CAMBODIA
OVERVIEW
Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder, situates to the South portion of the Indochina Peninsula. The country is known to be the Khmer Empire’s holy land with the famous UNESCO Heritage Site, the majestic Temples of Angkor Complex. Famous for the flourishing era in the past with impressive stone architectures and carvings, Cambodia also attracts tourists by its special historical background, the rustic charm of the countryside in Mekong Delta, and the tropical vibe from beaches and islands offshore. Healing from the dark past, Cambodia nowadays has been an intriguing country for anyone desiring to explore the exotic Khmer culture as well as the nation’s history.
COUNTRY FACTS
Capital City Phnom Penh
Time Zone UTC+7
International Dial Code +855
Currency Riel (KHR)
Population 17,7 million (Nov 2024)
Religion Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS:
NORTH WESTERN
Separated from Thailand by the Dangrek Mountains and Laos by highlands, Northern Cambodia, and indeed the country as a whole, is a land steeped in rich history. Consisting mostly of the northern half of the fertile Tonle Sap basin, the Mekong River forms the boundary between Northern Cambodia and the Highlands of Eastern Cambodia.
The star of the show is obviously Siem Reap and the famous Angkor Wat temple complex nearby. While Angkor Wat itself is certainly the biggest and most famous, there are dozens upon dozens of extraordinary temples here, some battling the encroachment of nature while others feature stunning man-made lakes.
Battambang to the southwest of Siem Reap is wonderfully relaxed. Walking around its streets and watching the people, old colonial architecture and myriad of statues is almost hypnotizing, but there’s plenty to do out of town as well including several temples and the sombre “Killing Caves” of Phnom Sampeau.
SIEM REAP
From the 9th to the 15th centuries, Siem Reap locating in Northwest Cambodia was famous for being the site of the Khmer Empire’s successive capitals. This region is the gateway to the well-known Angkor temple complex – especially Angkor Wat which is Siem Reap’s biggest tourist draw. With a wealth of cultural attractions (most beautiful biggest temples in the world, traditional markets & museums) and interesting activities (day tour to visit some floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake & book the cultural performances), discovering Siem Reap is definitely a highlight for many tourists travelling through Southeast Asia.
BATTAMBANG
Battambang is not only the capital of Battambang Province but also is the 2nd largest city of Cambodia. Since this city does not have the most charming beaches, Angkor Wat or the Royal Palace; it is often overlooked.
However, to experience the famous Bamboo train; discover some untouched ancient temples & the most beautiful examples of colonial architecture; see a special circus show and watch the seemingly thousands of bats just before dusk; there will be no other perfect destination than Battambang.
EASTERN
Bounded by Laos to the North and Vietnam to the east, Eastern Cambodia is a country of rugged hills, ethnic diversity and authentic experiences separated from the rest of Cambodia by the Mekong River.
Your journey in Eastern Cambodia is likely to start in Kompong Cham, as it serves as a gateway to region, being the nearest to the capital of Phnom Penh. Spend some time in this peaceful river-town visiting its two ancient pagodas, Wat Hanchey, and Wat Maha Leap or enjoy a relaxing bike ride across the Bamboo Bridge to Koh Pen Island.
Following the Mekong north, you will reach Kratie, an excellent location to start a loop of the Eastern Highlands. The town is also a highlight for animal lovers, as out on the river you can search for the elusive family of Irrawaddy dolphins that make their home here, or head 30 kilometers out of town to visit the Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre. The work done here is crucial to the survival of the endangered species, and observing how they nurse the baby turtles for the first 10 months of their life before releasing them into the Mekong is a great experience.
Setting out on your loop of the region, head north from Kratie to Ban Lung. From here you can visit Virachey National Park, one of Cambodia’s most pristine natural areas that focuses on cultural experiences with the local ethnic minority villages. Also near Ban Lung is Yeak Laom Lake, a stunning crate-lake that shimmers with emerald colored light.
Continuing on your loop, head south to Sen Monorom. Highlights here include eco-tours of the Seima Protected Forest, which is absolutely teeming with wildlife, and the magnificent Bou Sraa Waterfall, the biggest waterfall in the whole country featuring two stunning tiers and a 25-meter final.
