Cambodia — Attractions
The Royal Palace
This is the principal attraction of the city and contains the best examples of 20th-century Khmer architecture. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihanouk. Set among the perfectly maintained gardens is the exquisite Throne Hall, the Elephant Pavilion where the king's elephants were kept, the Royal Treasury and the Chan Chaya Pavilion, made especially for performances of classical Cambodian dance. Although mostly off-limits to the public, the Silver Pagoda can be visited. The highlight of the compound, the Silver Pagoda, takes its name from the floor of the temple, which is completely covered in silver tiles. The internal walls are decorated with frescoes depicting episodes of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903 by 40 Khmer artists. Also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, the magnificent baccarat crystal image of the Emerald Buddha sits in the center on a gilt pedestal. There are other intricately carved Buddha images on display, notably the life-size solid gold statue that stands in front of the pedestal, decorated with 9,584 diamonds.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No. 63, Street 348, Sangkat Toul Svay Prey II, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 1593
- Hours
- Daily, from 7.30am to 11am, and 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$3, with an additional camera charge of US$2
National Museum
The museum houses the country's most important collection of ancient Cambodian culture and Khmer art. It is made up of four galleries containing relics, sculpture, art and crafts covering history from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) until the present. The pieces are arranged in chronological order and the collection continues to grow as new treasures previously hidden from the Khmer Rouge are discovered. There are also original relics and sculptures from the temples of Angkor.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Next to the Royal Palace, on Streets 178 and 13
- Phone Number
- (0)23 21 1753
- Website
- www.cambodiamuseum.info
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 5pm (last ticket sold at 4.30pm)
- Admission
- US$3
Tuol Sleng Museum
When the Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, they commandeered and converted a secondary school into a primitive prison where they detained and tortured anyone suspected of anti-revolutionary behavior. Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 20,000 victims were imprisoned in Security Prison 21, or S21, as it was known. The museum was established after the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and today it appears exactly as the fleeing Khmer Rouge left it, and serves as a testimony to the crimes and atrocities of the organization. It is a tremendously depressing experience, and the pictures, instruments of torture and bloodstained walls give a thorough idea of the extent of the pain and horror borne by the Cambodian people. Thousands of victims were transported from here to the extermination camp outside the city, Choeung Ek.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Corner of 113 and 350 Streets
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 11.30am, and from 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$2
Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields)
Choeung Ek was the extermination camp where the prisoners from S21 (now the Tuol Sleng Museum) were transported to and executed. Also known as the Killing Fields, after the movie of the same name, about 17,000 people were buried here in mass graves. A tall Memorial Stupa was constructed to commemorate the dead and more than 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass. At the entrance, a handwritten sign in Khmer and English summarises the atrocities caused by the Khmer Rouge.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Just over 9 miles (15km) southwest of Phnom Penh
- Hours
- Daily
- Admission
- US$2
Sihanoukville
While this beach town doesn't have much to compare with Thailand's pristine coast, it does make a great getaway from the dusty or muddy (depending on season) rest of Cambodia. Sihanoukville is the country's only deep water port, making much of the city industrial and unattractive to tourists. But there are several secluded tourist beaches with all the requisite trappings: dishevelled beach bars, guesthouses and hawkers. As there isn't much to do in town, it is worth the extra money to stay in the quaint beachside guesthouses. Nightly beach barbecues prepare great food and offer cheap beer. The government is said to have plans to develop the area for larger resorts which will surely ruin its laid-back beach charm in years to come. Regular daily buses provide a three to four hour journey to and from Phnom Phen, along Cambodia's best road. There is also a ferry connecting to Koh Kong, the Cambodian/Thailand border.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 115 miles (185km) southwest of Phnom Penh
Krong Kep
From Sihanoukville, a great destination is the once-popular resort town of Kep. The Khmer Rouge did a number on this town, but the crumbling villas of past French and rich Cambodian tourists add to its ruinous mystique. A beautiful coastal road and nearby Rabbit Island provide present day visitors with a relaxed atmosphere. For the best restaurants in town, and best seafood in Cambodia, try the shack-like buildings near the water and order the crab. Kep is around a 3 hour taxi ride from Sihanoukville, or a 4 hour bus ride from Phnom Phen.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 3 hours southwest of Phnom Penh
River Dolphins
Irrawaddy river dolphins, once in danger of extinction, are now saving the rural north-eastern town of Kratie. For years the dolphins were killed in now illegal fishing practices and hunted by the Khmer Rouge, but their appeal to tourists is bringing the welcome foreign dollars to the region. Kratie is accustomed to budget travelers, with a choice of cheap guesthouses. All of these offer motorbike drivers for the scenic 9 mile (15km) drive to the dolphins' river home. From the river shore, tourists can rent small boats to get closer. While the oarsmen retain a healthy distance from the surfacing animals, viewers can get near enough to see a similarity between Khmer and dolphin smiles.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Kratie, about 4 or 5 hours from Phnom Phen
- Transport
- Buses to Kratie are available from Phnom Phen
Blind Massage
Cambodian travel can often be jarring; hard beds, bumpy roads and death defying taxi drivers can leave a body in ill shape. Seeing Hands is a business employing blind masseuses to work out those tourist kinks. Cambodia gives few opportunities to disabled workers and supporting Seeing Hands has its own karmic rewards, but visitors will be even more satisfied by the quality of the massage. The city offers a host of dodgy 'massage' houses and knowing a place is reputable is relaxing in itself. There are three Seeing Hands centers in town, all offering massages for about six US dollars, but don't forget to tip.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 6 Street 94, At Wat Phonm, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)16 85 6188
- Admission
- From US$6
Central Market (Psah Thmay)
Phnom Phen's most obvious landmark looks more in style with a Star Warstrading post then most earthly structures. Inside the tall dome is a host of goods, from watches, to jewelry, clothing and food. Much of the market's merchandise is the same, so comparing prices to find the real value is advised. One should bargain hard but good-naturedly. Surrounding the structure is a ring of tightly packed vendors selling similar wares. Its central location is walkable from about anywhere but all taxis know 'central market'.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh
Foreign Correspondents Club
A pleasant way to spend the evening is on the balcony of the FCC. The well-located bar and restaurant sits on the banks of riverside overlooking the converging Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prices are more expensive then its neighbors, but the colonial-chic style gives an invaluable French flair to the night.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 363 Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 0142
- Website
- www.fcccambodia.com
Shooting Range
Amuse your inner warrior with Phnom Phen's best carnal pleasure: shooting big guns. Whatever one's taste, be it automatic rifles and rocket launchers or grenades, they are all a possibility. It is said that for extra money targets can become live farm animals, although this controversial practice may have stopped in recent times. At about a dollar a bullet, make sure Rambo instincts are kept in check. All guesthouses and taxis can provide a trip to the shooting range, which is located close to the airport.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Dangkor, in west Phnom Penh, near the airport
Memphis Pub
Memphis Pub is a cool venue to hear great cover bands put their spin on old classic rock. It is a thumping place, usually packed with expats and tourists until late. There isn't much Khmer about the style but a taste of home is fun for a night. Memphis is on riverside, making it a central and safe area to stumble home from.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No 3, Street 118, near Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)12 871263
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday evenings
Lakeside
Lakeside is the backpacker hub of Phnom Phen. It is located on the shore of Boeung Kak Lake, a short taxi ride from downtown. The cheapest rooms are available for a couple of dollars but upgrading is a good idea. The guesthouses with the best laid-back atmosphere are spread far into the water with nice decks to lounge away the heat or soak up the night air. Check out the guesthouses creatively named #9 and #10. All the similarities of 'backpakerville' are here: cheap eats, travel agencies and alternative bars with cheap beer and unique cocktail names.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Boeung Kak Lake
Tonlé Sap Lake
Boeung Tonlé Sap(Tonlé Sap Lake) is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, and boasts a rich and diverse eco-system. Inhabitants include birds, fish, crocodiles, turtles, macaques and otter, as well as villagers living in stilted or floating houses. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary in the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve is home to ibis, stork, pelicans and fish eagles; the best time to view these birds is in the dry season. There is also a Tonlé Sap Exhibition in Siem Reap, showcasing Khmer heritage through a display of the local people's culture and environment.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- The lake is about 9 miles (15km) south of Siem Reap
- Phone Number
- Tonlé Sap Exhibition (0)63 964 694
- Transport
- The ferry between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap crosses the lake and docks at the village of Chong Khneas. The Tonlé Sap Exhibition is on the road to Angkor Wat, just past the Jayavarman VII Hospital.
- Hours
- All attractions are open daily, though the exhibition is closed between 12pm and 2pm
- Admission
- Chong Khneas floating village boat tour: US$6; Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary entrance: US$5, tour US$15-25; Tonlé Sap exhibition: free.
Temples of Angkor
A sightseeing must on any trip to Cambodia are the historical Temples of Angkor, set in the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, more than 100 temples have been uncovered and stand testament to this ancient civilization and one of the biggest cities of its time. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built, an impressive Hindu temple surrounded by a moat, and acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. The walled Royal City of Angkor Thom is home to the Bayon Temple and its huge stone faces, another fascinating attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 3 miles (5km) outside Siem Reap
- Admission
- US$20 for a day pass
Aki Ra's Landmine Museum
A jarring counterpoint to the ancient Khmer glories on display at Angkor Wat are the more recent horrors of Cambodia's political and social upheavals. This museum, founded by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier, provides a clear and compelling account of this troubled time, and the appalling legacy of landmines and unexploded ordinance that still blights the lives of the Cambodian people's lives today. Despite ongoing effort to find and defuse these sleeping weapons, it is estimated that less than half have been cleared. Aki Ra himself deactivated over 50,000 of them, many on his own initiative. The museum contains hundreds of these landmines, and many other weapons too.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Located 4 miles (6km) south of Banteay Srey Temple, within the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park
- Email Address
- info@cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Website
- www.cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Admission
- Donation of $1 per person
Psar Chaa - Old Market
This is Siem Reap's most popular shopping experience for visitors. The outside stalls sell souvenirs such as silk, carvings, stoneware, faux vintage items, t-shirts, and paintings and photos of Angkor Wat temples. Further inside the market are fresh produce and seafood stalls. The food stalls are an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Khmer food, invariably served with the distinctive local Prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. A good accompaniment is coconut milk drunk directly from the fruit. The ubiquity of baguettes and frog legs is a clear, and delicious legacy of the French colonial era.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Downtown Siem Reap
Beng Mealea
For those visitors especially charmed by Tah Prom's jungle clad stones within the Angkor Wat complex, it is well worth making the five hour round trip to visit Beng Mealea, a little-visited sandstone temple, now fused with the surrounding jungle. Built in the 12th century, and long since abandoned, this sprawling temple complex is as on a similar scale to Angkor Wat, and closely approximates what the first western visitors there must have experienced when stumbling upon these forgotten wonders. Many of the carvings have been desecrated by earlier souvenir hunters, but in other ways the mystery and quality of the structure has remained intact due to the small number of visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 45 miles (70km) from Siem Reap
- Admission
- $5
Angkor National Museum
This museum is a useful stop-over en route to the temples, so visitors can gain some perspective on the centuries of history, rich symbolism, and other stories that often remain hidden when viewing the Angkor temples without a guide. The museum uses multimedia displays and various artifacts to evoke the golden age of Khmer culture. The building itself is ultra-modern, lavishly air-conditioned, and enormous, with over 20,000 square meters of floor space.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- No.968, Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Svaydangum, Siem Reap
- Email Address
- info@the-anm.com
- Website
- www.angkornationalmuseum.com
- Hours
- 1 May to 30 September: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6pm; 1 October to 30 April: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Admission
- Admission for non-Cambodians is $12, with an extra $3 for photography
Cambodia Cooking Class
It is always wonderful to return from your time abroad with a skill you didn't have when you left home in the first place - and the Cambodia Cooking Class, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist attractions, offers tourists to Cambodia the chance to do just that. Khmer cuisine distinguishes itself from Thai and Vietnamese cuisine with its delicate use of spices and aromatic herbs, used to create finely-balanced flavors that run the gamut from sweetness, to saltiness, sourness and spiciness. The Cambodia Cooking Class is operated from the Frizz Restaurant in downtown Phnom Penh, and prides itself on a 'small classes, maximum attention' philosophy (space is limited to 16 participants per day). During the full day lesson (9am to 4pm), visitors will learn to prepare a full-course Khmer meal, as well as learning useful tips about the blending of spices and the decorative aspects of Cambodian cuisine. Included in the price, is transportation to and from the restaurant; and a full-color recipe booklet, so you can try your new culinary skills on your friends and family once you return home.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 67 Oknha Chhun, Street 240, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)23 220953
- Website
- www.cambodia-cooking-class.com
- Hours
- Advance booking essential check website for details
- Admission
- $15 (half-day), $23 (full-day). Includes transportation to and from the Frizz Restaurant and a recipe booklet
The Royal Palace
This is the principal attraction of the city and contains the best examples of 20th-century Khmer architecture. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihanouk. Set among the perfectly maintained gardens is the exquisite Throne Hall, the Elephant Pavilion where the king's elephants were kept, the Royal Treasury and the Chan Chaya Pavilion, made especially for performances of classical Cambodian dance. Although mostly off-limits to the public, the Silver Pagoda can be visited. The highlight of the compound, the Silver Pagoda, takes its name from the floor of the temple, which is completely covered in silver tiles. The internal walls are decorated with frescoes depicting episodes of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903 by 40 Khmer artists. Also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, the magnificent baccarat crystal image of the Emerald Buddha sits in the center on a gilt pedestal. There are other intricately carved Buddha images on display, notably the life-size solid gold statue that stands in front of the pedestal, decorated with 9,584 diamonds.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No. 63, Street 348, Sangkat Toul Svay Prey II, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 1593
- Hours
- Daily, from 7.30am to 11am, and 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$3, with an additional camera charge of US$2
National Museum
The museum houses the country's most important collection of ancient Cambodian culture and Khmer art. It is made up of four galleries containing relics, sculpture, art and crafts covering history from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) until the present. The pieces are arranged in chronological order and the collection continues to grow as new treasures previously hidden from the Khmer Rouge are discovered. There are also original relics and sculptures from the temples of Angkor.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Next to the Royal Palace, on Streets 178 and 13
- Phone Number
- (0)23 21 1753
- Website
- www.cambodiamuseum.info
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 5pm (last ticket sold at 4.30pm)
- Admission
- US$3
Tuol Sleng Museum
When the Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, they commandeered and converted a secondary school into a primitive prison where they detained and tortured anyone suspected of anti-revolutionary behavior. Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 20,000 victims were imprisoned in Security Prison 21, or S21, as it was known. The museum was established after the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and today it appears exactly as the fleeing Khmer Rouge left it, and serves as a testimony to the crimes and atrocities of the organization. It is a tremendously depressing experience, and the pictures, instruments of torture and bloodstained walls give a thorough idea of the extent of the pain and horror borne by the Cambodian people. Thousands of victims were transported from here to the extermination camp outside the city, Choeung Ek.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Corner of 113 and 350 Streets
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 11.30am, and from 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$2
Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields)
Choeung Ek was the extermination camp where the prisoners from S21 (now the Tuol Sleng Museum) were transported to and executed. Also known as the Killing Fields, after the movie of the same name, about 17,000 people were buried here in mass graves. A tall Memorial Stupa was constructed to commemorate the dead and more than 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass. At the entrance, a handwritten sign in Khmer and English summarises the atrocities caused by the Khmer Rouge.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Just over 9 miles (15km) southwest of Phnom Penh
- Hours
- Daily
- Admission
- US$2
Sihanoukville
While this beach town doesn't have much to compare with Thailand's pristine coast, it does make a great getaway from the dusty or muddy (depending on season) rest of Cambodia. Sihanoukville is the country's only deep water port, making much of the city industrial and unattractive to tourists. But there are several secluded tourist beaches with all the requisite trappings: dishevelled beach bars, guesthouses and hawkers. As there isn't much to do in town, it is worth the extra money to stay in the quaint beachside guesthouses. Nightly beach barbecues prepare great food and offer cheap beer. The government is said to have plans to develop the area for larger resorts which will surely ruin its laid-back beach charm in years to come. Regular daily buses provide a three to four hour journey to and from Phnom Phen, along Cambodia's best road. There is also a ferry connecting to Koh Kong, the Cambodian/Thailand border.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 115 miles (185km) southwest of Phnom Penh
Krong Kep
From Sihanoukville, a great destination is the once-popular resort town of Kep. The Khmer Rouge did a number on this town, but the crumbling villas of past French and rich Cambodian tourists add to its ruinous mystique. A beautiful coastal road and nearby Rabbit Island provide present day visitors with a relaxed atmosphere. For the best restaurants in town, and best seafood in Cambodia, try the shack-like buildings near the water and order the crab. Kep is around a 3 hour taxi ride from Sihanoukville, or a 4 hour bus ride from Phnom Phen.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 3 hours southwest of Phnom Penh
River Dolphins
