The Kingdom of Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia. The country has a mild climate, which depends on the monsoons, with an average annual temperature of 25 ° C. The rainy season lasts from September to mid-October. A trip to Cambodia will be interesting for lovers of picturesque nature, exotic beaches and ancient temples.
The local population is mainly Khmer. They are friendly people who gladly welcome tourists. Due to the civil wars, Cambodia has recently become a tourist country, so the locals have a positive attitude towards foreigners. The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. Here tourists can visit many historical sites: Wat Phnom Monastery, Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as well as museums.
Beach lovers should go to Sihanoukville. Here you can find a beach for all tastes, from rugged beaches with cafes and souvenirs to quiet deserted wild sands. Fans of outdoor activities will not get bored in Cambodia. The resort offers extreme sports on air, land and water. You will be able to paraglide, dive into the depths of the sea with scuba diving and feel the speed on the moto trails. Local cuisine combines both familiar and exotic products. The main foods are fish, meat, rice and vegetables. There are many soups on the menu. Exotic foods include frogs, snakes and spiders.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see in Cambodia?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Angkor Wat
This temple complex, built in the 12th century, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architecture embodies the Khmer Empire, and Angkor Wat is also the national pride of the Khmer people. The temple was built in honor of the god Vishnu. This place is interesting because the complex is surrounded on all sides by a moat filled with water and you can get into the temple only from two sides. The area of the temple is 2.5 km². This is the largest temple in the world, so tourists should visit this place.
Ta Prom
One of the temples included in the Angkor complex. Here the majestic buildings and the forces of nature that envelop this place are intertwined. The towers and terraces of Ta Prohma pierced the vines and changed the original appearance of the temple. The temple was built in 1186 in honor of the mother of Emperor Jayavarman VII, on its territory there were 39 towers, 260 statues of Hindu gods, as well as dwellings for servants. For tourists, this place is interesting because it was here that scenes from the movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" were filmed.
Angkor Thom
It was built at the end of the XII - the beginning of the XIII century and not all buildings have survived to this day. The main attraction is Bayonne, which is a temple mountain with faces carved on it. Also in the city you can admire the Royal Palace, the Terrace of the Elephants with various figures carved into the walls, the Bapuon temple and many other temples.
Phnom Penh city
The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh, which has now become the largest metropolis. It is here that chic five-star hotels and large shopping centers are located. In the central market, you can buy gifts and souvenirs, shoes and quality silk products, as well as almost everything that is produced in Cambodia. Attractions in Phnom Penh include Wat Phnom Monastery, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda.
Preah Vihea
This temple complex is located on the border with Thailand, and for a long time it was the subject of disputes between the two countries until it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. The temple began to be built in 893 in honor of the god Shiva. On the territory there is a 78-meter staircase leading to the beginning of the main complex, and the entire temple is located on four tiers as the hill rises. Majestic palaces and stone statues can be seen on the territory of the temple.
Silver Pagoda
The name of this place is due to the fact that the floors there are lined with solid silver ingots. It was built in 1892 under King Norodoma. In the center of the pagoda is the emerald Buddha, in front of which are many other Buddhas. Attention is drawn to the 90-kilogram Buddha, adorned with glittering crystals, which was cast in 1907 by order of Norodoma. The atmosphere of wealth and grandeur reigns in this place.
Temple of Wat Phnom
The temple is located in Phnom Penh and is a sacred place for local residents, many come here to pray, you can also meet "fortunetellers" there. The name translates as "Temple-Mountain", it is located on a hill 27 meters high. A special feature of this place is the presence of animals: a tourist can feed monkeys, which amuse guests everywhere, as well as watch exotic birds and even ride an elephant.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
This terrifying place tells the story of a sad page in Cambodia's history. From 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge regime operated, the goal of which was the equalization of all citizens. The museum, which is located in the S-21 prison, where the Khmers were executed, contains photographs of those painful tortures. During the regime, about 17 thousand Cambodians who did not belong to the workers 'and peasants' class were killed.
Killing Fields (Choeng Ek)
This place clearly contrasts with all the beauties of Cambodia and a visit to it evokes completely different emotions among tourists. The Killing Fields are the burial place of the victims of the genocide regime and together with the Tuol Sleng Museum, they form a single complex. There are mass graves in the fields, and you can still find bones and skulls of innocent victims there. The memorial stupa, consisting of 8 thousand skulls, amazes tourists.
