TRAVEL AND
TOURISM C A M B O D I A GUIDE
COUNTRY OVERVIEW PRACTICAL INFORMATION PROVINCIAL PROFILES POPULAR ACTIVITIES
TTG MAGAZINE
I S S U E 1 | J U LY 2 0 1 5
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME – WITH RIMOWA The 1920s marked the beginning of modern air travel and the golden age of Hollywood. In 1919, Hugo Junkers presented the world’s first all-metal commercial aircraft. It was made using the aircraft aluminum alloy discovered by Alfred Wilm in 1906. In 1950, RIMOWA presented its suitcase with the unmistakable grooved design made of the same material – at the time, it was the lightest suitcase in the world. RIMOWA was a real pioneer in the sector, starting the trend for lightweight luggage back then. RIMOWA Store: Vattanac Capital Mall, 66 Preah Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
www.rimowa.com
CONTENTS
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MAP OF CAMBODIA
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COUNTRY OVERVIEW KINGDOM OF WONDER .................................... GETTING THERE ................................................... KHMER HISTORY ................................................... ACCOMMODATION ............................................ FOOD & BEVERAGE .............................................. SHOPPING ............................................................. ADVENTURE .......................................................... ECO-TOURISM ......................................................
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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PROVINCIAL PROFILES
12 14 16 20 24 26 28 30
BANTEAY MEANCHEY ......................................... 52 BATTAMBANG ....................................................... 56 KAMPONG CHAM ................................................ 60 KAMPONG CHHNANG ....................................... 64 KAMPONG SPEU ................................................... 68 KAMPONG THOM ................................................ 74 KAMPOT ................................................................. 78 KANDAL ................................................................. 82 KEP ........................................................................... 86 KOH KONG ............................................................ 90 KRATIE .................................................................... 94 MONDULKIRI ........................................................ 98 ODDAR MEANCHEY .......................................... 102 PAILIN ................................................................... 106 PHNOM PENH ..................................................... 110 PREAH SIHANOUK ............................................. 122 PREAH VIHEAR .................................................... 128 PREY VENG .......................................................... 132 PURSAT ................................................................. 136 RATANAKIRI ........................................................ 140 SIEM REAP ............................................................. 144 STUNG TRENG .................................................... 156 SVAY RIENG ......................................................... 160 TAKEO .................................................................. 164 TBONG KHMUM ................................................. 168
171 POPULAR ACTIVITIES KINGDOM’S CAPITAL ........................................ 172 ECO-TOURISM .................................................... 174 ANCIENT HISTORY ............................................ 176 ART AND CULTURE ........................................... 178 NIGHTLIFE ............................................................ 180 INDULGENCE ...................................................... 182 SPORTS & RECREATION .................................... 184 SUN & SAND ........................................................ 186
FOR ADVERTISING CALL Oudam Pich : 012 821 091 No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior written approval from the publisher. Published under license number _____ Issued _____ from the Ministry of Information.
www.ttgcambodia.com
TOURISM MAP OF CAMBODIA THAILAND
LAO
VIETNAM
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T R AV E L A N D TO U R I S M G U I D E
ACET Cambodia is a Building and Construction company supporting residential and commercial property developers.
Scope of services - - - - - - - - -
Architectureal Concept & Development Interior Design & Renovation Construction & Engineering Landscape Design Real Estate Developmet Design & Build Turnkey Land Development Planning Market Analisys & Feasibility Studies Project Management & Consultancy
Residential
Commercial
Hospitality
ACET Cambodia Co., Ltd.
Property Development
No. 104, Street 273 (3rd Floor), Sangkat Toul Sangke, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh Kingdom of Cambodia Tel: (855 23) 631 1939 | Fax: (855 23) 864 436 Email: info@acetcambodia.com | Web: www.acetcambodia.com
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COUNTRY OVERVIEW KINGDOM OF WONDER GETTING THERE KHMER HISTORY ACCOMMODATION FOOD & BEVERAGE SHOPPING ADVENTURE ECO-TOURISM
WELCOME LETTER CTF
I would like to welcome you to the Cambodia Travel and Tourism Guide 2015, an essential publication to serve the domestic and international tourism and hospitality industry. The objective of this guide is to provide useful information for travellers when making their travel arrangements to Cambodia. The Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF) has a mandate to bring the private sector together to work with the Royal Government of Cambodia to make Cambodia “the destination”. We currently have five committees who are addressing the issues that we have identified. The Marketing Committee is focusing on how we can better promote and advertise the amazing diversity of what the country has to offer and identifying new events that can be developed. The Green City Committee is focusing on city cleanliness, safety and security. The Education Committee is focusing on vocational training opportunities, the new Academy of Culinary Arts – Cambodia (ACAC) and the two proposed new hospitality schools to be built in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. The Development Committee is focusing on identifying opportunities for Cambodia to become “the destination”. Lastly, the Trends and Statistics Committee is identifying mechanisms to collect information that will better help the industry understand what travellers want and are doing.
THOURN SINAN President, Cambodia Tourism Federation
Most companies working in tourism are educating their staff on cultural diversity and language training. We are expanding what we have to offer visitors including events, destination sites and restaurant menus. With the ongoing strengthening of infrastructure for tourism throughout the country, we are developing more and more opportunities for travellers. The average traveller wants and expects more than simply the temples and the beach. Eco-tourism is expanding. We are also building on how we deliver information about the diversity of what Cambodia has to offer. We have eight international golf courses that are not well known. We have mangroves and trekking available. We have designers, art galleries and cultural events fashion apart from Apsara dancers. We need to make all this information more readily available to visitors. We are also currently looking at a new special annual event. I heard a sad story a few months ago, when a Khmer person was able to see the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in New York but has never been able to see it here. We want to make arts and culture more accessible to all. As you plan to visit Southeast Asia, I know that the Cambodia Travel and Tourism Guide will help you decide to make Cambodia the focal point of your holiday. Welcome to the Kingdom of Wonder!
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KINGDOM OF WONDER The Kingdom of Cambodia offers everything a traveller could wish for, from its lush rainforests rich in ecotourism opportunities to its magnificent ancient temples crowned, of course, by the World Heritage sites of the legendary Angkor Wat and Preah Vihear.
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The white sand beaches and pristine tropical islands of the country’s south are now linked to the temples by air, allowing visitors to soak up the glories of the ancient Khmer culture in the morning and be lulled to sleep by the sound of waves after a feast of succulent seafood the same night. There is the capital, Phnom Penh, once called the Pearl of the Orient, home to royalty and nestled at the confluence of three great rivers – the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac.
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or the adventurous, Cambodia offers everything from some of the best and l ea st vi si t ed di ve si t es in the region to trekking the
mighty mountains of Mondulkiri province by elephant. Be captivated by the ancient art of Khmer traditional dance, feast on the unique and exotic Khmer cuisine, enjoy a cabaret show at one of the country’s avant-garde bar-restaurants, shop for silk and silver or just sit by one of the lazy rivers which criss-cross the landscape and relax over cocktails served on the balcony of a French colonial villa. Cambodia’s past has captured the hearts of explorers, artists and such romantics as actress Catherine Deneuve and Jackie Kennedy, and Cambodia’s present is now capturing those of a whole new generation. It truly is a Kingdom of Wonder.
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GETTING THERE Closed to the outside world from 1975-79, a once-shattered Cambodia has quickly gathered itself since the United Nations coordinated democratic elections in 1993 to become one of the most accessible nations in the world. A host of overland border crossings have opened up between Thailand to the west, Vietnam to the east and Lao to the north. The government’s Open Skies policy has meant flight options into the international airports of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, and the capital Phnom Penh have boomed.
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irect flights from China, Hong Kong and South Korea land daily. Hubs in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam with direct flights from Europe and America mean travelers from anywhere in the world can link quickly and easily with a flight into Cambodia. Agreements for direct flights from Gulf States including Kuwait and Qatar were recently inked. Both budget and upscale airline options are available. As well, several major ocean cruise companies have included Cambodia on their itineraries. Cambodian visas are available on arrival.
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T R ATVREALV A E LN D & TO U R I S M G U I D E
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KHMER HISTORY
Cambodian history has often been turbulent, from the time the Indianised state of Funan became the controlling power in the 3rd century to when that empire was toppled by the Chenla state from northern Cambodia in the 6th century. The Khmer empire rose to become the dominant force in the region around 800 years ago.
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Great Khmer kings such as Jayavarman VII built the nation’s magnificent temples dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist deities during that period, including Angkor Wat. But the empire eventually crumbled as neighbouring Siam gained strength. Angkor was lost to western eyes, but when French explorer Henri Mouhot released a book featuring his “discovery” of Angkor in 1860, the resulting awe ensured it would remain in the world’s eye until this day. Cambodia became part of French colonial Indochina in the 19th century – an era still clearly etched in the country’s beautiful colonial architecture.
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n 1941, the French placed King Norodom Sihanouk on the throne, hoping he would help quell rising anti-French resistance. But Sihanouk proved a wily diplomat and nationalist, negotiating independence in 1953. Sihanouk abdicated in favour of his father to become the head of government and the country entered a golden age of arts and architecture. However, the US-backed Lon Nol toppled Sihanouk in a coup in 1970 as the Vietnam War to the east heated up. Lon Nol’s corruption coupled with heavy covert US bombing of Cambodia led to the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-79, when an estimated two million people died. Vietnamese-backed troops eventually overthrew Pol Pot’s regime in 1979 and UN-facilitated democratic elections were held in 1993. The final Khmer Rouge guerilla troops surrendered to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government in 1998 and the country has been rebuilding rapidly ever since, attracting more than four million foreign visitors last year. The monarchy remains with King Norodom Sihamoni on the throne.
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Q: How has the hospitality industry in Cambodia grown over the last five years? Is this growth set or continue?
INTERVIEW
A: Over the last five years, there has been an incredible diversification of the types of hotels though primarily within the tourism triangle of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Though basic accommodation has been available outside of this prior, it’s really only in the last year that hotels have been established at all levels within other areas of Cambodia. 3 to 5 star resorts have been established in places like Palin, Rattanakiri and especially in Kep. The growth of hotels is steadily increasing especially in the diversity of the types of accommodation. Eco-lodges, mountain retreats and floating accommodation are just a few of the creative investments people are making here. The growth in not only in the cities but throughout the provinces to support the different tourism destinations Cambodia is developing. Q: Is there more variety now for types of accommodation (5-star, resorts, boutiques, eco-tourism, etc.)?
LUU MENG President, Cambodia Hotel Association
A: Absolutely. It is amazing what Cambodia has to offer now. Investors recognize the changes in tourists’ demands in alternative travel. Boutique hotels, in particular, are springing up almost daily – not only in the cities but what could be termed off the beaten track. Part of this is the result of the infrastructure development that the government has implemented and part is a result of the development of alternative tourist destinations. Definitely, the concept of eco-friendly tourism is a priority with the government. Q: What are the amenities you find people are looking for when choosing their accommodation? A: That’s the million dollar question! We simply do not have the statistics and data to accurately measure this. It’s one of the priorities right now of the Cambodia Hotel Association to better understand what people want. Currently seems to be more of a result of guess work and talking to people. There does seem to be a lean towards people wanting boutique-style hotels that offer a special atmosphere and unique amenities. Eco-tourism is definitely on the upswing and investors are responding to that. Q: Do you find more people book hotels on their own or through a travel agent? A: Tour groups represent the primary amount of travel either through an agent or through one of the online travel agents. We have seen a steady increase in independent travel and an increase in direct bookings but again, we do not have the statistical data to provide numbers. This is something that we are currently working on, identifying how we get a better understanding of this.
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ACCOMODATION
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ambodia’s main centres of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville offer a full range of accommodations, from top-end resorts and luxury boutique hotels to the most basic backpacker rooms. Siem Reap leads the way at the top end, with the capital and the beach town not far behind. A flurry of new 5-star hotels in the three tourist hubs are vying to attract the most pampered of clients with some of the most opulent spas, the most tempting swimming pools and golf courses designed by some of the greatest names in the game.
Refurbished French colonial mansions offer a special nostalgia, but new resorts are springing up from the former hilltop resort of Bokor to many of Sihanoukville’s stunning offshore islands. Boutique hotels, many with an eco-friendly theme, have also mushroomed around the country, from Ratanakiri to Koh Kong. The humble backpacker has not been forgotten; there are hostel-style rooms in every major town, such as Street 172 in Phnom Penh (also known as Cambodia’s Khao San Road), the area around Siem Reap’s Pub Street, and Victory Hill in Sihanoukville.
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INTERVIEW
In the world, Cambodian cuisine is the most authentic and the most artistic compared to others. For example, the ka kor; has 10 different vegetables, 7 different herbs and other ingredients mixing together and it takes time to make it for the soup to be very nice. For Cambodian food we cannot do shortcuts. We have to be very proper with preparing, timing and cooking. To me, this is why it is art. This is why the most complicated cooking is Cambodian cuisine. One thing about Khmer cuisine is that it is healthy containing more vegetables. While not many people try to bring Cambodian cuisine to the international stage, I can see in the last few years events like the Angkor Sangkran festival in Siem Reap has done a good job to bring Cambodia to the world. They have a chance to try some of the many unique Cambodian foods, for example, the sticky rice cake. It is part of tourism that pushes our cuisine to be recognised internationally. If we look at the restaurant Malis, for example, they did a good job bringing Cambodian cuisine with a little bit of fusion, but they still keep very original Cambodian flavours. You can see how the business is successful and that foreigners enjoy Cambodian cuisine. That’s why I can I say that Cambodian cuisine is most authentic and unique, and proof that it is healthy.
KOUCH SOKLY President, Cambodia Restaurant Association
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Now, because of an increase in population and living standards, local people have started to travel around the world. Many of those people that have a chance to travel can see what is available in other countries, such as, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia… So, that’s why many different countries’ cuisines are coming to Cambodia. The restaurant landscape is very international. You can see from both the tourists’ and locals’ perspective, we cannot count how many of these foods are coming to the country, especially to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. To attract more tourists to come here, your guide is like a bible for tourists, so one thing we need besides introducing the tourist areas is to introduce authentic cuisine. Every province of Cambodia has very unique foods. I want everyone to know that when they go to each province, they can find authentic dishs distinct to that region. Tourists experience culture by eating authentic Khmer food.
THE FINEST PERSIAN C U ISIN E
FOOD AND BEVERAGE Cambodian cuisine is unique, the closest comparison perhaps being to that of neighbouring Thailand. However, Cambodian recipes evolved centuries earlier – before chillies arrived in the region during the 16th century with Portuguese traders. Instead, Cambodians rely on a much subtler blending of fragrant ingredients to imbue their dishes with layers of delicate flavours and even curries are rarely spicy. Chinese, French, Vietnamese and other inf luences have been incorporated over the centuries, only adding to its exotic nature.
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A new generation of Khmer chefs has raised the cuisine to an art-form in recent years, and visitors can sample Cambodian dishes in high-end Khmer restaurants, or plump for home-style Cambodian cooking in more medium range eateries such as fresh crab stir fried with green peppercorns, coconut pumpkin curry or the nation’s signature dish, a steamed curry called Amok.
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rench colonial history has also had a strong influence which can be seen everywhere from the mountain of fragrant baguettes to restaurants offering f ine French cuisine and the popularity of good, and often very inexpensive, French wines.
Every price range and virtually every nation is represented in Cambodia’s thriving bar and restaurant scene. From Mexico to Manila, Africa to Argentina, there is something for everyone, even the good old Aussie meat pie and British staples like bangers and mash. The major hotels offer sumptuous buffets where diners can choose from a wide range of local and international dishes. Many places also offer value-formoney happy hours to whet their clients’ appetites, or for something different visitors should try one of the many Khmer beer gardens, where jugs of beer can be had for just a few dollars, beef and other delicacies are barbecued right at your table and performers take to the stage during dinner to sing Khmer classics.
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SHOPPING Fine silk, silver, marble carvings, wooden handicrafts and gems - Cambodia offers it all to shoppers keen to find a unique souvenir. From Pailin province comes gems and from the foot of Oudong mountain where ancient kings used to come down to bathe comes beautiful animal-shaped silver betel nut boxes that their subjects once fashioned for them to show their adoration. Pursat province is famous for its marble. Handcrafted coconut shells, raw silks colored with the finest natural dyes, famous Kampot pepper packaged in beautiful woven palm frond boxes – all the riches of the kingdom find their way to the main markets of the tourist capitals.
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Phnom Penh’s Russian Market is probably the best known, although Psar Chas in Siem Reap has its own unique treasures. Malls have come to Cambodia, but locals still prefer the traditional markets they have known for centuries, and as in most of Asia, the trick is to haggle hard for a bargain, but always with a smile. The Russian Market also offers genuine clothing labels such as The Gap at bargain basement prices. The markets are ringed by small shops set up by aid or g a n is a t io n s to he lp th e underprivileged by teaching them handicraft skills and then marketing their products for them. These little treasure troves often yield the most unique prizes – handcrafted jewelry, weavings and wall hangings. But there is more to shopping than the markets. Tailors are plentiful in Cambodia and good quality material is inexpensive. Keen shoppers can team a tailored suit with a pair of hand-made leather shoes from a cluster of family cobbler shops near Tuol Sleng. Street 178 is the capital’s artist street lined with shops and galleries selling Khmer-themed oils and watercolors. In Siem Reap, Angkor Night Market and Charming City Night Market offer hundreds of shops and a taste of the real Southeast Asian night bazaar. Siem Reap is also famous for its crocodile farms. Several shops market crocodile skin belts, bags, wallets and purses.