Irrawaddy river dolphins, once in danger of extinction, are now saving the rural north-eastern town of Kratie. For years the dolphins were killed in now illegal fishing practices and hunted by the Khmer Rouge, but their appeal to tourists is bringing the welcome foreign dollars to the region. Kratie is accustomed to budget travelers, with a choice of cheap guesthouses. All of these offer motorbike drivers for the scenic 9 mile (15km) drive to the dolphins' river home. From the river shore, tourists can rent small boats to get closer. While the oarsmen retain a healthy distance from the surfacing animals, viewers can get near enough to see a similarity between Khmer and dolphin smiles.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Kratie, about 4 or 5 hours from Phnom Phen
- Transport
- Buses to Kratie are available from Phnom Phen
Blind Massage
Cambodian travel can often be jarring; hard beds, bumpy roads and death defying taxi drivers can leave a body in ill shape. Seeing Hands is a business employing blind masseuses to work out those tourist kinks. Cambodia gives few opportunities to disabled workers and supporting Seeing Hands has its own karmic rewards, but visitors will be even more satisfied by the quality of the massage. The city offers a host of dodgy 'massage' houses and knowing a place is reputable is relaxing in itself. There are three Seeing Hands centers in town, all offering massages for about six US dollars, but don't forget to tip.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 6 Street 94, At Wat Phonm, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)16 85 6188
- Admission
- From US$6
Central Market (Psah Thmay)
Phnom Phen's most obvious landmark looks more in style with a Star Warstrading post then most earthly structures. Inside the tall dome is a host of goods, from watches, to jewelry, clothing and food. Much of the market's merchandise is the same, so comparing prices to find the real value is advised. One should bargain hard but good-naturedly. Surrounding the structure is a ring of tightly packed vendors selling similar wares. Its central location is walkable from about anywhere but all taxis know 'central market'.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh
Foreign Correspondents Club
A pleasant way to spend the evening is on the balcony of the FCC. The well-located bar and restaurant sits on the banks of riverside overlooking the converging Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prices are more expensive then its neighbors, but the colonial-chic style gives an invaluable French flair to the night.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 363 Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 0142
- Website
- www.fcccambodia.com
Shooting Range
Amuse your inner warrior with Phnom Phen's best carnal pleasure: shooting big guns. Whatever one's taste, be it automatic rifles and rocket launchers or grenades, they are all a possibility. It is said that for extra money targets can become live farm animals, although this controversial practice may have stopped in recent times. At about a dollar a bullet, make sure Rambo instincts are kept in check. All guesthouses and taxis can provide a trip to the shooting range, which is located close to the airport.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Dangkor, in west Phnom Penh, near the airport
Memphis Pub
Memphis Pub is a cool venue to hear great cover bands put their spin on old classic rock. It is a thumping place, usually packed with expats and tourists until late. There isn't much Khmer about the style but a taste of home is fun for a night. Memphis is on riverside, making it a central and safe area to stumble home from.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No 3, Street 118, near Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)12 871263
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday evenings
Lakeside
Lakeside is the backpacker hub of Phnom Phen. It is located on the shore of Boeung Kak Lake, a short taxi ride from downtown. The cheapest rooms are available for a couple of dollars but upgrading is a good idea. The guesthouses with the best laid-back atmosphere are spread far into the water with nice decks to lounge away the heat or soak up the night air. Check out the guesthouses creatively named #9 and #10. All the similarities of 'backpakerville' are here: cheap eats, travel agencies and alternative bars with cheap beer and unique cocktail names.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Boeung Kak Lake
Tonlé Sap Lake
Boeung Tonlé Sap(Tonlé Sap Lake) is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, and boasts a rich and diverse eco-system. Inhabitants include birds, fish, crocodiles, turtles, macaques and otter, as well as villagers living in stilted or floating houses. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary in the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve is home to ibis, stork, pelicans and fish eagles; the best time to view these birds is in the dry season. There is also a Tonlé Sap Exhibition in Siem Reap, showcasing Khmer heritage through a display of the local people's culture and environment.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- The lake is about 9 miles (15km) south of Siem Reap
- Phone Number
- Tonlé Sap Exhibition (0)63 964 694
- Transport
- The ferry between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap crosses the lake and docks at the village of Chong Khneas. The Tonlé Sap Exhibition is on the road to Angkor Wat, just past the Jayavarman VII Hospital.
- Hours
- All attractions are open daily, though the exhibition is closed between 12pm and 2pm
- Admission
- Chong Khneas floating village boat tour: US$6; Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary entrance: US$5, tour US$15-25; Tonlé Sap exhibition: free.
Temples of Angkor
A sightseeing must on any trip to Cambodia are the historical Temples of Angkor, set in the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, more than 100 temples have been uncovered and stand testament to this ancient civilization and one of the biggest cities of its time. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built, an impressive Hindu temple surrounded by a moat, and acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. The walled Royal City of Angkor Thom is home to the Bayon Temple and its huge stone faces, another fascinating attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 3 miles (5km) outside Siem Reap
- Admission
- US$20 for a day pass
Aki Ra's Landmine Museum
A jarring counterpoint to the ancient Khmer glories on display at Angkor Wat are the more recent horrors of Cambodia's political and social upheavals. This museum, founded by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier, provides a clear and compelling account of this troubled time, and the appalling legacy of landmines and unexploded ordinance that still blights the lives of the Cambodian people's lives today. Despite ongoing effort to find and defuse these sleeping weapons, it is estimated that less than half have been cleared. Aki Ra himself deactivated over 50,000 of them, many on his own initiative. The museum contains hundreds of these landmines, and many other weapons too.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Located 4 miles (6km) south of Banteay Srey Temple, within the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park
- Email Address
- info@cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Website
- www.cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Admission
- Donation of $1 per person
Psar Chaa - Old Market