KOMPONG CHAM
Located on the Mekong River, Kampong Cham is one of Indochina‘s most important archaeological sites. There are numerous temples and pagodas with stunning architecture in and around the city. The province’s famous symbol is two intertwined snakes located in Bridge Kampong Cham, the provincial capital.
This city is only three hours from the capital, Phnom Penh, making it an ideal opportunity to explore some of the country’s rural provinces away from the country’s urbanizing highlights. Cambodia’s complex and diverse makeup can only be truly understood by exploring its lesser-known corners.
Koh Pen in Kompong Cham is a long, narrow island in the middle of the Mekong. A short bike ride from central Kampong Cham via the Bamboo Bridge, Koh Pen is home to some of Cambodia’s most beautiful rural villages.
KRATIE
Seventy kilometres north of Kompong Cham on the east bank of the Mekong, Kratie has become a popular tourist destination thanks to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the river upstream at nearby Kampie. Dolphin-watching trips can also be easily combined with a visit to the lovely hilltop meditation center of Phnom Sambok and the temple and turtle conservation project at Sambor, further upriver, while the chance to explore nearby river islands, go kayaking or head off along the Mekong Discovery Trail may tempt you to linger longer.
Dolphins and other attractions aside, Kratie itself makes a pleasant spot to rest up for a night or two, with a decent clutch of hotels and some good restaurants lined up along the serene riverside. Parts of the town still retain vestiges of their old French colonial architecture, including the fine old Governor’s Residence, just south of the centre (now signed as the Provincial Council Kratie).
KAMPONG THOM
Kampong Thom is the second largest province in Cambodia. The province is rich in tourism potentials to attract tourists with its exotic lakes, rivers, forests, mountains and more than 200 ancient temples. Visitors can climb to Phnom Santuk Mountain which is located at the height of 207 meters. From the top of Phnom Santuk Mountain, visitors can enjoy great view to the whole Kampong Thom’s boundless rice paddies, ancient temples scattered around the town.
SOUTH COAST
Bisected by the Mekong River, Southern Cambodia consists of the Mekong flood plain in the east before rising up into the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains in the west, separating the floodplain from the coast.
Once considered the most beautiful city in South East Asia, Phnom Penh has gone through some hard times since its heyday in the 1920’s, but has by now recovered and become a vibrant and lively city once more. While sadly new construction has replaced a lot of the old architecture, substantial amounts still remain, making for a city that sits astride the past and the future, with old colonial mansions side by side with concrete and glass monstrosities. The most famous attractions are of course the S-21 Prison Museum and the Killing Fields, but the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda are not to be missed either.
Further south, close to the coast, Kampot is famous for its black pepper production, and indeed, a tour of one of its many pepper plantations is a great experience. While the tourism here has picked up in recent years, it can still be comfortably described as “sleepy”, and the main draw is to lounge and relax as the day flies by. It’s also the best gateway for nearby Bokor National Park containing a hill with the old casino, a remnant from the country’s colonial times, as well as numerous waterfalls and trekking opportunities. Due to the relatively recent pickup in tourism, Kampot still retains most of its old architecture, which makes for great days just walking around admiring the villas and mansions. The Old Market is especially spectacular, and the bustling stalls within are great fun to peruse.
Continuing westwards along the coast brings you to Sihanoukville. Sadly the town is a sad collection of resorts and casinos, with the locals feeling somewhat under siege by this foreign-funded development. However, low-key travelers are seen as key allies in combating this change, so expect to be warmly welcomed by the locals if you opt to stay somewhere more authentic.
At the end of the day, the real reason to come here is to use it as a gateway to the nearby islands. Spending a few days on Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem relaxing on a beach or trekking into the jungle interior is a great break from mainland Cambodia.
Back past the mountains and into the lowlands, a visit to Kampong Chhnang is a must for nature lovers or those who wish to experience authentic traditional Khmer life. Easily the best-preserved natural area in the country, you can spend many days in the reservation hiking and trekking, or in the province capital exploring traditional Khmer culture. This hidden gem is not on many travelers’ itinerary, giving it a distinctly authentic and unspoiled feel.
