With the Angkor Wat – UNESCO World Heritage Center as a national icon – the first thing to come to your mind when you think about Cambodia, this beautiful country is widely known as the Land of Temples. From rural areas to beautiful coastline and big cities, the Kingdom of Wonder is made up of so many diverse sites and attractions that it is difficult to narrow down the list to the top 5 travel destinations for your holiday deals to Cambodia in 2018:
The Angkor – the pride of all Cambodians
One of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites, the Angkor, which is home to the ancient ruins of Angkor temples dating back to the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC) scattered throughout the jungle, should be on every first-time visitor’s list. Unrivaled in term of its beauty and state of preservation, the Angkor Wat – the biggest Hindu temple in Cambodia – is considered as the ultimate expression of Khmer genius.
Plan your Cambodia tours with our travel expert
Even though any time of a day is great to visit the Angkor Wat to get to know a little about the meaning, layout, and features of its most renowned and iconic temple, the excellent architectural skills of Khmer people and imagine how it would have been a few centuries ago, sunrises and sunsets are the best time to visit. It is when you can capture the most quintessential shots of Angkor Wat with the swirling colors of the dusk and dawn.
Besides the Angkor Wat, some of the most famous ruins in the area include the Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, and the many unrestored temples located away from the main site.
Siem Reap – a modern, fun, and very traveler-friendly city
Siem Reap, the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, comes in at No. 1 this year as the small city packs a big punch in terms of things it has to offer. Once known primarily as the gateway to the legendary Angkor temple complex, this lovely city has emerged as the leader of Cambodia when it comes to its top travel destinations. Its welcoming, creative spirit, eclectic architecture, a host of other temples, as well as the cheap and yummy food and drinks – all of this, of course, makes Siem Reap of those Cambodia’s cities that no one should miss on their bucket list in 2018.
While bucket list destinations in Cambodia like the Angkor Wat or Siem Reap might be top contenders, there are a number of spots right here in the Land of Temples that are equally worth your visit in 2018.
Phnom Penh – the best beginning spot for a Cambodia tour
Known around the country for its perfect mix of history, culture and nightlife, Phnom Penh – a capital with the wild west ambiance and dusty streets – is worth getting much respect. When you need a respite from the city’s busy street life and historic monuments, retreat to the scenic Sisowath Quay Riverwalk, alongside the west bank of the Tonle Sap River, which is filled with restaurants ranging from laid back to very high end.
When it comes to the best places to go for food in Cambodia, the Charming and Sleepy capital also receives many votes. Rice-noodle soups, stir-fries, Khmer curries, chicken skewers, Kampot crab with green pepper are only some of the many dishes to try there.
Sihanoukville – King of Cambodia’s beach resorts firmly on the tourist map
Though Sihanoukville is a headland ringed by squeaky white sands, not until 2010 did it become the premier backpacker party city in Cambodia – now, one of the best destinations in Cambodia. Due to Cambodia’s relentless heat and humidity, the best deals in Cambodia cannot be complete without a trip to one of its impressive beaches. Acting as a gateway to close-by idyllic untouched islands in Southern Cambodia such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, Sihanoukville offers dreamy beaches at dreamy prices.
Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia
The famous World Heritage Center, the architectural and historic site are what draw travelers to Cambodia, but the real fun lies in its river is what makes them occupied all the time and want to come back. In addition to these Instagram-worthy landscapes, sailing down this river is also a chance to get a look at how closely Cambodian life is tied to the major waterway – they live off the lake, go fishing for their dinner, and sell what they farm.
Close to being a landlocked country, Cambodia – a beautiful country, rich in culture, customs, and religion – is the warm heart of Southeast Asia. With everything the region has to offer packed into one bite-sized chunk, the Land of Wonders provides a pleasant change of pace for travelers all over the world who are familiar with Thailand or Vietnam.
Some Cambodia itineraries you might like:
