10 most famous tourist destinations in Cambodia

1-Complex of Angkor temples

The complex was built by King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century. The area spans more than 400 square kilometers, surrounded by a deep and wide moat. Initially, Angkor was built for Hinduism but later when Buddhism introduced and flourished, Angkor Wat turned to Buddhist worship.

The temple complex has more than 1000 temples with different shapes and sizes. The three most famous temples are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon temple with numerous decorative reliefs.

Angkor is deeply influenced by ancient Khmer architecture and art. The towers, temples, reliefs and corridors are all made of boulders, stacked on top of each other. Stone decorations such as Buddha, warrior, dancer, and illustrations of the epic Ramayana and Mahabharata are all very vivid.

The architecture of the complex is modeled after the Mount Meru of India. The tallest tower up to 65m high represents Mount Meru, the five surrounding towers correspond to the five peaks. The whole is built of sandstone and honeycomb stacked on top of each other without a binder at all. The Angkor complex is always the top destination of every visitor in Cambodia.

2-Phnom Penh capital city

Phnom Penh (also known as Nam Vang) is the largest and most populous city in Cambodia. This was known as the “Pearl of Asia” in the 1920s. Coming to Cambodia, you must definitely visit Phnom Penh to visit attractive places and enjoy typical cuisine.

Some prominent places in Phnom Penh must be mentioned such as: Cambodia National Museum, Vimean Ekareach Independence Monument, Choeung Ek Killing Field, Ounalom Pagoda, Wat Langka Pagoda…

Coming to Phnom Penh, you can’t miss the delicious dishes: Num Pang bread, Nam Banh Chok noodles, Num Plae Ai rice cakes, Bai Sach Chrouk grilled pork, Mi Char fried noodles, Num Sang Khya l’ pumpkin. peou…

3-Tonle Sap Lake

Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, a system of lakes and rivers that plays an important role in Cambodia. With special terrain and hydrological system that changes current twice a year, Tonle Sap lake has the most diverse and rich ecosystem.

Alluvium from the downstream replenishes the lake bed, so Tonle Sap has a significant production of shrimp, fish, and aquatic products in the world. Aquaculture in the lake can feed up to 3 million people and provide 75% of freshwater fish production and 60% of protein for Cambodia.

Tonle Sap has a circumference spanning 5 provinces of Cambodia, where this is also an area where a large number of people of Vietnamese origin work as a fisherman. They live on floating wooden houses, live in villages around forests, or near rivers that empty into the sea.

In the past century, there were many fish in the sea and lake, even just by putting your hand in the water you can catch it. Fishermen only cast a few nets and their boats were full. Therefore, many Vietnamese emigrated here to work and live and have lived here for many generations. However, recently, the fish and shrimp in the lake have started to dry up, making the livelihood more difficult.

4-Koh Rong Island

Koh Rong Island is the second largest in Cambodia with an area of more than 78 square kilometers, a coastline of 43 km and more than 23 beaches. The island is known to many tourists for its pristine beauty because of its fine white sand beaches, clear and blue sea water, and warm tropical monsoon climate. Koh Rong is a familiar name when it comes to Cambodia tourism.

Coming to Koh Rong, visitors can participate in the experience of sunbathing on the beach, boating to visit the island, watching glowing fish, diving to see corals, scuba diving, kayaking, zipline playing through the forest…

5-Bokor . Plateau

Located 10 km from Xa Xia border gate (Ha Tien city), Bokor plateau is a mountain range in Kampot province. Vietnamese people living around Ha Tien often call Bokor Ta Lon mountain. In the Khmer language, Bokor means the hunchback of a cow, the name Bokor comes from the shape of the mountain like the hunch of a cow when looking up from the Kampot plain.

Some prominent places to visit in Bokor plateau such as: statue of saint Yamao, stone field, abandoned villa, Bokor lake, church… This place is famous for burning chicken, pineapple cake. In addition, the main dishes also include grilled meat, rice, tea, grilled eggs served with garlic bread…

6-Banlung

Banlung town is the capital of Ratanakiri province in eastern Cambodia. This is an unspoiled land with a large forest area and is also home to Cambodia’s ethnic minorities. Therefore, coming to Banlung you will have a quite different experience from the popular attractions of Cambodia tourism.

Some of the famous destinations in Banlung are Yeak Laom volcanic lake, Wat Rahtanharahm temple, Chaong waterfall and Virachey National Park. In addition, Banlung is also home to many rubber factories and gem mines.

7-Siem Reap

As a well-known destination for its key location near Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap in addition to serving as a transit city for other prominent tourist attractions, it also has many attractions such as: Angkor National Museum ; Wat Bo: blends French architecture and Thai-influenced Buddhist details; Wat Preah Prom Rath, a 500-year-old temple with a reclining Buddha; Angkor Silk Farm…

8-Battambang

Located along the Sangkae River, Battambang is a small city with French-style buildings. Some interesting attractions in Battambang: Kamping Puoy lotus lake, Wat Ek Phnom temple with 28m high Buddha image, Prasat Banan temple, Prasat Snung temple and Nory bamboo train.

9-Kampot

Is a small city located in southern Cambodia, next to the river Kampong Bay and near the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodian tourists come here to enjoy the peaceful scenery of the riverside countryside. Outstanding attractions: Bokor mountain with abandoned houses of French architecture, caves in Phnom Chhnork, famous ancient bridge over Kampong Bay River and Kampot train station

10-Sihanoukville

The coastal town owns the most famous beaches of Cambodia tourism, in which Otres and Ochheuteal beaches are the cleanest and most beautiful. In addition, from Sihanoukville, you can visit some beautiful islands off the coast of Cambodia such as Koh Russei and Koh Rong – paradise island, which can also be considered as the island with the most beautiful beach among all the islands of Cambodia.