PHNOM PENH
No visit to Cambodia is complete without spending a few days in the vibrant bustling capital – Phom Penh which is located at the confluence of three great rivers – the mighty Mekong, the amazing Tonle Sap & the Bassac River. Phnom Penh is famous for its exotic beauty and numerous things to do and see; from gaining an insight into Khmer culture & customs; amazed by many unique monumental Angkorian architecture and exploring the impressive historic attractions and enjoying the delicious local food.
KAMPONG CHHNANG
Located around 90km from Phnom Penh to the North, Kampong Chhnang is one of the central provinces of Cambodia. As a part of fertile delta in the heart of Cambodia which is drained by the legendary Tonle Sap, Kampong Chhnang is a wonderful retreat, especially during the harvest season. Heading to Kampong Chhnang would make your trip to Cambodia more memorable with rustic experiences in this idyllic land.
SIHANOUKVILLE
Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and lying to the Southwest of Cambodia’s territory, Sihanoukville, an international tourist attraction in Cambodia, is a preferred destination for anyone loves the beach. With miles of beautiful beaches, warm tropical climate and hearty seafood, Sihanoukville also attracts tourists by its offshore islands which are great getaways from the busy daily life.
KOH RONG ISLANDS
If you’re looking to a holiday to unwind in the glorious sunshine and sandy beach, pack your luggage and welcome to Koh Rong – a corner of the paradise on earth. Well known as the most beautiful island in Cambodia, Koh Rong will absolutely blow you away by the heavenly white sand, crystal clear water, picturesque scenery and plenty of secluded coconut beaches to walk to and spend the day swimming and sunbathing, especially the glowing of plankton at night. A party atmosphere more in the evenings but relaxation and peaceful in the day.
KAMPOT
Charming, compact KAMPOT, on the north bank of the Teuk Chhou River (aka Kampong Bay River), enjoys one of the nicest settings in Cambodia, and has become a popular destination for weekending Khmer and expats from Phnom Penh, as well as for foreign tourists. Once a bustling trading port, Kampot still boasts a Chinese population, their single-storey houses, built without stilts, contrasting with the Khmer stilt-houses and colonial shophouses that grace the town’s streets behind the sun-kissed, tree-lined riverfront. The town makes an excellent base for exploring the many attractions in the surrounding province.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to travel to Cambodia is in the wet season between June and early September or in the dry, cool season between November and February, depending on what your goals are while abroad. The most popular time to visit is in the dry season between November and May but at certain times the heat can be extreme.
Besides, depending on interests of travelling, we decide the best time to visit:
Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds
Cambodia’s a very popular tourist destination. It’s beautiful, has a storied history and offers swathes of culture to get stuck into. All of this makes it tricky to find a time when it’s crowd-free, but visiting outside of the November–March peak season is your best option. If that’s just not achievable and your only opportunity to visit is in the busy period, it’s best to steer clear of the Lunar New Year festival (encompassing Chinese New Year and Tet in neighbouring Vietnam), which usually occurs in late January or early February. If you can work around this, you’ll still be able to check out the best this country offers without too many crowds.
Best Times to Visit for Good Weather
The cool season between November and February has the best weather in Cambodia, with especially ideal weather between December and January. This is the best time to go to Cambodia weather-wise, but the drawback comes from the huge mobs of tourists. At this time the averages are between 70-86℉ (21-30℃). This temperature is perfect for a nice beach day or an extended hike through the jungles of Cambodia. This is the most popular time of the year for tourism though because it coincides with many country’s winter vacations. The result of this is lodging and activity prices seem to reach their peak and temples can be extremely crowded. It’s highly recommended that if you plan to come this season you book your lodging at least a few months in advance as the popular places to stay can fill up quite quickly. During the cool season is also the best time to take a Mekong River cruise as it’s not too hot or rainy to enjoy it.
Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices
When it comes to weather, April–June & September–October are definitely not the best. Temperatures in April and May reach scorching levels, and September and October are wet, wet, wet. However, this is the time when accommodation providers release their best special offers. You can save a huge amount of money if you plan on staying at five-star hotels and luxury resorts. September and October are the height of the rainy season, but this also brings emerald landscapes and epic cloud formations.