CENTRAL MARKET-PHNOM PENH
A E O N M A L L- P H N O M P E N H
NIGHT MARKET-SIEM REAP T R AV E L & TO U R I S M G U I D E
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ADVENTURE
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Exploring remote areas where the unexpected is normal is exactly what Cambodia has to offer with professional guides for a safe, thrilling experience. Specialised adventure tour companies provide interpretation of the local culture and environment while hosting activities that give that sought-after adrenaline rush. Motorised options include dirt bikes, ATVS and road buggies. Whether you are looking for a less strenuous way to visit outlying temples or seeking to gain access to hidden cultural treasures waiting for discovery in places beyond the beaten path, privately organised tours are ready to fulfill your adventure dreams.
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i pl i nes ha ve come to Cambodia and provide a stunning vantage point to view the flora and fauna of the natural surroundings in the Kingdom’s jungles and forests.
Speeding through the treetops is an addictive activity! Meanwhile, at the coast there are a variety of fish and underwater sea life to play with when scuba diving or snorkeling. Traditional sports such as kayaking, rock climbing and spelunking have experienced leaders to guide you to the best locations. East, west, north and south all have grand adventures waiting at rivers, karsts and caves. Of course, the grandaddy of all adventure tourism is trekking and there are plenty of pristine f orest s t o wander t h rou gh observing undiscovered species and views known only to indigenous tribes. Modern camping equipment is available or choose to stay with the local people. When adventure tourism is what you are looking for – Cambodia is the place to be!
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ECO-TOURISM Jungle, rivers, waterfalls, forests, islands, beaches, mangrove lagoons and Khmer villages provide lots of choices for travellers looking for an eco-experience. Chambok is a community of nine rural villages where visitors can experience village-life, and explore the area’s beautiful natural surroundings. It’s located on the border of the Kirirom National Park in an area of forest, waterfalls and rice fields. The community-based ecotourism project was established in 2002 to provide an additional income for the local people and help protect the surrounding forest. In Chi Phat, the Wildlife Alliance and the community members are working together to preserve the environment while providing exciting and unique experiences for visitors. Villagers who once roamed the forest to deplete it of its environmental heritage are now employed as guides leading trekking, mountain-biking, camping and river boat tours through the wilderness surrounding both communities. Over 200 kilometres of hiking trails meander through the jungle, leading to natural wonders in the rainforest, deserted waterfalls, campsites and post-Angkorian burial jar sites.
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The Koh Kong Eco-zone has many endangered animals and protection is essential to the survival of the Indochinese Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Asian elephant, and Sun Bears to name a few. The Wildlife Alliance has classified the Cardamom Mountains as one of the world ’s top 25 biodiversity hot spots. The forests and floodplains of Cambodia form refuges for many threatened bird species that have been extirpated (locally extinct) from much of their former habitat. There are over 60 rare or endangered species of wildlife in Cambodia,
many of which are now extinct elsewhere in South East Asia, including: the Asian Elephant; Tiger; Clouded and Common Leopards, Asiatic Black Bear; Asiatic Wild Dog; Eld’s Deer; Irrawaddy Dolphin; Siamese Crocodile; Banteng; Bengal Florican; Douc Langur; Pileated Gibbon; Elongated Tortoise; Freshwater Sawfish; Giant Catfish; Giant Carp; Grey Ox; Javan; and Sumatran Rhinoceros. Cambodia’s seasonally flooded forests also provide an ideal habitat for several highly endangered water birds: the White Shouldered Ibis; Sarus Crane; and the Greater and Lesser Adjutant Storks.
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION PLANNING YOUR STAY CAMBODIA PROFILE EVENTS & FESTIVALS BUSINESS COMMERCE QUICK KHMER ENTRY & EXIT TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION DIRECT FLIGHTS HEALTH USEFUL NUMBERS
PLANNING YOUR STAY
VISITING CAMBODIA IS AS EASY AS ONE...TWO...THREE
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
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Choose your travel date. Things to consider - climate, holidays, how much time you have to spend in Cambodia. Choose what you want to see and do. If it is really important to see or do something in particular, this choice will shape your plans. Make reservations. Choose your transportation and accommodation.
CAMBODIA PROFILE
AREA: 181,035 square kilometres
GOVERNMENT:
WORLD REGION: Southeast Asia
ROYALTY:
GEOGRAPHY: 1. Western and northwestern mountains 2. Northeastern plateau 3. Central plains 4. Western and southwestern coastal plains 5. Western and northeastern valleys 6. Penninsula.
Constitutional Monarchy
is the son of King His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni Father Norodom Sihanouk (1922-2012) and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath. TIME ZONE: 7 hours ahead of GMT, (6 hours ahead of GMT during daylight savings time). CURRENCY:
CLIMATE: Tropical. The average temperature is 27-28C (wet season, 20-27C - dry season, 28-35C). The coolest period is December through January.
The Cambodian currency is the Riel.
There are two seasons, “Wet” – May through October and “Dry” – November through April. It should be noted that the wet season rarely has full days of rain, rather afternoon or evening monsoon showers.
ELECTRICITY:
POPULATION: 15 million
Clothing, fishing, footwear, rice, milling, rubber, shipping, textiles, timber, tobacco, construction, education, banking and tourism.
ETHNICITY: Khmer (90%), Cham, Montagnards, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Phnorng, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil. RELIGION: Theravada Buddhism (90%), Islam, Hinduism, Christianity. LANGUAGES: Khmer is the official language. English is used throughout the country, as well as French and Chinese.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system.
220 Volts, 50-60 Hz MAJOR INDUSTRIES:
LOCAL CUSTOMS: When visiting a Buddhist pagoda, remove your hat, and remove your shoes when entering the buildings. Women should be careful not to touch monks. Ask before taking photos and speak softly. Throughout the country, public displays of affection such as kissing are offensive. Cover your mouth when using a toothpick. Being friendly is usually responded to in kind. Showing anger is considered impolite. T R AV E L & TO U R I S M G U I D E
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EVENT & FESTIVALS
Holidays are celebrated with relish and are an ideal time to meet and greet locals whose fun-loving nature and quick, heartfelt smiles are the fondest memories many travellers will take home with them. During the Water Festival in November, millions of people stream into Phnom Penh from the provinces to cheer on the colourful dragon boats. The Khmer name for the festival is literally “Happy Boat Regatta.” However, at Khmer New Year in April, the capital is almost deserted as city-dwellers leave to enjoy the three-day break in the provinces, many taking off the whole week from work for a 10-day vacation to be with family. Pchum Ben, or “festival of the ancestors,” is a lunar holiday which can fall in September or October and is perhaps the second most important holiday of the year. Pagodas come alive with people making offerings to their forefathers to keep them happy and well-fed in the spirit world for the coming year. The following are celebrated in Cambodia by Khmer citizens and the foreigner communities. JANUARY Khmer Kite Festival Full Moon Festival (Meak Bochea – Buddha’s Prophecy) Australia Day FEBRUARY Chinese New Year & Vietnamese New Year (Tet) Photo Phnom Penh Festival Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia Show Jumping Championship Hun Sen Cup (football) Valentine’s Day
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Our City Festival Phnom Penh Our City Festival Battambang Our City Festival Siem Reap Angkor Wat Int’l Film Festival
MARCH Cambodia Science & Engineering Festival Chaktomuk Short Film Festival Sihanoukville Int’l Half Marathon Kratie River Festival & Bike Race Leo Cup (Volleyball) National Chess Tournament St. Patrick’s Day
APRIL Khmer New Year Annual Mekong River Swim Cambodia ICT World Expo Japan-Cambodia Kizuna Festival National Youth Arts Festival National Wresting Championship National Swimming Championship Cambodia Urban Arts Festival Cambodia Music Festival Easter ANZAC Day Earth Day Anchor Beach Volleyball Cup Tiger Street Football Finals MAY Full Moon Festival (Visak Bochea – Buddha’s Enlightenment) Royal Ploughing Ceremony Phnom Penh Int’l Half Marathon European Union Film Festival Europe Day JUNE Cambodia Gems & Jewelry Fair Loeng Neak Ta Festival (Prey Veng) Tini Tinou Int’l Circus Festival Memory Film Festival Music Festival for Children TEDx Phnom Penh JULY Fourth of July Bastille Day AUGUST Angkor Amateur Open (golf ) Angkor Empire Marathon
Indian Independence Day First Day of Ramadan SEPTEMBER Muslim Festival of Eid al-Fitr Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) OCTOBER Pchum Ben (festival of the ancestors) National Bokator Championships (Khmer kickboxing) National Disabled Volleyball Championships National Cycling Championship Preah Monivong Bokor Marathon & Bike Race Buffalo Races (Kandal province) Halloween Octoberfest Cambo Challenge Tuk Tuk Adventure NOVEMBER Water Festival (dragon boat races) Int’l Music Festival Classical Music Festival Phnom Penh Int’l Film Festival Phnom Penh Players Annual Pantomime Thanksgiving DECEMBER Sea Festival Angkor Wat Bike4kids Angkor Wat Int’l Half Marathon Angkor Wat Bike & Cyclo Rally Penhstock Music Festival Cambodia Int’l Film Festival International AIDS Day Christmas New Year’s Eve
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BUSINESS BUSINESS HOURS Government Offices: Mon-Fri 07:30 – 11:30 14:00 – 17:00 Business Offices: Mon-Fri 08:00 – 12:00 14:00 – 17:30 Sat 08:00 – 12:00 Shops & Markets: Everyday 07:00 – 17:00 Post Office: (On Street 13, near Wat Phnom) Everyday 07:00 – 18:00 Parcels: Mon-Fri
07:00 – 11:00 14:00 – 17:00
In Phnom Penh, SIM cards for both local and international calls are widely available. An inexpensive cell phone can be purchased for around USD 25 from any market to be used while in Cambodia. Hotels and business centers offer international calling. Internet cafes often have VOIP or free Wi-Fi. Local calls can be made by using one of many vendor booths located throughout the country. INTERNET
Wi-Fi signals are throughout Phnom Penh and major cities. Many restaurants and hotels offer free Wi-Fi for their customers. CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Most major hotels are able to host business conferences. Besides hotels, the most commonly used venues are Diamond Island Exhibtion Center, the Chenla Theatre, and Mondial Centre in Phnom Penh. The Angkor Coex Convention and Exhibition Center is located in Siem Reap. OFFICE SPACE
Professionally staffed and equipped office space can be found in Phnom Penh at a premium. SHIPPING
International shipping companies include Federal Express and DHL. Several local shipping companies are also available.
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2015 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 01 07
January International New Year’s Day Victory over Genocide Day
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February Meak Bochea Day
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March International Women’s Day (+ 09 Monday)
April 14, 15, 16 Bon Chaul Chhnam Thmey - Khmer New Year May 01 International Labor Day 02 Visaka Bochea Day 06 Royal Ploughing Ceremony 13, 14, 15 King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday 01 18
June International Children’s Day Queen Mother Norodom Monineath’s Birthday
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September Constitution Day
October 11, 12, 13 Pchum Ben Day (+ 14 Wed) 15 K i n g F a t h e r S i h a n o u k Commemoration Day 23 Paris Peace Agreement Day 29 King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day November 09 Independence Day 24, 25, 26 Bon Om Touk - Water Festival 10
December Human Right’s Day
COMMERCE
EXCHANGE The exchange rate is roughly 4,000 Riel : 1 USD. Banks and Western Union offices are plentiful and there are exchange vendors located around every market. They are easy to spot operating a small kiosk with a red/white or white/blue sign displaying the daily exchange rate. American dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Beware that vendors may reject any bills that are torn or damaged in any way. BANKING HOURS M O N - F R I 08:00 – 15:00 SATURDAY 08:00 – 12:00
ATMS Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and businesses offering Point of Sale (POS) have blossomed over the past year. The most popular access is identified by a “Blue Spot” or “Gold Dot” logo. CREDIT CARDS Major hotels accept the most common credit cards, but smaller guesthouses and restaurants often only accept cash. CURRENCY DENOMINATIONS (the most common are in bold) 50; 100; 200; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; 50,000; 100,000 Bank notes are printed in both Khmer and English. They increase in size according to value and are in different colors.
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QUICK KHMER
ENGLISH
KHMER TRANSLITERATION
Hello (informal) Hello (formal)
Soos-a-day Chim Reap Soo-ah
How are you?
Tah(l) nee-ah(k) soksa-bye tay?
I’m fine, thanks.
Knyom soksa-bye ah-koon
What is your name?
Tah(l) nee-ah(k) chmoo-ah
My name is…[Tom]…..
Knyom chmoo-ah [name]
Where are you from?
Tah(l) nee-ah(k) moe-b/pee protay na?
I’m from ...(Australia)...
Knyom moe-b/pee protay [country]
Excuse me / Sorry
Sum-toe
Thank you
Ah-koon
Thank you very much
Ah-koon chran
How old are you?
Tah(l) nee-ah (k) ah-yoo boon-man
Do you work?
Tah(l) nee-ah (k) twool-kah awhy
No
Ah-t/day
Yes
Bah(t) [men], Jah [women]
Good bye
Chim Reap Lee-ah
See you soon
Choo-up knea chah-p chah-p
Letters in parenthesis are formed in the mouth but not aspirated.
“t/d” designates a sound in the middle of a “t” and “d.” “b/p” designates a sound in the middle of a “b” and “p.”
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ENTRY/EXIT
PASSPORTS
VALIDITY
All visitors entering Cambodia must possess a valid passport.
Visas are valid for 30 days. Tourist visas may be extended for one month for an increased fee. Business visas may be extended for one month, three months, six months or one year with fees varying accordingly. Renew visas through a travel agent or the Department of Immigration on Confederation de la Russie located across from the Phnom Penh International Airport. Tel: +855 (0) 97 31 40 999.
VISAS All nationalities need to apply for a visa except the following countries: Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Peru, the Philippines, R u s s ia , S eyche lle s, Sing apo re , Slova k i a, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. FEES Tourist visa US$30. Business visa US$35. One 4x6cm photo is required. A free (K) visa is expressly granted to Cambodians living overseas.
BORDER CROSSINGS International land borders include: Thailand (via six crossings), Lao (via one crossing) and Vietnam (via five crossings). You can also arrive by air at either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, both of which have international airports, or by sea at Sihanoukville.
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TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION BICYCLE The bicycle is the most efficient form of travel. Renting from guesthouses is fine for riding around town, but for the serious cyclist, mountain bikes can be rented at a few adventure tour companies. TUK-TUK One of the most convenient and safest ways to travel through urban Cambodia, tuk-tuks are like cozy covered wagons attached to small motorcycles. Expect to pay anywhere between USD 2-5 for a short trip and upwards of USD 10 for an afternoon or evening. CYCLO Combination bicycle rickshaw, cyclos are the most environmentally friendly way to travel. They are one of Cambodia’s identifying spectacles and are the subject of many photos and paintings. Cyclos cost anywhere from 1,000 KR to USD 2. MOTODOP “Moto!” The most popular form of transportation in Cambodia, motodops are men on scooters who will take you wherever you want to go. Most motodops wait in front of guest houses. Due to f luctuating gas prices, motodop fees range from a nywhere between 2,000 KR to USD 5 depending of time of day and distance. METERED TAXI Phnom Penh has recently got its own metered taxis. Global taxi is the first metered taxi in the country, followed by Choice taxi and Great Wall taxi. There are no taxi stands, but pick-up service is only a phone call away. LIMOUSINE Executives enjoy Royal Cambodian Limousine Service for their travel needs. They are available by reservation booking through a concierge.
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BUS By far the most economical way to travel the country, Cambodian buses are a fairly comfortable way to get from place to place. Several companies provide service from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot and other provinces. BOAT As a leisure activity in Phnom Penh, boat trips are extremely enjoyable and relaxing. If sitting on the rooftop to enjoy the view, it is advisable to bring sunscreen.
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
HELICOPTER Helicopter companies provide standard tourist packages and personal helicopter rides. Standard tours include aerial expeditions of Angkor Wat. Specialised tours can be customised to include Sihanoukville, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri and other provinces.
ELEPHANT Rides around Angkor Thom are a pleasurable way to see the temples at Angkor Archaeological Complex.
AEROPLANE Domestic flights are available between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville with several airlines. Charter f lights on small planes are available for visiting some provinces.
