Why
Travel to Cambodia?
The jungle scattered and sublime Khmer temples of Angkor are indisputably one of the world's greatest ancient attractions, but please note that Angkor Wat is just one of many Angkor area temples!
Apart from temples you should also visit the French-built capital,
Phnom Penh, for fine food and museums; Sihanoukville for
sun and sand; Ban Lung for nature and ethnic people.
Generally people - even the infamous motorbikers - are charming
and friendly while local cuisine is superb and good value while Angkor beer is divine!
Downside:
- There is some street crime and banditry around.
- This is still the world's most landmined country with around 5
million mines and a half million tons of UXOs [unexploded ordnance]
around the countryside. Thanks to international organizations, de-mining
efforts continue, but always travel with a local guide and never
stray off paths.
Cambodia
Travel Guide, climate:
Best:
Dec-Feb.
OK: the rest, though a bit wet May-Aug and hot Feb-March.
Worst: April [extreme heat], Sept-Oct [heavy rain and impassable
roads]
Length
of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: Phnom Penh 2 days; Siem
Reap [Angkor] 2-3 days; total 5 days
Recommended: 2 weeks, Phnom Penh - Siem Reap [Angkor, Tonle Sap
Lake] - Sihanoukville, or other towns.
Cambodia's
main attractions:
**Phnom Penh. People travel to Cambodia for Angkor, but this
bustling capital is well worth a couple of days or more. It has
some impressive sights, an interesting street life and the riverfront
is laid back with trendy shops, restaurants and cafes.
The prime sights are:
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda - the residence of King Sihanouk.
Tuol Sleng Museum, the former high school turned prison for the
Khmer Rouge victims - more than 14,000 met their death there - a
shocking must see.
Wat Phnom, a hilltop pagoda, was the foundation of the city and
is one of the most important spiritual places in the country.
The National Museum of Arts, an imposing Khmer style building in
red brick, built by French, shows extensive Angkorian crafts [picture
top left].
The Central Market [also known as New Market] and the Russian Market
[Psah Toul Tom Poung] are worth visiting.
The Killing Fields [Choeung Ek], were the final destination for
the Khmer Rouge victims, 17 km from the city centre.
***Angkor [near Siem Reap town]. Note that Angkor Wat is one of many Angkor temples. See Angkor
Guide | Angkor Pictures
**Beaches: Sihanoukville [Kampong Som].
Not quite up to neighboring Thailand's pristine resorts, but these
uncrowded white sandy beaches are Asia's best-kept secret. Really
rewarding after temple travel burn-out, you can go island hopping,
snorkelling and diving. There is also Ream National Park nearby
for nature and wildlife activities such as jungle trekking and boat
trips with rangers.
The best among four beaches is Ochheuteal, with some grand hotels
and restaurants, about 230km [143m] from Phnom Penh, 3.5 hours by
regular bus.
**Ban Lung [Rattanakiri], a small town
used as a base to explore Cambodia's largest park, Virachey, containing
rainforest, mountains, waterfalls and mountain tribes.
** Battanmbang, an enchanting town,
with well-preserved colonial architecture.
Also there are some little-known but superb Angkorian temples out
in the countryside, including Wat Ek Phnom, Wat Banan and Phnom
Sampeau.
A 45 minutes flight from the capital.
Main
festivals in Cambodia:
April, Khmer New Year, 3-4 day festival with much spring cleaning
and offerings for the new year.
Early May, Bon Chroat Preah Nengkal, [the Royal Ploughing Festival],
an agrarian ritual for good harvests; takes place near the Royal
Palace in Phnom Penh.
Full Moon Day at beginning of November, Bon Om Tuk [the Water Festival],
the country's biggest and most important festival. Locals go bananas
celebrating a natural phenomenon - the reversing of the current
of Tonle Sap River- with boat races and fireworks. Nationwide but
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the places to be.
For
some precise dates, more suggestions and information see: Exotic
Festivals
Cambodia
Activities Guide:
Apart from sightseeing, activities are rather limited, because Cambodian
tourism has just started developing.
You can go hiking, do elephant rides with guides and boat trips
along Tonle Sap River and Mekong River at various locations.
Snorkelling, diving and nature walks are available at Sihanoukville coastal town.
Rare Irrawaddy dolphin watching happens at Karatie along the Mekong
River.
Accommodation:
Can be found easily in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville.
Phnom Penh is traveller friendly and Siem Reap is replete with high
standard hotels.
Cuisine:
A wide range of fabulous Southeast Asia cuisine - with a French
twist - make eating out a great experience in the capital and Siem
Reap.
Splendid seafood and plump mangoes are available from pretty fruit
sellers at beaches in Sihanoukville.
Money
advice:
Take $ cash. No need to change money and you'll pay much the
same as paying with the local currency [Riel].
Thai baht are also accepted.
Travellers cheques can be a problem outside tourist areas.
Credit cards can be used in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville
and Battambang, but with an extra charge.
Tipping:
Not a tradition in Cambodia, but service personnel in any
area with tourist connections will be expecting something.
Electricity:
240v, flat 2 pins or sometimes round 2 pins.
Shopping:
The usual travel souvenirs are only found in major tourist places
such as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh with nothing elsewhere, even in
Sihanoukville.
Popular items are silver jewellery, replica carvings, antiques and
kramas [cotton scarves].
Visa
advice:
A 30 day tourist visa is available for just about anyone arriving
at one of Cambodia's international airports. However, there is now an easier way to apply for a travel visa. Try Cambodia e-Visa,
newly lauched by the government to promote Cambodia tourism.
Just apply online and get it in three days.
Cambodia
Tours
If
you plan Cambodia Travel you may be interested in these Bugbog
guides to neighbouring countries:
Vietnam Travel Guide | China
Travel Guide | Thailand
Travel Guide | Japan
Travel Guide | Cambodia
Links
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