This is Siem Reap's most popular shopping experience for visitors. The outside stalls sell souvenirs such as silk, carvings, stoneware, faux vintage items, t-shirts, and paintings and photos of Angkor Wat temples. Further inside the market are fresh produce and seafood stalls. The food stalls are an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Khmer food, invariably served with the distinctive local Prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. A good accompaniment is coconut milk drunk directly from the fruit. The ubiquity of baguettes and frog legs is a clear, and delicious legacy of the French colonial era.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Downtown Siem Reap
Beng Mealea
For those visitors especially charmed by Tah Prom's jungle clad stones within the Angkor Wat complex, it is well worth making the five hour round trip to visit Beng Mealea, a little-visited sandstone temple, now fused with the surrounding jungle. Built in the 12th century, and long since abandoned, this sprawling temple complex is as on a similar scale to Angkor Wat, and closely approximates what the first western visitors there must have experienced when stumbling upon these forgotten wonders. Many of the carvings have been desecrated by earlier souvenir hunters, but in other ways the mystery and quality of the structure has remained intact due to the small number of visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 45 miles (70km) from Siem Reap
- Admission
- $5
Angkor National Museum
This museum is a useful stop-over en route to the temples, so visitors can gain some perspective on the centuries of history, rich symbolism, and other stories that often remain hidden when viewing the Angkor temples without a guide. The museum uses multimedia displays and various artifacts to evoke the golden age of Khmer culture. The building itself is ultra-modern, lavishly air-conditioned, and enormous, with over 20,000 square meters of floor space.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- No.968, Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Svaydangum, Siem Reap
- Email Address
- info@the-anm.com
- Website
- www.angkornationalmuseum.com
- Hours
- 1 May to 30 September: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6pm; 1 October to 30 April: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Admission
- Admission for non-Cambodians is $12, with an extra $3 for photography
Cambodia Cooking Class
It is always wonderful to return from your time abroad with a skill you didn't have when you left home in the first place - and the Cambodia Cooking Class, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist attractions, offers tourists to Cambodia the chance to do just that. Khmer cuisine distinguishes itself from Thai and Vietnamese cuisine with its delicate use of spices and aromatic herbs, used to create finely-balanced flavors that run the gamut from sweetness, to saltiness, sourness and spiciness. The Cambodia Cooking Class is operated from the Frizz Restaurant in downtown Phnom Penh, and prides itself on a 'small classes, maximum attention' philosophy (space is limited to 16 participants per day). During the full day lesson (9am to 4pm), visitors will learn to prepare a full-course Khmer meal, as well as learning useful tips about the blending of spices and the decorative aspects of Cambodian cuisine. Included in the price, is transportation to and from the restaurant; and a full-color recipe booklet, so you can try your new culinary skills on your friends and family once you return home.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 67 Oknha Chhun, Street 240, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)23 220953
- Website
- www.cambodia-cooking-class.com
- Hours
- Advance booking essential check website for details
- Admission
- $15 (half-day), $23 (full-day). Includes transportation to and from the Frizz Restaurant and a recipe booklet
The Royal Palace
This is the principal attraction of the city and contains the best examples of 20th-century Khmer architecture. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihanouk. Set among the perfectly maintained gardens is the exquisite Throne Hall, the Elephant Pavilion where the king's elephants were kept, the Royal Treasury and the Chan Chaya Pavilion, made especially for performances of classical Cambodian dance. Although mostly off-limits to the public, the Silver Pagoda can be visited. The highlight of the compound, the Silver Pagoda, takes its name from the floor of the temple, which is completely covered in silver tiles. The internal walls are decorated with frescoes depicting episodes of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903 by 40 Khmer artists. Also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, the magnificent baccarat crystal image of the Emerald Buddha sits in the center on a gilt pedestal. There are other intricately carved Buddha images on display, notably the life-size solid gold statue that stands in front of the pedestal, decorated with 9,584 diamonds.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No. 63, Street 348, Sangkat Toul Svay Prey II, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 1593
- Hours
- Daily, from 7.30am to 11am, and 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$3, with an additional camera charge of US$2
National Museum
The museum houses the country's most important collection of ancient Cambodian culture and Khmer art. It is made up of four galleries containing relics, sculpture, art and crafts covering history from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) until the present. The pieces are arranged in chronological order and the collection continues to grow as new treasures previously hidden from the Khmer Rouge are discovered. There are also original relics and sculptures from the temples of Angkor.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Next to the Royal Palace, on Streets 178 and 13
- Phone Number
- (0)23 21 1753
- Website
- www.cambodiamuseum.info
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 5pm (last ticket sold at 4.30pm)
- Admission
- US$3
Tuol Sleng Museum
When the Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, they commandeered and converted a secondary school into a primitive prison where they detained and tortured anyone suspected of anti-revolutionary behavior. Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 20,000 victims were imprisoned in Security Prison 21, or S21, as it was known. The museum was established after the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and today it appears exactly as the fleeing Khmer Rouge left it, and serves as a testimony to the crimes and atrocities of the organization. It is a tremendously depressing experience, and the pictures, instruments of torture and bloodstained walls give a thorough idea of the extent of the pain and horror borne by the Cambodian people. Thousands of victims were transported from here to the extermination camp outside the city, Choeung Ek.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Corner of 113 and 350 Streets
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 11.30am, and from 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$2
Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields)
Choeung Ek was the extermination camp where the prisoners from S21 (now the Tuol Sleng Museum) were transported to and executed. Also known as the Killing Fields, after the movie of the same name, about 17,000 people were buried here in mass graves. A tall Memorial Stupa was constructed to commemorate the dead and more than 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass. At the entrance, a handwritten sign in Khmer and English summarises the atrocities caused by the Khmer Rouge.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Just over 9 miles (15km) southwest of Phnom Penh