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DIRECT FLIGHTS
AIRLINE
DESTINATION PHNOM PENH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AIRASIA
Bangkok | Kuala Lumpur
ASIANA
Seoul
BANGKOK AIRWAYS
Bangkok
BASSAKA AIR
Siem Reap
CAMBODIA ANGKOR AIR
Bangkok | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Shanghai | Siem Reap | Sihanoukville
CAMBODIA BAYON AIRLINES
Siem Reap | Sihanoukville
CHINA AIRLINES
Taipei
CHINA EASTERN
Kunming | Shanghai
CHINA SOUTHERN
Beijing | Guangzhou
DRAGON AIR
Hong Kong
EVA AIR
Taipei
HONG KONG AIRLINES
Hong Kong
JETSTAR
Singapore
KOREAN AIR
Seoul
MALAYSIA AIRLINES
Kuala Lumpur
QATAR AIRWAYS
Doha
SHANDONG AIRLINES
Jinan
SILK AIR
Singapore
THAI AIR
Bangkok
TIGER AIR
Singapore
VIETNAM AIRLINES
Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City
AIRLINE
DESTINATION SIHANOUKVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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CAMBODIA ANGKOR AIR
Phnom Penh | Siem Reap
CAMBODIA BAYON AIRLINES
Phnom Penh | Siem Reap
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AIRLINE
DESTINATION SIEM REAP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AIR BUSAN
Pusan
AIR CHINA
Beijing
AIRASIA
Bangkok | Kuala Lumpur
ASIANA
Seoul
BANGKOK AIRWAYS
Bangkok
BASSAKA AIR
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA ANGKOR AIR
Bangkok | Guangzhou | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Phnom Penh Siem Reap | Sihanoukville
CAMBODIA BAYON AIRLINES
Phnom Penh | Siem Reap
CEBU PACIFIC AIR
Manilla
CHINA EASTERN
Kunming | Shanghai
CHINA SOUTHERN
Guangzhou
DRAGON AIR
Hong Kong
JETSTAR
Singapore
KOREAN AIR
Pusan | Seoul
LAO AIRLINES
Paske | Luang Prabang
MALAYSIA AIRLINES
Kuala Lumpur
SILK AIR
Da Nang | Singapore
SKY ANGKOR AIRLINES
Beijing | Chendu | Chongqing | Guiyang | Hanoi | Kunming | Nanning Pusan | Seoul
TIANJIN AIRLINES
Tianjin
VIETJET AIR
Da Nang | Duong Dong | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Luang Prabang
VIETNAM AIRLINES
Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City
XIAMEN AIR
Fuzhou | Xiamen
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HEALTH
VACCINATIONS No vaccinations are obligatory, but it is highly recommended to be inoculated against tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A & B. For a long-term stay, especially in remote areas and during the rainy season, it is also recommended to be inoculated against Japanese encephalitis and rabies. PREVENTION Respecting the usual precautions against mosquito bites is your best protection against malaria and dengue fever: wear long sleeves and use mosquito repellent at night, especially at d awn and sunset. A mosquito n et is usually provided in hotels a nd guesthouses that lack a ir-conditioned rooms. Drink only bottled water, which is widely available everywhere. HOSPITALS While some hospitals cater to the local population, there are a few with an increasingly “international” standard of care. Recently, a popular Bangkok hospital opened a branch in Phnom Penh, implanting their doctors and equipment. They provide the added service of handling admittance paperwork in the event of transport to the main hospital in Bangkok.
4646T RTARVAE VL E&L
TAO NU DR T I SOMU G R IUS IMD EG U I D E
PHARMACIES Medicines requiring prescriptions in other countries can be purchased “over-the-counter” in Cambodia. Pharmacies display a green cross outside their shops. Modern pharmacies for the increasing number of Westerners living and working in Cambodia are common in large cities. DENTAL The dental system in Cambodia consists of private dentists and clinics. The training and abilities vary widely, but good dental care can be found. EMERGENCY CARE Basic emergency care is available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. If you plan to explore the provinces, it is a good idea to carry an emergency kit and instructions. For serious injuries, helicopter/airline transportation is available to Bangkok. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is highly recommended to purchase travel i nsurance including airlift transport to Bangkok in the case of an emergency.
USEFUL NUMBERS
FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES IN CAMBODIA
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police: 117 Fire: 118 AMBULANCE: 119
Australian Embassy
(855) 23 213 470
Honorary Consulate of Belgium
(855) 23 214 024
Embassy of Brunei Darussalum
(855) 23 211 457
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
(855) 23 217 504
Embassy of Canada
(855) 23 213 470 (Ext. 426)
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
(855) 12 810 928
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
(855) 23 213 965
Delegation of the European Commission
(855) 23 216 996
Embassy of France
(855) 23 430 020
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
(855) 23 216 193
Embassy of the Republic of India
(855) 23 210 913
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
(855) 23 217 934
TOURIST INFORMATION
Embassy of Japan
(855) 23 217 161 - 4
Ministry of Tourism (855) 23 213 741
Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (855) 23 217 013
TOURIST POLICE
(855) 12 621 167 (855) 12 810 428
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Embassy of the Republic of Korea
(855) 23 211 900
Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
(855) 23 997 931
Embassy of Malaysia
(855) 23 216 176
Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
(855) 23 223 761
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(662) 996 890
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
(855) 23 215 145
Embassy of the Republic of Poland
(855) 23 217 782 - 3
Embassy of the Russian Federation
(855) 23 210 931
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
(855) 23 221 875
Embassy of Sweden
(855) 23 212 259
Royal Thai Embassy
(855) 23 726 306 - 10
British Embassy
(855) 23 427 124
Embassy of the United States of America
(855) 23 216 436
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
(855) 23 726 273
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PROVINCE PROFILES BANTEAY MEANCHEY BATTAMBANG KAMPONG CHAM KAMPONG CHHNANG KAMPONG SPEU KAMPONG THOM KAMPOT KANDAL KEP
KOH KONG KRATIE MONDULKIRI ODDAR MEANCHEY PAILIN PHNOM PENH PREAH SIHANOUK PREAH VIHEAR PREY VENG
PURSAT RATANAKIRI SIEM REAP STUNG TRENG SVAY RIENG TAKEO TBONG KHMUM
BANTEAY MEANCHEY
This is a province most overland tourists to Thailand will travel through via Poipet. It is a province rich in temples and history, both modern and ancient. The most famous temple is Banteay Chhmar, located on National Road 69A,
around 60 kilometres from the provincial town of Poi Pet. Built by King Jayavarman VII like many gems of Siem Reap’s f amed Angkor temple complex, this temple has been made a priority by tourism authorities, and despite
looting has retained many of its priceless and intricate bas-reliefs and lintels. The province was the site of heavy fighting after the Khmer Rouge was overthrown in 1979 until the civil war finally ended in 1998, and some of the precious temples did not fare so well, although they remain as tributes to Cambodia’s impressive cultural history. Nature lovers may want to take a trip to Trapaing Tma resevoir, home of Ang Trapaing Thmor sanctuary, around 60 kilometres east of the provincial town. This wetlands reserve hosts the largest population of the rare gray crane for much of the year and is a paradise for birdwatchers.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Paddy rice, corn, cassava, soybeans, green beans, sesame, golden silk and stone carvings. GEOGRAPHY The province is covered by extensive lowlands with a few uplands to the north and east. The main rivers are Mongkol Borei and Sisophon. PHNOM BAK AND PHNOM CHENH CHIANG
Poipet is also famous for its casinos, and this frontier border town offers much in the way of nightlife. It is packed full of friendly Khmer people once you shake off the touts who (as in any country) ply their trade at the border crossing. Both Khmer and Thai restaurants excel at bringing out the best in the country’s wonderful freshwater fish and lobsters. Spicy or not – Poipet offers the best of both worlds. Kang Va Basin, located just five kilometres from town, is a great
picnic spot to go meet the locals. There is plenty of fishing, swimming, boat rides and opportunities to relax amongst the beautiful scenery or to order up a Khmer feast of roast chicken or fish. The lake was built during Khmer Rouge times when the regime was focused on providing water to boost rice production. Now it provides pleasure to thousands of Cambodians each year and is the ideal place to chill out after the hustle and bustle of Poipet or before crossing the border.
Twin mountains jutting from the earth, close to the provincial town of Banteay Meanchey, these mighty peaks form a natural wall and are considered a sacred site by locals. Vendors sell stone statues at the base of the rock and a small pagoda gives a feeling of serenity.
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Prasat Banteay Chhmar
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Kong Var
Poipet
Trapaing Tma
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Sisophon 6 Phnom Chenh Chiang Mongkol Borei Phnom Touch 5
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The Thai-Cambodian border crossing at Poipet
Ang Trapaing Thmor
Town of Sisophon
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Casino & Resort
Phnom Bak & Phnom Chenh Chiang
Prasat Banteay Chhmar
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BATTAMBANG
The northwestern province of Battambang is often claimed to be the most beautiful of all Cambodian provinces. It is also the rice bowl of the country. In the fading evening light, the sight of endless fields of young rice dotted with sugar palms and the occasional limestone karsts jutting out of the earth make it a photographer’s dream. A gigantic statue of Ta Dambang Kra Nhung is on the roundabout at the south entrance to the city.
This powerful neak ta, or spirit, is the guardian of the town and gives the town its name. Battambang translates to “magic disappearing stick� and relates to a legend surrounding the stick
he holds which helped him defeat enemies with invisibility. The Banan temple just 25 kilometres south of the town is a fine example of 11th and 12th century Khmer architecture, and
as with Angkor Wat, the great Khmer King Jayavarmin VII played a key role in the construction of this enchanting temple, which some people have called a miniature Angkor Wat due to its similar five-tower structure.
B
attambang was a branching -off point for several former Khmer Rouge strongholds, including Pailin municipality to the west. It also features a number of ancient temples and holy sites, including the striking Phnom Sampov temple on the road to Pailin, which is set on a limestone mountain. This picturesque temple is both a place of worship
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Paddy rice, corn, cassava, oranges, pineapples, grapefruits, cotton GEOGRAPHY The province is included in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve and is 75% jungles and mountains with a tropical climate. ORANGE SELLERS
and a shrine, as the Khmer Rouge once used its underground caves as a killing field. The famous Prek Toal bird sanctuary is usually reached from Siem Reap but is actually located on the other side of the Tonle Sap Lake in Battambang and is home to thousands of birds. Proceeds from visits help to support the more than 20 former poachers who now stand guard over their former prey. Battambang town offers up to 4-star accommodation, and in the evening visitors can join the locals on the riverfront, sipping
a Cambodian milkshake, or tuka-loc. Drinking snacks can be unusual – dried field snake or even puffer fish with a beverage while relaxing in the sleepy, second largest city of Cambodia, which has become a favourite with travellers looking for a more laid-back alternative to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh and boasts a variety of Western-orientated bars and restaurants. French colonial architecture can still be found throughout the city. Recognising the tourism potential these buildings can bring, many owners are choosing to renovate rather than build new.
Battambang is famous for its citrus fruit, and especially its oranges. People drive from as far as the capital to buy their fruit from stalls that line the road at the entrance to the town when it is in season. Grapefruit is also another popular product from the province.
5 Wat Ek Kamping Puoy
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Prasat Baset Phnom Sampov Prasat Banan 5
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French Colonial Architecture
Phnom Sampov
Cave at Phnom Sampov
Naga sculpture made from decomissioned weapons
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The Wave of Bats Flying
W ELCOME TO
D ELU X V I LL A BOUT IQUE HOT EL Delux Villa Boutique Hotel, the former villa of Khmer, is situated on the edge of Battambang Province just 2 minutes from town. Set in a garden multiple, the 14-suite rooms resort has the atmosphere of a private home and is the ideal base for travellers seeking to explore Khmer culture and the majestic ruins of Battambang. A variety of temple tours and cultural walks is available as part of the guest experience. STREET 4, PHUM 20 UKSAPHEA, SANGKAT SVAY PAO, BATTAMBANG, CAMBODIA Tel : +855 77 336 373 | Hot line +855 93 336 373 | E-Mail: info@deluxvilla.com | Book: reservation@deluxvilla.com
Lux Guesthouse is enchanting, peaceful, elegant & luxurious. Lux experiences is stylish relaxation, modern comfort, the enjoyment a range of activities beyond the discovery of the incredible Temples in Battambang. #79, Street 3,5 Phum 20Uksaphea, Battambang City, Kingdom of Cambodia Tel: +855 92 335 767 | +855 93 336 373 T R AV E L A N D TO U R I S M E-mail: info@luxguesthouse.com | Booking: reservation@luxguesthouse.com
GUIDE
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KAMPONG CHAM This north-eastern province is one of the most populated in the country, even though the provincial capital’s streets are deserted after 10pm at night. Set on the mighty Mekong River, the city’s Japanese-funded bridge now spans the river into neighboring Tbong Khmum province. This massive bridge is the first to span the Mekong in Cambodia and is featured on the 500 riel note of the local currency.
Known as the Japanese Mekong Friendship Bridge (or Kizuna Bridge), it was built with Japanese funding and besides being a major engineering feat, greatly eases travel between the further provinces of Kratie, Ratanakiri and
Mondulkiri. Even more famous is the seasonal bamboo bridge built anew every dry season between the capital city and a nearby island. During the wet season, the island is only accessible by ferry.
This seasonal flooding makes the ground throughout the province so fertile that many varieties of agricultural crops are grown here, including tobacco and corn. The straight rows of rubber trees with their sap dripping into little bowls can also be seen on the several plantations. One of the most popular sites for locals is the Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (Boy and Girl Mountain). On top are matching temples less than 10 kilometres from town, named after a Cambodian myth about two lovers. The most noticeable attraction of the area is
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Sesame, tobacco, pepper, corn, cassava, rubber, soy beans, paddy rice, fish, cashew nuts, rambutans and lychees GEOGRAPHY
its hundreds of cheeky macaque monkeys, who need no invitation to join a party! The focus of Kampong Cham is the mighty Mekong, with fishing a staple industry of the area. There is not yet any 5-star accommodation in the province, but a legion of cavernous Chinese hotels provides very comfortable stays for budget prices, and there are Westernowned bars and restaurants.
The tiny town of Skun on the crossroads between Kampong Cham and the more northern province of Kampong Thom is famous for its local delicacy – roasted tarantulas. Dozens of young vendors carry them around on trays waiting for busloads of tourists and they are a popular novelty for many foreign tourists. Bags of dried banana chips are also found along the roadside vendors.
Kampong Cham is primarily lowlands. The main river is the Mekong River which forms the eastern border of the province, separating it from Tbong Khmum province. NOKOR BACHEY TEMPLE This 11th century Hindu temple remains an impressive credit to its makers. Made up of four galleries, the laterite temple located just outside of town remains an active religious site and is of great cultural and historical significance to the Cambodian people.
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6 7 6
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Phnom Srey Phnom Pros 7 Wat Prasat Nokor
Kampong Cham Capital City
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Bamboo Bridge & Koh Pen
Wat Nokor Bachey
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Haong Waterfall
Phnom Pros
Phnom Srey
Fried Tarantulas (at Skuon)
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KAMPONG CHHNANG
This fascinating central province on the road between Sisophon and Phnom Penh is where almost all the clay products found in Cambodia originate. In fact, the Khmer word chhnang means “pot.� Ambling ox carts brimming with
ceramics make their way from this place, just 100 or so kilometres from the capital, all around the country. Easily reached by car or boat, this lazy provincial capital is divided between the lapping of the Mekong River and a second
part of the city sprawled just off the main road. A massive airport built by the Khmer Rouge to ferry rice to China and ward off potential attacks from Vietnam lies just outside of town. This massive airport was capable of landing huge bombers. It stretches over many kilometres. The Khmer Rouge was toppled before it could be used.
S
urrounded on one side by hills, this quiet little provincial capital may have very little i n t he way of ni ght l i f e, b u t provides a perfect opportunity to get away from it all, with 3-star accommodations available overlooking the river.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Pottery, bamboo handicrafts, c a s h e w n u t s , p a l m s u g a r, fisheries, lotus kernels, green beans, paddy rice, corn GEOGRAPHY Kampong Chhnang is in the alluvial plain of central Cambodia and is drained by the Tonle Sap, a tributary of the Mekong river. CLAY POT ARTISANS
It boasts a small replica of Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument at the roundabout which marks you have arrived in the capital city and because a large number of non-government organisations have offices there, Western-style food is available. Locals are proud of the province’s many ancient temples and its place in Khmer legend for the story of Rithy Sen – a hero who won the heart of a giant’s daughter and defended her with his life. Statues of this champion on horseback - can be seen in several
places around the town. A nearby mountain is named in honor of the mythical characters, Phnom Neang Kang Rey. A floating picnic site called Tonle Sap View is located just outside of town, which is also home to floating fishing lots where locals raise fingerlings and farm fish. Because of the area’s strong f ishing t radi t i on, Kampong Chhnang has a large ethnic Vietnamese population and is also notable for its strong Chinese influences.
The quiet village of Ondong Rossey is where the area’s famous red pottery originates. Almost every household in this region populated by serene rice fields dotted with sugar palms is making some form of pottery. The pots, mostly unpainted but decorated with etched or appliqué designs, are either made with a foot-spun wheel (smaller pieces) or banged into shape with a heavy wooden spatula (larger ones).
