Cambodia

Cambodia: Kingdom of Ancient Wonders

Angkor Wat, the Killing Fields, the Mekong River, and a people rebuilding from a tragic history with extraordinary resilience and spirit.

Cambodia sits in the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand to the north and west, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. It is a country of flat plains, the Mekong River, Tonle Sap Lake (the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia), and tropical forests.

Cambodia has lived through one of the most traumatic histories of the 20th century. The Khmer Rouge, under Pol Pot, seized power in 1975 and over the following four years killed an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people, roughly 25 percent of the country’s population.

The scars of that period are still visible: in the age demographics of the population, in the Killing Fields memorials, in the stories of every older Cambodian you meet. Understanding this history is an important part of traveling in Cambodia seriously.

The country has been recovering and growing for three decades. Phnom Penh is a proper capital city. Siem Reap has developed into a significant tourism hub. And Angkor, the temple complex of the ancient Khmer Empire, remains one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.

Why Visit Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the primary reason most people come, and it delivers on every expectation. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, a temple complex dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later converted to Buddhism.

The central tower, the reflecting pools at dawn, the bas-relief galleries depicting Hindu mythology and the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, the faces of the Bayon temple staring from every direction — these are images that stay with you permanently.

Angkor is not just one temple. The Angkor Archaeological Park covers 400 square kilometers and contains hundreds of temples, sanctuaries, and hydraulic engineering works that supported a city of up to a million people at the height of the Khmer Empire.

Ta Prohm, where enormous strangler fig and silk-cotton trees grow through the temple walls, is photographically extraordinary. Preah Khan, Banteay Srei with its pink sandstone and intricate carvings, and the ancient capital of Angkor Thom each deserve attention.

Phnom Penh is a city worth more than a quick overnight. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are beautiful. The National Museum has the finest collection of Khmer sculpture in the world.

And the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former Khmer Rouge detention center, and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields are essential and deeply affecting visits for anyone who wants to understand what happened here.

Top Places to Visit Cambodia

1. Siem Reap

The main base for Angkor visits, Siem Reap has transformed from a small town into a proper tourism city with good restaurants, excellent guesthouses and hotels, and a night market. Most visitors spend three to five days here to do Angkor justice.

2. Phnom Penh

The capital has a riverfront promenade, a thriving local food scene, excellent coffee culture, and the historical sites mentioned above. The Central Market, a beautiful Art Deco building from the French colonial period, is worth a visit.

3. The Coast

Sihanoukville, the main coastal city, has been heavily developed by Chinese investment in recent years, changing its character significantly. The nearby islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem retain beautiful beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Cambodian Food and Culture

Cambodian food is distinct from Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, with milder spice profiles and greater reliance on fresh fish from the Tonle Sap. Fish amok, a steamed fish curry in coconut milk served in a banana leaf, is the national dish. Num banh chok, thin rice noodles in a fresh fish broth, is the traditional breakfast.

Travel Tips for Cambodia

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa online. The US dollar is used alongside the Cambodian riel. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Khmer is the official language. The best time to visit is November to March, the dry season. Malaria prevention is recommended for rural areas but not Angkor or Phnom Penh.