Highlights
Cities
Beyond the characteristic temples, historic ruins and truly fascinating culture, Cambodia’s cities are well worth exploring. Charismatic Phnom Penh, the riverside capital, is a lovely city with its own particular crumbling grace, still exuding a notable French influence and offering plenty to do, see and eat; monuments and wats are on every corner, whilst the bustling central market is a maze of stands selling everything from silver and antiques, to clothes and food. Siem Reap, a diverse and vibrant hub, offers much more than just the Angkor temples, whilst laid-back, scenic Battambang is an up-and-coming spot loved by visitors.
Beaches
Bordering the shimmering Gulf of Thailand and including a number of picturesque tropical islands – including the utterly luxurious and exclusive Song Saa Private Island – Cambodia is home to some of the most stunning beaches in South East Asia. Blissfully undeveloped when compared to neighbouring Thailand, the pristine coastline is truly unrivalled in beauty, characterised by powdery white sands that lead out to the gulf’s calm turquoise waters – perfect for simply unwinding beneath the sunshine or discovering a colourful marine kingdom on an unforgettable snorkelling or scuba-diving excursion.
Culture
A land of unique traditions, fascinating culture and truly wonderful inhabitants, allow yourself to be immersed in the enigmatic world of Cambodia. Get into the rhythm of rural life with a trip to the countryside’s enchanting rice paddies and swaying sugar palms, or explore Tonlé Sap – the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia – home to many ethnic Vietnamese and Cham communities, living in fascinating floating villages around it. Explore Phnom Pehn’s Old Market, bargaining for silk, statues, trinkets and souvenirs; observe the wonderful chaos of the food market or take a traditional tuk tuk to travel in true Cambodian style.
Temples of Angkor
Prepare to be utterly awe-struck as you first glimpse the mysterious and mesmerising temple complex of Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The world’s largest religious building and the heart and soul of spiritual Cambodia, Angkor Wat perfectly combines a spectacular scale with artful intricacy, decorated with over three-hundred heavenly nymphs, each one entirely unique. At the heart of Angkor Thom is the mind-boggling, 12th century Bayon Temple – boasting 54 gothic towers, adorned with over 200 faces that embody Buddhist compassion – whilst the atmospheric Ta Prohm has been fascinatingly consumed by the jungle it stands in.
Museums
A country backed by an utterly intriguing, although at times, grizzly, past, Cambodia’s museums offer an insight into the nation’s diverse history. After exploring the splendidly ornate Old Palace in Phnom Penh, discover the historical and archaeological treasures in the nearby terracotta building of the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculptures. Angkor National Museum’s displays are themed by era, religion and royalty as you move through the impressive galleries, whilst a guided tour around Toul Sleng Genocide Museum offers a heartbreaking, yet necessary, look into Cambodia’s dark past.