Cambodia is a kingdom that is in the Southeast Asia and one of the tourist pearls around here, along with Thailand. It is almost impossible to visit one country without visiting the other. Or, why not, also neighboring Vietnam.
It's a great tourist destination, for its beautiful landscapes, for its cultural history, for its gastronomy ... the list is very extensive. So today, our best destination to travel with the mind is Cambodia and its treasures.
Cambodia
As we said, Cambodia it is a kingdom situated in the southern part of the Indochinese peninsula with border with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is inhabited by about 15 million people who practice, about 95%, Terevada Buddhism. The largest city and its cultural, political and economic center is the city of Phnom Penh.
So, nothing better than starting our tour of this city that will be, quite possibly, our gateway. The city it is located at the confluence of three rivers Thus, it is divided into three sectors: to the south is the French part, very elegant with banks and embassies and hotels, to the center are the markets and alleys and to the north the more modern residential part.
What is there to know in Phnom Penh? El Royal Palace It is a beautiful site with its huge green Buddha made with solid gold and Baraccarat crystal and weighing 75 kilograms. It also has diamonds and other gems. All around the palace, built in 1866, there are frescoed walls and beautiful buildings abound to be visited.
You also have to know the Independence Monument, from 1958, which symbolizes the independence of France remembering those who died for it. On the other hand there is the National Museum, north of the Royal Palace, which is open every day. To the northeast is Wat phnom, on a wooded hill 30 meters high. It is a pagoda with four Buddha statues dating from the fourteenth century.
La Tuol Sleng Prison today it is a museum but it used to be a secondary school. Later, in the 70s, it became a detention and torture center. Add the Central Market, Tuol Tom Pong Market, also called russian market, and with that and a good walk you have the city covered.
Naturally, we cannot talk about Cambodia without talking about Angkor Archaeological Park. You have to schedule the visit because the site is extensive. It is convenient to arrive early to have good daylight hours, in addition, enter through the main entrance and know that the temples are arranged according to the four points of a compass. You will get the best photos in the morning, but it is the other way around in Angkor Wat where the best light is in the afternoon.
To visit Angkor you must have a pass, Angkor Pass, that allows you visit various temples in the archaeological park. It is purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. There are one-day, three-day and seven-day passes. The park is open from 5 am to 6 pm.
City and archeology, but also Cambodia is known for its dream beaches. Thus, one of the most popular is Sihanoukville: white sands, warm waterss from the Gulf of Thailand, relaxed atmosphere, all very tropical.
It was built in the late 50s and is quite different from other towns or cities in the country because it is more cosmopolitan and more urban, even than other provincial cities. There are a lot of tourism, but still the atmosphere is relaxed. Most of the beaches offer umbrellas, food stalls, hotels, bungalows and restaurants for rent. You find from 5-star hotels to hostels.
It also has a good night lifeEspecially at Weather Station Hill or Victory Hill, which is also where the cheapest guest houses are. There are also bars on various beaches and in the center. It is a place to rent a motorcycle as it is not small enough to get around on foot.
Now, if your thing is not so much the beach but the eco tourism, then your trip must include Rattanakiri. It is a province located 636 kilometers from Phnom Penh, little inhabited, and known for its natural landscapes: rolling mountains and hills, volcanic lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests. A recommended walk is several days and includes doing a city tour, visiting the Yeak Loam Lake, going out at night, visiting Ceal Rumplan or walking along the Sre San river visiting some villages located on its side, the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, the Virachay National Park.
Nor should it be left out of the visit Andoung Meas or Golden Springs, some coffee or rubber plantation, the Katieng waterfalls, the Ou'Seanlair waterfall or the precious gem mines. There is a rainy season, from June to October. Finally, keep in mind that Rattanakiri can only be reached by land and once there you have to move by car, motorcycle, boat or elephants. What do you choose?
Finally, another city: the second largest city in the country: Battambang, land of rice cultivation and Khmer Rouge. It is the point of contact between Cambodia and Thailand and has lots of french architecture.
Among the attractions to visit are the Barseat Temple that is a thousand years old, the Wat Ek Temple of the eleventh century, the Ba Nam Temple more or less from the same time, Prasat snung and its three brick stupas on a hill and the communes of Phnom Sam Pov, Boeng Kam Pinh Puoy and Sek Sak, all of great natural beauty.
As you can see, you may think of beaches when you think of Cambodia but the truth is that it is a great destination to turn your trip into an experience full of history, culture and wonderful nature.