10 tourist attractions in Cambodia
1. Preah Vihear Temple
Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple perched on a 525-metre cliff in the legendary Dangrek range, on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. It is one of the finest surviving examples of 11th- and 12th-century Khmer architecture.
2. Tonle Sap Freshwater Lake
Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of Cambodia’s most important. The lake expands and changes astonishingly with each season. From November to May, Cambodia’s dry season, Tonle Sap is mostly dry, while in the rainy season the lake becomes far larger, with many floating villages where people live.
3. Bokor Hill French Casino
This station near Kampot was built by the French in the 1920s and has been abandoned twice up to the present day; however, because it sits along a beautiful walking route through the country, visitors still stop by here regularly.
4. Koh Ker and Tonle Batey Temples
Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a short period from 928 to 944 AD. During this brief time, many houses and architectural works were built. The most striking is Prasat Thm, a 30-metre-high pyramid temple standing amid the old forest, with a statue of the Garuda bird god carved into large blocks of stone.
5. The Angkor Wat Complex
Angkor is the famous, vast architectural complex that made the name of Cambodia tourism. It was built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries AD, with the ancient Angkor Wat temple, the giant stone faces of Bayon and impressive ruins engulfed in tree roots.
6. The Ancient Capital of Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a fast-growing city in Cambodia and one of its most charming gateway towns, with many ancient temples, bustling night markets and international-standard guesthouses and hotels.
7. Sihanouk Ville City
Sihanouk Ville, also known as Kampong Som, is a port city and coastal resort area on the Gulf of Thailand. Its highlights are white-sand beaches and tropical islands, ideal for short getaways.
8. The Golden Temple and the Silver Pagoda
Located within the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the Silver Pagoda is regarded as a national treasure, with many Buddha statues made of gold and precious stones. Its most prized treasures are an emerald Buddha statue and a golden Maitreya statue studded with 9,584 diamonds.
9. Kratie River
This small town on the banks of the Mekong River was once a busy, bustling market area. Today it attracts many tour groups who come to see the old French-style houses and watch the dolphins. That is the natural scenery bestowed for generations that the people of Cambodia still keep as a value.
10. Banteay Srei Temple
Banteay Srei is a temple located 25 km northeast of the Angkor complex. It was built starting in 967 AD, mainly from red sandstone, and features many beautiful decorative stone carvings.
And there are still many other tourist attractions in Cambodia. If you’d like to visit more places, you should book tours with sightseeing itineraries or ask local people about beautiful places worth visiting. Be sure to enjoy Cambodian cuisine if you don’t want to miss out on delicious dishes. Wishing you a wonderful trip in Cambodia.