Cambodia Famous Places

Cambodia has much more to offer than the famous Temples of Angkor. Cambodia is blessed with golden undeveloped beaches, unspoiled forests and beautiful old colonial cities like Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot and Kep, all of which have a very relaxing atmosphere. It is also the gentle, polite and charming personality of the Khmer people which makes Cambodia such a memorable destination. Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia with a population of 2 million, situated in the south eastern part of the country, at the confluence of the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap rivers. Nowadays it still retains an undeniable charm despite its tumultuous and often violent past. Must see place include The Royal palace, Silver pagoda, Independence monument, National museum, Choeung EK memorial etc… Siem Reap/Temple of Angkor,a small city located 250 km northwest of Phnom Penh and 15 km North of Tonle Sap river-the largest river in South East Asia. It is the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological park have dozens of temples in various states of preservation. Most famous temples include the Bayon, Ta Phrom, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat.

Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has a population of 2.2 million and is the capital city. It lies at the crossroads of the Bassac, Tonle and Upper and Lower Mekong Rivers. The river front street is lined with a heady mixture of restaurants, hotels and modern shops. This is in stark contrast to the poverty of this city, which is evident in the beggars and street urchins.

Siem Reap
The town of Siem Reap is 7km from the temples of Angkor Wat and is situated on the banks of the Siem Reap River. This bustling little town is bursting with a vast range of delicious restaurants, lively bars, boutique shops and day and night markets. A shoppers paradise and a suprising party town that really heats up after midnight.

Battambang
Battambang is located in the north west region of Cambodia on the banks of the Sangkae River. This friendly town features colonial architecture, laid back cafes and bars and a local circus performing on Monday and Thursday nights. The Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus shows are put on by the students from the NGO arts school and helps disadvantaged children.

Sihanoukville
A port city located on a small peninsula with beaches and tropical islands off its south and west coast and a commercial port to the north west. Beaches that line the west contour of the city from north to south are Victory Beach, Lamherkay Beach, Koh Pos Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha Beach, Serendipity Beach, Occheuteal Beach and Otres Beach. The most popular beaches are Occheuteal, Sokha, Independence and Victory. Take a water taxi to the nearby islands for diving, snorkeling, and game fishing.

Mondulkiri
This eastern province, which borders Vietnam, is definitely the wild west of Cambodia where there is no shortage of red dust, waterfalls, thickly forested mountains and lush green rolling hills. The province has the lowest population of Cambodia and is 80 percent populated by tribal minorities, with the Phnong being the most common ethnic group.

Kampong Cham
Only a 2 hour journey from Phnom Penh, this friendly city features plenty of colonial French charm and is located on the mighty Mekong River. A bicycle ride across the bamboo bridge to the Koh Paen island is a must do to visit the endless Cham and Khmer villages built entirely on stilts

Kratie
Kratie town is sleepy but picturesque with sandbars and big islands out front and bends in the river. Unlike in many towns around Cambodia, the war years were fairly kind to the French architecture and the roads, at least in the town itself. The rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins make their home in the Mekong River, just north of Kratie. With only around 120 remaining, they are surely worth a visit. Whether you are just on a trip seeing the river towns along the Mekong or taking a full circuit trip around the east and northeast, Kratie is a nice place to enjoy the dramatic sunsets over the Mekong.

Northern Cambodia
Previously this area was virtually inaccessible but now with a network of new roads the area has opened up and visitors can explore the remote wildlife sanctuaries and stunning temples. Perched atop a 525-metre cliff in the Dangrek Mountains on the Thai boarder, Prasat Preah Vihear Temple has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. Also in this area is the Khmer Rouge’s former capital of Anlong Veng and the superb temples of Banteay Chhmar.

Kampot & Kep
This sleepy riverside town is a 3-4 hour drive from Phnom Penh and offers a huge variety of day tours and activities. Kep Beach, Rabbit Island, jungle trekking, river cruises, pre-Angkorian ruins, caves, pepper plantations, bamboo train rides and some beautiful rural countryside.

Southern Cardomom Mountain
This breathtaking mountain range is located in the southwestern region of Cambodia within the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor and boasts an astonishing biodiversity. A perfect destination for lovers of nature where you can choose from jungle walks, waterfalls, remote islands and mangrove rivers.