Cambodia travel guide

1. Cambodia travel guide
Cambodia is located at the border of Thailand,
Vietnam and Laos. Formerly known as
Kampuchea, its name is derived from the Sanskrit
name Kambujadesa. Once the heart of the mighty
Khmer empire, Cambodia is almost synonymous
with Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in
the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cambodia is gifted with waterfalls, national parks,
volcanic craters, secluded islands, beaches and
rare freshwater dolphins.
When to go?
Cambodia has two distinct seasons, the rainy season (June-Oct) and dry season (Nov-Mar). The
tropical climate means the temperature is hot and humid with an average of 27°C. The best time
for travelling to Cambodia is during the cool and dry season from November to February when
temperatures average 23°C.
Getting there
By air
There are four commercial airports in Cambodia, the most popular being Phnom Penh and Siem
Reap. Regional airlines fly from cities like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Taipei and Hong Kong.
By land
Cambodia shares border crossings with Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The most popular land
route for travelling to Cambodia is from Bangkok to Angkor Wat. The entire journey takes about
10 hours and involves trains, buses and tuk tuks.
By boat
There are daily fast boats from Thailand’s Krong Koh Kong to Cambodia’s coastal town of
Sihanoukville. The journey across the Gulf of Thailand takes about 4 hours.
Getting around
By air
Travelling in Cambodia by air is possible, as airlines like Angkor Airways, Siem Reap Airways and
PMT Air all serve domestic routes between the towns of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Ban Lung and
Sihanoukville.
By bus
Long distance buses are available from Phnom Penh to towns like Siem Reap, Battambang,
Poipèt, Kratie, and Preah Vihear. Most are air-conditioned and comfortable.
By boat
Boats are a popular means of transport for travelling in Cambodia, especially along the Tonlé
Sap, Bassac and Mekong river. The most popular boat route is the 6-hour journey from Phnom
Penh to Siem Reap on the Tonlé Sap.
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2. By cyclo and moto
Cyclos are pedicabs which are a cheap and leisurely way of travelling in Cambodia’s cities.
Remorque-kangs are similar, but with trailers attached to the back of bicycles. Speedier
alternatives are the motos, or motorcycle taxis, which are a quick way of making short hops
around town. Remorque-motos are Cambodia’s tuk tuks and are the equivalent of local buses.
By motorbike and car
Renting a car or motorcycle is a good way of exploring the countryside and travelling in
Cambodia. Drivers can also be hired along with the vehicle and prices range from about US$30 a
day.
Sightseeing
Angkor Wat
A visit to Angkor Wat, dubbed ‘the mother of all temples’, features on every visitor’s list of things
to do in Cambodia. Cambodia’s top tourist site is located in the northern town of Siem Reap. The
UNESCO World Heritage Site has magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th
century which can take up to a week to fully explore. Don’t miss the Churning of the Ocean Milk
sculptures in the east gallery and the gargantuan Bayon-face sculptures in Angkor Thom.
Preah Vihear Temple Complex
The temple complex of Preah Vihear is another outstanding piece of Cambodia’s temple
architecture. Situated atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains near the border with Thailand, the 9th
century Khmer temple bears exquisite carvings and stone ornaments. Start from the north and
make your way south past the four gopuras (sanctuaries) and finish at the Preah Vihear
Overlook, which is right at the edge of the cliff and has outstanding views of the northern
Cambodian plains and surrounding mountains.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace along Sothearos Boulevard in Phnom Penh is a must-see as it is a great
example of classic Khmer architecture. Featuring towering spires, ornate gildings and manicured
gardens, it is the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. Within the compound is the Silver
Pagoda, famed for its silver-tiled floors and collection of Buddha statues adorned in crystal, gold
and diamonds.
National Museum
The National Museum in Phnom Penh is the country’s largest museum, housing over 14,000
items of national and historical importance. Opened in 1920, its collection includes bronze, stone,
wood and ceramic sculptures, as well as treasures from the pre-Angkor kingdoms of Funan and
Chenla. One highlight is the kinnari box, a lacquered wooden box carved in the shape of a duck
with a human head used by elder Khmer women to store betel nut and leaves.