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Phnom Neang Kang Rey
Phnom San Touch
Kampong Chhnang
Ondong Rossey Abandoned Airport
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Wat Phnom Robath 53 142 142
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Phoum Kandal Floating Village
Silkweavers
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Tonle Sap Lake
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Spectacular Hill Range
Pottery Making
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KAMPONG SPEU
This large province 40 kilometres west of the capital is full of surprises. It is home to Cambodia’s first post-war golf course, but also offers riverside picnic areas, temples and sites of spiritual significance.
Driving to the beaches of Sihanoukville, travellers may notice a series of shrines at the top of a steep rise known as Pich Nil, which honor not Buddha or a Brahmin god, but a female spirit called Yeay Mao, who is believed
to protect travellers and sailors. It is a local custom for drivers to stop and pick a bunch of bananas as they near the site to leave an offering of her favourite food. A road forking off from the provincial capital’s market takes those in the know to a lovely riverside picnic site Ampe Phnom Resort where monkeys in their dozens come to observe visitors. Up in the province’s rugged mountains along a road just past the capital, Cambodia’s only hot springs bubble up from the earth hot enough to boil an egg, which many locals do.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Poultr y (chicken), cement, livestock (pig), paddy rice, Khmer scarves (kromas), Cambodian tiles, European vegetables, palm sugar (awarded a geographical indicator), palm wine GEOGRAPHY Most parts of this province are fertile alluvial soil reservoirs. The biggest coherent forest area of Southeast Asia, the massive and unexplored Cardamom Mountains covers the west and south of the province. In the northwest resides the highest mountain of Cambodia - Phnom Aural with an altitude of 1,813m. OUDONG MOUNTAIN
This area is also home to one of Cambodia’s many hill tribes, the Kuoy, and is regarded by many as a sacred area. In fact, water from the hot springs are said by the Kuoy to cure many ailments and even to empower sorcerers. The province is regarded by many Khmers as one rich in magic and its sorcerers and practitioners of the ancient Khmer art of magical tattoos are sought out by believers from around the country.
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or the less adventurous, Kirirom National Park is a popular picnic spot for weekends and holidays. Set on a mountain around 120 kilometres southwest of the capital, it is world
famous amongst birdwatchers and is dotted with ruins of grand villas dating back to before the civil war, including a former ho liday resi dence of Ki ng Norodom Sihanouk, who loved this part of the country. Kirirom Hillside Resort at the base of the mountain provides luxurious accommodation and there are more basic options available inside the park itself. Ecotourism is becoming a staple of this wild and well-preserved province, and those willing to rough it can ride an oxcart to a waterfall and dine with villagers during their trip at Chambok Ecotourism Site.
Rising from the plains like a fairytale castle, Oudong was once the kingdom’s capital and the spine of the mountain is dotted with stupas and shrines. At the base of the mountain silversmiths produce fine figurines once meant as offerings to their kings when they came to the Tonle Sap to bathe.
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Prek Thnot River Kirirom National Park 4
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Countryside View
Oudong Mountain
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Phnom Srong in kampong Speu
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Kirirom National Park
Tei Teuk Pous
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Abundant Wild Plants
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KAMPONG THOM More and more travellers are choosing to stop at this oasis on the road to Siem Reap and the Ankgor Wat temple complex. With a smattering of 3-star hotels or better and some nice restaurants, it makes a pleasant stop in the heart of Cambodia. Nearby mountains yield the famous tarantulas which end up roasted or fried as snacks in the town of Skun in nearby Kampong Cham. This province is the birthplace of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot. By far the most famous attractions of modern-day Kampong Thom are the Sambo Prey Kuk temples.
Nestled in lush forest around 30 kilometres from town on the road to Preah Vihear province, these 7th century temples are very much a mystery. So far, 140 temples have been discovered in the group. Although many
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are now little more than bricks, several remain in very good condition, including the hauntingly beautiful Lion Temple. Why they were built and by whom remains a matter of dispute amongst scholars, but the powerful feeling
of peace that surrounds them is a welcome change from the bustle of Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat temples and an experience well worth the trip.
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he province is also home to one of the nation’s most sacred mountains, Phnom Santuk, where visitors can view what believers say is Buddha’s footprint imprinted in stone at the top of the mountain, or wish for luck at a sacred well said to be bottomless. Phnom Santuk’s peak is reached by a climb of 809 steps along a Naga staircase, but there are many stops along the way.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Cashew nuts, cassava, cutting stones, soybeans, organic rice, roof tiles GEOGRAPHY The western province consists of grasslands extending to the famous Tonle Sap Lake. Two of the three core areas in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve are located in Kampong Thom. The eastern province consists of forests and plateaus, which are rich in natural resources for good and profitable agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. BIRDWATCHING
A more modern pagoda, Wat Kampong Thom, at the edge of town towards Siem Reap, f e a t u res n ot o n l y amazin g circular staircases and brilliant color schemes but invaluable pre-war paintings depicting the life of Buddha on its walls. Kampong Thom lies on the Steung Sen River, and visitors can take a ride along its banks or even indulge in a boat trip to take in the province’s very busy fishing industry or simply relax and watch the world go by. Visitors may notice vivid purple lights in the rice fields at night
as this province is famed for its crickets. The insects, which are attracted to the light, are prized as a drinking snack both in Cambodia and Thailand, although many foreigners f ind this an acquired taste. The Steung Sen River which runs through the town is thought to have been represented in the classic Vietnam War movie, Apocalypse Now based on the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart of Darkness. Despite recent development, Kampong Thom retains its charm and atmosphere, but with more than a touch of comfort and plenty of those famous Cambodian smiles.
Designated Bengal Florican Conservation Areas, the seasonally flooded grasslands harbor the largest known population of Bengal Florican in Cambodia. The province is an important non-breeding ground for many large water birds, such as the Greater Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Sarus Crane. Also found in this area is potentially the largest single concentration of over wintering Manchurian Reed Warblers. Migrating Oriental Plovers are regularly spotted in March.
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Steung Sen Capital City Phnom Santuk Samnak Village
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Birdwatching
Spillway of Stung Chinit irrigation scheme
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Prasat Kuhak Nokor
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KAMPOT World-famous for its pungent pepper, this southwestern province is also the source of much of the country’s salt production and a range of tropical fruits, from the spiky durian to lychees and longans.
Just outside the main town, a series of rapids which f low from the wilderness of Elephant Mountain above provide a beautiful backdrop for a picnic and to meet locals flocking there to cool off after work or on the weekends.
These rapids, called Teuk Chhou, flow all year round with the bracing cool mountain water over a series of boulders which stretch for more than a kilometre and are said by locals to clear the mind and cleanse the soul.
Vendors are keen to offer picnickers traditional sweets and local fruit, including pungent durians and sweet mangosteens and lychees. Limestone karsts are particularly common here, often dotted with caves and small shrines to various ancient deities and providing a perfect opportunity for rock climbers and explorers.
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ampot also offers its own white sand beaches, virtually unmentioned in most tourist guides, such as Prek Ampil, ringed by coconut palms and mangroves from where locals
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Sea salt, fish sauce, pepper, durian, seafood GEOGRAPHY The East of the province consists of the typical plain area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations. The Western part of the province is rich in lush, mountainous forests. PEPPER FARMS
glean delicacies such as lobster, crabs and shrimp and cook it as it arrives onshore. The meal is usually washed down with the sweet juice of young coconuts, fresh from the shell. Kampot is one of the less developed provinces for tourism, although good hotels can be found in the town and there is no shortage of restaurants serving delicious seafood, often sauced with strings of green pepper fresh from the vine – a signature dish of the area. Foreign-owned guesthouses and bars have sprung up, with some of the most tempting located on the river which runs through the town, lined
with some stunning examples of French colonial architecture. To escape the heat, the former French hill station of Bokor provides some hauntingly beautiful French-era buildings, such as the abandoned Catholic Church. The famous “old casino” has been structurally restored, but without any interior amenities, providing the imagination a chance to create designs from any era. The area is currently being developed with a newly opened 5-star resort. Kampot boasts great opportunities to encounter nature, with tigers said to still lurk in its jungles and an astonishing array of birdlife.
Cambodian pepper is said to be the best in the world and almost all of it originates in Kampot. The world’s top chefs demand Kampot pepper, and visitors can easily spend a day touring the farms that produce the product connoisseurs claim yields a flavor as complex as a fine red wine.
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Rock Climbing
Kampong Trach Mountain Cave
Bokor Mountain
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Teuk Chhou River
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KANDAL
If beautiful Battambang is the country’s rice bowl, Kandal is the mainstay of the nation’s fruit and vegetable production, with picturesque rivers providing rich alluvial soil. The roads follow the winding river, and ferries connect
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the many islands which dot the area. Sellers peddle pyramids of corn picked straight from the emerald fields along any main thoroughfare in season, as well as the sweetest mangos in the country and the juicy milk fruit,
named for the milky secretion it produces when cut and which is almost unique to this tiny corner of Cambodia.
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andal is popular with locals for its riverside picnic spots, often located on stilted huts over the water. It makes an ideal daytrip from the capital, which it borders, and offers a glimpse of real rural Cambodian life within less than an hour’s drive of Phnom Penh. Fishermen toss nets into waterways teaming with fish in the same way they have done for centuries. Most of their catch end up barbequed on open grills at the many riverside beaches, fresh and succulent.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Khmer scarves (kromas), palm sugar, paddy rice, silver handicrafts, corn, Khmer silk, Cambodian straw mats (sedge mats) GEOGRAPHY The province consists of the typical plain wet area, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations. The average altitude of the province is no more than 10 metres above sea level. The province also features two of the biggest rivers in the country, the Bassac and Mekong Rivers. KIEN SVAY
Just a short drive from Phnom Penh lies Phnom Siem – an astounding replica of several temples of Siem Reap, and the nearby sacred hilltop temple of Phnom Prasith. It is an easy boat trip from the capital to visit Mekong Island, an island of silk weavers who produce some of the best silk in the country at bargain prices. Known as the Island of Weavers or Koh Dach, and reached by a short but scenic boat ride from the capital, the people of this island produce the f inest of Cambodia’s fine silk. Watch their
deft hands as they work their looms, wander the island’s shaded roads, and take the opportunity to shop for silk. The weavers will wade out to your boat with their skillfully crafted silks to haggle. Some of the best palm wine, made from the nectar of the tall, ever-present sugar palms which dot the countryside, is produced in Kandal. This delicious brew sold by the roadside or from men on bicycles from bamboo cups may seem innocuous, but it carries a powerful kick!
Picnics in thatched cottages sitting over the river in Kien Svay are the perfect way to sample the wonderful food of this quiet rural area just outside town which is known for its sweet mangos, corn, grilled river fish and broiled chicken.
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Ta Khmau Capital City
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Phnom Thonmon
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Prasat Vihear Suor
Fishing at Soun Soben
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Silk Weaving
Kean Svay Krao Resort
Wat Udong
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KEP PROVINCE
The tiny seaside hamlet of Kep, established by the French in 1908, was once a favorite vacation place for the Cambodian elite, and even retired King Norodom Sihanouk built a villa here. Literally meaning “horse saddle,” the ruins
of the once-grand villas still remain, and fans of architecture will enjoy touring the areas where they are located. A few have been converted into luxury resort complexes, but for
the most part Kep is now a sleepy, relaxed place populated mostly by fisherfolk and their families. These locals run a bustling crab market on the seashore, where the men and women bring up their crab pots to empty them before waiting diners and the restaurant owners cook them up within minutes of arriving from the ocean. There are a number of small bungalow-style guesthouses in Kep which often order seafood from the market for guests. Kep’s Koh Tonsay, better known as Rabbit Island, can be reached with the help of local fishermen. Two dazzling white sand beaches grace this local island where the
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Seafood (especially crab), fish sauce, sea salt, pepper GEOGRAPHY Coastal mangroves open to black stone beaches and the centre of the province is a small mountain with dense forest. ARCHITECTURE
waters are shallow and calm and perfect for family swimming. The clear water makes for excellent snorkeling and marine biologists come from around the world to study and enjoy the rich biodiversity around the island.
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ugong are known to inhabit the sea grass beds near Kep, and monkeys abound in the thickly forested slopes that rise up from its small, black pebble beach, hugely popular with local tourists. Fun and easy trekking is found inside Kep National Park. Kep is an easy
day-trip from Kampot and there is an international border crossing from Vietnam not far away.
Now a sleepy seaside fishing village, Kep was once the playground of the rich and famous. The ruins of their grand villas, including that of retired King Norodom Sihanouk, still remain as testaments to the best of both French colonial and Cambodian architecture in their prime.
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Kep National Park
Kep Beach
Rabbit Island
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Koh Tonsay
Phnom Sar Sear
Live Seafood
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Mermaid Statue
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KOH KONG
This is the western-most province on the Thai border in the kingdom’s south and is well traversed as an international overland border crossing. Koh Kong has remained relatively unspoiled, with hidden white sand beaches and the largest
mangrove forest in the region already attracting an eco-tourism boom. Koh Kong’s fascinating mangrove forest teems with wildlife and is veined with mysterious islands
and rivulets to explore. It is the largest and best preserved grove in the region and considered one of the most important eco-tourism sites in the region and the perfect adventure for nature lovers. The province is also an entry point into the magnificent Cardamom Mountains wilderness, which stretches like a spine through Koh Kong more than halfway up the country. This is one of the most valuable areas of rainforest and jungle in the region. Remaining virtually untouched because of its rugged beauty, tigers and elephants still roam wild in the Cardamoms, as well as numerous species of deer,
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Sugar cane, prawn paste, banana wine, dried shrimp, natural honey GEOGRAPHY The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and forested mountains. KOH KONG SAFARI WORLD
rare turtles, millions of birds, and, in the many streams and rivers, dragon f ish and other increasingly rare species, such as the endangered Siam Crocodile.
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or visitors seeking high end luxury, Cham Yeam resort on the border provides everything from 5-star resort accommodations to a marine amusement park and, of course, casinos. Boats are available at the port to whisk travellers away to what many say could be the most perfect and unspoiled of all the island beaches in the kingdom One of the most famed waterfalls in the country, Ta Tai or Ta Eysei is also located in the province. It
is named after a powerful neak ta, or nature spirit. Another waterfall, Kbal Chhay, rises 10 meters high and eight metres across in the wet season, providing spectacular photo opportunities. Like all of Cambodia’s ocean provinces, Koh Kong province claims offshore islands, including the largest in the country – Koh Kong, at 22 kilometers in length. The island has nearly a dozen waterfalls and is lined with stunning beaches. The surrounding clear waters are home to pods of black and white dolphins which appear near the shore in the early morning and around sunset, providing a lovely natural spectacle.
With a zoo and full marine park, this is the perfect place for a day with the kids. Lions, tigers, bears and camels are amongst the animals the park is home to, and daily shows feature such entertaining acts as bicycling parrots and performing orangutans, as well as a crocodile wrangler.
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Koh Kong Island
Tatai Waterfall
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Rain Forest
Safari World Koh Kong
Kbal Chhay or Koh Por
Mangrove Forest
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Koh Kong Beach
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KRATIE
Most famous for the pod of Irrawaddy dolphins residing in the Mekong River, Kratie (pronounced “krah-chay�), also has forests and rural ambience. Flooding is a way of life during
rainy season, creating hundreds of islands and making fisheries an important industry. At Kampi Village, the views of the mighty Mekong are particularly
beautiful on this stretch of the river. Picnics in floating cottages are a popular pastime as are swimming in one of the world’s great rivers or taking a stroll on the bridge to fully appreciate the maze of river islands and sandy beaches of Kratie.
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hnom Sambok is a mountain with two peaks cradling a clear pond at their base. It is considered spiritual by local Cambodians, who tell a legend of an ancient monk who chose this place to meditate because of its magical powers and peaceful air. The mountains themselves are believed to contain veins of gold.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Soybean, sesame, cassava, cashew nuts, pepper, corn, rubber, paddy rice, fish, baskets, water hyacinth products GEOGRAPHY Kratie is largely low-density forests in the eastern half of the province and also riparian with a large section of the Mekong River along its western border. IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS
The town of Kratie retains its colonial charm. Modern conveniences are available at modest guesthouses and restaurants. When exploring the countryside, one can find cultural handicrafts made by humble basket weavers,
who have expanded to weave everything from shoes to sofas. Cr at ers from Vi et nam- era bombings during Operation Menu can still be found often filled with water looking like a perfectly round pond.
These docile, friendly creatures call this stretch of the Mekong home, especially during the dry season when they frolic in the deep rock holes of the local riverbed. Take a boat or catch a glimpse of this endangered species at play from viewing platforms located on an idyllic stretch of the river.
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Dolphins Kampi Village Phnom Sambok Kratie Capital City 7
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Kampi Village
Sambok Mountain
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Irrawaddy Dolphins
Silk Weaving
Life Along the Mekong River
Fisher Boat
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MONDULKIRI
Located on Cambodia’s rugged eastern border with Vietnam, Mondulkiri is inhabited by more hilltribe minority people than ethnic Khmers, and their unique cultures are visible everywhere in this magical jungle province.
