Cambodia Guide: You must see these temples is written by The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs.
The land of the temples
Cambodia – often also spelled Cambodia – is super exotic. It is green rice fields with palm trees, red dirt roads and wooden huts on stilts. It is also jungle, temples and smiling people. But that's not all. At Cambodia's main attractions there are good tourist facilities - at prices that are low by Danish standards.
Cambodia offers fantastic experiences and temples for every taste. Learn why Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh is so amazing, why you should set aside more than one day to visit Angkor Wat, and which tropical islands to visit.
In the article, there are a large number of links to articles here RejsRejsRejs. Dk and on various good travel blogs. You can see the full list at the bottom.
Museums and sights in Cambodia
There are lots of interesting museums, temples and sights around Cambodia. Here you can enjoy nature. Or you can familiarize yourself with Cambodia's magnificent – and at times tragic – history. You will surely be moved and impressed; even if you didn't sit at the front in history class.
Khmer culture is made for tourism. The population is welcoming, friendly and smiling. As a foreigner, you feel very welcome, and here there are fewer signs of the tourism fatigue and cynicism you can encounter in overrun destinations. A big plus. So Cambodia is definitely one of our favorite countries. It is unique. It is beautiful. And it has an edge.
Each of Cambodia's many provinces has its own distinctive character and identity. It would be too extensive to write about all of them here, so therefore you get here selected tips for places and activities that are something out of the ordinary.
Angkor Wat
Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire. The magnificent temple complexes are Cambodia's greatest attraction and clearly on a par with wonders such as The Chinese wall and Petra i Jordan. Angkor is located just north of the city of Siem Reap, which is well equipped for tourists with good restaurants.
Angkor's royal faces tell of a megacity that was abandoned almost 600 years ago. Take it in with all your senses. Watch the tree roots embrace the massive rocks and listen to the cicadas under the setting sun. Here, nature and the past are broken, even though the Khmer empire is long gone.
Explore exciting temples
Set aside more than one day for the many temples, for Angkor impresses and enchants.
To many, Angkor is synonymous with the main temple, Angkor Wat. But in fact, Angkor is a huge area with lots of temple complexes. Here you can kindly spend several days if you are just moderately interested in history or buildings.
The temples can of course be seen in the order one wants. But it may be an idea to lay out a plan, so that the time is used as best as possible. The temples are different and all are worth a visit as such.
The most famous is, of course Angkor Wat Temple. With the massive towers and an architecture that says fall-back, it's just a fascinating structure. Look at it from afar and you see the symmetry and dimensions; sense the grandeur of the past. Go close and you see the details: the religious motifs finely carved into the long sandstone walls.
Other popular temples and temple complexes:
- Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the empire
- Ba Yon, best known for the towers with the enigmatic stone faces
- The tree-covered Ta Prohm, easily recognizable from the movie Tomb Raider
- The steep Phnom Bak Heng - popular at sunset and sunrise.
Phnom Penh – Cambodia's atmospheric capital
The capital of Cambodia was once known as the Pearl of Asia. Now it is blooming again for the benefit of locals and visitors. Here is a pleasant atmosphere that is unique to Phnom Penh, - and perfect for cosiness and relaxation. Many take a weekend in the countryside to gear down. But it can also easily be done in Phnom Penh; a place that doesn’t really feel like a big city.
The French colonial power has left deep traces, and the cafés, villas and wide boulevards bear witness to a long period under French influence. The food as well. It's just one of the things that makes Cambodia a completely different experience than, for example, Thailand, which tourists often compare with.
Sometimes thoughts are drawn to a tropical mini-Paris. Until the eyes catch sight of a dilapidated building from the sixties. Then thoughts are drawn to the fact that Phnom Penh was almost emptied of people during the regime of the Khmer Rouge. And that the city has been affected by deep poverty both before and after.
As a tourist, however, you can expect a Phnom Penh that radiates everyday optimism. Because this is how the Khmers are as a people: Resilient and positive. In addition, the city is undergoing rapid development. It was not many years ago that the city got its first escalator. Now here are skyscrapers.
