The colossal temples of Angkor Wat are the obvious image that strikes your thought hearing the word Cambodia. Not just the array of glorious temples and religious structures and other artistic accomplishments, this country has much more to offer: pristine beaches, strings of unspoiled islands and abundance of other natural attractions. Below is a sampling of ten of the best attractions in the country.
Preah Vihear Temple, Angkor Wat
Lots have changed about this Siem Reap over the decade; of being the dusty two-road town to what it is now. Other than its century old wonders, the City is packed with restaurants, hotels and is an amazing cruise destination in its own right. It is the gateway to the Angkor Wat. There are more temples than just Angor Wat. Beng Mealea, is where you lots of temple taken over by the mother nature herself. Visit Koh Ker, an ancient capital city, or get to see the fishing villages to find traditional Cambodian houses and floating rice paddies. Take a tuk-tuk ride, a quintessentially Cambodian ride! Apply brakes at Phsar Chas, the Old Market, to get the feel for a real Cambodian market. Siem Reap has vibrant night markets, silk farms, and traditional craft shops. Rejuvenate your mind; hear monks chanting, at the oldest Buddhist temple at the Wat Bo village. Be sure to have a delectable barbecue buffet watching the traditional Apsara dance and martial arts performances. Grab the best Cambodia Packages from un[travel] to enjoy hassle-free vacations in Siem Reap.
Banteay Chhmar Temple
Bet you, you didn’t realize the Seventh Wonder of the World is one of thousands of ancient Khmer temples dotting the Cambodian countryside. Hidden beneath a canopy of trees in the north-western jungles of Cambodia lies a lesser known beauty called Banteay Chhmar. Banteay Chhmar is the 4th largest Angkorian temple in Cambodia and it boasts gallery walls carved with bas-reliefs and face towers similar to those the Angkor complex. Looking around, it seems nature is winning the fight. The roots of massive trees grip still-standing walls, as if melding into one structure. Vines infiltrate nooks and crannies, devouring fallen stones etched with ancient carvings. But the most remarkable thing about Banteay Chhmar might be the near-perfect silence, broken only by the distant purr of motorbikes, the drone of insects and the call of songbirds. Grab your suitable holiday package from un[travel]’s Cambodia Tour Packages and go offbeat in Cambodia.
Snake Island Bridge, Sihanoukville
A coastal Cambodian city, Sihanoukville is the capital of Sihanoukville Province. Approximately 232 kilometers from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville is the emerging seaside destination. It offers pleasant, white sand beaches, tree-shrouded headlands, eco-tourism spots, islands, marshlands, Ream National Park, waterfalls and coastal marshlands with its unique biodiversity. There are at least 22 casinos to choose from in Sihanoukville, dolling impressive range of gaming option. A short drive from idyllic Koh Rong beach takes to the Phnom Meas Viewpoint and Independence Monument. Enjoy a picnic next to local families before cooling off with a splash in the cool waters at Kbal Chhay Waterfalls. Otres Market at Otres Village is where to sing and dance hard to great live music, and relishing on a wide selection of food and drinks. If you are the one who prefers distance from the hustle and humdrum of urban life, choose from our Cambodia Holiday Packages and enjoy unhurried and quiet holidays.
Mondulkiri Wildlife Sanctuary | Credits: lonelyplanet.com
Mondulkiri is an eastern province of Cambodia, bordered by Ratanakiri to the north. The province is packed with full of natural beauty, with thickly forested mountains, powerful waterfalls, lush green rolling hills and wildlife sanctuary corridors. Mondulkiri’s rivers and streams would probably make for some good fishing. The town of Sen Monorom is the best base camp for travellers who want to explore the surrounding areas. The coffee plantation is a lush area and serves as a stopover on the way to or from Bou Sra Waterfall. The Elephant Valley Project offers visitors to get up close to these mammals; but the highlight of your tour will be hand feeding and taking walk with the mammals, swimming and washing them in waterfalls. Choose from our Cambodia Tour Packages and go offbeat.