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Dotted with waterfalls and rivers, cloaked in forest, Mondulkiri is an eco-tourist’s paradise and a hiker’s dream. There are few roads, and even the famous Bou Sra waterfall – one of the best known in the country despite its
remote location – is best reached by motorcycle. The hilltribe people have long used elephants to negotiate the narrow jungle paths, and elephant trekking has developed into a favorite way for visitors to explore this wilderness rich in wildlife and bird species. This unspoiled mountain province offers elephant treks through Mondulkiri’s dense jungle with a mahout from one of the local hilltribes. Members of these ethnic minorities have tamed elephants for centuries to explore their remote wilderness and now offer visitors the same opportunity.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Rubber, gold, coffee beans, avocado, strawberries, cashew nuts, natural honey, jar wine, indigenous handicrafts GEOGRAPHY The rolling hills of Mondulkiri rise into jungle-covered mountains. Overall, much of the province is considered a plateau. BOU SRA WATERFALL
Cemeteries, shrines and other religious expressions of the animist hill tribes are common to stumble across during treks into the jungle surrounding the sleepy capital of Sen Monorom, and their unique thatched homes and bridal houses are often perched high above the ground on long stilts.
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ondulkiri is incredibly rich in beautiful waterfalls, and 150 kilometres north of the provincial capital, an area known simply as the Riverside is an ideal goal for adventurers to take a break during a longer hike or a ride. The golden and red sands at this river beach on the Srepok River are particularly
beautiful and the river forms many small islands at this popular picnic spot with locals in Koh Nhek District. Perhaps the most incongruous discovery to be made in the province, though, is a long abandoned pine tree plantation located a few kilometers from Sen Monorom, where the trees suddenly emerge from the jungle still obediently standing in perfect straight lines. Local legend has it that King Norodom Sihanouk, who had proclaimed pines to be one of his favorite species, ordered the plantation created more than 40 years ago.
Few things are as memorable as the sight of the three-stage Bou Sra Waterfall in wet season tumbling down the cliff face surrounded by untouched forests all around. One of the most famous of the kingdom’s hundreds of stunning waterfalls, Bou Sra’s natural pools are perfect for swimming.
Riverside
Bou Sra Waterfall
Rom Mania
Sen Monorom Capital City Chrey Tom
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Coffee Farm
Phnong Village
Bou Sra Waterfall
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Elephant Trekking
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ODDAR MEANCHEY
Oddar Meanchey offers exhilarating bike rides along the nation’s northern frontier. There are tiny settlements like Anlong Veng, one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge and the final resting place of its leader, Pol
Pot, which remains marked with a corrugated iron roof and the black stains of the car tires he was cremated on, although efforts are being made to create a tourist attraction at the spot.
Sites such as this one and that of the movement’s military commander Ta Mok’s home and war room have been preserved by locals and attract their fair share of tourists, most by motorbike from Siem Reap, 100 kilometers away through stunning forest scenery. High on the bluff of Dangrek Mountain, Anlong Veng residents have built a small restaurant and guesthouse complex to take advantage of the breathtaking views. Both Anlong Veng and another town, O’Smach, have international border crossings into Thailand.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Mung beans (often translated simply as green beans), lettuce, soy beans, cassava (tapioca processing), coal, wood furniture GEOGRAPHY Flatlands and marshes give way to the Dangrek Mountain ridge bordering Thailand.
While Anlong Veng retains the eerie feel of a border town which was for so long the residence of rebels, O’Smach offers luxury in spades with a resort, casinos, very good restaurants and high-end hotels. Guests can enjoy a hard earned rest soaking in the marble bathtubs in the luxurious rooms and some fine Thai food in the swish restaurants before taking their chances at the plush casino.
Near the provincial town, botanists can visit Champei Waterfall, known for its many and magnificent water orchids. Oddar Meanchey ’s scener y combined with its challenging roads make it the perfect place to put an off-road motorbike through its paces and it has fast become one of the premier off-road destinations in the country with tours and bike rentals readily available from Siem Reap town.
ANLONG VENG Venture into one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge at Anlong Veng by climbing a steep bluff and passing stone sentries holding weapons which once warned travelers to go no further. The grave which marks the ignoble death of Pol Pot and the war room of henchman Ta Mok are sites to see.
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Samraong Capital City 56
Champei Waterfall
Anlong Veng Ta Mok’s House 67
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Champei Waterfall
O’ Smach Casino and Resort
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Road to Anlong Veng
Interesting Looking Late in Anlong Veng
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PAILIN
Pailin yields most of Cambodia’s precious gems, including rubies, sapphires and zircon, known locally as Thai diamonds. The Khmer word pailin means “otters at play,� after the mammals once native to the area that might still
exist in the rugged hills and their streams behind the town. It was the last stronghold of a Khmer Rouge faction until the late 1990s, but has retained its pre-war reputation as a cool mountain hideaway steeped in spiritualism.
The first temple travellers from the capital encounter is at Phnom Yat, named for a powerful female spirit and guardian of the town who is believed to have f irst discovered gems in the area.
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ailin is an attractive town once made rich by gems and timber. Locals can still be seen panning for gems in streams around the town. Small dams, waterfalls and river beaches around the town provide distractions for visitors and the town is close to an international border crossing. A favourite is
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Gemstones, longan fruit, maize and cassava (animal feed), sesame, mung beans (locally called green beans), lumber, sarongs GEOGRAPHY Pailin is at the northern edge of the Cardamom Mountains. PHNOM YAT
Phnom Khieu Waterfall and half the adventure of reaching this multi-tiered waterfall on beautiful Blue Mountain outside of Pailin is getting there. The road twists and turns through orchards, over streams and creeks, eventually ascending through forest to reveal
the falls. Bird life is particularly rich here. Gem shops line the main road, but it is little more than a country thoroughfare, giving the town the pleasant, sleepy feel of a border outpost.
The Mountain of Grandmother Yat is the spiritual hub of Pailin, and praying at the colourf ul temple is believed to bring luck. Grandmother Yat is said to have been the woman who discovered gems in Pailin and although the hill the temple stands on is believed to be rich in them, it is untouched.
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Pailin Capital City Phnom Yat
Phnom Khieu Waterfall
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Panning for Gems
Beauty Landscape
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Pailin City
Phnom Yat
PHNOM PENH As a province, the municipality of Phnom Penh is a thriving, vibrant, cosmopolitan urban center. Arts and industry, commerce and politics – everything can be found within the border of the city. The city never fails to impress or intrigue the visitors discovering her streets.
Historically Phnom Penh has been a fishing village for centuries, written about as a stopover on the way to visit Angkor Wat by Chinese and Portuguese explorers. The monarchy finally settled down
here at the current Royal Palace compound in 1866, after King Norodom agreed to the French Protectorate. Since that time, the city has steadily become the hub of the Kingdom’s activities.
The highest point is the man-made mountain of Wat Phnom, built to accommodate statutes of the Buddha found floating in a log on the river around 1372, by a devout Buddhist grandmother called Yeay Penh. Today Wat Phnom is a gathering point for people to visit its eclectic shrines, stupas and temples.
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urrounding Wat Phnom is the best French colonial architecture in the capital. The area around the main post office was once the domain of French architects and can be viewed during a leisurely tour by cyclo to recapture the full magic of the capital nearly a century ago.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Pharmaceuticals, beverages, food manufacturing, cockle shells, construction materials, retail garments, artwork, music and media production GEOGRAPHY Phnom Penh consists of wet plains, covering rice f ields and other ag ricultural plantations. The province also features three of the biggest rivers of the country the Bassac, the Tonle Sap and the mighty Mekong. WAT BOTUM
Phnom Penh mixes heritage with a fresh vibe and nightlife is when visitors may snack on freshly barbecued beef or seafood at one of the city’s beer gardens. Any cuisine from classic Khmer to Chinese to Italian to Mexican to fusion European is available. Phnom Penh is nothing if not multi-cultural. The city is located in an area long known as chaktomuk, which means a convergence of rivers – the Mekong and Tonle Sap entering while the Bassac and Mekong continue on to the sea. Considered a spiritual place, the Royal Palace was built on its banks in 1866, and now houses the Silver Pagoda.
The palace and nearby National Museum are worth a day to truly take in the magnificent collections of ancient relics as well as their unique and brilliant designs. Independence Monument is credited to Cambodia’s foremost architect, Vann Molyvann, and was inaugurated in 1962 to commemorate the end of the French protectorate. The Khmer Modern style came out of Cambodia’s “golden era” under the rule of then Prince Norodom Sihanouk in the late 1950s and ’60s.
Wat Botum’s sanctuary offers great photographic opportunities. Saffron robed monks are a common site in this devout capital, especially in the mornings when they walk the streets seeking alms. They welcome respectful and appropriately dressed visitors to their pagodas and are often eager to practice their English.
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Central Market Phnom Penh City Phnom Penh Int’l Airport
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Toul Sleng Museum 2
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Choeung Ek
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Royal Palace
Independence Monument
Central Market Shopping
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek stand as monuments to victims of the civil war from 1970 to 1979, which culminated the evacuation of the capital giving rise to the Khmer Rouge era. They serve as reminders of the brutality of war in the now peaceful and prosperous new Cambodia.
The Kingdom’s oldest pagodas, including Wat Lanka, Wat Botum and Wat Ounalom reside in the capital. Wat Lanka was f irst established in 1422 as a meeting place for Cambodians and Sri Lankan monks and is considered o ne o f t he bi r t hpl a ces of Cambodian Buddhism.
The capital is the seat of the Royal Ballet, famous for Khmer classical dance, which was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage object in 2003. Khmer dance is more than 1,000 years old and is known for its elaborate, graceful hand gestures and its stunning costumes.
Phnom Penh has a dazzling array of markets which can provide almost anything conceivable. Psar Kandal near the river is one of the best wet markets in the country where women arrive in boats early in the morning with fish so fresh they are still jumping.
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The Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Pong), is a centre for handicrafts, including intricate silverwork, stone carvings and world-famous Khmer silk. It is also a great place to pick up packaged products such as Cambodian pepper or a special souvenir. The local community often starts their nights enjoying the cool breeze of the riverside. Many bars in this part of town offer generous happy hours. As the night wears on, there are many options from Khmer karaoke clubs, casinos and beer gardens to amusement parks or activities at AEON Mall such as ice skating, bowling, arcade games and a modern cinema.
PHNOM PENH CAMBODIA, KINGDOM OF WONDER
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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Wat Phnom
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PREAH SIHANOUK
Sihanoukville has everything anyone can wish, from opulent hotels to thatched beach huts where local hawkers bring the freshest fruit to hot steamed crabs, shrimp and barbequed squid
Those who opt for privacy can opt for the relative quiet of a private beach such as Sokha Beach Resort or Independence Hotel, but for a taste of real beach life, the more adventurous can rent a beach chair and laze by one of
the less developed beaches like Ocheteal, where meeting local culture and people is as much a part of the experience as the gentle lapping of clear blue waves on the pristine white sand beach.
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i ha nouk vi l l e i s f a mou s throughout the region for its seafood and this tiny province offers more than its share of restaurants. Scampi, crab, fresh-caught fish such as tuna, mackerel and snapper can be selected from sumptuous menus. Many of the best restaurants compliment their cuisine with beachside seating.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Fish sauce, black pepper, rattan furniture, palm oil, seafood GEOGRAPHY The province includes coastland with white sand beaches and mangroves bordering the Gulf of Thailand, and the southern-most edge of the Cardamom mountain range reaches through its borders with the name of Elephant Mountains. REAM NATIONAL PARK
Diving experts rave about the variety of sea life in the surrounding waters. Dugong and whale sharks are known to inhabit the waters off the Cambodian coast and marine biologists have claimed the tropical waters as some of the richest in coral of Southeast Asia. Snorkeling is another favorite activity.
Ecotourism enthusiasts can enjoy the magnificent Ream National Park. Tourists can swim beside rare pink dolphins, explore mangrove forests, see wildlife including sun bears or relax on secluded beaches.
This unspoiled national park area straddles both marine and land areas and offers boat trips down river estuaries populated by rare pink dolphins, the opportunity to glimpse rare wildlife on both sea and land, and white sand beaches fringed with she-oak trees.
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Kbal Chhay Waterfall
The islands off the coast are many and virtually unexplored. Several are owned by private companies developing high-end accommodations like Song Saa Resort. However, a simple trip to a fishing village fringed with coconut palms and busy with villagers bringing in the catch of the day as they have since time immemorial may be the most rewarding experience of a trip.
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ack in nearby Sihanoukville town, locals definitely enjoy their nightlife with bars and restaurants offering karaoke and other fun activities for tourists seeking something more to do after filling their bellies full of the freshest seafood cooked to perfection using traditional Cambodian recipes.
Sihanoukville is sun, sea and sand, but with a true Khmer touch, which makes it an unforgettable beachside holiday in any itinerary.
Ochheuteal Beach
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River Ream
Beautiful Turquoise Beach on Koh Rong Samloem
Song Saa Resort
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Sokha Beach Resort
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PREAH VIHEAR
The jewel in this province’s crown along the Thai border is undoubtedly the World Heritage -listed, 11th century Preah Vihear temple.
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A Hindu-dedicated temple, it faces out over a mountain bluff to fabulous views across Thailand and Cambodia. The temple is a highly culturally significant site to
Cambodians, who try to make a pilgrimage to visit it at least once in their lives.
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reah Vihear province is also home to the important Koh Ker temple complex, built by mighty kings of Angkor and was once the Kingdom’s capital. Koh Ker temple itself is 35 metres high and is built over seven levels in a pyramid shape. The sculptures found in the complex represent the pinnacle of Khmer sculptural arts and several pieces have been returned to Cambodia after being illegally looted and rediscovered in museums and private collections around the world. Some of these magnificent sculptures can be seen at the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Cashew nuts, banana (namva variety), mung beans, paddy rice, cassava, gold, iron, logging GEOGRAPHY The province has dense, hilly forests and scrub green vegetation. The ridge of the Dangkrek Mountains is at the northern border with Thailand and Lao. KOH KER TEMPLE
Literally scores of smaller temples lie scattered about the nearby jungle, some overrun by trees, others in astoundingl y good condition, creating a romantic atmosphere of a great kingdom lost. Other temples include the Preah Khan temples, Noreay temples, Khmao temple and Neang Mao temple. The province still has challenging roads leading to these great re w a rds m a k in g th is are a a favorite for off-road motorcycle tours and trekkers, but new roads to Preah Vihear temple make it easily accessible.
Cambodia’s national bird, the critically endangered giant ibis, exists in the greatest numbers in the world at a sanctuary in Tmatboey, and hundreds of globally threatened species can be glimpsed as they come to feed. Preah Vihear provincial capital offers basic accommodation, but some travelers choose to make the trip from Siem Reap as a compliment to a tour of the great temples of the Kingdom and an exciting ride through the real, rural Cambodia.
Rising out of the jungle like a stepped pyramid, this breathtaking 10th century temple is less well known than its sister Preah Vihear and has only recently become more accessible to visitors. Many of the finest artifacts at the National Museum in the capital come from this fascinating site.
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Koh Ker
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PREY VENG Nestled between Kampong Cham province and the Vietnam border, Prey Veng is a seldom travelled province but has its own special charm. The densely populated agricultural region is located on the east bank of the Mekong River. The name literally means “long forest� in Khmer, but the last great forests have gradually disappeared to provide agricultural land.
Prey Veng is rich in religious sites, including a host of animist worship sites and some of the most ancient temples in the country, such as the 7th century brick and sandstone Chong Srok temple just outside the provincial town.
It features a massive statue of a bull outside its crumbling but once grand gates. The center for animist worship is Baray Andet, just west of the provincial town, and musicians
come to play traditional music to placate the many spirits believed to make the area their home. This village attracts hundreds of worshippers around holy days and is the starting point of a procession to nearby Ba Phnom, which in ancient times was a site of human sacrifice. Now devotees sate the spirits with roast chickens, flowers and sweet smelling incense. A cave at the base of the four mountains that make up Ba Phnom has been known to shelter wildlife. A road circles the mountains allowing visitors to take in the impressive area from all points of view.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Rattan handicrafts, ceramic water purifiers, clay cooking stoves, cassava, golden silk, paddy rice GEOGRAPHY Most of the province is lowland paddy fields. Along the western border formed by the Mekong River there are floodplain areas. BA PHNOM
For the most part, the greatest rewards of a trip to Prey Veng are the simple pleasures of the countryside. Rural life here has changed little over the centuries. Children ride buffaloes as they wallow in streams and pools. Cattle plough the rice fields and ponies pulling carts trot their way to market. Sometimes fields of bright yellow incense can be seen drying by the roads and fishermen cast their nets from bridges and shores of the many waterways the same way their fathers and grandfathers did before them.
The gateway to Prey Veng – Neak Loeung town – is a fine place to see some of Cambodia’s more unusual foodstuffs. Traditionally cars waiting to take the ferry across the Mekong would stock up on snacks for the road, but now that a new bridge has opened, it is uncertain if travelers will still stop for a break breathing life into this micro-economy. Steamed turtles, various insects and even massi ve cobras are hawked as delicacies, although wildlife groups have cracked down on the trade of endangered animals in recent years.
Once an ancient city of the Nokor period, a few vestiges of that era remain for intrepid travellers to discover. Ba Phnom was once a holy site where human sacrifice was believed to take place, but now on religious occasions locals offer no more than roasted chickens in colorful ceremonies.