- Hours
- Daily
- Admission
- US$2
Sihanoukville
While this beach town doesn't have much to compare with Thailand's pristine coast, it does make a great getaway from the dusty or muddy (depending on season) rest of Cambodia. Sihanoukville is the country's only deep water port, making much of the city industrial and unattractive to tourists. But there are several secluded tourist beaches with all the requisite trappings: dishevelled beach bars, guesthouses and hawkers. As there isn't much to do in town, it is worth the extra money to stay in the quaint beachside guesthouses. Nightly beach barbecues prepare great food and offer cheap beer. The government is said to have plans to develop the area for larger resorts which will surely ruin its laid-back beach charm in years to come. Regular daily buses provide a three to four hour journey to and from Phnom Phen, along Cambodia's best road. There is also a ferry connecting to Koh Kong, the Cambodian/Thailand border.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 115 miles (185km) southwest of Phnom Penh
Krong Kep
From Sihanoukville, a great destination is the once-popular resort town of Kep. The Khmer Rouge did a number on this town, but the crumbling villas of past French and rich Cambodian tourists add to its ruinous mystique. A beautiful coastal road and nearby Rabbit Island provide present day visitors with a relaxed atmosphere. For the best restaurants in town, and best seafood in Cambodia, try the shack-like buildings near the water and order the crab. Kep is around a 3 hour taxi ride from Sihanoukville, or a 4 hour bus ride from Phnom Phen.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 3 hours southwest of Phnom Penh
River Dolphins
Irrawaddy river dolphins, once in danger of extinction, are now saving the rural north-eastern town of Kratie. For years the dolphins were killed in now illegal fishing practices and hunted by the Khmer Rouge, but their appeal to tourists is bringing the welcome foreign dollars to the region. Kratie is accustomed to budget travelers, with a choice of cheap guesthouses. All of these offer motorbike drivers for the scenic 9 mile (15km) drive to the dolphins' river home. From the river shore, tourists can rent small boats to get closer. While the oarsmen retain a healthy distance from the surfacing animals, viewers can get near enough to see a similarity between Khmer and dolphin smiles.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Kratie, about 4 or 5 hours from Phnom Phen
- Transport
- Buses to Kratie are available from Phnom Phen
Blind Massage
Cambodian travel can often be jarring; hard beds, bumpy roads and death defying taxi drivers can leave a body in ill shape. Seeing Hands is a business employing blind masseuses to work out those tourist kinks. Cambodia gives few opportunities to disabled workers and supporting Seeing Hands has its own karmic rewards, but visitors will be even more satisfied by the quality of the massage. The city offers a host of dodgy 'massage' houses and knowing a place is reputable is relaxing in itself. There are three Seeing Hands centers in town, all offering massages for about six US dollars, but don't forget to tip.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 6 Street 94, At Wat Phonm, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)16 85 6188
- Admission
- From US$6
Central Market (Psah Thmay)
Phnom Phen's most obvious landmark looks more in style with a Star Warstrading post then most earthly structures. Inside the tall dome is a host of goods, from watches, to jewelry, clothing and food. Much of the market's merchandise is the same, so comparing prices to find the real value is advised. One should bargain hard but good-naturedly. Surrounding the structure is a ring of tightly packed vendors selling similar wares. Its central location is walkable from about anywhere but all taxis know 'central market'.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh
Foreign Correspondents Club
A pleasant way to spend the evening is on the balcony of the FCC. The well-located bar and restaurant sits on the banks of riverside overlooking the converging Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prices are more expensive then its neighbors, but the colonial-chic style gives an invaluable French flair to the night.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 363 Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 0142
- Website
- www.fcccambodia.com
Shooting Range
Amuse your inner warrior with Phnom Phen's best carnal pleasure: shooting big guns. Whatever one's taste, be it automatic rifles and rocket launchers or grenades, they are all a possibility. It is said that for extra money targets can become live farm animals, although this controversial practice may have stopped in recent times. At about a dollar a bullet, make sure Rambo instincts are kept in check. All guesthouses and taxis can provide a trip to the shooting range, which is located close to the airport.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Dangkor, in west Phnom Penh, near the airport
Memphis Pub
Memphis Pub is a cool venue to hear great cover bands put their spin on old classic rock. It is a thumping place, usually packed with expats and tourists until late. There isn't much Khmer about the style but a taste of home is fun for a night. Memphis is on riverside, making it a central and safe area to stumble home from.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No 3, Street 118, near Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)12 871263
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday evenings
Lakeside
Lakeside is the backpacker hub of Phnom Phen. It is located on the shore of Boeung Kak Lake, a short taxi ride from downtown. The cheapest rooms are available for a couple of dollars but upgrading is a good idea. The guesthouses with the best laid-back atmosphere are spread far into the water with nice decks to lounge away the heat or soak up the night air. Check out the guesthouses creatively named #9 and #10. All the similarities of 'backpakerville' are here: cheap eats, travel agencies and alternative bars with cheap beer and unique cocktail names.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Boeung Kak Lake
Tonlé Sap Lake
Boeung Tonlé Sap(Tonlé Sap Lake) is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, and boasts a rich and diverse eco-system. Inhabitants include birds, fish, crocodiles, turtles, macaques and otter, as well as villagers living in stilted or floating houses. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary in the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve is home to ibis, stork, pelicans and fish eagles; the best time to view these birds is in the dry season. There is also a Tonlé Sap Exhibition in Siem Reap, showcasing Khmer heritage through a display of the local people's culture and environment.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- The lake is about 9 miles (15km) south of Siem Reap
- Phone Number
- Tonlé Sap Exhibition (0)63 964 694
- Transport
- The ferry between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap crosses the lake and docks at the village of Chong Khneas. The Tonlé Sap Exhibition is on the road to Angkor Wat, just past the Jayavarman VII Hospital.
- Hours
- All attractions are open daily, though the exhibition is closed between 12pm and 2pm
- Admission
- Chong Khneas floating village boat tour: US$6; Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary entrance: US$5, tour US$15-25; Tonlé Sap exhibition: free.
