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.
Koh Trong, a serene island in the Mekong River, lies across from Kratie in Kratie Province. Embraced by sandy beaches for most of the year and invigorated by river breezes, the car-free island is navigated by carts.
With smiling locals, weathered fishermen, and fertile land turned orchard, Koh Trong, or "the island where the king lost his ring," is affectionately known as the royal island.
Revel in the unhurried lifestyle, wander on foot or bike, swim in the Mekong (December to May), and engage with nearby villages, offering a glimpse into fieldwork. Koh Trong is a serene paradise waiting to be explored.
Tucked between the sprawling cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Kampong Thom is a sleepy town set on the banks of the Stung Sen River.
Conveniently set along National Highway 6, this unassuming town offers easy access to a number of popular attractions spread across the province including Sambo and Prey Kuk Temples a popular archaeological site located 25 kilometres northeast of Kampong Thom.
A visit to Phnom Santuk Mountain is a must as this sacred mountain is a place of pilgrimage for many and is dotted with many Buddha statues that are carved along the mountain range.
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.
Located in northwestern Cambodia on the banks of the Sangkae River, surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies, pepper plantations and lush rainforests with networks of trekking trails, many leading to traditional villages and quaint hilltop shrines.
With a history that dates back to the 11th century AD and a modern role as a crucial national rice production area, Battambang has always played a key role in Cambodian affairs.
Despite its commercial importance, the city has retained a slow-paced charm that - together with its cafe culture, riverside location, thriving arts scene, and gracefully dilapidated architecture - lends itself to an enchanting visit.
A must-do is the river cruise between Battambang and Siem Reap - widely acknowledged as the most scenic river route in the country.
As previously described
