My Cambodia Travel Blog will prove that despite there are dozens of places in the world to explore; Cambodia is an unmissable spot. This country was the first abroad trip of mine in 2016. Though I have been to many more countries afterward, Cambodia is still a unique and worth to visit for its impressive majestic Angkor Temples. The Khmer temples and architecture are found in some of neighboring countries also. However, the most significant ones with important heritage values are in Siem Reap. Other provinces of Cambodia are bucolic and amazing to travel too. Scroll down to to read full blog and more useful information.
How to get to Cambodia
You can enter Cambodia by international flights to the airports in main tourism cities in Cambodia such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville.
Border crossing to Cambodia are available which crossing from Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. The popular traveling cross are Chau Doc in Vietnam to Phnom Penh, 4,000 islands in Laos to Stung Treng, and from Bangkok Thailand to Siem Reap by Poipet. There are more crossing points, but these are worth crossing and often chosen by travelers.
Cambodia Visa
Cambodia Visa Exempt
Cambodia visa exemption is applied for people from these countries: Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippine, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Cambodia visa is required in advance
People from these countries can achieve Cambodia visa in advance include: Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Nigeria.
Cambodia visa on arrival
The rest nationalities apart from above mentioned can achieve Cambodia visa upon arrival. The cost for Cambodia visa for single entry is USD 30.
Highlighted places to see when travel in Cambodia
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the most highlighted city in Cambodia as it's the land of the ancient Khmer Empire that highly recommended for your holiday visiting Cambodia only or any package holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia. What to see in Siem Reap are mainly temples. There are over 70 Angkor temples plus other temples scattered in the nearby premises. The Angkor temple tickets are available with 1 day pass, 3 day pass and 7 day pass. It depends on your interest that you can go with suitable ticket type. In my opinion the ticket is a bit high. One day pass ticket to Angkor Temple is $37; three day ticket is $62 and seven day ticket is $72. It's free for children below 12 years old.
With one day, you are suggested to see the most prominent temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom with Bayon and Phnom Bakheng Temples; and Ta Prohm temple. These temples are most majestic and belong to the small circuit route. As I bought the 3 day ticket to Angkor Temples, we visit the small circuit and some parts belong to the grand circuit and the pink stone temple - Bantey Srei. Instead of using air-conditioned car, we book a tuktuk to tour the Angkor Temples. Cycling is also a nice option explore the temples but might be a bit inconvenient if it's a rainy day.
What else to see in Siem Reap beside temples? Beside Angkor Wat, Angkor Thoms and other temples, you can traverse pass by the greenish lush road to the countryside of Siem Reap to visit local villages, learn about their traditional sugar palm making, beautiful handicraft from palm leave. You also can see Tonle Sap Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia. There are 5 floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake. Let's get a local bamboo boat to crew and visit one of them to learn more about the local lifestyle on Tonle Sap Lake. You can kayak into the mangrove forest in Kampong Khleng Village also. Next, hike up to the Kpal Spean which is considered as 1,000 linga place in Siem Reap. Basing on the carving and stone relics over this mountain, you shall know more about the originated land of Khmer Empire. Adventure travelers can take a jungle trek to Phnom Kulen Mountain and conquer the loop with stunning view and nature. In term of culture, you can buy tickets to enjoy Apsara Show or Phare - Cambodia Circus show. These two shows have different performing themes and ways to bring up their stories but reveals a lot about Cambodia culture and people. Lastly, exploring Siem Reap pub street for the nightlife in Siem Reap and shopping at night market are exciting experience to relax and get some local souvenirs.
How many days to spend in Siem Reap is also a thing to consider. You should spend at least 3 days in Siem Reap to get an overview about this province, see the outstanding spots in Siem Reap and learn some of local culture. However as long as you want to see the place, you can customize your plan according to your allowable timing. I remember a story of two friends that I met while visiting Luang Prabang that their return flight to Korea make them around 10 days in Siem Reap. I recommend them get a tuktuk driver who always have with him the map of Angkor Temples and drive them to the beautiful temples in Siem Reap. It's was a short but I believed interesting day for them to see around Siem Reap.
