Cambodia is home to the temples of Angkor, the magnificent legacy of the Khmer empire that ruled over much of south-east Asia 1,000 years ago.
The centrepiece is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and one of the Far East’s must see sites.
National museums contain impressive Angkor-era art and insights into life during the Angkor period.
The best time to visit
Cambodia
The best time to visit Cambodia is during the cooler and drier winter months between November and March.
Although the weather is generally warm all year round, the monsoon season falls between late April and September.
Visiting during this time is still possible as the rain tends to fall in short, heavy bursts – good for avoiding the crowds.
- Battambang Mountains
- Cardamom Mountains
- Phnom Penh
- Siem Reap
- Sihanoukville
1. It’s all about nature
Battambang, located by the Sangker river in north-west Cambodia, is the country’s second largest city and its surrounds are an important area for rice production.
Established in the 11th century during the Khmer empire, the city was developed into an important trading post by the French in the early 20th century.
Today, Battambang is home to some of the best-preserved French colonial architecture in the country.
2. Cardamom Mountains
Located in south-west Cambodia, the Cardamom mountains cover more than 20,000 sq km and are designated as a conservation area, which is rated as one of the most important eco-regions in south-east Asia.
This pristine mountain region is little explored and is home to more then 100 mammal species, including many threatened species, such as tigers and Asian elephants.
This area is connected by boat and by road to Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, and the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge is an ideal base from which to explore the abundant wildlife, waterfalls, river valleys, mangroves and rare flora and fauna
3. Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital city is awakening from a turbulent recent past to become a busy and frenetic Asian city. Situated on the confluence of three rivers, it is a jumble of colonial buildings, temples, markets and broad avenues.
The focal point of the city is the promenade on the banks of the river which come alive in the evening with its pavement cafes and strolling families.
4. Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a town with a French colonial centre, and the gateway to the Temples of Angkor. These majestic temples in northwest Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer art and civilization.
They were created by a succession of Khmer kings who presided over an empire that dominated the region from the 800 AD to 1430 AD, reaching its peak in the 12th century.
From the 15th century the temples were more or less abandoned and forgotten by the world although visited by a number of travellers including the French naturalist Henri Mouhot who is attributed with their discovery in 1861.
Siem Reap offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops. It also offers the opportunity to see traditional Cambodia, with dance performances, silk farms, rice fields, rural countryside and boat trips on the huge nearby Tonlé Sap lake to small fishing villages.
5. Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville lies in the south of Cambodia, approximately 4 hours drive from Phnom Penh on the Gulf of Thailand coast, and is the country’s premier beach resort.
The town was founded in 1950 and named after the King, although the name was changed to Kompong Som under the communists; it has recently reverted back to its original name.
There are several white sand beaches and many undeveloped outlying islands in clear blue waters which can be explored by boat.
As this is an emerging beach resort luxury facilities and local enterprises are limited, however the area is much more relaxed and less commercial than its counterparts in Thailand.