way to get about. The statue of an old Khmer ruler on the route to Phnom Penh is the most well-known of the many statues of animals and gods that may be found in public spaces. It’s also worthwhile checking out the Central Market.
4. Kampot
Peppers are more popular than tourists in this riverside town in the Gulf of Thailand, although the latter is on the rise. Black peppercorns from Kampot are highly sought after by chefs all over the world.
Kampot serves as the entry point to Bokor National Park, which is well-known for its agreeable climate and rich primary rainforest, as well as its abandoned French hill station.
Visitors to Kampot can also enjoy rafting and boating on the river that runs through the city and past several beautiful waterfalls. Ancient relics can be viewed by spelunkers in the Kampot Kompong Trach caves. The local speciality is a curry made with crab.
5. Kratie
Kratie is a small town on the banks of the Mekong River, and its main attraction is its central marketplace, which is surrounded by historic French colonial architecture. There is no major tourism, however there are many backpackers in the area during the busy months.
There are dwindling populations of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, and Cambodia is the best spot to witness them. Between 66 and 86 dolphins are still thought to exist in the upper Cambodian Mekong region.
6. Sihanoukville
Norodom Sihanouk, a previous monarch of Cambodia, gave his name to the city of Sihanoukville, the most well-known Cambodian beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand. Sihanoukville, formerly known as Kompong Saom, was the site of the final American offensive in Vietnam.
Both sandy and rocky beaches may be found in this city in southern Cambodia. Sihanoukville is one of the best places to visit in Cambodia after seeing all of the country’s Khmer and other attractions, yet none of its beaches are among the best in Southeast Asia.
Backpackers who stay in huts on the beach share space with people who choose the luxury of five-star hotels on the beaches. Some of the islands in the vicinity are great for snorkelling.
If you’re not into water sports, you can always rent a motorbike and explore the jungles that surround Sihanoukville. Take a day trip from Sihanoukville to the beautiful and clean Ream National Park, which is home to more than 200 bird species.
7. Siem Reap
Siem Reap (which translates as “Siam Defeated”) is a picturesque tiny settlement that serves as a gateway to the world-famous Angkor temple complex. Siem Reap, Cambodia, has become a significant tourist hub in large part because of these sights.
It’s a chill spot to hang out and get some rest before exploring the temples. Many restaurants in Siem Reap serve a wide variety of cuisines, while the city’s various hotels range from luxurious to affordable.
8. Koh Ker
Around 120 kilometres (75 miles) northeast of Siem Reap is the secluded temple area of Koh Ker. Koh Ker served as the Khmer Empire’s capital briefly, from 928 until 944 AD.
During this brief period, many impressive structures and massive works of art were built. Prasat Thom, a temple pyramid 30 metres (98 feet) in height, towers over the surrounding forest and serves as the site’s focal point.
For nearly a thousand years, the jungle had its way with Koh Ker, making it one of the most out-of-the-way temples in all of Cambodia. The de-mining and opening of the new toll road has changed this.
9. Phnom Penh
Since its colonial days with the French, Cambodia’s capital has been located in Phnom Penh, the country’s largest metropolis. Though currently rebuilding after war and upheaval, Phnom Penh has been called “the gem of Asia” and is widely regarded as one of the most attractive towns the French constructed in Indochina.
The legacy of French culture lives on. The city of Mekong has been inhabited since the 15th century and is situated on the Mekong River. The Royal Palace is the official palace of the King and Queen of Cambodia, and the Silver Pagoda features 5,000 silver tiles and a gold Buddha encrusted with diamonds.
You may get many interesting souvenirs and locally made goods at the night market, also known as Phsar Reatrey. Of course, Phnom Penh is also home to more solemn attractions, such as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the famed Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which detail the horrors of the Khmer Rouge dictatorship.
At than 8,000 individuals were killed in the Killing Fields, and their skulls are preserved in a memorial stupa there.
10. Angkor
From the ninth to the fourteenth century, the Khmer Empire called Angkor its capital. Since it is so rich in artefacts from the past, it is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Southeast Asia.
The ruins of a thousand temples dot the countryside like rice ruins. Among these are the Buddhist temple ruin of Ta Prohm, which is entangled with towering trees, and the world-famous Angkor Wat temple, the biggest single religious building in the world.
With the restoration of many of its temples, Angkor has become one of the ancient world’s wonders and an exceptional window into Khmer culture. Throughout its long history, Angkor underwent numerous religious shifts, shifting from Hinduism to Buddhism on multiple occasions.
It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Southeast Asia, and it has even made it onto the national flag of Cambodia.
