The Cambodia of today is a country in transition as it develops at pace. It’s relatively calm history of the past 25 years that enabled this transition has been at odds with the prior 100 years. During this period Cambodia suffered brutal periods of French, Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge rule. Following the demise of the Khmer Rouge at the end of the twentieth century, Cambodia has enjoyed a period of relative prosperity. This period of stability and calm has allowed the country to rebuild and show case it’s spectacular attractions. Visitors have followed and tourist infrastructure has rapidly developed around the main cities and attractions. Cambodia is not the off the beaten track destination it once was, but it still retains some amazing sights, warm welcoming people and an amazing history to discover.
Top of everyone’s sightseeing list when visiting Cambodia are the ancient Khmer temples of Angkor. These wonderous temples cover a vast area and are one of Asia’s standout sites. The largest and best known temple is Angkor Wat, which dates back to the 12th century AD. The other must see destination in Cambodia is the capital of Phnom Penh. The city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, bustling markets and historical sites. Some of these sites include those linked to the genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970’s.
To the south of Phnom Penh is the seaside resort of Sihanoukville, a once sleepy seaside village, but now a major resort town. While the quaintness has long gone, the white sand beaches and turquoise waters remain. It’s a take it or leave type of destinations. Away from these major tourism hubs there’s plenty more to see and do in Cambodia and there’s still plenty of chances to get off the beaten track.
Cambodia is located in south east Asia and is bordered by 3 other Asian Nations. To the west lies Thailand, to the north is Laos and to the east is Vietnam, the countries great rival. In the south of the country there’s a 273 mile coastline stretching along the Gulf of Thailand. The country is intersected by the mighty Mekong River which extends from the Laos border in the north to the Vietnamese border in the south east.
Cambodia enjoys a tropical climate throughout the year. Regardless of the season, the weather is largely hot and humid. The year is broadly divided into two main seasons, the wet and the dry season. The wet season runs from May through to October, while the dry season covers the November to April period. Inevitably it’s much better to visit during the dry season, although this is also peak season, so you’ll experience more crowds and less accommodation options. A visit in the wet season can be a great experience with fewer crowds, lush green jungle but still plenty of warmth. While it does rain most days during the wet season, this tends to be isolated to a few hours allowing you to enjoy the rest of the day.
Cambodia is one of those destinations with an absolute blockbuster attractions, which is the big draw to the country. However once you’ve seen Angkor Wat and the surrounding Temples, you’ll discover that Cambodia isn’t just a one trick pony. There’s plenty more to see and experience in this vibrant and young country. To get you started with your trip planning, we’ve included some of our highlights below.
Our top best things to see and do in Cambodia are:
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