The Most Beautiful Places in Cambodia

Cambodia has a lot to offer. Its gorgeous natural environment and rich cultural heritage make it a must for anyone travelling in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia's diverse terrain offers everything: from beautiful islands in the south to wild nature in the north; from the magnificent architecture of the temples in Angkor Wat to traditional cities like Battambang.

Exploring Cambodia is a unique experience, one that might change forever the way you travel and approach remote cultures.

Siem Reap

Built around a river, Siem Reap is in the northwest of the country. Its main attraction is of course Angkor Wat. Once the biggest pre-industrial city in the world, Angkor Wat still dazzles because of the magnificent Khmer architecture of its temples.

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Planning our trip We have spend that last eight months planning a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Alisa Lia was creative & patient helping us customize our tour to include the sites and adventures we were excited to see. Hard waiting for the trip to start. More Jamie Danner, Oct 2023

My experience in Thai All of this was well organized by the local office. The holiday was wonderful. Our guide, Mr. Longdy（ Siem Reap）were exceptional. He shared his extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. Thank you so much .shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. More kelli, Jul 2023

Seamless Planning From the day I submitted an inquiry request, I instantly received a response from Monica asking my preferences for my trip. She has been attentive and responsive to our every needs and we very much appreciate it. Looking forward to our trip in November but many thanks to Monica for making this experience to seamless thus far. More Sana Samhouri, Jul 2023

Mangrove Forest

Cambodia is home to one of the most extensive mangrove forests in Southeast Asia.

The forest is near Koh Kong city, in the southwest of the country (500km from Siem Reap and 270km from Phnom Penh). It is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as birds, dolphins, and killer-whales. It is a unique opportunity to observe the fascinating natural environment that responsible ecotourism tries to preserve.

You can hike along a 25-km path that cuts through the forest, surrounded by mangrove trees all along the way. Or take a boat through the gorgeous forest and reach the lagoon, where you can visit a fishing village and buy fresh fish, swim, snorkel, and cook the fish you just bought.

The mangrove forest is part of Pream Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary: locals fight every day against the destruction of the forest and the extinction of the indigenous wildlife.

Phnom Penh

The capital of Cambodia has as its main attraction the Royal Palace. The palace, built in the 19th century, is a complex of buildings that serve as the home to the King of Cambodia. It is located where the Mekong River and Tonle Sap River meet.

The palace is an example of Khmer mixed with French architecture. It has four compounds:

• The Throne Hall: where coronations and royal weddings are convened. It has beautiful frescos of the Reamker and a statue of His Majesty Sisowath Monivong holding a sword.
• Moonlight Pavilion: an open-air pavilion where classical Khmer dances are performed. From this pavilion, the king often observes parades held around the city.
• Silver Pagoda: the main building of the pagoda hosts many different national treasures, the most impressive being the Buddha statue covered with over 9,000 diamonds.
• Khemarin Palace: this is the official residence of the king. It is behind a small wall and the main building is topped with a prang (a tall, richly-carved, tower-like spire).

To visit the Royal Palace is to understand and experience the grandeur of royal power in Cambodia. The Khmer architecture of the palace, evolved from that seen in Angkor Wat, is breathtaking.

14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Tour

Cruise on the Mekong River

You can explore Cambodia from the water: taking a cruise on the Mekong River, the 12th longest river in the world and the 2nd for biodiversity (after the Amazon), is a good option.

The cruise goes through the rich rainforests of the country and lasts around 8-10 days.

A typical itinerary starts from Ho Chi Minh City and goes up towards Siem Reap, passing through Phnom Penh and many different places like Vinh Long, Chau Doc and Kampong Chhnang.

This is maybe the best way to experience the Cambodian countryside with its Buddhist temples and charming villages, while also stopping in the major cities; all the while travelling on a boat with a luxurious room, excellent food and welcoming workers who supply you with everything you need.

There are plenty of options. Tell us your interests and we will find the cruise that best suits your needs.

Northern Cambodia: Battambang…

If you are spending more than a week in Cambodia, you might want to visit Battambang, near the border with Thailand. It is a good place to start, before heading to Siem Reap.

The impact of French colonial administration on the city has been huge, and its legacy can be seen in the many colonial buildings around the city and the remaining influence on local cuisine.

Among its most important attractions are:

• The Killing Caves of Phnom Sampeau: only 11km from the city, you can find witness to the Khmer Rouge atrocities. Here, during the 1970s, many victims were tossed into holes, that were skylights of the cave. To commemorate the victims, a memorial glass and a golden reclining Buddha are placed near the skulls
• Wat Banan: this site is 27km from the city. Five prasats (a Khmer term for "castle"), built in the 11th century, are located on top of a hill you can reach via a long staircase carved directly into the stone. The view from the top is breathtaking. The spot is not very touristy, and you might be the only person there.
• Countryside: the rural scenery around the city is truly beautiful, with hills, forests and rice fields. You can easily explore it with a tuk tuk or a bicycle.

8-Day from South Vietnam to North Cambodia Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, and Seam Reap Tour

…and Southern Cambodia: Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand is a small city renowned for its beaches. We recommend heading to the amazing Ream National Park, just 10km from the city.

The park is a combination of rivers, forests, coral reefs, and beaches. It is vibrant with wildlife, including many animals, from pelicans to dolphins, to mouse-deer, dugongs, and more.

You can take a trekking tour with a private guide, that includes transportation, food, and an optional boat tour.

Some parts of the park are still untouched by tourism: a refreshing experience you cannot miss.

Visit Cambodia with Asia Highlights

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