Cambodia is a small country, but it offers everything. There are two main reasons why you should visit Cambodia: 1) it offers an incredible amount of history and culture; 2) its nature is amazing: it ranges from the gorgeous National Parks to the relaxing islands.
If you’re planning to visit Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a must-visit country. Here you can find reasons why.
Home of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia offers a unique experience to every tourist. Two different experiences wait for you: the magnificent past of the Khmer Empire in Siem Reap and the recent past of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh.
You can experience the distant past of the Khmer Empire…
Visited by two million tourists every year, UNESCO’s World Heritage Site since 1992, Angkor Wat, is the largest religious monument in the world and the symbol of Cambodia.
Located in Siem Reap, it was built by the Khmer King Suryavarnam II during the 12th century. Initially dedicated to Vishnu, the god who preserves the world from evil entities, the temples gradually became a Buddhist temple. The modern name, Angkor Wat, means “Temple City”.
With their carvings, their statues and their amazing towers, the temples are a beautiful testimony of the grandeur of the Khmer architecture.
The site of the Angkor Temples it’s huge. There are a lot of different temples, each one unique and beautiful. It requires a few days to visit all of them (you can buy tickets for 1, 3 or 7 days). Here are some of the most interesting ones:
Hiring a guide is a chance to learn more about the temples and the history behind them: a lot of them have beautiful carvings, depicting legends from Hindu mythology and complex symbolism that can be easily overlooked.
Visiting Angkor Wat is an experience that you will never forget.
…and learn about the recent history of the country
Travelling offers you a unique experience: You can get out of your comfort zone, confront yourself with the history of distant countries and learn something new. Sometimes, the lesson can be painful.
In Phenom Penh, you can visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge. After winning the Cambodian Civil War, the Khmer Rouge imprisoned, tortured and killed about 17,000 people in the span of five years (1974-1979).
The museum serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. A visit of the museum is a touching experience, and even though it can be sad, it’s a unique opportunity to pay your respects to the victims of the genocide and honor their memory.
Away from the big cities, nature reigns in Cambodia.
You can relax or party on an island…
The South of Cambodia offers a bunch of different islands, each one of them unique in their own way.
…or enjoy the National Parks’ wildlife
Cambodia offers also some beautiful national parks, where nature is totally untouched. Enjoying the luxurious flora and fauna is something that you cannot miss and, most importantly, you’ll never forget.
Travelling in Cambodia is easy and inexpensive. Here are a few useful tips to avoid any sort of problems:
Asia Highlights welcomes the chance to help you design your perfect trip to Cambodia. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in selecting destinations, accommodation and activities that best suit your requirements.
Check out the following links to learn more about our tours and get a head start today on planning your hassle-free vacation!
12-Day Cambodia and Vietnam Highlights
14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Tour