Planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Cambodia has in its backyard one of the world’s most majestic wonders, the Angkor archaeological site, and many other interesting places to explore. Here are eight ideas that will appeal to so many types of travelers!
The temples of Angkor by bike
One cannot travel to Cambodia without seeing the remains of the capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire, which peaked between the 9th and 15th centuries. True architectural masterpieces near Siem Reap, the country’s second largest city. The temples and sculptures of Angkor are part of an archaeological park of more than 400 km2.
The famous Angkor Wat Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that welcomed more than two million tourists a year before the pandemic, is the largest religious structure in the world.
To avoid the tourist route to the top sights, embark on a bike adventure with a local guide. You’ll traverse jungles and forests on dirt tracks, discovering local culture as you travel from village to village. The number of ruins visited in one or more days depends on the chosen pace.
Since there is practically no difference in altitude, the traditional 30 km hiking trail in one day is accessible to all and allows you to see the classics: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Nei as well as Ta Prohm, which has made it famous for Movie Tomb Raider.
Khmer Cooking and Gastronomy Course
Khmer food at Golden Temple Boutique Restaurant in Siem Reap. Photo courtesy of Golden Temple
If Cambodian food isn’t the hottest thing in the big international foodie circles, that’s about to change. Khmer cuisine is indeed a surprising adventure full of subtleties: a perfect balance between fresh spices and a well-dosed touch of spice. Sometimes Cambodian national dishes are inspired by their neighbors with Thai, Lao, Chinese or Vietnamese influences and still have their own unique character. Among the most delicious is the amok, a fish served in a banana leaf with lemongrass, red pepper and coconut.
Be sure to leave the country with Kampot pepper, which is among the best in the world.
The tourist resorts all offer a selection of good restaurants and cooking classes for connoisseurs. Affordable dishes sold on the streets or in markets often become unexpected revelations! Two restaurants are among my favorites:
Stroll from beach to beach on Koh Rong Sanloem Island
Saracen Bay seen from The One Hotel’s swimming pool. Photo courtesy of Bérengère Thériault
Few people picture tropical beaches when they think of Cambodia. However, some southern islands offer exoticism and coconut palms in a relaxed and still undeveloped environment reminiscent of Thailand in the 1980s. The small 10 km long island of Koh Rong Sanloem is popular with couples and families. Since there are no roads, it takes 15 minutes to an hour to get from place to place by water taxi or on foot along short trails that cut through the dense jungle. If you dream of tranquility and a rustic bungalow, choose the southwest side and the emerald waters of Lazy Beach or Sunset Beach. In front of the quays on the other side of the island, the popular Bay of Saracens offers a wide range of restaurants and accommodation. It’s slowly recovering from months of being deserted by tourists, but the few deserted spots don’t detract from the beauty of its long stretch of white sand beach.
As all Cambodian islands lack proper sewage systems and poor mainland waste disposal, it is important to research the condition of the beaches before booking.
The floating villages of Koh Rong
Prek Svay floating village on Koh Rong island. Photo courtesy of Bérengère Thériault
Koh Rong is the neighboring island of Koh Rong Sanloem. Although sometimes known for the party atmosphere of its busy Koh Tuch town, the island is underdeveloped and calm returns as soon as you venture away from it. Koh Rong is full of small typical villages and pretty beaches, including the peaceful Long Beach with its translucent turquoise waters and the livelier Long Set Beach. Visiting the floating villages of the fishing communities of Koh Rong is an unforgettable experience. The authenticity of the communities of Prek Svay and Daem Thkov with less than 500 inhabitants gives a good insight into traditional Cambodian island life. Between the local shops passed down through the generations and the tangled fishing nets, you can spot otters while enjoying excellent local cuisine at good prices.
Phnom Penh promenade
Young monks on the promenade in the capital Phnom Penh. Photo courtesy of Bérengère Thériault
Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital of 2 million people, was once a major center of activity for both the Khmer Empire and the French Protectorate. Despite years marred by war and revolution, Phnom Penh has recently come alive again, both culturally and gastronomically. After visiting all the major sights (National Museum, Royal Palace, Russian Market, temples and monasteries), a long walk along the promenade is in order. You can walk for hours along the banks of the Tonlé Sap river at any time of the day without getting tired. On one side, the river flows into the Mekong and a passage where families, joggers and monks meet. On the other hand, a real circus, between beggars, children selling typical street food or things as bizarre as birds piled in a cage (which we want to free but which are taught to return to their cage afterwards)!
Guided tours to better understand history
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Photo courtesy of Bérengère Thériault
One of Cambodia’s greatest treasures is its people, who are hospitable, resilient, and upbeat, with an easy appreciation of the present moment. Don’t be fooled by the gruesome history endured by its inhabitants and imagine the atmosphere that reigns in this country. This does not prevent visitors from wanting to better understand the past we would like to forget; the wars and genocide of the 1970s that killed millions of men, women and children.
Under Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge committed unimaginable crimes and turned the country into a labor camp where the entire population starved to death. Some of Phnom Penh’s most difficult visits to commemorate the dead and survivors include the Choeung Ek death camp and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school that was once converted into a torture prison.
Experience a traditional massage
Traditional Khmer massage at Samatha Spa. Photo provided by Spa Samatha
Traditional Khmer massage has been practiced as a healing therapy since ancient times. It does not require any oil and is said to be extremely relaxing. You keep the loose clothing provided to you.
The deep massage and stretching technique focuses on the body’s energies through the meridians, but in a less vigorous way than Thai massage.
Try it at least once during your stay!
- Among the best addresses: the Samatha Spa in Phnom Penh samathaspa.com
Visit the APOPO center where rats are heroes
Rat clearing mines. Photo provided by Apopo, copyright photos
According to Landmine Monitor, Cambodia is one of the countries in the world with the highest concentration of anti-personnel mines. More than 1000 km2 of the surface is still contaminated. Hundreds of thousands of land mines and explosives remain in the country, posing a major humanitarian and socio-economic challenge. The country also has the highest rate of amputees per capita in the world (40,000 people), and many of the victims are children. The international non-profit organization APOPO in Siem Reap is enabling safe demining thanks to African rats with a keen sense of smell teaming up with dogs also trained to find explosives. Because of their perfect weight, the rats never set off the mines, which is why the organization has no history of killing any of these animals. They’re even treated to little onions, starting with the sunscreen that’s put on them every morning before heading outside for their very short shift. Great for the whole family, this visit will allow you to rediscover the country’s history while watching the animals train (you can even pet a rat if you’re brave enough!). You can help by simply visiting and making a donation or adopting a rat hero for less than $15 a month.
Bérengère Thériault loves travelling, writing and photography. Since her first solo journey at the age of 19 she has traveled to around 60 countries. To follow it:
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