Temples of Angkor
A sightseeing must on any trip to Cambodia are the historical Temples of Angkor, set in the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, more than 100 temples have been uncovered and stand testament to this ancient civilization and one of the biggest cities of its time. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built, an impressive Hindu temple surrounded by a moat, and acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. The walled Royal City of Angkor Thom is home to the Bayon Temple and its huge stone faces, another fascinating attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 3 miles (5km) outside Siem Reap
- Admission
- US$20 for a day pass
Aki Ra's Landmine Museum
A jarring counterpoint to the ancient Khmer glories on display at Angkor Wat are the more recent horrors of Cambodia's political and social upheavals. This museum, founded by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier, provides a clear and compelling account of this troubled time, and the appalling legacy of landmines and unexploded ordinance that still blights the lives of the Cambodian people's lives today. Despite ongoing effort to find and defuse these sleeping weapons, it is estimated that less than half have been cleared. Aki Ra himself deactivated over 50,000 of them, many on his own initiative. The museum contains hundreds of these landmines, and many other weapons too.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Located 4 miles (6km) south of Banteay Srey Temple, within the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park
- Email Address
- info@cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Website
- www.cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Admission
- Donation of $1 per person
Psar Chaa - Old Market
This is Siem Reap's most popular shopping experience for visitors. The outside stalls sell souvenirs such as silk, carvings, stoneware, faux vintage items, t-shirts, and paintings and photos of Angkor Wat temples. Further inside the market are fresh produce and seafood stalls. The food stalls are an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Khmer food, invariably served with the distinctive local Prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. A good accompaniment is coconut milk drunk directly from the fruit. The ubiquity of baguettes and frog legs is a clear, and delicious legacy of the French colonial era.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Downtown Siem Reap
Beng Mealea
For those visitors especially charmed by Tah Prom's jungle clad stones within the Angkor Wat complex, it is well worth making the five hour round trip to visit Beng Mealea, a little-visited sandstone temple, now fused with the surrounding jungle. Built in the 12th century, and long since abandoned, this sprawling temple complex is as on a similar scale to Angkor Wat, and closely approximates what the first western visitors there must have experienced when stumbling upon these forgotten wonders. Many of the carvings have been desecrated by earlier souvenir hunters, but in other ways the mystery and quality of the structure has remained intact due to the small number of visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 45 miles (70km) from Siem Reap
- Admission
- $5
Angkor National Museum
This museum is a useful stop-over en route to the temples, so visitors can gain some perspective on the centuries of history, rich symbolism, and other stories that often remain hidden when viewing the Angkor temples without a guide. The museum uses multimedia displays and various artifacts to evoke the golden age of Khmer culture. The building itself is ultra-modern, lavishly air-conditioned, and enormous, with over 20,000 square meters of floor space.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- No.968, Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Svaydangum, Siem Reap
- Email Address
- info@the-anm.com
- Website
- www.angkornationalmuseum.com
- Hours
- 1 May to 30 September: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6pm; 1 October to 30 April: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Admission
- Admission for non-Cambodians is $12, with an extra $3 for photography
Cambodia Cooking Class
It is always wonderful to return from your time abroad with a skill you didn't have when you left home in the first place - and the Cambodia Cooking Class, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist attractions, offers tourists to Cambodia the chance to do just that. Khmer cuisine distinguishes itself from Thai and Vietnamese cuisine with its delicate use of spices and aromatic herbs, used to create finely-balanced flavors that run the gamut from sweetness, to saltiness, sourness and spiciness. The Cambodia Cooking Class is operated from the Frizz Restaurant in downtown Phnom Penh, and prides itself on a 'small classes, maximum attention' philosophy (space is limited to 16 participants per day). During the full day lesson (9am to 4pm), visitors will learn to prepare a full-course Khmer meal, as well as learning useful tips about the blending of spices and the decorative aspects of Cambodian cuisine. Included in the price, is transportation to and from the restaurant; and a full-color recipe booklet, so you can try your new culinary skills on your friends and family once you return home.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 67 Oknha Chhun, Street 240, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)23 220953
- Website
- www.cambodia-cooking-class.com
- Hours
- Advance booking essential check website for details
- Admission
- $15 (half-day), $23 (full-day). Includes transportation to and from the Frizz Restaurant and a recipe booklet
The Royal Palace
This is the principal attraction of the city and contains the best examples of 20th-century Khmer architecture. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihanouk. Set among the perfectly maintained gardens is the exquisite Throne Hall, the Elephant Pavilion where the king's elephants were kept, the Royal Treasury and the Chan Chaya Pavilion, made especially for performances of classical Cambodian dance. Although mostly off-limits to the public, the Silver Pagoda can be visited. The highlight of the compound, the Silver Pagoda, takes its name from the floor of the temple, which is completely covered in silver tiles. The internal walls are decorated with frescoes depicting episodes of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903 by 40 Khmer artists. Also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, the magnificent baccarat crystal image of the Emerald Buddha sits in the center on a gilt pedestal. There are other intricately carved Buddha images on display, notably the life-size solid gold statue that stands in front of the pedestal, decorated with 9,584 diamonds.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No. 63, Street 348, Sangkat Toul Svay Prey II, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 1593
- Hours
- Daily, from 7.30am to 11am, and 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$3, with an additional camera charge of US$2
National Museum
The museum houses the country's most important collection of ancient Cambodian culture and Khmer art. It is made up of four galleries containing relics, sculpture, art and crafts covering history from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) until the present. The pieces are arranged in chronological order and the collection continues to grow as new treasures previously hidden from the Khmer Rouge are discovered. There are also original relics and sculptures from the temples of Angkor.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Next to the Royal Palace, on Streets 178 and 13
- Phone Number
- (0)23 21 1753
- Website
- www.cambodiamuseum.info
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 5pm (last ticket sold at 4.30pm)
- Admission
- US$3
Tuol Sleng Museum
