Cambodia
Top Tips
Angkor
Where your jaw will drop and your eyes will bulge (don’t come
for just one day). See Angkor Wat, the principal temple of
this ancient capital, which is surrounded by a 5km moat; Ta
Prohm, where the roots of giant banyan trees hold temple ruins
in their mighty grip as they soar towards heaven; Bayon, the
state temple of Angkor Thom, where 216 giant faces have been
chiselled into the stone; Banteay Srie for its wonderful pink
sandstone temples and their exquisite stone carving.
Cruise the Tonle Sap
10 miles south of Siem Reap. Pass floating villages with churches
and schools, take a swim (but watch out for crocodiles). This is
Asia’s largest freshwater lake. It floods with monsoon rains,
teems with tasty fish and runs all the way down to Phnom
Penh.
Siem Reap
Check out the market, bars and restaurants of the old town in
Siem Reap, the epicentre of tourist life. It’s busy
every evening.
Mekong at Kratie
See where endangered Irrawaddy dolphins still survive.
Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace
For its tumbling golden roofs and well-kept gardens. It dates to
1866 and highlights include the Throne Room, the Silver Pagoda and
a 17th-century emerald Buddha. Visitors must dress
conservatively.
Shopping
Shop until you drop at the Russian Market in the capital.
Not a place to pick up an AK-47, but just about everything else.
Hardcore shoppers will love it.
Khmer Rouge
Learn about the Khmer Rouge at S-21, also known as Tuol
Sleng, the bloody prison where the regime tortured many of its
inmates. Those who survived were sent to their deaths in the
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, 14km southwest of town. Neither are
happy places, both are important ones.
Beach
Head south to the white sands of Sihanoukville where you can
drink ice-cold beer in beachside bars and dig into fish
that’s come straight from the sea. There are islands to
snorkel around, so bring your bathers. Or head west to the languid
beach town of Kep, once Cambodia's premier beach town, and
the white sands of nearby Rabbit Island.
The Tatai River
Set inland, the Tatai River is one of the largest freshwater pools
in the world. Escape to an eco retreat and spend your days kayaking
through the mangroves to watch wildlife. Or go back to dry land to
hike through the Cardamom Mountains in search of leopard and rhino.