Best Things to Do in Cambodia for an Amazing Trip
Southeast Asia is truly a treasure for travel enthusiasts. Here you can find stunning sceneries, diverse cultures and religions, and incredible food. In that treasure, Cambodia is a mysteriously charming gem. The land of Angkor kings is full of alluring places ready to bring you extraordinary travel experiences. The following list of things to do in Cambodia will definitely help you to have a pleasant and unforgettable trip. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Visiting Angkor Complex
The Angkor Complex is undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in the whole country. You may have known that the two main temples of the complex are Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. These temples are evidence of the developed construction techniques of ancient Khmer people. Here you can see the temples engraved meticulously with Gods’ faces and different images. It is advisable to visit the Bayon, Baphuon, and Phnom Bakheng temples, the Elephant Terrace. The great stone gates are also a charm that you should not miss.
Besides Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the other areas are equally stunning. The Ta Prohm and Preah Khan Temples that appear in “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” will capture your attention immediately. An ancient structure intertwined with ancient trees – what else do you expect? Bakong, Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Or Phnom Krom temples are all breathtaking sites not to be ignored. In a nutshell, visiting Angkor Complex is one of the best things to do in Cambodia – it’s a must.
Visiting Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia – is undeniably the highlight of this country. Nothing is more awesome than taking a Cambodia motorbike tour to discover this place. There are so many beautiful spots to explore in this city. The Royal Palace is probably the first destination of many people when they get here. This remarkable structure was built for over a century to serve the Royal Family, as well as used to organize important events. In the area of the palace, you can quickly realize the existence of both traditional Cambodian architecture and one of French style. Here people also visit The Silver Pagoda – a speechlessly splendid pagoda where a lot of national treasures are kept (one of them is the Emerald Buddha Statue – an extremely significant relic in Buddhism).
Another favorite attraction of international tourists is the National Museum of Cambodia. This is where Cambodians preserve thousands of oldest archaeological, religious, and artistic artifacts of the Khmer people. Some specimens first appeared nearly 16 centuries ago. The museum is sometimes likened to an old man telling surprising stories about the ancient Khmer kingdom. However, the National Museum was just built in the early 20th century with a French and Cambodian mixed architecture.
The destinations above may make you assume that most of the things to do in Cambodia are related to religion. Then you will reconsider at once when you visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or Choeung Ek (The Killing Field). These historic sites in Phnom Penh are enough to remind us that our lives are invaluable, and we have to cherish every single moment. The evilness of the Khmer Rouge and the commemorating innocent Cambodian people will be demonstrated in perpetuity there.
There are many other sites that you should take a look in Phnom Penh such as Wat Ounalom, the Independence Monument, Wat Phnom, etc.
Visiting Siem Reap
The mysterious city of Siem Reap is one of the most attractive places in not only Cambodia but also the whole of Southeast Asia. Besides Angkor Complex, the city possesses many outstanding sites. While the ancient pagodas of Wat Bo and Wat Preah Prom Rath stun people with the unique architecture and unique statues, Angkor Silk Farm and the Old Market arouse tourists’ interest in the daily life of the local people.
Of course, we will not leave Siem Reap without visiting the National Museum of Angkor, where they display samples showing the glorious history of Angkor. The room with 1000 Buddha statues, hundreds of wooden, jade, and metal sculptures is the highlight of the museum.
Visiting Sihanoukville and Kampot
These are two cities in the South of the country. Kampot is a small yet gorgeous city. Here you can immerse in the tranquility of rural life. Some honorable attractions in Kampot are Bokor Mountain with abandoned houses with French architecture, the caves in Phnom Chhnork, the old bridge across Kampong Bay River, and the old Kampot train station.
Meanwhile, Sihanoukville is the coastal town with the most famous beaches in Cambodia. Tourists usually go to Otres or Ochheuteal beaches as they are the most beautiful and cleanest. If you are keen on diving, you should not skip the lovely islands around Sihanoukville. Notably, we highly recommend Koh Rong, also known as Heaven Island. There are more than twenty fantastic beaches here with alluring pristine white sand and crystal clear water.
Trying Cambodian Delicacy
We bet that any list of things to do in Cambodia will include this – trying Cambodian dishes. The cuisine of the country is truly unique, and the meals are absolutely delicious. A lot of the recipes are street food, so they are quite cheap and easy to find. You are bound to like Amok Fish, Bai Sach Chrouk (rice with grilled pork), Kampot Pepper Crabs, Khmer Red Curry, etc. Some dishes like a fried spider or Red ants with beef may confuse you first and then win your heart.
We have to admit that an article is not enough to show you the whole attraction of Cambodia. This country has not only remarkable landscapes but so many things to explore. We hope that our list of things to do in Cambodia can somehow help you to have the first look at this great country and plan a perfect motorcycle trip to this country. Have a nice trip!