sihanoukville

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s beach capital and has many different white sandy beaches. Visitors are sure to find one to suit their taste. Resort development is taking off and many new establishments are being set up on the outlying islands as well as the mainland. There is the crowded and lively Serendipity Beach, which has many fun bars and restaurants. The quieter Ochhateal Beach leads off from Serendipity and has plenty to see and do. Otres is a quiet and abandoned beach paradise a little further off, but go quickly, the land is being bought up and it won’t be long before this beach is crowded, too.

Visitors are also welcome at Independence Beach and Victory Beach, but Sokha Beach is only open to those staying at the Sokha Hotel. Sihanoukville is a laid back and spread out town. Motorbikes can take you between the beach, hotel, and restaurants, or stay on the beach and never move. You can also visit the waterfalls of Kbal Chhay outside of town or the silent delights of Ream National Park. Of course, there are temples, pagodas, and markets to visit if you get bored of the sun. The town itself offers little in the way of entertainment other than bars and restaurants. If you want a party, though, head back to Serendipity Beach after sunset – there’s plenty of fun to be had.

PHNOM PENH

Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, was once known as the Pearl of Asia. After years of conflict, the city is again building a name for itself as one of the great destinations in the region. Its main attractions include the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, as well as the nearby National Museum with its collections of art, sculpture, and more. The capital is also a place for contemplation.

Visitors are welcome at the Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum and Choeng Ek Killing Fields for a thought-provoking introduction to the Pol Pot era. The city also has a plentiful supply of pagodas and nearby sites to visit, such as Tonle Bati Lake and its ancient temples and Phnom Tamao Animal Sanctuary.

Phnom Penh is also becoming a very popular place to live. Shopping centers now abound, including the Paragon Center, Soriya Market, and various tourist-friendly street markets, such as the Central Market and the Russian Market. And there is no shortage of places to eat delicious food and have a drink, especially on the riverfront where new trendy bars and restaurants are springing up all the time. At the end of the day, you can hire a boat and drift out into the river to watch the sun set over the pagodas and stupas before going to bed.

Siem Reap

Not so long ago, the town of Siem Reap was a village set among the fields of the northwest. It is now booming, owing no small part to the temples of Angkor. These merit at least a full day’s trip and often longer. A day-trip will take you to the famous temples, such as majestic Angkor Wat, jungle-covered Ta Prohm, and the city of Angkor Thom. Spending more time means seeing more.

There are a large number of temples in varying states of repair both close by and remote. Siem Reap also has other attractions, such as shopping in the Old Market, visiting the sculpture workshops and silk farms of Artisans d’Angkor, the Cambodian Cultural Village, and the numerous museums, such as the Land Mine Museum and the new Angkor National Museum. You can even take a balloon ride or a helicopter trip over Angkor!

Siem Reap is also a good place to make your base for sites further away, such as the ancient forest-surrounded temples of Boeung Melea or the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap caters to international tourists and you can play golf, swim, get a massage, or even go horseback riding. When night falls, there are hoards of places to eat and drink, from Cambodian barbecue and soup to cuisines from many different countries. There is even a street in the center of town, which is now informally known as Pub Street because of its many bars and restaurants. Take your pick and be assured that you are bound to have a great meal, a great drink, and a great end to the day.

If you want to explore Cambodia further, there is the wild East of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces where you can experience jungles, elephants, and hill tribes. Or try the peaceful town of Kratie, which has the endangered Mekong dolphins. Preah Vihear is still an out-of-the-way destination, which has a mountaintop temple and acres of forest, as is beautiful hilly Koh Kong on the western border by the sea. Kampot and Kep also offer coastal delights with fewer people, as well as Bokor National Park, which is currently closed for renovation.