Tuol Sleng Museum
In stark contrast, the Tuol Sleng Museum in Phnom Penh is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
The genocide museum located on the site of Security Prison 21 catalogues the crimes of Pol
Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime, which left 1.7 million Cambodians dead from 1975 to 1979. The
museum is lined with portraits of victims and features cabinets filled with human skulls and torture
cells used to execute victims. A visit is crucial in order to understand the nation’s tragic past and
how it affects Cambodian society today.
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3. Killing Fields
14km southwest of Phnom Penh is the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a memorial to the country’s
tragic past where 17,000 people executed by the Khmer Rouge are buried. Guided tours are
available to the white stupa which holds almost 9000 skulls and bones of victims, and the trip
considered one of the most important things to do in Cambodia in order to understand the
country’s deep history.
Where to eat
Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is home to delicious food, and many good restaurants can be found along the
riverfront which serve Khmer, Asian or French-inspired flavours. Delightful local dishes can be
found at Sa Em Restaurant, Khmer Borane Restaurant and Frizz Restaurant. Or else, head to
Chiang Mai Riverside for Thai, Pop Café for Italian, Pacharan Bodega for Spanish, or dine at
Riverside Bistro, a colonial-style building with riverside dining al fresco.
Psar Chaa, Siem Reap
In Siem Reap, the eating area is largely clustered around the Psar Chaa, which is the Old Market,
with many options for street food round alleyways. Bar Street and The Alley is home to popular
eateries like Soup Dragon, Blue Pumpkin, Red Piano and Khmer Kitchen Restaurant which serve
classic Khmer, Asian and international cuisine.
Shopping
Sorya Shopping Centre
The eight-storey Sorya Shopping Centre in Monireth Boulevard is an extremely popular shopping
destination. Hundreds of retail shops sell everything from clothes and accessories to homeware
and electronics. The mall also has food courts, restaurants, cinemas and entertainment centres.
Psar Thmei (Central Market)
Located near the riverfront is the dome-shaped Psar Thmei, known also as the Central Market,
which sells everything from flowers and food to video games and jewellery. Originally known as
the Grand Market during the French colonial days, the market certainly deserves an entire
afternoon’s attention with its huge array of clothes, knick knacks and souvenirs.
Psar Tuol Tom Pong (Russian Market)
Psar Tuol Tom Pong, or the Russian Market, has a huge variety of clothing, Cambodian silk,
handicrafts, designer rejects and replica jewellery. Not to be confused with the Orussei Market,
the Psar Tuol Tom Pong got its name from being a favourite among Russian expatriates.
Haggling is a must at these markets, but do remember that a smile and some basic Khmer goes
a long way.
Night markets
Psar Reatrey, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh’s Psar Reatrey is a weekend night market located by the riverfront off Preah
Sisovath Boulevard. Over 150 stalls offer a wide and varied selection of Cambodian handicrafts,
silks, art, curios, souvenirs, clothes, ornaments and furniture catering to tourists and expatriates.
The market is open from 5pm to 10pm.
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4. Angkor Night Market
In Siem Reap, head to Angkor Night Market located off Sivatha Boulevard. Conveniently situated
opposite the Old Market, it is a good place to buy handmade souvenirs and support the local
communities in nearby villages. Directly opposite is the Noon Night Market, named so because it is
open daily from 12pm to 12am. Over a hundred stalls sell ornaments, gifts and souvenirs like
clothes, jewellery, CDs, books and artwork.
Nightlife
Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has a vibrant nightlife mostly clustered around the riverfront of Sisowath Quay.
Located on Street 104 are hostess bars like Barbados, OneZeroFour Bar and Zanzibar, while
Monsoon Wine Bar has an intimate and cosy atmosphere. By Golden Sorya Mall along Pasteur
(Street 148) is the popular Heart of Darkness nightclub. Allen Bar, DV8 Bar, Pit Stop and Howie’s
are all dotted along the same road.
