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.
The coastal province of Kep is located in southwest Cambodia. Despite being the smallest province in the country, this mountainous and arable province offers a diverse array of attractions, including an intriguing capital city (also known as Kep), rugged national parks and nearby islands.
The capital, which contains abandoned French-style villas from when the city was established in 1908, makes a great base for exploring Phnom Sar Sear - a cultural and natural preserve home to Buddhist pagodas and caves containing beautiful mountain wells - and the Kep National Park, which offers jungle treks of varying lengths and difficulties
Finally, though Kep Beach is popular, most visitors will want to make the trip to nearby Rabbit Island, an idyllic retreat of towering palm trees, white sand beaches and brightly coloured tropical fish.
