CAMBODIA TRAVEL GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The country is best known for its temple complex of Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious monument in the world. With its friendly people and fascinating places, Cambodia is a great destination for travelers of all ages. You can read the travel guide Cambodia in this below to know more interesting information about Cambodia.
Facts about Cambodia
- Spoken language: Khmer
- Currency: Cambodian riel. US dollars are also accepted widely, but because there is a recent push to use riel, so you may get riel as a change for your dollars.
- Population: Estimated 16,713,015 in 2022
- Capital: Phnom Penh, its largest city
- Religions: Buddhism (practiced by 97% of the population)
- Flag: Blue borders with a red stripe and an image of Angkor Wat in the middle
Travel guide Cambodia: Best time to visit
The best time to visit Cambodia depends on what you want to see and do. If you’re interested in exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, the dry season (November to April) is the best time to go. The weather is cooler and drier, which makes for more comfortable conditions when visiting the temples. If you want to experience Cambodian culture and see the country’s natural beauty, the wet season (May to October) is a great time to visit. The rains bring out the lush green landscapes, and you’ll get to see traditional festivals and celebrations. No matter when you decide to go, Cambodia is sure to offer an unforgettable experience.
How to get to Cambodia?
The best way to get to Cambodia depends on your location and budget. If you’re coming from Thailand, the easiest and most popular option is to take a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the Angkor Wat temple complex. This journey takes around 7-8 hours and costs around $10. If you’re coming from Laos, the best option is to take a bus from Vientiane to Stung Treng, and then another bus or a boat from Stung Treng to Siem Reap. This journey takes around 12 hours and costs around $20. If you’re coming from Vietnam, the best option is to take a bus or a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, and then another bus or a boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. This journey takes around 12 hours and costs around $25.
Cambodia travel guide: How to get around
Cambodia is a beautiful country with a lot to offer tourists. The best way to see everything Cambodia has to offer is to travel around the country by bus. This is a cheap and convenient option, and there are a number of different routes to choose from. You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle and explore the country on your own.
When traveling around Cambodia, it’s important to be respectful of the local culture. That means: dressing modestly, avoiding public displays of affection, and being aware of the country’s customs and etiquette. It’s also a good idea to learn some basic Khmer, as this will help you to communicate with the locals.
10 best places to visit in Cambodia
Siem Reap
Most visitors to this city are drawn to the temples. Angkor Wat may be the most famous, but Angkor Archaeological Park is actually home to over a thousand temples of varying conditions.
Phnom Penh
After the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge, the Phnom Penh of today – like the rest of Cambodia – is recovering and growing into a vibrant, rich, and diverse metropolitan city.
Sihanoukville
This beach town is a haven for backpackers and budget travelers. Islands around it offer scuba diving, snorkeling, or just relaxation on the sand.
Battambang
This is a place where you can find yourself pleasantly lost roaming the streets. Architectural relics from French colonial times still remain, such as the former Governor’s Residence.
Banlung
This hidden gem possesses a series of beautiful waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery, as well as the magnificent Boeng Yeak Lom crater lake, which resembles a perfectly round mirror
Ratanakiri
Adventurous tourists weary of seeing temples can enjoy trekking across this red-dirt country to quiet little villages where ethnic minorities dwell.
Tonle Sap Lake
170 villages live in stilt houses built directly over the lake. All facilities in the area float on foundations made of bamboo and barrels lashed together. People can only travel by boat.
Kampi – Kratie
Book a boat tour down the Mekong (departing from Kampi), and you can see the endangered Irawaddy dolphins, as well as glimpse how the people live along this magnificent river.
Mundulkiri
It is home to an elephant sanctuary where you can walk alongside elephants and help their minders (mahout) earn a living, without the overwork or abuse of these spectacular animals.
Kampot
Outside of Kampot, fields of Cambodia’s famous peppers deliver a kick of spiciness to dishes around the country and beyond, such as the Kampot Pepper Crab, and even a kind of rum.