Royal Palace of Cambodia
In Phnom Penh, the palace is easily spotted by a tourist as it is the only tall building in the historic district. It was built in 1866 for the royal family, which is still located in the palace, so not all rooms are accessible to tourists, but this mystery attracts many people to this place. Nevertheless, there is something to admire here: historical frescoes, the Throne Room, where the 59-meter tower is located, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Treasury and many more luxurious royal treasures.
National Museum of Cambodia
The founder of the museum is the historian Georges Groslier, who has collected unique collections of materials from the pre-Angkorian times to the 15th century. The museum houses the most ancient sculptures of the 5-8 centuries; the statue of the eight-armed Vishnu of the 6th century and the statue of Shiva of the 9-11th centuries are still preserved. It is worth paying attention to the collection of ceramics and bronze items presented in chronological order from the 4th to the 14th century. The highlight of this museum is a 19th century casket in the form of a bird with a human head for storing betel leaves. After seeing the beauty, the tourist can relax in the inner garden of the museum.
Angkor National Museum
Opened in 2007, this new museum presents the history of the Khmer empire in an interesting way. The use of the latest museum technologies will surprise both adults and young visitors. The museum building is divided into 8 galleries, each of which shows a specific period in the life of the Khmers. You can get into the history by looking at the exhibits, as well as by watching a film that is shown at the very beginning of the visit. Surprisingly, some things will even be allowed to be touched, which is unusual for all museums.
Friendship Monument of Cambodia and Vietnam
This monument is located in Hong Se Park, next to the Mekong River.It was built in 1979 by order of the Vietnamese communists and symbolizes the moment of liberation of Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge and the establishment of friendly relations between Cambodia and Vietnam. Near the monument, you can comfortably relax and admire the fountains.
Independence Monument
This monument symbolizes the most important fact in the history of Cambodia - the liberation of the country from French colonization. The author of the monument is the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, who was inspired by the image of the Main Tower of Angkor. The Independence Monument was opened in Phnom Penh in 1962, later an exact copy was recreated in Siem Reap. The height of the tower is 20 meters. On holidays it is decorated with colored ribbons symbolizing the Cambodian flag.
Sisovat embankment
The most pleasant place for walking in the resorts is the embankments. The Sisowat Promenade of the Tonle Sap River offers fresh air and a variety of bars and restaurants housed in historic buildings from the 19th century. Tourists will be especially lucky if they come here during the New Year in April or the Water Festival in November, because this is where the main celebrations in the city take place. This wonderful place is located a kilometer from Wat Phnom.
Kirirom National Park
The park is located in Kampong Speu, 112 km from Phnom Penh. This is the first state national park in the country, with an area of more than 350 thousand hectares. In these vast hilly terrain, coniferous forests are located, where relict pines and the remains of ancient vegetation grow. The variety of flora and fauna amazes visitors to this place, they can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and boat trips along the rivers.
Tonle Sap Lake
Tonle Sap is both a lake and a river at the same time. At a certain point, the river becomes so wide that the water standing in it forms a lake. It is Cambodia's main natural attraction and the largest lake in the country. It is here that you have the opportunity to observe the life of local residents, whose houseboats are located right on the water. Twice a year the river changes direction and if you get to the river during this period, you can successfully fish, as the fish will be on the surface.
Sihanoukville
Beach lovers should go to Sihanoukville - the most popular resort in Cambodia. It is here on the shores that various hotels are located, including five-star ones. The resort continues to develop today, there are various bars and restaurants with almost any cuisine in the world, you can also find Russian cuisine. There is also Koh Poah beach, owned by Russian investors. Lovers of wild beaches should go to the nearby uninhabited islands.
Kbal Chkhay waterfalls
This waterfall is located in Sihanoukville. Its height is 25 meters, but the strength of the waterfall depends on the season: from August to October, the waterfall turns into a powerful stream that energizes. Local residents also come here to relax. The Khmers consider this place sacred, so you can find sanctuaries with statues of gods on the waterfall.
Phnom Kulen waterfall
Phnom Kulen National Park is famous for its tropical landscapes and picturesque waterfalls. Usually everyone is shown two waterfalls, but the locals claim that there are actually three of them: the first is very small, only three meters high, the second 18 meters can be reached along a mountain path leading down, and the third 70-80 meters is hidden in the impenetrable jungle ...