Tonlé Sap Lake
The beautiful ‘Violin’ shaped Tonle Sap Lake is also the fresh water lake or ‘Great Lake’ of Cambodia. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap to view the beauty of floating houses. Revel at the irreplaceable experience of seeing 150+ floating villages, with homes built directly on the water. Other than Chong Khneas, there are three more floating villages, including Kampong Phluk, Kampong Khleang and Prek Toal. Explore floating households and the floating markets, fisheries, clinics, schools, basketball course, pigsty and other boatloads of tourists. The Lake and the river support diverse inter-connected eco-regions and a great amount of biodiversity. Prek Toal is an important habitat for many endangered bird species. Biosphere information centre and a water hyacinth weaving center are other attractions here.
Phnom Penh City
Phnom Penh might be frenetic, but sometimes you feel that this frenzied identity makes Phnom Pehn what it is! Cambodia’s capital is Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities, has lots of old and new lures. The Khmer architectural brilliance Royal Palace, the residence of Cambodia’s royal family, is the highlight of Phnom Penh, and there is the Throne Hall area and the Silver Pagoda – set within manicured gardens. The excavated pieces from Angkor Wat and other exhibit of pre-Angkorian artifacts are well preserved in Cambodia National Museum. The Tuol Sleng Museum, Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are other major allures. The magic of a Cambodian beauty can be best experienced on a sunset dinner cruise around the waters to soak up the gentle pace of local river life. Psar Thmei market dominates Phnom Penh’s central city, and it is the first and last stop for all your shopping fantasies, believe it not, everything is sold here!
Waterfalls at Ratanakiri | Credits: http://asiatrips.travel
Ratnakiri-The word has been derived from the Sanskrit words Ratna (gem) and giri (mountain). Situated on the north, 636 Km from Phnom Penh, this remote province is an adventure enthusiasts’ delight. There are best trekking routes. Hire a motorbike, take the bumpy hour’s ride up to the Tonle San River or just eat up the dirt roads to visit the neighboring towns and villages; and there are mountains not too far away for some great scenery, it’s stunning! Small yet active town of Banlung town has Yak Lom Lake and many waterfalls in the area, like the Ka Tieng Waterfall. You could also get to see the indigenous community’s village here. Get to hike through the dense jungle, or camp out for the night for whole different feel. Choose un[travel] to customize your Cambodia Tour and enjoy blissful holidays.
Kratie | Credits: lonelyplanet.com
Kratie is true Mekong experience; a small town with only thousands of residents. Spread along the banks of the mighty Mekong, this is one place to spot the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. Adorned with some great sin murals, the hilltop pagoda is another place of interest here. Quiet and peaceful Cambodian city have many French colonial structures to enjoy. Go for a swim at Kampi rapids, offer prayers at Wat Roka Kandal Temple, or pick up some krolanh — a typical Kratie cuisine from Red Sun Falling cafe.
Bokor
It was French colonists in Cambodia, who made Bokor Hill Station as their luxury summer retreat. Abandoned for long periods of time, it features several French colonial buildings including a royal residence, church, casino, and hotel. The eerie abandoned ‘Ghost Town’ has featured in several films like the City of Ghosts (2002) and the R-Point (2004). Being at the top of the Bokor Mountain in the Preah Monivong National Park, the route comprised a series of winding curves, immersed in the clouds, and the places are joyous to discover. Catch the best Holiday Deals in Cambodia and plan your exciting vacations.
Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap
It has to be in between the 9th and the 15th centuries when Angkor rose to be the capital of the Khmer Empire and built this temple complex. Miraculous in its creation, it is inconceivable that a human being possessed the creative brilliance to be the architect of such a wonder. The temple of Angkor Wat was itself the world’s largest religious building, over 1,000 temples, stunning for its grand scale and incredible detail. It has a moat and an outer wall that stretches for 3.6 kilometres, and is completed with bridges, and reservoirs and canals for a sophisticated water diversion scheme. A beautiful blend of spirituality and symmetry, it remains an endearing testament of the devotion. You can spend several days at the park; Angkor Archaeological Park is massive, covers a 400-square-kilometer area. Making a trip to the Angkor National Museum before visiting the Temple Complex can be handy! Don’t forget to include the aforementioned places on your travel itinerary. You can customize your travel to Cambodia with un[travel]’s range of Cambodia Customised Holiday Packages.
