Cambodia is about tropical beaches, historical monuments, lively nightlife, and beautiful countryside. Due to its moderate tropical weather, Cambodia has been attracting thousands of tourists every year. Home of the famous Angkor Wat and numerous other temples, this country is intoxicating in its beauty, to say the least. Apart from the historical and the cultural, Cambodia is also urbane, boasting of beautiful Phnom Penh, its capital, and tonnes of restaurants serving delicious cuisine.

The best time to visit Cambodia is from November to March when rainfall is at a minimum. Temperatures are cooler and humidity is also low. However, during this time, the streets of Cambodia remain crowded, and the hotel accommodations are expensive. The country is generally warm, and there are two seasons per se, wet and dry.

Khmer is a traditional cuisine of Cambodia, and one must definitely give it a try on a Cambodian tour. Rice is the staple food of people of Cambodia. The Cambodian cuisine is a blend of different types of flavours, spices, textures, and temperatures.

A few distinctly Cambodian dishes are:
Bai Sach Chrouk – Pork and Rice. Served in the morning on street corners
Fish Amok – Fish mousse with coconut milk and a lemongrass curry paste.
Nom Banh Chok – Khmer noodles. Typical breakfast of rice noodles in fish based green curry.
Cha Houy Teuk – Gelatin dessert of coconut cream made from agar. Served in bowl with shaved ice

The place has a lot to offer, more than one can expect. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is a shopping hub with a number of markets and shopping complexes like Russian Market, Central Market, Aeon Shopping Mall, Night Market, etc. Some of the things that one can buy from these shops and malls are rice wine, silverware, Krama, etc. The rates are quite reasonable, and one gets to enjoy some of the best products at a very cheap price.

Their handmade and beautifully carved souvenirs are eye-catching. Cambodia offers a variety of locally produced souvenirs, Cambodian silks, ceramics, spices, jewellery and much more.

Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools. English is commonly spoken in Cambodia. It’s estimated that over 50% of the population are conversational in English, but travellers in rural areas may find it hard to communicate in smaller villages. Learning a few basic Khmer words will get you far, and earn you respects from the locals.

1. SIEM REAP

Siem Reap in Cambodia is a paragon of ancient glory and timeless grandeur; proudly being the gateway to one of the most astonishing architectures in world history- Angkor Wat. Although the main reason to stay in Siem Reap is to get yourself ready to explore several ancient temples, the city itself comes with a surprise package of historical and modern blends.

With a population of about 8500 people, Siem Reap is mostly seen as a launching point for visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park and other temple ruins by tourists. One of their own kind, mega structures like these can’t be found anywhere else. The mysterious architectural techniques used to construct the temples still amaze the explorers.

Places to visit in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Angkor National Museum

2. PHNOM PENH

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia. This glimmering city contains in it all at once- the ancient Khmer glory, the unfortunate recent past, and a progressive future. Sitting at the junction of Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh inherits a phenomenal blend of Khmer and French architectural beauty. The city can be easily picturized with lively markets, royal buildings, thriving bars, and sensuous local food scenes.

Whenever Phnom Penh is talked about, the saddening images of its recent past take a stroll through the eyes. However, the people living in the city seem to be determined enough to withstand this pain, and move ahead towards a constructive future. The city of Phnom Penh has its own beauty standards. Busy narrow streets, struggling sounds of life, tinges of an old French colony, riverside romance and a hippie projection- this is how you start defining the essence of the city when you come here. The top experiences in Phnom Penh include visits to the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields, sight-seeing in Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, shopping-spree in markets like Psar Thmei and Russian Market, and some tranquil time on the riverside.

Places to visit in Phnom Penh: Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields), Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, National Museum of Cambodia, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, The Night Market

3. KOH RONG

Koh Rong is an island located in Sangkat Koh Rong commune of the Mittakpheap district in Sihanoukville Province. It is the second-largest island of Cambodia off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It is known for its 43km coastline consisting of white sand beaches. These beaches are home to Cambodia’s best luxury resorts, attracting tourists that come here for a relaxing beach vacation.

Places to visit in Koh Rong: The Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem, Coconut Beach, Long Set Beach, Sok San Beach, High Point Rope Adventure Park, Sok San Waterfall

4. RATANAKIRI

Ratanakiri is a province located in the northeast region of Cambodia. It is a diverse region abundant in nature and is home to remote tribal communities including Jarai, Tompuon, Brau and Kreung. It is known for its unique terrain, which was affected by the active volcano at Yeak Laom lake, which has resulted in fertile soil.

Travellers visit this off the beat province to explore the wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls and wildlife thriving in the deep lush jungles. It is a province worth exploring for tourists looking for some adventure and nature.

Places to visit in Ratanakiri: Ka Choung Waterfall, Ka Tieng Waterfall

5. KAMPOT

Kampot is a city located in SouthWest of Cambodia and is a prominent historical and coastal town along the Gulf of Thailand. Kampot town is the capital of a province with the same name and is located on the Tuk Chhou River. Surrounded by Elephant Mountains, Bokor Hills and a series of beaches and islands, Kampot is the most popular destination in Cambodia visited by tourists, after the famed Siem Reap and Phnom Penh cities.

Places to visit in Kampot: Kampot River, Popokvil Waterfall, Bat Cave, Salt Fields, Kampot Markets, Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple, Farm Link Pepper Plantation Centre, Bokor Hill Station

6. MONDULKIRI

Mondulkiri is a province located in the far east of Cambodia. It is the largest province in the country. But it is the least sparsely populated region, with more than half the area consisting of forests, preventing any human inhabitation.

It is the part of Cambodia to visit if travelers like spending time in the rugged wilderness including pine groves, rolling grass hills and rainforests. Waterfalls, streams, trails offering splendid views of green landscape and the opportunity to experience Cambodia’s wild is what make Mondulkiri worth exploring.

Places to Visit in Mondulkiri: Bousra Waterfall

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