Best foods and drinks in Cambodia
The country’s cuisine is a unique blend of Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, French, and Khmer influences, and it’s full of delicious surprises. Here are a few of the best foods and drinks to try in Cambodia:
- Fish amok: This traditional curry is made with steamed fish, coconut milk, lemongrass, and chili peppers.
- Num banhchok: A hearty noodle bowl made with lightly fermented rice noodles, freshwater fish, salted and fermented fish paste, coconut cream, and various vegetables.
- Samlar kako: A savory soup created from herb and fish pastes, roasted ground rice, chicken or pork, catfish, vegetables, and fruit.
- Babaw sadeik khiew: A green mung bean soup, eaten after lunch or dinner to chase away the heat.
- Angkor beer: A light and refreshing Cambodian beer, the most popular in the country.
Suggested Cambodia travel itinerary
A Siem Reap tour package journey full of taste for culture and heritage sites over Cambodia. Starts from Phnom Penh capital which offers plentiful history, architecture, food, and culture, all wrapped up in the hectic and vibrant atmosphere, and ends at Siem Reap where we can delve into the history with the stunning Angkor Wat.
- Day 1: Hello Phnom Penh
- Day 2: Phnom Penh
- Day 3: Phnom Penh – Battambang
- Day 4: Battambang
- Day 5: Battambang – Siem Reap
- Day 6: Siem Reap
- Day 7: Siem Reap
- Day 8: Outskirts of Siem Reap
- Day 9: Farewell Siem Reap
Travel guide to Cambodia: Interesting activities
There are a number of interesting things to see and do in Cambodia, from exploring ancient temples to visiting traditional markets. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit the temple complex of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
Take a boat trip along the Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia.
- Explore the capital city of Phnom Penh, home to a number of historical sites and museums.
- Visit the Killing Fields, where victims of the Khmer Rouge regime were executed and buried. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is also an actual former prison where political dissidents and innocent people were held, tortured, interrogated, and murdered.
- Attend a traditional Apsara dance performance, a form of Khmer classical dance.
Cultural features of Cambodia
While Buddhism has been a major influence on Cambodian society, history, and culture, indigenous animistic beliefs and Hinduism also played their parts in the foundation of the national ethos. Cambodia experienced a golden age during the Angkor period (9th to 14th century), which ended due to civil wars and skirmishes with neighbors. Nevertheless, it left strong influences on the country in general, the most tangible being the Angkor Wat temple complex, which has become a symbol of Cambodia itself and a point of pride for its people.
Cambodian society is quite hierarchical, placing great importance on respect and rituals. Generally, seniority comes with age and social position – the older and/or more powerful, the more respect the person should be given. The polite way to greet someone is the Sampeah: clasping your palms flat together and bowing. Avoid gesturing with your feet, or pointing them at someone while sleeping or sitting, as they are considered impure because they are the lowest part of the body. Accordingly, the head is considered the purest since it’s the highest, and should not be touched or pointed at.
Visa requirements to travel to Cambodia
Citizens of most countries are eligible for a visa on arrival, but it is recommended that they obtain a visa in advance from a Cambodian embassy or consulate.
ASEAN citizens can enter and stay visa-free for 14 to 30 days (depending on their nationality).
Citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Sudan, cannot apply for a visa on arrival. They need to apply in advance at their local Cambodian embassy. They can also apply online for an e-visa a minimum of 20 working days in advance (except Nigerian citizens).
Cambodia offers a variety of different visas, so be sure to check the requirements for the specific type of visa you need.
FAQs about travel guide Cambodia
The best time to travel to Cambodia is between November and May when the country still has pleasant weather and little rain. However, Cambodia’s weather is typically hot and humid all year round.
You should plan to spend around $50 per day ($1500 per month) on your vacation in Cambodia, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors
Above is information about the travel guide Cambodia that you need to know before traveling. Travelers to Cambodia will find a wide variety of things to see and do, from exploring the country’s rich history and culture to enjoying its natural beauty. With its friendly people and fascinating places, Cambodia is a great destination for travelers of all ages.
Source: Ttravel
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