Nestled on the side of the Gulf of Siam, Cambodia is a fascinating country. You will probably be subdued by the wealth of Angkor temples or the diversity of landscapes, but it's perhaps the Cambodian soul, which is both serious and joyful, which moves you the most. This population expiates its painful history, its bubbling youth, smiling to the world, the Theravada Buddhism shapes society and guides the meaning of life and the Mekong unabatedly continues to enhance each monsoon with the Tonle Sap Lake, the cradle of Khmer civilisation.
Upon arriving to Phnom Penh, you will discover a human-sized, dynamic and noisy capital. The heritage of the French protectorate is still evident across architecture, such as the art-deco style central market, but it's visiting the royal palace which enables you to get your feet wet. The S-21 camp and the genocide museum provide a different atmosphere altogether, giving visitors the chance to descend into the hell of the Khmer Rouge.
Moving west, discover Battambang and the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak, which helps young people to be emancipated by culture and art, get away by visiting Wat Bannan, a very well preserved temple. Stroll around the seaside resort of Sihanoukville or appreciate the authenticity of Kep and the famous pepper of Kampot.
For an end-of-the-world atmosphere, away from tourists, immerse yourself deep into Cambodia by exploring the remote and transforming regions of Môndol Kiri and of Ratanakiri discover the small town of Banlung where a sleeping Buddha temple and the prettiest waterfalls of the country in Bou Sraa await you... There are many wonders to discover!
Kampong Cham is the third largest city in Cambodia and capital of the region that shares its name. The city extends out along the banks of the Mekong River, to the north of Phnom Penh.
Along Veng, a small town 2 hours from Siem Reap, is a stop that is often forgotten by tourists. However there are lots of things to do and see, especially from the historical viewpoint.
Sitting perched on a sacred hill 250 km from Siem Reap, Preah Vihear is not an easy site to reach. However, you won't regret the effort you make to get here.
The only floating village really worth seeing near Siem Reap, offering a genuine experience of local life and providing a chance to spend a fantastic day on and around the water.
Chi Phat is a local community that has decided to adapt its village in order to make it accessible to tourists. It's the ideal destination to visit if you want to discover new things and meet lots of new people on your travels.
Banan temple is ideal for nature lovers: it's on a mountain so you can have a good walk before you visit the temple - perfect for those who love trekking.
The Angkor temples are definitely one of the unmissable historic sites in south-east Asia, and are also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Angkor is a very special moment for any travellers taking a trip to Cambodia.
Angkor Wat is the largest temple at the Angkor site. It is without a shadow of a doubt one of the places that everyone visiting Cambodia really must go and see.