Cambodia Tourist Information
Cambodia is a beautiful country squeezed between Vietnam and Thailand. It has a tragic history, but has grown in popularity among travelers in the last decade. The most famous sight in Cambodia is Angkor Wat, located just outside of the tourist town of Siem Reap. Many people cross over from Thailand for a few days to visit Angkor and then go directly back to Thailand. While Angkor along is very much worth the trip, these visitors miss so much of Cambodia. Outside of Angkor Wat, the country is a popular destination for bicycle tours because the landscape is beautiful and relatively flat. Many people arrange these organized biking tours before the leave for their vacation, but it is just as easy to bike through the country independently. Other interesting places to visit in Cambodia include the area's beaches which are far less touristy than the nearby Thailand. Probably the most popular beach in Cambodia is at Sihanoukville. Phnom Penh is the country's vibrant capital city with a lot of history, many temples, and a very welcoming population. If you can, try to time your trip so that you can go to a festival, of which the city has many.
Cambodia is a very cheap travel destination, even by Southeast Asian standards. It's not difficult to find comfortable hotels at a reasonable cost. Food is also quite cheap and in the main tourist towns there are many restaurants eager to please the visiting crowds. There are restaurants that offer western food options ranging from pizza to pasta or burgers. If you're on a budget you'll do better to avoid these western options. They're often far more expensive than the Cambodian food and never quite as good. It's possible to book private transportation between cities at a cheap cost, but the public transportation is surprisingly good and very affordable. Part of the experience is taking the local buses and interacting with the locals.
Although Cambodia is no longer an undiscovered country, there are still many undiscovered parts to this country. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore and you will be thrilled to see everything that Cambodia has to offer.
Cambodia's Top Tourist Attractions
Angkor Wat: Angkor Wat is by far the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia. You can easily spend several days in the area exploring the impressive temples. To cover the entire area you must either either a tuktuk or rent a bicycle, either of which are fun options. Make sure you don't miss the sunrise, which is the most dramatic times to visit the temples.
Sihanoukville: Sihanoukville is a port city that offers a lovely beach resort. It's a nice alternative to Thailand's more chaotic nearby beaches. Although still very relaxed in nature, there has been recent development efforts in the area that has taken away some of the area's charm.
Tonle Sap: Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in all of Southeast Asia. The lake is fascinating because the water flow changes direction twice a year. The lake size also changes dramatically over the course of the year depending on the season.
Popular Foods in Cambodia
Amok Trey: This popular fish dish is made with coconut milk and curry and served with spices. It's often prepared in a coconut shell, giving it a festive flare. It's often prepared during the popular Water Festival.
Bok L'hong: A traditional Khmer dish, this is a green papaya salad. It's a surprisingly savory salad that has a crunch to it because the papaya is often slightly under ripe with a tangy punch.
Caw: Caw is a chicken stew dish made with caramelized palm sugar. It's makes a hearty and delicious meal option.