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Prey Veng Rice Field
Ba Phnom Resort
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PURSAT
Pursat is home to the kingdom’s best marble and some great French colonial architecture. It is also a gateway into the wilderness of the Cardamom Mountains. These mighty mountains rise steeply behind Pursat and the protected
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wilderness they guard offers many exciting trips and treks for mountain bikers, off-road motorbike enthusiasts and hikers alike. Adventurers can spend from a day to weeks in this pristine country teeming with wildlife.
The Odar, a remote attraction, refreshes even the most tired travelers with its gorgeous scenery and tranquility. Any stress brought on by the challenges of work or family life will be carried away in the natural splendor of the river, which flows from the Arai River in the Cardamom Mountains. The mouth of the river, approximately 500 meters wide, is framed by thousands of large and small rocks. During the rainy season, the crystal clear water crashes over the smooth stones, but when the rains dry up, sentimental travellers can take a seat on the rocks to reflect on their journey. Opened just a few years ago, Odar is located in Rokat Commune in Kravanh district 58 km from Pursat town.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Sugar cane, rattan furniture, sugar palm, cassava, fish, paddy rice oranges, Pursat marble GEOGRAPHY Pursat encompasses many bioregions ranging from densely forested mountains to fertile plains to the Tonle Sap basin. Forests cover approximately 58% of Pursat. It is one of the nine provinces that are part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.
Like many provinces in Cambodia, it is a spiritual hub, with a large shrine dedicated to the powerful animist neak ta, or spirit, called Neak Ta Kliang Meung, which is located close to the provincial town.
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ursat’s proximity to the Cardamoms on one side and the Tonle Sap on the other make it rich in natural sites for picnics, especially for local tourists, where the abundance of fruits grown in the area, as well as delicacies such as freshly caught fish and frogs harvested from the rice paddies filled with a rich lemongrass stuffing, are ripe for sampling. But its sculptors are what really set Pursat apart, and almost all of
the delicate marble masterpieces available at markets in the main tourist towns around the kingdom are crafted from marble dug from the mountains of this province. The most highly prized marble has a greenish tinge and has been compared to jadite. Several aid agencies have taken an interest in developing the province and there are a number of good local restaurants located in the provincial town as it has long been an important transit province for trade by river, rail and road. The defunct railway line passes through Pursat, so it has always been a trading hub. Architecture near the railway station is particularly well preserved.
HANDICRAFTS Fine marble is the trademark of this province and almost all the statues and other stone carvings found in the country’s markets originate here. Watch sculptors at work at their ancient craft and seek out genuine bargains straight from the source. Silversmiths also work magic here.
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Kampong Luong
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Pursat Oranges
Green Marble Statue
RATANAKIRI
Hilltribe minorities, some of the most rugged jungle in the kingdom, rich wildlife and semi-precious garnets are the hallmarks of this new eco-tourism hotspot. Here, ethnic minorities go about their daily lives as they have for
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centuries, domesticating elephants and farming their ancestral lands. This is a province of animism, where tree spirits are worshiped as fervently as the Buddha. A huge reclining Buddha statue is located in a pagoda just outside
the town, but the bustling local markets in the morning are the preside of the minorities, whose women often chew betel nut, turning their teeth a rich red.
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co-treks into the remote mountains on the edge of Vietnam have become increasingly popular with travellers seeking a new frontier, but Ratanakiri’s provincial capital of Banlung also boasts some very comfortable accommodation,
REGIONAL PRODUCE Soybeans, cassava, cashew nuts, rubber, gems and stones GEOGRAPHY R atanakiri extends from the mountains of the Annamite Range in the north, across a plateau between the Sesan and Tonle Srepok rivers. VIRACHEY NATIONAL PARK
often with an environmentally friendly theme. Hill tribe villages offer exploration of their ancient animist cultures, hidden waterfalls, caves and even a lava field in the jungle. With bamboo forests, rubber plantations and some of the province’s prodigious wildlife – Ratanakiri is a trekker’s dream. Just outside town, the magnificent crater lake of Yeak Loam, whose waters are up to 50 metres deep, tempts travellers for a swim. A tourist information centre nearby
provides educational material on the local hilltribes. The deep green water is like glass and tracks leading from the tourist centre take visitors around its circumference, past ruined villas including that of the former king. The garnet mines outside of town are worked the same way they have been for decades and produce good quantities of stones, which can be bought in the market or from the miners and their families themselves.
The dense jungle of this rainforest stretching across the CambodiaLao border attracts botanists and birdwatchers from around the world. Home to guar, banteng, elephants and tigers, it is one of the most precious wilderness areas in the region and offers kayaking, trekking and more.
Virachey Nat’l Park
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Yeak Loam Lake 78
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Elephant Trekking
Trekking in Banlung
Yeak Loam Lake
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Cha Ong Waterfall
Ka Chanh Waterfall
SIEM REAP
Tourism has made Siem Reap town one of the most advanced in Cambodia, with an international airport, shopping malls and a variety of both fast foods and fine restaurants. Scratch the surface of this gateway province to the Angkor Wat temple complex and life moves at the same relaxed pace as it has for centuries.
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utside the main town, Siem Reap province remains charmingly rural, with life revolving around rice cultivation and f ishing the great Tonle Sap. It also boasts huge forests perfect for trekking and hiking, and is the jumping off point for eco-tourism sites unparalleled in the region, such as the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary.
At Prek Toal, the men who once hunted the thousands of birds who make these wetlands their home or migrate here to breed and nest have become rangers. The site is world famous for
birdwatchers now that with their help the birdlife teems. One of Siem Reap’s most famous attractions is the sprawling floating village at Kong Kneas at the mouth of the port. Here hundreds of families
have built their homes on the waterway which provides their lifeblood. Between the fishing lots several restaurants, shops, places of worship and even a school flourish. Some villagers even raise livestock such as pigs and chickens which will never set foot on dry land. Back in Siem Reap town, the shops and galleries rival the capital for variety. Aid organisations have set up training programs and marketing outlets for underprivileged local people, who now produce some of the most innovative and unique handicrafts in the Kingdom. Silk, wood and stone carvings and
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Golden silk, rattan handicraft, prahok (Khmer fish paste), green beans, crocodile, cassava, paddy rice GEOGRAPHY A large portion of Siem Reap’s southwestern border is demarcated by the Tonle Sap and as such, it is one of the nine provinces that make up the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. The northeastern area has forested mountains. KBAL SPEAN
leather shadow puppets are just some of the gems to be found. The town’s boutiques and galleries have begun attracting top local designers and artists. For those looking for nightlife. Pub Street near the Old Market is literally lined with bars and restaurants offering all sorts of entertainment from good old fashioned pubs with music to bistros, cafes and even flamboyant cabaret shows. A trip to Pub Street is a great end to the night after a stroll around one of Siem Reap’s night markets, where bargains and unique local
products are available in the atmosphere of a true Southeast Asian night bazaar. Without a doubt, the main attraction of Siem Reap is its hundreds of temples crowned by the magnificent Angkor Wat. No visit to Cambodia is complete without seeing Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the word. Visitors can spend days exploring by car, tuk tuk, on foot or by off-road vehicles and mountain bikes. Elephant rides can be enjoyed around the Elephant Terrace and Bayon temple at Angkor Thom.
Known in English as the River of 1,000 Lingas, Kbal Spean has hundreds of Brahmanist yoni and lingas which have been carved into the stone riverbed of Steung Siem Reap. The river is said to represent the life force which joins the phallic and feminine carvings creating blessed water.
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Banteay Srey Temple Siem Reap Int’l 64 Airport 6 Angkor Phnom Kulen Complex Prek Toal Sanctuary Bakong Temple Floating Village 6
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Ta Prohm Temple
Phnom Kulen Waterfall
Cambodian Cultural Village
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STUNG TRENG
This gateway province to Lao offers some of the most stunning river trips to be found anywhere in the country. Here the Mekong River rushes through a series of rapids before spreading into a wide vista as it reaches Stung Treng.
Lbakhon is one of the more spectacular waterfalls along this stretch of river, tumbling over a crescent of rocks in a beautiful spray of white water. A number of tributaries jut away from the main river, providing great
opportunities for day cruises through mangrove forests and past fishing villages.
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tung Treng was once a wild frontier, but gradually more and more travellers are discovering its rugged beauty, capped on its eastern border with Ratanakiri by the pristine Virachey National Park, home to tigers, elephants and bears, and dissected by one of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong. Hill tribes such as the Kuoy call Stung Treng home and at places like Thala Barivat. The highlight is a 7th century temple guarded
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Fish, cassava, oranges, cashew nuts pineapple, Marian plum trees natural rubber, silk GEOGRAPHY Extensive forests, intersecting rivers and streams and low population density characterize Stung Treng province. KOH KSACH
by a massive statue of Preah Kor, or the Bull God. Just before New Year, the Kuoy tribe holds a time-honored martial arts festival - four days of traditional games not seen anywhere else in the country, including Veay Khel, a traditional fighting using armor celebrating the strength of young men in the tribe. For the adventurous, kayaking, jungle trekking and mountain biking are all activities that Stung Treng’s beautiful terrain lends itself to; houseboats or live-aboards can be found for those who don’t want to leave the river or wish
to more thoroughly explore the tributaries and the Sekong River. Cambodia’s most famous singer and the Kingdom’s version of Elvis, Sinn Sisamouth, was a native of Stung Treng and the province has also produced its share of kickboxers over the decades. Stung Treng town itself is sleepy and laid back, with its centerpiece fittingly being a giant statue of a fish – the backbone of the local economy. Stung Treng is the perfect place to commune with nature and is perhaps one of the Kingdom’s most stunning and unspoiled provinces.
This river island on the Sekong River boasts a two kilometre-long sandy beach perfect for swimming and sunbathing in the hot season when the river is low. Life on the river floats by at its timeless pace.
Lbakhon Waterfall Dolphin Mekong 7
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Lbakhon Waterfall
Preah Theat Temple
Fresh Water Dolphins
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Preah Ko Temple
Boat Trip to-from Laos Border
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SVAY RIENG
Travellers overland to and from Vietnam may pass through Svay Rieng via the Bavet border crossing; however, few take the time to pause and explore this rustic province in the country ’s far southeastern corner.
Perhaps the best example of what Svay Rieng has to offer is Prey Basak, sandwiched between the Waiko River on one side and traditional villages on the other. Once the site of an ancient temple, this area still attracts worshippers,
but it is also an idyllic picnic spot, with lush forests and opportunities to swim and lunch on locally cooked delicacies.
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vay Rieng also offers luxury in the form of resorts in Bavet, where high rollers come to try their luck at the casinos before bedding down in 5-star accommodations. Most of Svay Rieng’s people are simple farmers and the best shots for avid photographers are undoubt edl y the scenes of traditional Cambodian life in the countryside which ambles along
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Bamboo furniture and handicrafts, silk handicrafts, cassava, paddy rice GEOGRAPHY This province is a vast, scenic marshland due to the many rivers leading to the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. A large portion of the province inside Vietnam is commonly known as “the parrot’s beak.” PREY BASAK
at the pace of the water buffaloes a n d c a t t le t hey still use to prepare their fields each year for the rice harvest. In the provincial town, small restaurants take pride in providing traditional Khmer cuisine such as ka kor and other complex dishes rarely seen in other parts of the country because of the time and effort it takes to prepare them well. Visitors can literally look across the border into Vietnam along much of the river-laced
border area. Cross-border trade makes markets such as Psar Nat at Bavet hives of activity as goods are sorted and sent on into Vietnam or back through Svay Rieng to other parts of Cambodia. T he peopl e of Svay Ri eng welcome visitors and tourists who choose to spend a few days enjoying their hospitality. Foreigners are still something of a novelty, ensuring many shy smiles and eager questions.
Once the site of an ancient temple, the lush forests and surrounding local villages where the people still go about their daily lives as they have for centuries attract visitors both foreign and local, especially during holdiays. Prey Basac offers a tantalizing glimpse into Cambodian culture.
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Basket Weaving
Local Life in Svay Rieng
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Svay Rieng Sugar Cane
The Resort of Prey Basak
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TAKEO
This province just outside the capital is steeped in culture and history and makes for ideal day trips. For much of the year, the 6th century Phnom Da temple is only accessible by boat, providing a wonderful scenic trip to this
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Brahmin temple made of laterite, brick and sandstone. On the way, lobster fishermen can be seen catching the brilliant blue crustaceans the province is famous for.
Man-made caves honeycomb the Indian-style temple’s base and from its peak panoramic views of Takeo stretch as far as the eye can see. Other temples such as Phnom Bayong and the 10th century Neang Khmao temple are also rich in history, but for many the highlight of a temple tour in Takeo is the beautifully preserved 11th century mountain temple of Phnom Chiso, which is very popular with local tourists, too, and attracts large crowds to climb its hundreds of steps during festival periods.
REGIONAL PRODUCE Coconuts, fish, Cambodian silk, natural stone, gems, paddy rice GEOGRAPHY The province consists of the typical wet plains area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other ag ricultural plantations. The southwestern foothills known as the Rolling Elephant Mountains are the beginning of the Cardamom mountain range. PHNOM TAMAO ZOO
Nearby Tonle Bati also boasts an impressive temple in the form of the 12th century Ta Prohm temple, built by the mighty King Jayavarman VII. After viewing this neat little temple and lighting incense for the gods, travelers can relax at the adjacent Tonle Bati picnic grounds, which consist of thatched huts over the slow flowing river where locals bring cold drinks, rice and a range of food including delicious roasted
chicken and freshly-caught, grilled fish – a perfect end to a day clambering around the temples. Takeo is the oldest of Cambodia’s provinces and municipalities and history is everywhere the visitor turns. There is also room for fun and the area around the provincial town has a number of garden restaurants where karaoke is king and the fish is so fresh that the staff have to go catch it before they can cook it at your table.
Tigers, bears, otters, elephants and other exotic species of Cambodia call this sprawling zoo home. This is one of the most advanced and natural zoos in the region, with large open enclosures. Kids can pet the deer and feed the monkeys. Displays of bird species of the Kingdom are also a must. Tonle Bati Phnom Tamao Neang Khmao Temple 2 Phnom Chiso
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Takeo Lobster
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TBONG KHMUM
Tboung Khmum is the Kingdom’s newest province, having been created by splitting Kampong Cham in half. The name refers to the precious stone amber and literally translates as “gem-bee.”
In a province rich with scenic spots, the stunning and sacred Haong waterfall is a relaxing place to enjoy nature, and swimming in the freezing pool below the falls provides a welcome relief from the tropical heat.
The famous folk story of Tum Teav is set in Tbong Khmum. Known as the Cambodian “Romeo and Juliet,” young lovers are conspired against and while it ends with a king who metes out justice, the lovers have already died their tragic deaths.
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he Memot district lends its name to the Memotian Prehistoric Villages, which are circular earthworks with an outer ring and inner ditch that have been discovered to be the home of a prehistoric culture that thrived 2,500 years ago, however fragments of glass bangles were radiocarbon-dated to be 1,000 B.C.E.
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REGIONAL PRODUCE Crocodile leather, paddy rice rubber, pepper, sesame, soy beans corn, cassava, cashew nuts GEOGRAPHY Tbong Khmum is mainly lowlands stretching from the Mekong River eastward toward rolling foothills. HAONG WATERFALL
Ponhea Kraek district is the birthplace of Sek Yi, the oldest known Cambodian to ever live. Born in 1883, he lived to be 120 years old, dying in 2003. He had 12 children, 70 grandchildren and 420 great-grandchildren. The Nokor temple complex is a must-see for archeology buffs. Built in the 9th century, it pre-dates the Angkor civilization and stretches over 2,500 metres. Prey Nokor became the home of exiled King Kon in the 16th century, until he gathered his forces and defeated his oppressor, King Sreisokunbot.
Animism is a strong belief at these ancient sites and much credence is given to magic objects. Evidence of Brahmanism is also plentiful. Local residents encourage visitors to pray to the objects and give offerings. An unusual part of the temple complex is known as The Rampart; consisting of wild grown bamboo originally planted to protect the city, it has become a popular place to have fun with traditional games during festivals.
Set amongst a beautiful mountain with a natural forest, the waterfall is a popular place for locals to enjoy a holiday picnic. Gradually, the falls have worn out a 1,425 m2 stone crater below the cascade.
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Durian Fruit Farm
POPULAR ACTIVITIES KINGDOM’S CAPITAL ECO-TOURISM ANCIENT HISTORY ART AND CULTURE NIGHTLIFE INDULGENCE SPORTS & RECREATION SUN & SAND
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Kingdom’s Capital
Phnom Penh has it all - shopping, pagodas, the Royal Palace... ... beautiful architecture and nightlife for every taste and budget. Home to the nation’s king, it is a bustling but manageable city, where virtually everything of interest can be reached in less than half an hour. The city lives between its ancient history since its founding by a devout Buddhist woman called Yeah Penh in 1434 and reminders of its more troubled recent history including the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Some of the most venerable Buddhist pagodas in the country
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are located in the capital, including the Silver Pagoda, situated inside the palace, so-named because its floor is comprised of thousands of tiles of solid silver. Located at the confluence of the mighty Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh is famous for its annual Water Festival held each November in front of the riverside promenade. Hundreds of brightly colored dragon boats vie for titles and acknowledgement from the King and millions of Cambodians flock to the city from the provinces for three days of fun and festivities.