Preah Vihear Temple
From Siem Reap, you can also extend the trip and explore nearby provinces and temples as well. There are two place you can drive from Siem Reap for visiting which are Preah Vihear Temple and Battambang Province. Preah Vihear Temple is around 160km (99 miles) in the north east of Siem Reap. This temple is located at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. From the temple which is on peak of Dangrek Mountain, you can see the greenish bolaven and Thailand's mainland from afar. Apart from its location, architecture and historical value, Preah Vihear Temple is a pilgrimage spot for local people. On the way to Preach Vihear, you can consider to stop by and visit impressive Koh Ker and Being Mealea temples. There are homestay to overnight and intermingle with locals as well.
Battambang Province
Battambang Province is located around 160km (99 miles) to the south-west of Siem Reap. This place is the main rice producing province of Cambodia. Then, you will find a luxuriant landscape of rice and farming fields in the countryside of Battambang. Beside, this province also show the most intact influence on French colonial architecture. You can contemplate the scene of colonial building while walking around the old town in Battambang. Experience the bamboo train in Battambang is also a stunning experience to learn about the past and observe daily activities of locals in these days. Other things to do in Battambang can be cycling to the exotic rural area, visiting Bat Cave in the afternoon and local market in the morning, etc.
Phnom Penh
For the central and southern parts of Cambodia, I visited Phnom Penh only. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia. While Siem Reap reveals stories and architecture of the Angkor Empire period, Phnom Penh is known as place showcasing the country's history and development from 19th century on ward. Then Phnom Penh is a must-see spot of Cambodia to learn a thorough understand about this countries. Things to see in Phnom Penh includes glorious Royal Palace, beautiful building of National Museum, Wat Phnom Daun Penh on a pristine mountain in city, the Toul Sleng S21, local bustling market, the killing fields, etc.
How long to stay in Phnom Penh? You can spend 2 days to explore Phnom Penh to see the main sightseeing spots in Phnom Penh, the city scenes with some of colonial buildings, enjoys Cambodia cuisine with a street food tour and pay a visit to Silk Island as well. There are lovely places to chill and visit in Phnom Penh. You might plan your day tour around Phnom Penh as per interest. For instance, if you prefer seeing and taking photos of colonial influence in Cambodia, you might check out some administrative buildings in city, get to the art-street in Phnom Penh as well as spend time to chill at local bakery and cafe.
Sihanoukville
Other things to see in the southern part of Cambodia are beautiful beaches in Sihanoukville province located around 230km (230miles) from Phnom Penh. You can arrive in Sihanoukville by flight or land driving. There are international flights from nearby countries such as direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and some cities in China. The best things to do in Sihanoukville are beach leisure for sure. The most famous beaches in Sihanoukville and Cambodia are on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Saloem islands. Situating in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Saloem offering pristine white sand beaches and clear crystal water under blue sky are ideal spots for Cambodia honeymoon holiday.
You can spend around 3 to 4 days to for beach leisure in Sihanoukville. There are moderate budget to high end resorts for your considerations. Besides, have some active activities on the beach like kayaking, swimming and so on; and explore the jungle on island which should be well prepared and go with a guide.
There are other destinations and adventure route in Cambodia such as Kep, Kampot, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, etc.
Famous food in Cambodia
Amok
Amok is a curry dish of fish or chicken cooked with coconut milk. This soupy dish is done by boiling and enjoyed with rice. Some nice restaurants make it by steaming for a mousse texture and wrap in banana leaves.
Khmer Noodle
Khmer Noodle is the typical breakfast in Cambodia. You can try this dish in almost parts of Cambodia. You can enjoy a bowl of rice noodle with toppings of green curry with fish based and gravy of lemongrass, ginger, turmeric and garlic. The Khmer noodle is also eaten with vegetables such as banana flowers, wild leaves, flowers, long beans, cucumber, etc.
Chive Cakes
Chive cake in Cambodia made of glutinous rice is a tasty snack. The green onion is wrapped inside glutinous rice dough. When being friend, the color turn lovely yellow and the cake is crispy.
Fermented fish
The fermented fish is a tasty and popular ingredients in Cambodian cooking. Mashed fermented fish can be cooked with minced pork, coconut cream and palm sugar. This dish is served with steamed rice and crunchy vegetables.
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