Experiences in Phnom Penh
But what is there to see? And to where? Sisowath Quay is the city's river promenade; an area which is particularly charming. There are many cafes, restaurants and places to stay the night. In the evening, the locals hang out and the atmosphere is family. There are also several interesting excursion destinations nearby: the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
It is also worth taking a deep breath and visiting the torture prison S-21, Tuol Sleng, as well as Choeung Ek, which was the Khmer Rouge's execution site on the outskirts of the city. Many thousands were taken from S-21 to the Choeung Ek mass graves under Pol Pot's rule. In both places you get a grim experience which gives an insight into some of the horrors the Cambodians have lived through.
If you are less into the reflective and more into "boyish action", you can visit a shooting range, where it is possible to fire different types of weapons. The arsenal offers, among other things, assault rifles and rocket launchers. In 2018, a local and a tourist lost their lives at a military shooting range, so we recommend that you don't - regardless of whether it's legal or not.
Gradually, Phnom Penh has acquired a nightlife that we dare to recommend. As in all places, it applies that you have to think about it. Don't play smart. Smart is stupid. But otherwise you can count on a fun night out. There is a good selection of nightclubs and bars. And including some old classics like Heart of Darkness.
Sihanoukville and Cambodia's tropical islands
Fancy a beach trip? Then you should make your way past Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia. Here you will find beautiful, white sandy beaches. And they are not too overrun - yet. Activities in and around the city include diving and snorkelling, fun water sports of various kinds and a local temple, Wat Leu.
You can also learn to cook Cambodian food or see the beautiful Kbal Chhay waterfall.
Both during the day and in the evening, you can go to the city's markets and shop for fresh fruit and souvenirs. Pure fun.
Around the roundabout with the golden lions, which in itself must be considered a sight to see, there are restaurants and bars that are also worth visiting. All in all, Sihanoukville is a place where you can let your hair down and go in search of some pampering.
There are also good opportunities for a reasonably undisturbed beach life on Koh Rong, Koh Rong Saloem and Koh Thmei.
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Khmer Rouge Tour of Cambodia
Interested in Cambodia's recent history? Then take on your very own “Tour de Khmer Rouge”. There are many places that are connected to the time under the Khmer Rouge. And if you get into the story, they are a lot of interesting places to visit. Even though they are not necessarily aimed at tourists' tastes for comfort.
If you are not that much into the historical, the suggested places can be good to visit anyway. Because did we say that? There are plenty of beautiful surroundings in Cambodia.
How about a visit to Anlong Veng near the border Thailand? Here you will find the Khmer Rouge's last bastion, Pol Pot's burial ground and the beautiful Damrek mountains. The buzz of history is strong and the views of the low-lying country are stunning.
Here you can also see Ta Mok's lake with the dead trees, headless Khmer Rouge statues in a rock wall and the remains of the homes of the last Khmer Rouge leaders. It's all a bit bizarre, but it's a unique experience too.
Several temples in Cambodia
Preah Vihear Temple is another obvious place to visit. It is close to Anlong Veng and borders Thailand. The Khmer Rouge also had a residence here. All in all, there is a lot of history associated with Preah Vihear.
The area has, among other things, been the subject of a protracted border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. But there has been peace in the area for some years.
Once you have passed the temple complex - which is quite large - you can stand on the cliff edge. Here you get a magnificent view. The temple is built in the same style as it is known from Angkor. Still, the Preah Vihear is special enough to be worth a visit. You should probably expect that you will have to travel a bit for a place to stay overnight. But we still do not think you will regret it.
Our last recommendation is Pailin. The small town is approximately 80 kilometers from Cambodia's second largest city, Battambang. Like Anlong Veng, Pailin is one of the last Khmer Rouge strongholds. Besides guessing which of the inhabitants might be former Khmer Rouge, you can swim in a lovely river, visit the Flamingo Casino or maybe hang out in Bah Hoi Village.
Incidentally, it is obvious to combine Cambodia with it even more overlooked land to the north, Laos.
Have a good trip to Cambodia!
What to see in Cambodia? Sights and attractions:
- Angkor Wat
- Angkor Thom
- River promenade Sisowath Quay
- Torture Prison S-21 (Tuol Sleng)
- Khmer Rouge Execution Site Choeung Ek
- The temple Wat Leu
- Kbal Chhay Waterfall
- Koh Rong Island
- Khmer Rouge strongholds
- Anlong Veng
- Bah Hoi Village
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This article contains links to the following blogs: Rejsetanker.dk, Backpackerne.dk, josephine.helbrandt.dk, Afterglobe, 5 footprints, OnTrip and Gaths-rejseside.dk.
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