Royal Palace Home to the Cambodian king, the Royal Palace, built in 1866, dominates the riverfront. Inside the part of the grounds open to the public is the Silver Pagoda, so named for the thousands of silver ingots that make up its floor. This pagoda houses the Emerald Buddha, which dates from the 17th century and is actually made of crystal, and a 90 kilo gold Buddha encrusted with nearly 10,000 diamonds. Active residences of the royal family are within the grounds, but not accessible to the public.
Wat Phnom A series of temples sits on the highest point in the city. It is said an old woman called Yeah Penh saw a log floating in the river. When she pulled it ashore, she discovered statues of the Buddha inside and built the hill and shrine for them. Later the city was named after her. Although mainly a tribute to the Buddha, Wat Phnom houses many shrines, including Preah Chau, and there are also images of Confucius and Vishnu.
Olympic Stadium This stadium was first constructed in 1963. Another Vann Molyvann creation, the stadium houses the country’s Olympic swimming and diving pool. Cambodia’s handful of Olympic athletes regularly train here. The qualifiers between Australia and North Korea for the 1966 football World Cup were held here. Now a meeting point for locals coming to exercise at sunset, it is also a venue for international popstars like Ronan Keating’s concert in 2007, and Pitbull in 2010.
Hun Sen Park On any given weekend, thousands of locals will flock to this area between Independence Monument and the river to fly kites, snack on local delicacies or just watch the amazing colored light displays which were recently installed in the fountains throughout the area. The large house on the corner of Norodom Boulevard is Prime Minister Hun Sen’s city residence, perhaps giving the strip its name. Vendors selling everything from balloons to popcorn to pickled fruits ply this strip and it provides a great opportunity to get a feel for everyday local life in Phnom Penh.
National Museum This beautiful building with its ornate naga head roof was built in 1918 and is worth a visit for its architecture alone. Here visitors can see some of the most precious examples of Khmer art through the centuries, with some examples dating back as far as the Chenla period and pre-dating Angkor. A guidebook is available at the door to help explain the significance of the various pieces. The large open space set in the middle of the museum is sometimes used to host cultural events.
Independence Monument Designed by renowned Cambodian architect Van Molyvann, Independence Monument sits in the middle of the main traffic circle before Hun Sen Park on Sihanouk Boulevard. Its shape is meant to represent the holy lotus flower and it is a tribute to Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Protocol demands any visiting dignitary lay a wreath at the monument, and the King or his representative visits it once a year on the anniversary of independence.
Tuol Sleng Museum, Choeung Ek Toul Sleng is a former high school which was converted into a jail by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Up to 20,000 prisoners were processed here with the majority being transferred to Choeung Ek, champions in Khmer, also known as The Killing Fields, for execution. Photos of hundreds of prisoners are displayed on the walls of Tuol Sleng, and visitors can view the cells they were held in. Choeung Ek features a stupa, or monument, filled with skulls and a series of shallow mass graves. Guides, many of whom are survivors of the Khmer Rouge, are plentiful at both sites.
Markets AEON Mall and Vattanac Tower are the latest air-conditioned malls, but Cambodians still prefer their bustling traditional markets, where haggling is a must, and the Russian Market especially is where tourists can find the best hidden gems and most exotic souvenirs. Central Market (known as Psar Thmei, or ‘new market’ to Khmers) is a magnificent spider of a building in Art Deco-style, with long arms stretching from a central dome. Here shoppers can find the freshest seafood, the best fruit and vegetables, but also some bargain buys in books, clothes and footware.
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Eco-Tourism
Cambodia is the new hot destination for eco-tourism in the region... ...unspoiled virgin jungles, wildlife such as the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, elephants, tigers and endangered bird species make it a mecca for birdwatchers and animal lovers. Trek with hill tribes by elephant through remote Mondulkiri, stay a night in a traditional village to experience true rural life, rock climb or mountain bike tour - the options are endless. Areas like Virachey National Park in the far north remain virtually unexplored, and the beautiful Cardamom mountains shelter one of the largest tracts of rainforest in the region. 174
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Eco-friendly hotels have sprung up to meet the demand of modern tourists to care for and protect the precious resources Cambodia offers. Many eco-tourism projects give local villagers a way to earn a living without depleting the natural wonders around them, so travelers can help a community and the planet at the same time while reveling in delights unique to Cambodia, which can be a simple as sitting by a waterfall or as demanding as mountain biking through narrow jungle paths into forests never before seen by outsiders.
Irrawaddy Dolphins Kratie province in the dry season is the best place to view these amazing creatures. The stretch of the Mekong River near the town offers deep holes that the dolphins love to play in and a viewing platform has been set up for people to get a close-up view of this endangered species as they go about their everyday lives. Boats are also available. Snub nosed, docile animals, the Irrawaddy dolphin has a unique charm and visitors to its peaceful home in the pristine wilderness of Kratie’s Mekong rarely fail to be enchanted.
Koh Kong Mangroves Cambodia’s coast has several pockets of mangrove swamps which nurture thriving eco-systems within the twisted masses of their roots and leafy canopies. Koh Kong is home to one of the richest of these pockets, and tourists can explore the maze of small channels by boat, seeking out the unique bird and animal life abundant under this cool, shaded sanctuary. Stretching up to 700,000 hectares, Koh Kong’s mangroves offer the opportunity for literally days of exploration.
Floating Villages At the mouth of Siem Reap’s port is the country’s most famous floating village of Chong Knas. Here an entire community lives on floating homes, running shops, businesses, restaurants and bars – there is even a floating school. These people are mostly fisherfolk and rely heavily on the Tonle Sap for their livelihoods. Boats are available to tour this impressive community, and several fish farms double as restaurants, where tourists can also learn about the lake’s intricate eco-system from the proprietors and feed the fish while they eat.
Cardamom Mountains This vast area of jungle is an eco-tourist’s paradise, with elephants, tigers, deer, monkeys and gibbons being just a few of the species known to inhabit its pristine wilderness. Scientists are still regularly discovering new species in the rainforests of this region, which until very recently was relatively unexplored and remains unpopulated. Rolling across several provinces, the heart of this unique sanctuary is best reached from Koh Kong, near the Thai border, where guides can help plan hiking trips. Waterfalls and rivers abound, providing ample opportunities for swimming.
Mondulkiri Elephants Exotic Mondulkiri province is home to many of Cambodia’s hilltribe minorities. For centuries these people have domesticated the Asiatic elephants native to the province. Now these gentle giants and their owners have turned to tourism as modern machinery replaces their ancient roles. Elephants, dumbrai in Khmer, provide a unique and unforgettable way to navigate the steep mountain slopes and jungle to view day to day life in this unique province, or perhaps view some of the region’s rich wildlife.
Yak Loam Lake This volcanic crater lake appears out of the forest just a short ride from Ratanakiri’s capital Banlung like an oasis. A sacred place for local hilltribe people, its depth gives the quiet waters the intense colour of onyx. Shaded by trees, it is a very popular local picnic spot, and the remains of King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s holiday villa can be seen on its shores. A small museum nearby is worth a visit to better understand the cultures of the many hilltribes which call the surrounding areas home.
Kirirom National Park Just over 100 kilometres from Phnom Penh on a 700-metre high mountain sprawls the magnificent Kirirom National Park. Pine trees and orchids are hallmarks of the forest here, and its rich birdlife attracts birdwatchers from around the globe. Cambodians flock to its cool waterfalls and streams on weekends to picnic, or even to stay overnight at the resort accommodation nearby. The name translates as ‘happy mountain’, and the place has always been a favourite of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who once kept a holiday villa here, the ruins of which can still be seen.
Waterfalls Cambodia is rich in waterfalls and it is rare for a province to lack a favorite. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet the locals, who flock to them to cool off during Cambodia’s hot summers. From the magnificent three-stage Bou Sra waterfall in Mondulkiri to the rapids of Teuk Chhu just outside of Kampot town, most of these remain virtually undeveloped but for a few picnic stands, where vendors will ply visitors with local fruits, barbecued meats and traditional sweets. T R AV E L A N D TO U R I S M G U I D E
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Ancient History
Khmers are justly proud of their long and mighty history... ...records of great civilizations such as the Funan and Chenla dynasties which preceded the great kings of Angkor go back far more than 1,000 years, and scholars are still finding burial sites and other evidence of other, perhaps even older mysterious civilizations such as beads and jewelry in areas across the kingdom. Cambodia has two UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples - Angkor Wat and Preah Vihear but literally hundreds of other gems of ancient architecture are scattered far and wide, including
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the Citadel of the Women, or Banteay Srei, and the former capital at Oudong. Of course no visit to Cambodia would be complete without seeing Angkor Wat, which is the world’s largest religious monument. To preserve and promote its history, Cambodia has set up a number of more contained exhibitions and sites such as the National Museum in the capital and the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap, providing great overviews of the history of the Khmer empire and beyond.
Angkor Archeological Complex The largest religious monument in the world and home to one of the nation’s two World Heritage sites. Angkor Wat is the magnificent centerpiece, but temples are scattered over a wide radius around it, including the delicate pink sandstone Bantey Srei temple. Built between the 8 th and 12th centuries, these temples are both artistic and technological masterpieces, showing a mastery of irrigation techniques in their design. Its overall layout is a representation of the universe through ancient eyes. Now it remains as a testament to one of the greatest ancient civilizations.
Oudong Once the nation’s capital from 1618 to 1886 and the final resting place of several ancient kings, Oudong mountain rises from the plains like a fairytale castle as visitors approach by road. A picnic area at the base of the mountain provides cold drinks, freshly barbecued chicken and fish and snacks like palm fruit for which the area is famous. A long climb to the top is worthwhile for the view of the vast plains which surround this holy place. The newer structure at the end of the spine houses a Buddha relic given to retired King Norodom Sihanouk as a gift by Sri Lanka.
Kbal Spean Just beneath the swift-flowing waters of this stream, intricate religious carvings have been etched into the sandstone river bed. Best viewed between July and December, this truly is the River of 1,000 Lingas. Carvings of these Hindu symbols of fertility abound. The 30-minute walk through lush tropical jungle to reach Kbal Spean helps transport visitors back in time to when Angkor kings ordered these beautiful homages to Hinduism carved just below the water’s surface. The area is named after the natural rock bridge which spans the river and means head of the bridge.
Phnom Chiso This hilltop temple in Takeo is a popular daytrip for tourists. No matter how sweltering the temperature on the plains below, a cool breeze always stirs through this 11th century Brahmanist temple. One stairway to this 130-metre high temple consists of 390 steps, a second of 408, although road access is possible on a motorbike. Phnom Chiso offers stunning views of the surrounding rice fields stretching away into the distance. Nearby Tonle Bati offers tourists a chance to break their journey with a traditional Khmer picnic on the river before heading back to the capital.
Preah Vihear Preah Vihear temple was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. The 11th century Hindu temple is perched on a mighty cliff overlooking Cambodia. The road to the top of the cliffs is currently being upgraded to make access easier, but the journey is worthwhile – both for the temple and the view. Cambodians are justly proud of this symbol of their heritage. Sometimes shrouded in mist, saffron robed monks may be seen strolling in the shadows of this ancient masterpiece and it is surrounded by several active pagodas.
Banteay Srei This Citadel of Women was constructed from the finest pink sandstone by two Shivaite priests in the second half of the 10th century. Despite its relatively small size, visitors are entranced by its magnificent carvings. The colour of the sandstone gives the temple a warm glow and lifts the intricately carved bas reliefs, imbuing the inner sanctums with a feeling of peace and tranquility. Epic scenes from the Ramayana are depicted throughout this rectangular Hindu temple. Perfect renderings of male and female divinities are set in small recesses in the central towers.
Eisey Patamak Reclining Buddha The magnificent Eisay Patamak Reclining Buddha is at the pagoda atop a hill with the same name, just a kilometer’s walk from Ratanakiri’s capital, Banlung. Residents have built a replica of the metres long statue, which was damaged during the war. Lovingly and colourfully painted, this image of the Buddha is a point of pilgrimage for local Buddhists and is cloaked in sweetly scented incense smoke during Buddhist holy days, which fall roughly once a week.
Banteay Chhmar Built in the 12th and 13th centuries during the reign of the great King Jayavarman VII, this temple in Banteay Meanchey province near the Thai border remains a testament to the brilliance of ancient Angkorian architects despite the ravages of time. A Cambodian flag flies proudly at its pinnacle and below the vista the provincial landscape stretches away. The structure of the temple remains sound, and it retains the serene air of a holy site centuries after its construction.
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Arts and Culture
Most visitors to Cambodia want to get a feel for its ancient arts and traditions... ...some organisations are providing this opportunity through modern eyes, and others are resurrecting or preserving the ways of their forefathers. Art galleries showcasing both traditional and more avant-garde paintings and sculptures by exciting young artists have sprung up all over Cambodia. Several cafes, restaurants and other venues regularly hold exhibitions. The Royal University of Fine Arts has several campuses scattered across the capital, teaching, amongst other things, the complex art of traditional dance. Many organisations are working to 178
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protect and preserve music, film and other vestiges from the golden years of the 1960’s, and places such as Wat Ounalom in Phnom Penh have salvaged ancient pali scripts written on leaves and painstakingl y preserved them. Concerts and music festivals are held regularly at various venues around the country, including a cello concert by the founder of Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital, Dr Beat Richner, at his hospital in Siem Reap where he combines music with education and tries to find donations for his free treatment for kids.
Cambodian Living Arts Cambodian Living Arts supports the revival of traditional Khmer performing arts and inspires contemporary artistic expression. CLA supports arts education, mentorship, networking opportunities, education, career development, and income generating projects for master performing artists who survived the Khmer Rouge as well as the next generation of student artists. They work with the vision that by the year 2020, Cambodia will experience a cultural renaissance so dynamic that the arts will become the country’s international signature.
Artisans d’Angkor Artisans d’Angkor is a school-towork transition for young craftsmen that have been trained through its other programs. The skilled artisans are organized into a self-sustaining handicraft network. It employs 1,000 artists who provide a range of high quality products including stone sculpture, wood carving and silk painting. By purchasing a souvenir from Artisans d’Angkor, tourists are helping young Cambodians find work in their home villages which can then be marketed through the organization and helps fund the training of other young Khmers in the future.
Art Galleries There are galleries dotted throughout the main towns in the kingdom offering everything from the intricately carved hardwood sculptures of Battambang to unique modern pieces from private galleries, both foreign and Khmer-owned. Street 178 in the capital near the National Museum is lined with small local galleries where travelers can purchase everything from watercolors and oil paintings of exotic Apsara dancers to renderings of the Buddha and scenes from the Ramayana. In Siem Reap, the main galleries are located near the Old Market and offer yet more variety.
Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center The Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center is best known for collecting and preserving the images and sounds of Cambodia and making them available to a wide public, training Cambodians in the audiovisual professions by welcoming foreign film productions and by its own artistic projects. The center is named after a young woman who became a victim of the S-21 torture center. Visitors can watch or listen to archives at the centre.
Khmer Architecture Cyclo Tours There are few more authentic and relaxing ways to take in Cambodia’s marvelous modern architecture from 1953 onwards than by cyclo – a Cambodian version of the pedal rickshaw which itself transports visitors back in time. Tours are held regularly and guides are expertly trained and speak English. The tours take place around the capital’s fine examples of French colonial architecture, Khmer New Architecture (designed by the pioneer architect Vann Molyvann) and traditional buldings.
Traditional Theatre Ancient forms of Khmer colourful theatre can be seen at various venues and restaurants, where the unparalleled Cambodian dance Apsara adds a cultural touch to the meal. Sophaline Arts is a dance troupe which performs on occasion both at home and internationally. Amrita Performing Arts blends traditional and contemporary dance forms. Sovanna Phum Arts Association performs traditional shadow puppet shows.
Circus Circus is an ancient Khmer craft, depicted on the walls of Bayon temple. There are training centres and performances in Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. Techniques include acrobatics, juggling, fire dancing, trapeze, contortionists, balancing and much more! The foremost organisation promoting both performances and training is Phare Ponleu Selpak, which means “the brightness of the arts.”
Concerts, Music and Movies Cambodia’s main centres have a flourishing concert and music scene thanks to the work of a number of arts-focused organisations, and there are regular film and music festivals scattered throughout the year which are usually well publicised. Modern cinemas have opened in Phnom Penh and will expand to Siem Reap in 2015. Live music performances can be found every night of the week at bars, clubs and galleries.
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Nightlife
Suave restaurants, cabaret, traditional dance performances... ...and, of course, pubs cater to every whim of travellers. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh both feature a healthy pub scene and prove a veritable league of nations when it comes to themes. There are good Aussie bars, English, German and French bars, sports bars and late night haunts where dance goes hand in hand with a local or international brew. Variety is the order of the day here. Cabaret has made a big impression on the night scene lately, and flamboyant shows complete with feather boas and sequins might be going on in one 180
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bar while down the street diners are enjoying a meal of Cambodian cuisine and a f loorshow of traditional Khmer dance. Full moon parties on the beaches and occasionally other venues such as the former French hill resort of Bokor have developed a cult following amongst young travelers and locals. Karaoke is a runaway hit with locals, who often team it with a barbecue meal in one of the country’s cavernous beer gardens. And of course there is the casino, where gamblers can try their luck at slot machines or go for the high rollers table.