The Alley, Siem Reap
The Alley behind Psar Chaa is the main Cambodia nightlife area in Siem Reap, with popular
drinking spots like Angkor What?, Warehouse, Molly Malone’s and Linga Bar. Temple Club and
Laundry Bar have dance floors and DJs spinning tunes throughout the night. Elsewhere, the
Angkor Night Market houses the Island Bar and Brick House Bar in open-air garden settings.
Festivals
Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb)
Chinese New Year is celebrated with much fanfare and enthusiasm on the streets of Phnom
Penh by the large Chinese and Vietnamese communities. The 15-day lunar festival in Cambodia
sees dragon dances, lanterns, firecrackers and fireworks displays throughout the streets.
Chaul Chnam (April)
Ethnic Khmers celebrate Chaul Chnam, a three-day festival that marks the end of the harvest and
the new year according to the Khmer lunar calendar. Homes will be decorated, shrines filled with
food offerings to God and Khmers will worship in wats to cleanse their sins and throw water and
talc on each other.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May)
Celebrate the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, a ritual agricultural festival which takes place in a field in
the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. The Cambodia festival celebrates the start of the rainy
season, when farmers get ready to plough the land to cultivate rice. The highlight of the festival is
when the cows are seen to predict the success of the upcoming harvest by choosing which crop to
eat from a variety they are given.
Visakha Puja (May/June)
Visakha Puja celebrates three important incidents in Buddha’s life - his birth, enlightenment and
death, or passing to nirvana. Celebrated on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, the best place
to see this is in Angkor Wat, where an evening procession of candlelit monks line the temple
complex.
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5. Bon Om Tuk (Oct/Nov)
One of the most important festivals in Cambodia is Bon Om Tuk, a water festival that celebrates
the epic victory of Jayavarnam VII over the Chams in 1177. During this time, hundreds of
thousands of Cambodians flock to the riverfront in Phnom Penh to watch the three-day boat
racing competition on Tonlé Sap. In the evening, there are fireworks and a flotilla of boats sailing
under the full moon.
Angkor Festival (Dec)
The Angkor Festival is a time when dance and music troupes from all over Asia perform epic
stories from myths and legends from the Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit epic. The showcase of
performing arts with Angkor Wat as a backdrop makes for a beautiful and mesmerising setting for
dance, music and rhythmic interpretations.
History
Cambodia’s history dates back to the first century AD when it was ruled by the ancient kingdom of
Funan. By the 9th century, a series of small kingdoms formed the mighty Khmer empire, which
flourished in the province of Siem Reap. By the 15th century, the Khmer civilisation began to
decline due to internal strife and an attack by the Chams. Cambodia’s young king Norodum
Sihanouk called for independence in 1953 and the 1960’s became a period of economic growth
for the country until the king was overthrown by the military. The Khmer Rouge communist party
under Pol Pot took over from 1975 to 1979, but the brutal regime shocked the world with a
genocide that left 1.7 million Cambodians dead from torture, starvation and disease. Wars with
Vietnam ensued until 1998 when the Khmer Rouge finally came to an end. Today, Cambodia is a
constitutional monarchy ruled by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) under President Hun Sen.
Culture
Ethnic Khmers make up 95% of the Cambodian population, alongside the Chinese, Vietnamese
and Thais. The country has a diverse minority group living in the countryside, like the Kreung in
Ratnakiri and Pnong in Mondulkiri. The official language is Khmer, although English is becoming
commercially important followed by French, which many older Cambodians still speak.
Cambodian culture is largely defined by the family, with a strong emphasis on communal living
and respecting the extended family. Religion and food also play a strong role, with rice being a
staple in every meal.
Useful info
Time zone GMT +7
Population 15 million
Capital Phnom Penh
Language Khmer
Currency riel (r), US dollars (USD)
Dialling code +855
Weather 20-38°C all year round
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