Best known as the gateway to the magnificent ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a pleasant town with lovely French colonial and Chinese architecture and a laid-back ambience.
The main attraction here is of course the Angkor complex. Covering an area larger than Paris, it encompasses scores of exquisite temple structures featuring intricately carved detail – dancing ladies and lotus flowers embellish the walls, five-headed naga (serpent deities) fan out from chunks of rock.
Abandoned for unknown reasons thousands of years ago, it was rediscovered in 1860 by a French explorer, Henri Mahout, and has been Cambodia’s crowning glory ever since.
Other attractions in and around Siem Reap include an array of arts and crafts shops, a cultural village that allows a glimpse into traditional local life, and a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of town.
Tonlé Sap (the Great Lake) is Cambodia’s most distinctive geographical feature, swelling to a massive 12 000 square kilometres during the rainy season.
The lake and its floodplains are a key fishing and agricultural region, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
It also has plenty to offer visitors: traditional floating villages inhabited by a diversity of Vietnamese, Khmer and Muslim residents; superb birdlife (particularly in the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve); and an amazing array of aquatic wildlife and birdlife, including the almost-extinct Siamese crocodile, as well as turtles, otters, giant Mekong catfish and more than 100 species of waterbirds.
Located at the meeting of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Cambodia’s energetic capital, Phnom Penh, is known for its rich history, friendly locals and world-class food scene.
The primary drawcard of the city its visible heritage - the National Museum of Cambodia features a millennium’s worth and more of an incredible Khmer design.
The monumental Royal Palace, the official residence of King Sihamoni, houses the famous Throne Hall, used for coronations and ceremonies.
Within the Royal Palace is the spectacular Silver Pagoda, named for its floor covered with five tons of gleaming silver.
The Tonle Sap riverfront area provides a charming place to enjoy a meal and some fine French wine (an enduring colonial legacy), while the local nightclubs provide a fun time out on the town, complete with karaoke singers and stage dancers.
This picturesque city has a long and noble history - it served as Cambodia’s capital and royal residence for more than 200 years.
Set below the twin peaks of Phnom Oudong, it is today considered an important sacred city, with many temples and shrines dotted across its lush canvas, including a series of ancient pagodas atop the mountain’s ridges.
These holy vantage points offer panoramic views over Oudong and the river beyond - most spectacular in the light of the setting sun.
Dotting the Tatai River in southwestern Cambodia, the Koh Andet Island is considered one of the most pristine wilderness areas in Southeast Asia.
Visitors can stay in the tranquil floating Khmer-style villas which are idyllically set on the river. Visitors can discover an array forest wildlife including a variety of exotic birdlife, Javan rhinoceroses, Indochinese tigers and Asian elephants and enjoying the views of the Cardamom Mountains in the distance.
Jump on a fishing trip downriver, watch a beautiful riverside sunset, and lucky visitors can spot magical fireflies during the dry season.
Day tours are popular and include: jungle tours featuring lush greenery, sparkling streams, and waterfalls; scenic boat tours to view mangrove forests and riverside palm trees, and guided walks through pristine natural landscapes.
Don’t miss the chance to kayak down the river at your own pace and soak up the spectacular riverside views.
Also known as the Kravanh Mountains, the Cardamom Mountains are situated in the west of Cambodia.
Stretching over more than 4 million hectares, the Cardamom Mountains are home to Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest, including the Koh Kong Conservation corridor and the Central Cardamoms Protected Forest.
This is Cambodia’s most scenic and bio-diverse region with large tracts of virgin rainforest and the habitat of several endangered species including Tigers, Malaysian Sun Bears, Clouded Leopards, Asian Elephants and Siamese Crocodiles.
These famous mountains appear on the provincial seal of Trat Province in Thailand and are known for their scenic landscapes, endangered fauna and flora, ecotourism opportunities and thrilling ecoadventures.
Visitors can use the remote village of Osoam, a community tourism centre, and the Cardamoms’ northern gateway town of Pursat, as a base to explore the surrounding region.
Discover one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine expanses of wilderness, explore the vast blanket of tropical rainforest, and soak up the mountain, marsh, plain and river landscapes.
Four Rivers Floating Camp or Canvas and Orchid are great bases from which to experience this region. Kayak through mangrove waterways, visit magnificent waterfalls and trek through jungle pathways.
For something very luxurious, stay at Shinta Mani Wild.
The sleepy fishing village of Krong Kaeb, also known as Kep, rests on the Gulf of Thailand and is the capital of Kep Province in southern Cambodia.
Once a vibrant resort town, Krong Kaeb is now a serene seaside township dotted with the dilapidated shells of what was once lavish French colonial mansions.
Travellers flock to the area to visit the famous crab market, where seafood lovers can indulge in the delicious delicacy. Within walking distance from Kep Beach is an 8-kilometre track that leads to Kep National Park.
Along the route, trekkers can take the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ trail that leads to a tranquil Buddhist temple, a nunnery and Sunset Rock viewpoint that offers sweeping vistas of the town, mountains, the beach and views of the island of Phu Quoc.