Pub Street Street 51, or Pasteur Street, is the hub of the capital’s nightlife for foreigners. A string of bars of various sizes cater to everyone’s taste. There is even a café de wheels-style fast food trailer selling hotdogs and French fries. From quiet, small bars to the rowdy dance scene of the famous Heart of Darkness, every mood and need for late night fun is covered here, and several bars are open 24 hours a day, meaning the fun doesn’t need to stop before sunrise. In Siem Reap, Pub Street near Psar Chas is where the fun keeps going until the early hours of the morning.
Cabaret Although it is an outwardly conservative society, Cambodia is also a very tolerant one, and Cambodians love nothing better than a good show. Several nightspots now offer flamboyant dinner shows, complete with feather boas, sequins and some good old fashioned cabaret. For those seeking a more Cambodian flavor to their dinner shows, check out one of the country’s beer gardens, where diners are treated to song and dance acts by performers dressed in formal Khmer gowns, often including original numbers by the nation’s own Elvis, Sin Sisamouth.
Casinos All along the borders and in the heart of Phnom Penh, casinos owned by various international companies have sprung up, trying to recreate the glamour of Las Vegas. Casinos provide the lifeblood of the Thai border town Poipet, and some of its best accommodation. Even remote border towns such as O’Smach offer luxury casinos, as does Pailin, Bavet and the seaside resort of Sihanoukville. Play some blackjack or spin the roulette wheel – there are tables for everyone from those just seeking a few hours of fun to the highest of high rollers.
Dining Cambodia’s pride is its magnificent seafood, often brought live from the coast to restaurants around the country to ensure it is at its freshest. The Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers provide abundant feasts, while the coast yields sweet crabs. The French colonial influence can still be seen in many of the country’s top restaurants, but Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese culture have also left their marks. Cambodian & international chefs make use of the country’s abundant fresh ingredients, including the best pepper in the world.
Riverside District The river is where most expatriates choose to either wind down or kick off their big night out. Many people say a visit to the capital is not complete without enjoying a happy hour cocktail at the magnificent French colonial building which is home to the FCC, but a range of smaller bars on the street below offer everything from pizza to Mexican food, and the drinks are cheap. Set along the banks of the Tonle Sap, the river district offers a beautiful view over beverages and is the perfect place to sit and watch life in the capital unfold before your eyes.
Karaoke & Dancing Karaoke is a national obsession and although most of the songs are in Khmer, English is a popular language and revelers are likely to find locals more than willing to join in with foreign hits, making for a great night out and the perfect way to make friends. The country’s burgeoning middle class also love to dance, and several modern dance venues have opened up in recent years where visitors can boogie the night away to a combination of cutting edge Cambodian music and English and French classics.
Full Moon Parties For the young and young at heart, no trip to Southeast Asia would be complete without the experience of a full moon party on a tropical beach, and Cambodia hosts full moon parties to match those held in any other nation in the region. The beautiful white sand beaches of Sihanoukville with their waters glowing with fluorescent plankton provide the perfect setting to dance and trance the night away. Some top DJs have made the kingdom their home, meaning the music competes with anything on offer in the London or New York club scene.
Happy Hour Happy hour is an institution amongst Cambodian expatriates. Sip a twofor-one cocktail inspired by Jackie Kennedy’s 1967 visit to the Kingdom at one of the Raffles hotels in French colonial opulence, or gaze across the Tonle Sap from the balcony of the FCC. Backpacker areas such as Pub Street in Siem Reap or Street 172 in the capital also offer rich happy hour pickings with a Bohemian setting. Some of the large hotels also offer tantalizing happy hour specials in the hope of luring customers into staying for their sumptuous buffets.
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Indulgence
Gem shops are literally everywhere in Cambodia... ...peddling the fruits of Ratanakiri and of course, Pailin’s uniquely colored sapphires and rubies. For the shopper, there are many indulgences to be had. Tailors abound, thanks to the French inf luence, ready to turn f ine Cambodian silk (and other materials to be found at markets such as Olympic Market in the capital), into custom tailored suits, skirts, dresses and shirts. Handmade shoes are also a luxury well within the budget of even the most careful traveller at a specific district in the Tuol Sleng area. Boutiques provide one of a
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kind dresses and souvenirs and are plentiful in both the capital and Siem Reap as well as outlets around the border casino resorts and their high end hotels. But the real indulgence in Cambodia may be the scores of spas and massage facilities, offering pampering of feet tired from a day of temple touring. Cambodia is fast becoming a rival to Thailand in its quality and choice of treatments, from subtly blended Khmer spices and healing balms for facials to the plain, old fashioned comfort of a firm, rejuvenating massage.
Spas Ayurvedic massage with heated volcanic rocks, Thai and Khmer massage, exfoliation by Turkish spa fish – all are available in the country’s main tourist centres. Aromatherapy using extracts from the Kingdom’s many exotic plants is available at several larger hotels. Many hotels offer poolside treatments so patrons can laze by the cool water while being pampered. Relaxing on a massage bed while a beautiful Khmer masseuse smooths away the rigors of a day touring ancient temples is one of the luxurious perks of a visit to Cambodia.
Gems Garnets, sapphires, rubies and zircon are the main gems produced in Cambodia, and there are many reputable retailers on hand to show tourists the best the country has to offer. Cambodian sapphires are particularly prized, with unique traits that make them unmistakably Khmer. For something more exotic, buy a piece of jewelry fashioned from tektite, often marketed as black onyx in Cambodian markets. These are small meteorites with a glassy black interior once cut and are believed by the Chinese to ward off evil spirits.
Blind Massage Years ago the faith-based aid group Maryknoll sought to make Cambodia’s blind self sufficient and set them up in business. They found that their blind students had a natural aptitude for massage, and particularly the Japanese Shiatsu massage. Now dozens of massage salons run by the blind are located around the country, and they are very popular with travelers. For just a few dollars visitors can help handicapped Cambodians help themselves while enjoying the luxury of a firm, health-giving massage after a hard day touring the countryside.
Custom Shoes For around 20 dollars (US), travellers can choose their own style, color and materials and have leather shoes custom made within days at the street of family-owned cobbler shops near Tuol Sleng Museum. These experts work the old fashioned way, drawing the outline of the customer’s foot on paper by hand to determine the size. Glass display cabinets show a dazzling array of pre-made shoes for those who don’t have the time to wait for them to work their magic, although it is hard to say no to a personally crafted pair of shoes, as well as belts and other accessories.
Tailors Cambodia’s French colonial past has created a culture of tailors, the best of which are normally found in the larger cities. Top quality cloth is inexpensive and an individually tailored suit or dress can be created by experts within days, making this an attractive option for tourists. Linen, cotton and polyester mix weaves are available in a range of styles from markets such as the Olympic Market in Phnom Penh, and Cambodia is particularly famous for its raw silk, which is sold at various markets and through a number of aid organisations throughout the country.
Boutiques Both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are filled with small boutique stores offering everything from unusual crafts to recycled art to some of the best silk creations to be found in the kingdom. Boutiques offer one-off items with the unique touch of their individual designer, and some of the most popular are the work of Cambodians who have spent years learning their craft in Europe or the US, and particularly France. Boutiques in Siem Reap may also offer crocodile skin products – a traditional product of the Tonle Sap region.
Ice Cream Parlors Cambodians love ice cream. Gelato parlors have sprung up in all the main centres, and both Swenson’s and Dairy Queen offer air-conditioned comfort. Some restaurants even offer fried ice cream, and street vendors hawk the very Indochinese delicacy of ice cream sandwiched in sweet French-style bread. Most fast food outlets and malls have at least one ice cream parlor, providing tourists with a welcome cold treat to stave off the tropical heat. Local brand Toto creates a beautiful atmosphere to enjoy their sweet creations.
Fitness Centres Most large hotels have well equipped fitness centers, sometimes boasting stunning water views so customers can gaze out onto Cambodian river life as they run or swim. In fact landscaping of swimming pools has become a matter of pride for many hotels, which vie to boast the title of the most appealing oasis. From French colonial charm to river vistas, salt water pools or the latest in free weights and exercise equipment, spas and gyms in the main tourist centres are more than able to cater to visitor’s fitness needs. T R AV E L A N D TO U R I S M G U I D E
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Sports & Recreation
As tourism has grown, so has the sheer variety of activities... ...the kingdom has become seen as a fresh new frontier for many fans of adventure sports – rock climbing, extreme mountain biking and trekking to name a few. Golf fever has gripped the country with the greatest force. The prime minister even lists his golf scores on his website and all the prestige resorts want the honor of having the greatest names in the game design their new courses. But there are plenty of activities for the kids, too, and some international schools also offer
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school holiday courses in things like horseback riding or water sports which may be booked in advance to give the adults time to relax and do their own thing while the kids have their own fun. Tennis, miniature golf, bumper cars, bowling, ice skating and roller skating are all available in Cambodia. The famous shooting ranges in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have become internationally renowned as symbols of entrepreneurialism from a nation using its past to make the most of its future.
Golf Resorts Cambodia is fast becoming the new golfing mecca of the region. Those enjoying a few holes at the Phnom Penh golf course just outside the city may even find themselves rubbing shoulders with royalty. Most of the nation’s best hotels either have built or are building courses.
Fishing Deep sea fishing may be arranged in the pristine waters off Sihanoukville, or hire a local fisherman and his boat for the day in coastal areas such as Kep, Koh Kong or the port at Siem Reap to experience a day of true Khmer life while dipping a line in the Tonle Sap. Bream, snapper and flounder as well as sharks have been known to cruise the rich seas, and the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers sustain the nation with their amazing stocks of exotic freshwater species.
Trekking Cambodia still offers waterfalls and treks few outsiders have ever seen before in the protected Cardamom Mountains and the wilderness provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. Guides are keen to show tourists their jungles which cover much of the country and are the largest untouched wild forests in the region. Ride an elephant through Mondulkiri or trek by foot along one of the Cardamom’s mighty rivers. Some less strenuous treks involve a boat trip to the wetlands of the Tonle Sap to see some of the rare cranes and other pockets of endangered birds watched over by various organisations.
Horseback Riding Horses are important to Cambodian culture and horse-drawn carts can be seen around the nation, hauling goods to market as they have for centuries. Cambodia Country Club on the outskirts of the capital is home to the nation’s equestrian centre. In Siem Reap and some other temples such as Phnom Siem just outside the capital, horses in glittering traditional costume are available for rent. Kirirom Mountain resort offers a luxurious way to take in some of the most stunning scenery in the kingdom from horseback.
Mountain Biking & Motorbike Tours This could be the perfect green holiday – biking through the countryside where strangers are guaranteed a friendly smile and a wave from locals. Several companies are now offering organized mountain bike trips through the kingdom’s many national parks for various levels of rider. Those more inclined to hire off-road motorbikes can explore the furthest corners of the country, from the north-eastern jungle provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri to Kratie, home of the Irrawaddy dolphins.
Rock Climbing Cambodia’s jutting limestone karsts dot the landscape,especially in the provinces southward toward the sea. The soaring cliffs make ideal rock climbing conditionsfor both experienced and novice climbers. Rock climbing teachers and schools are available for beginners and expert guides can organise trips of up to a week in duration. Discover hidden caves and ancient mountaintop ruins and relics. This wild country promises experiencedclimbers trips to areas never before explored in someof the most beautiful and unspoiled forests anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Kickboxing and Martial Arts Kickboxing (bokotor in Khmer) is a national pastime and classes and professional instruction are available for visitors wanting to try their luck at becoming the next Contender. Local coffee shops are packed every weekend with fans watching their favorites live on TV, and at ringside seats at some TV stations. The less ambitious can join the daily exercise groups by the riverside in the capital, providing a valuable interaction with the locals, and perhaps a few laughs. Chinese schools provide dragon dance training, and karate classes can often be seen on the grounds of many other schools.
For Kids Young and Old Malls have reached Cambodia, and several of them offer fun for kids, including roller skating and ice skating rinks, miniature golf and arcades. More local amusement parks have side show alleys where bumper cars provide universally understood amusement. Ferris wheels and other rides make it to even the most remote parts of the country during festivals such as Khmer New Year in April. Go-kart tracks are on offer just outside of the capital. For the young at heart, both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh boast shooting ranges manned by the military which stock a range of weapons. T R AV E L A N D TO U R I S M G U I D E
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Sun & Sand
Diving experts rave about the potential for Cambodia... ...resident dive shop owners claim the pristine reefs already discovered are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what may yet to be found in the depths off the coastal provinces of Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot and Koh Kong. Lazing on the white sand beaches is certainly made easy here, with resorts for those in search of luxury and deserted, barely visited beaches for those in search of something more secluded. Sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing and kite surfing are all options for the active pleasure-seekers, and the 186
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waters of the Gulf of Thailand are clear, warm and inviting. There are hundreds of islands off the Cambodian coast just waiting to be discovered, and fishing enthusiasts say the deep sea fishing is equal to any in the world, with cobias, barramundi, barracudas and whale sharks sharing the sea with snapper and other great fighting fish. After all the excitement, a drink and a seafood meal watching one of Cambodia’s legendary coastal sunsets has rounded out many a perfect day in the kingdom of wonders.
Scuba Diving Dugongs and whale sharks swim the warm, coral-shoaled waters off the Cambodian coast, and certified local dive instructors boast they can take divers to the best sites in what is fast becoming a new Mecca for divers searching for underwater paradise in Asia. Although seasonal due to visibility in wet season, the quality of diving in season has attracted enthusiasts from around the world to explore the offshore reefs and islands teeming with hundreds of species of tropical fish and corals.
Sailing Cambodia’s azure blue oceans and hundreds of islands dotting the coast tantalizingly as far as the eye can see literally beckon travellers to take to the seas by sail, and charters and live-aboards are readily available to make that desire reality. Many of the islands off Sihanoukville and Kep are uninhabited and little visited, allowing a trip with an experienced guide to take travelers literally into their own world as they navigate their way to deserted white sand beaches and mysterious caves.
Windsurfing The glassy waters of the Gulf of Thailand make for perfect windsurfing conditions in both Kep and Sihanoukville, and as tourism has increased it has become a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. The winds blow strongest in November, which is also when the weather in the kingdom is at its most inviting, but both wind & kite surfing can be enjoyed in the tropical climate all year round. There are also opportunities to windsurf the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers and the vast expanse of the Tonle Sap Lake in wet season.
Jet Skis The pretty skyline of Phnom Penh is even more attractive from the water, and jet-skiing has increasingly become a popular way to view the capital or navigate the jutting peninsular of Chroy Chang Var opposite the capital and boast the experience of jet-skiing the mighty Mekong River. Jet-skiing is also an option on the coast or the rivers which surround Siem Reap for those who yearn for a cool break from touring the ancient temples. It can either sate a need for speed in laid-back Cambodia or provide an interesting alternative for exploring the area’s unique wildlife.
Beach Lounging Cambodia’s beaches are often described as matching those of neighboring Thailand 20 years ago – unspoiled and largely yet to be developed, save for a few 5-star resorts with a smattering of private beaches for those with a taste for luxury. Getting a tan can be done sipping a cocktail or lazing in the rustic huts that still line some beaches while local hawkers offer a mouthwatering array of food delivered right to your deckchair, from tropical fruits to barbequed squid and crab fresh from the ocean.
Islands Cambodia’s islands are only just beginning to be developed. Island hopping the hundreds of rocky outcrops and remote beaches can be done as simply as hiring a local fishing boat or as comfortably as hiring a charter with champagne on ice for the day. Snorkeling off Cambodia’s coast is recommended and a perfect way to while a day away. Some of Cambodia’s islands are so rarely visited by outsiders that they do not even appear on standard maps. Local English-speaking guides who know the area like the backs of their hands and have grown up fishing the local seas are plentiful.
Swimming From the perfect pools of high-end hotels to unsullied creeks and streams deep in the rainforest to the gentle Gulf of Thailand sea, there are unlimited options for every type of swimmer visiting the kingdom. Some pools, like the one in Battambang, are rich in history from when it was built in Cambodia’s golden era during the 1960’s, as are the cool oasis in the restored French colonial era hotels. Sihanoukville in particular offers very child-friendly beaches, with warm, shallow waters and a gentle surf. The beaches of Ream National Park provide seclusion and nature.
Deep Sea Fishing The pristine waters off Cambodia’s coast make for excellent deep sea fishing, with charters readily available from Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. Cobias, great barracuda, bat fish, snapper and fusiliers run in massive schools off many of the reefs, as well as cat sharks, blue spotted rays and large sharks. Large pelagic fish species are common and most of the same species found in more developed deep sea fishing destinations are here. Relax by kicking back on a charter off exotic Cambodia, throwing back a cold beer and waiting for the next big one to bite.
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