Popular destinations in Cambodia
Angkor Complex/Siem Reap
Angkor Complex is one of the world’s wonders and also a very famous tourist destination in Cambodia. The Angkor Relic Complex contains over 1,000 magnificent temples and monuments of different sizes and shapes with bold Khmer Empire architectural style, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries. This is the reason why UNESCO has designated this unique site as a world heritage. Angkor Complex is really one of the best destinations that you must visit on your Cambodia vacation.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. This city is considered the cradle of Buddhist beliefs, as well as a place that records a clear historical mark of the Cambodian people. Some highlight destinations can be listed such as Wat Phnom Pagoda, famous for its sacredness; Royal Palace of Cambodia, where the King of Cambodia lives and works or Silver Pagoda which is covered with 5 tons of gleaming silver. Visiting historical landmarks as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21) – a place that fully recreates the fierce Khmer Rouge war in history or The Killing Fields, a place to preserve the painful past of the Khmer people will also widen your knowledge about their culture and history.
Kratie
Kratie is truly a great stop for those who love tranquility, wild nature and want to immerse themselves in the simple rhythm of village life. Lying on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, Kratie is predominantly known as the shelter of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins so spotting Irrawaddy this dolphin species is a definite highlight for tourists. A visit to Koh Trong Island is great for those in search of a little adventure. This island is also known as the ‘Market Garden’ due to various local fruits growing here. Travelers can hire a bike on the island and explore the beaches, fishing villages and green rice fields. This small town is definitely an absolute treat for every tourist to visit.
Battambang
Battambang, a city full of artistic people and a calm atmosphere. Home to the famous bamboo train and French colonial architecture, Battambang is definitely a gem and brings to the tourists plenty of amazing experiences. Come to Battambang, you must ride on a bamboo train and take a landscape view of the countryside: vast rice fields, local people working there and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Colonial architectures will also make you feel overwhelmed and surprised by how well they were preserved through hundreds of years. Absolutely, explore this city and you will never regret it because you will have the most rewarding travel experiences ever.
Tonle Sap Lake
Tonle Sap Lake is known as “a large freshwater lake.” It is the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is situated in the west of Cambodia. The Mekong River’s natural storage is the Tonle Sap Lake, which is linked to the Mekong. Both the depth and size of the lake will abruptly vary due to the changing shifts in the dry and wet seasons in Cambodia: during the dry season (December to April), the water level will drop, and vice versa. The largest hamlet, Chong Kneas, is close to Siem Reap, and one of the most fascinating is the enormous Kompong Luong, which is adjacent to the city of Pursat on the west bank of Tonle Sap.
Koh Rong Island (Sihanoukville)
The Gulf of Thailand, southwest of Sihanoukville, is home to Koh Rong Island, the second-largest island in Cambodia. Due to the island’s long-standing isolation, the beautiful natural setting has been perfectly preserved. Coral reefs, tropical palm trees, jungles, waterfalls, brilliant blue seas, and 28 beaches with only pure white sand are just a few of the natural features of Koh Rong Island. The most breathtaking beach in the area is one of the 6-kilometer-long segments. This location has been used to shoot several American and European reality shows, making it a popular destination for tourists from the West.