WHEN SHOULD NOT GO ☹
The hot season between March and June is just that, extremely hot and humid. This is the worst time to go to Cambodia as crowds have barely gone down, the extreme heat can be taxing, and there are occasional rain showers that last for an hour on average. April and May are the hottest months of the year and temperatures can get up to 95℉ (35℃). This may not seem that bad but the humidity is extreme and can be a real burden while trying to walk the streets, explore the temples with no ventilation, and go on a hike. Although this time of the year has the perfect beach weather, more or less forcing you to go for a swim, this is considered the worst time to go as the heat will take a lot out of you while trying to explore all the other things that make Cambodia such a great travel destination.
LANGUAGE
English is widely spoken in the main tourist destinations across the country. Cambodia’s national language is Khmer and unlike other languages in the South East Asia region, it is not a tonal language. Outside the major centers of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coastal tourism hot spots, most people speak only Khmer but it is usually easy to find someone who can communicate in English.
FOOD
Generally, the food in Cambodia is not as spicy as the cuisines of Thailand or Laos but it is flavored heavily with herbs. Fish and rice are the mainstays of Cambodian cuisine. The country has the benefit of a complex river system that feeds South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake, plus a coastline famous for its shrimp and crab. Prahok, a mainstay of Cambodian cuisine is a fermented fish paste that nourishes the nation. Amok; fish-and-coconut milk steamed in a banana leaf is also a core dish on dinner tables. Meals in Cambodia usually consist of three or four different dishes, reflecting the tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. A legacy of former French colonial occupation is authentic Gallic cuisine at a fraction of the cost in the European country. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville all attract a large volume of Western and Asian visitors and this is reflected in the wealth of global cuisine that is widely available in these major tourist destinations.
HEALTH
No vaccinations are required prior to entry to Cambodia except for yellow fever if travelling to an area where the disease is present. It is advisable to be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria and Dengue Fever are present in the country and it is advisable to take precautions, especially if traveling off the established tourist trail.
ELECTRICITY
Cambodia uses 220V and a mixture of flat two-pin, round two-pin, or three-pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor. Power outages happen occasionally but most hotels have their own generators to provide an emergency power source.
INTERNET
Internet access is widely available in every major city in Cambodia. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there are many Internet cafes and most mid-range/ higher-end hotels offer Wi-Fi.
TELEPHONE
Cambodia uses the GSM mobile system and Mobitel is the largest operator, although competition is stiff. Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available (from US$1), but require a passport to buy. A guesthouse owner or tuk-tuk driver may just buy one for you.
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Closure of tourist sites can occur at short notice on public holidays and our team will give guests advice about this situation.
New Year’s Day on January 1
Khmer New Year on April 14-16
Labor Day on May 1
Pchum Ben Festival on September 26-28
King Father’s Birthday on October 31
Independence Day on November 9
Human Rights Day on December 10
SAFETY
Despite its turbulent past, Cambodia is a safe country to visit. However, theft and bag batches do occur so never leave your bags unattended and always maintain a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags. Be careful when riding motorcycles, remorks/ tuktuks as bags are easily snatched from front baskets. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and always use hotel safety deposits boxes or in-room safes for your valuables.
SHOPPING
Cambodia is a great place to buy unique items such as silks, woodcarvings, rattan weavings and the krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf. The krama is one of the most popular Cambodian souvenirs and is similar to a sarong and can be used for bathing, cleaning and protection from the sun. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have an abundance of local markets that offer great souvenirs. Our guides can offer advice on the best places to buy holiday purchases. Although the larger cities have supermarkets and gift shops, huge, glitzy shopping malls, like those found in Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, do not exist – but that is one of the attractions of a country that offers something different from the more developed countries in South East Asia.
TIPPING
Tipping for good service is not compulsory but is always appreciated. Tipping the guide and driver on your transfers and tours should depend on how satisfied you are with the excursion. As a common basis, $10 – 20USD per day for guide and $5 -10USD per day for driver would make them happy. Hotel porters should be tipped for carrying bags to the room. In other cases, it is totally up to the individual when and how much to tip.
WATER
It is not safe to drink tap water but purified bottled mineral water is available everywhere. All hotels provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks are generally okay in good standard hotels and restaurants, but it is best to avoid them on street stalls or in the countryside. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling in exotic countries, so bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhea medicine.
