The Kingdom of Cambodia, as it is officially called, is a hidden jewel in Southeast Asia. It is in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 square miles) in area, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and its largest city. Cambodia is known mainly for the Angkor Wat and the genocidal Khmer regime of the past, but the country is much more than that. However, before we embark on an epic journey, a quick reminder is to get your Cambodia visa and passport in order since those are the most important travel documents you would require to travel to Cambodia. The Cambodia Visa will have to be stamped once you arrive at the international airport, though Cambodia does have a visa on arrival facility offered to visitors from selected countries.
Destinations in Cambodia
There are plenty of tourist attractions in Cambodia. The country has been witnessing umpteen upheavals over the centuries, and many remains illustrate that. Let us begin our travel to this wonderful land of history and culture.
Angkor Wat
The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about Cambodia is Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat, which is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park is the among main tourist attractions in Cambodia. It is also the usual answer to the rhetorical question: what is famous in Cambodia. To travel to Angkor Wat, one must travel to Siem Reap. One must also set aside a significant amount of time to visit the Angkor Wat itself because the time consumed would be considerable given its scale and ambitiousness. The Angkor Wat was built between the years 802 AD to 1432 AD by the powerful Khmer Kings. If time is short, the best places to visit would be Ta Prohm, the Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, and Preah Khan. A travel to Cambodia will be incomplete without experiencing the grandeur of the largest religious complex in the world.
Phnom Penh
Your travel to Cambodia will start from its capital and largest city, Phnom Penh. It is the heartbeat of the country. With the frantic lifestyle and cosmopolitan populace, Phnom Penh embodies the fast-transforming world. The National Museum is home to a range of breath-taking artefacts dated back to the Khmer Empire. The Royal Palace is another must-visit, and so are the Tuol Sleng Museum and Choeung Ek. There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and hotels, along with art galleries and shopping destinations. Cambodia may not be one of the best summer holiday destinations because of the heat and humidity. Still, if avoiding crowds of travellers is possible, then that would be a nice journey.
Sihanoukville Beaches
Situated in the Kompong Som Province, the resort is an anti-thesis of the central district. Sihanoukville beaches are some of the best summer holiday destinations for tourists and locals. The sun, sea, and sand combinations exhilarate even the most fatigued of souls. There are plenty of places to stay around the area. Sokha and Independences beaches have luxurious hotels, Ochheuteal Beach and Serendipity Beach are known for backpacker parties, while Otres Beach has beautiful boutique hotels for the ones who wish to spend some quiet time with nature. Otres Beach is also home to plenty of upcoming cafes and restaurants. The activities do not simply stop at partying and eating and lying on the sand, though. Sihanoukville is known for snorkeling and kayaking. One can go for a quick swim in the warm waters too.
Ratanakiri
If temple fatigue has finally set in and you need a more adventurous ride, then Ratanakiri is the place to be. It is veritably the Cambodian outback spotted with ethnically minority villages and red-dirt roads. The primary reason to visit Ratanakiri is to spot the buff-cheeked gibbons at the Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area or come across flocks of elephants, tigers, and sun bear at the Virachey National Park. The Yeak Lom Crater Lake calls for a swim, and the waterfalls at Chaa Ong and Ka Tieng are some of the best summer holiday destinations. Ratanakiri has known the world as one of the best family holiday destinations in Cambodia. It is also an emphatic answer to the question: Where are the cheapest holiday destinations.
Prasat Preah Vihear
Located atop the Dangrek Mountains and overlooking the Cambodian floodplains, the Prasat Preah Vihear has the most dramatic temple locations. This gigantically built temple complex honours the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is close to the border of Thailand and has had been a focal point of tension between the two countries. One has to reach the temple from Sra Em though there is also access from Siem Reap, 200 kilometres in the South. The temple has recently been listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Krong Ta Khmau
It is amongst the best family holiday destinations in Cambodia and a must-visit place. Krong Ta Khmau is the capital of the central district and is only 11 km away from Phnom Penh. There are plenty of places to visit, and they would include temples, pagodas, cafes, and restaurants. The enthralling Wat Kropeu Ha and the S’ang beside the Boeng Cheung Loung lake is an experience of a lifetime. Wat crocodile Hassan pagoda and Wat Puth Yetndy are the two famous pagodas that have to be visited while visiting Krong Ta Khmau. The city itself is bustling and culturally inclined, and the line of souvenir shops will be a great place for shopping and sightseeing.
Koh Rong
Three of the questions that have often been asked, amongst others, have been: What is the most beautiful town to visit in Cambodia, where are the cheapest holiday destinations, and what is famous in Cambodia. Many answer Angkor Wat and rightly so, missing out on Koh Rong would be unfair. It is a mystical island and the closest one can get to paradise. The Koh Toch beach is the most famous of all. There are plenty of things to do once at the beach. Every water sports option is available at affordable rates, from snorkelling to zip-lining, diving, and kayaking. The marine life is bustling with seahorses, sergeant fish, parrotfish, diamond fish, jumping fish, diamond fish, blue-spotted ribbon tail rays, and squids. The Police Beach nearby is a sweet spot for wildlife. There is a butterfly farm and a zoo to spend some time in. For innate nature lovers, Lonely Beach and Coconut Beach are places to view bio-luminescent plankton. Koh Rong can be reached by ferry from Sihanoukville.
Koh Tonsay
It is also known as Rabbit Island since locals believe it is shaped like a rabbit. It is also one of the answers to what is the most beautiful town to visit in Cambodia. Koh Tonsay has been one of the best family holiday destinations in Cambodia for a long time. It is also one of the best summer holiday destinations. The 600 m long beach is ideal for water sports or simply a nap in a hammock. The local cuisine is lip-smacking, and the beach shacks are an ideal way to unwind and destress.
Kep (Krong Kaeb)
Near Kon Tonsay is this idyllic coastal town known the world over for its seafood and crab dishes, Kep has all the trappings of a classy place to visit and spend some quality time. It used to be the watering hole of the country's elites till the Khmer Rouge put an end to it. However, Kep has gradually claimed its novelty over the years and is now bursting at its seams, with travellers thronging for a few of its famous dishes at the many restaurants. The added attraction is the horse ride along the countryside and the visit to the nearby crab market. It is not the place for those seeking loud and lively parties since the town wears a deserted look by 10 pm.
Kratie (Krong Kracheh)
A hub for eco-adventure, Kratie is one of the upcoming tourist attractions in Cambodia. A host of community-driven ecological projects are being executed now, and the region is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The almost extinct Cantor’s giant softshell turtle is its most famous resident. A bicycle tour of the surrounding areas is a great way to explore the country.
Final Words
Through this article, we have answered the three pertinent questions, moist asked by tourists: What is the most beautiful town to visit in Cambodia, where are the cheapest holiday destinations, and what is famous in Cambodia, primarily because the country offers so much and more. For any further information related to Cambodia Visa, Pickvisa is always there.