When the Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, they commandeered and converted a secondary school into a primitive prison where they detained and tortured anyone suspected of anti-revolutionary behavior. Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 20,000 victims were imprisoned in Security Prison 21, or S21, as it was known. The museum was established after the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and today it appears exactly as the fleeing Khmer Rouge left it, and serves as a testimony to the crimes and atrocities of the organization. It is a tremendously depressing experience, and the pictures, instruments of torture and bloodstained walls give a thorough idea of the extent of the pain and horror borne by the Cambodian people. Thousands of victims were transported from here to the extermination camp outside the city, Choeung Ek.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Corner of 113 and 350 Streets
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8am to 11.30am, and from 2.30pm to 5pm
- Admission
- US$2
Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields)
Choeung Ek was the extermination camp where the prisoners from S21 (now the Tuol Sleng Museum) were transported to and executed. Also known as the Killing Fields, after the movie of the same name, about 17,000 people were buried here in mass graves. A tall Memorial Stupa was constructed to commemorate the dead and more than 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass. At the entrance, a handwritten sign in Khmer and English summarises the atrocities caused by the Khmer Rouge.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Just over 9 miles (15km) southwest of Phnom Penh
- Hours
- Daily
- Admission
- US$2
Sihanoukville
While this beach town doesn't have much to compare with Thailand's pristine coast, it does make a great getaway from the dusty or muddy (depending on season) rest of Cambodia. Sihanoukville is the country's only deep water port, making much of the city industrial and unattractive to tourists. But there are several secluded tourist beaches with all the requisite trappings: dishevelled beach bars, guesthouses and hawkers. As there isn't much to do in town, it is worth the extra money to stay in the quaint beachside guesthouses. Nightly beach barbecues prepare great food and offer cheap beer. The government is said to have plans to develop the area for larger resorts which will surely ruin its laid-back beach charm in years to come. Regular daily buses provide a three to four hour journey to and from Phnom Phen, along Cambodia's best road. There is also a ferry connecting to Koh Kong, the Cambodian/Thailand border.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 115 miles (185km) southwest of Phnom Penh
Krong Kep
From Sihanoukville, a great destination is the once-popular resort town of Kep. The Khmer Rouge did a number on this town, but the crumbling villas of past French and rich Cambodian tourists add to its ruinous mystique. A beautiful coastal road and nearby Rabbit Island provide present day visitors with a relaxed atmosphere. For the best restaurants in town, and best seafood in Cambodia, try the shack-like buildings near the water and order the crab. Kep is around a 3 hour taxi ride from Sihanoukville, or a 4 hour bus ride from Phnom Phen.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 3 hours southwest of Phnom Penh
River Dolphins
Irrawaddy river dolphins, once in danger of extinction, are now saving the rural north-eastern town of Kratie. For years the dolphins were killed in now illegal fishing practices and hunted by the Khmer Rouge, but their appeal to tourists is bringing the welcome foreign dollars to the region. Kratie is accustomed to budget travelers, with a choice of cheap guesthouses. All of these offer motorbike drivers for the scenic 9 mile (15km) drive to the dolphins' river home. From the river shore, tourists can rent small boats to get closer. While the oarsmen retain a healthy distance from the surfacing animals, viewers can get near enough to see a similarity between Khmer and dolphin smiles.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Kratie, about 4 or 5 hours from Phnom Phen
- Transport
- Buses to Kratie are available from Phnom Phen
Blind Massage
Cambodian travel can often be jarring; hard beds, bumpy roads and death defying taxi drivers can leave a body in ill shape. Seeing Hands is a business employing blind masseuses to work out those tourist kinks. Cambodia gives few opportunities to disabled workers and supporting Seeing Hands has its own karmic rewards, but visitors will be even more satisfied by the quality of the massage. The city offers a host of dodgy 'massage' houses and knowing a place is reputable is relaxing in itself. There are three Seeing Hands centers in town, all offering massages for about six US dollars, but don't forget to tip.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 6 Street 94, At Wat Phonm, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)16 85 6188
- Admission
- From US$6
Central Market (Psah Thmay)
Phnom Phen's most obvious landmark looks more in style with a Star Warstrading post then most earthly structures. Inside the tall dome is a host of goods, from watches, to jewelry, clothing and food. Much of the market's merchandise is the same, so comparing prices to find the real value is advised. One should bargain hard but good-naturedly. Surrounding the structure is a ring of tightly packed vendors selling similar wares. Its central location is walkable from about anywhere but all taxis know 'central market'.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh
Foreign Correspondents Club
A pleasant way to spend the evening is on the balcony of the FCC. The well-located bar and restaurant sits on the banks of riverside overlooking the converging Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prices are more expensive then its neighbors, but the colonial-chic style gives an invaluable French flair to the night.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 363 Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)2 321 0142
- Website
- www.fcccambodia.com
Shooting Range
Amuse your inner warrior with Phnom Phen's best carnal pleasure: shooting big guns. Whatever one's taste, be it automatic rifles and rocket launchers or grenades, they are all a possibility. It is said that for extra money targets can become live farm animals, although this controversial practice may have stopped in recent times. At about a dollar a bullet, make sure Rambo instincts are kept in check. All guesthouses and taxis can provide a trip to the shooting range, which is located close to the airport.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Dangkor, in west Phnom Penh, near the airport
Memphis Pub
Memphis Pub is a cool venue to hear great cover bands put their spin on old classic rock. It is a thumping place, usually packed with expats and tourists until late. There isn't much Khmer about the style but a taste of home is fun for a night. Memphis is on riverside, making it a central and safe area to stumble home from.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- No 3, Street 118, near Sisowath Quay
- Phone Number
- (0)12 871263
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday evenings
Lakeside
Lakeside is the backpacker hub of Phnom Phen. It is located on the shore of Boeung Kak Lake, a short taxi ride from downtown. The cheapest rooms are available for a couple of dollars but upgrading is a good idea. The guesthouses with the best laid-back atmosphere are spread far into the water with nice decks to lounge away the heat or soak up the night air. Check out the guesthouses creatively named #9 and #10. All the similarities of 'backpakerville' are here: cheap eats, travel agencies and alternative bars with cheap beer and unique cocktail names.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- Boeung Kak Lake
Tonlé Sap Lake
Boeung Tonlé Sap(Tonlé Sap Lake) is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, and boasts a rich and diverse eco-system. Inhabitants include birds, fish, crocodiles, turtles, macaques and otter, as well as villagers living in stilted or floating houses. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary in the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve is home to ibis, stork, pelicans and fish eagles; the best time to view these birds is in the dry season. There is also a Tonlé Sap Exhibition in Siem Reap, showcasing Khmer heritage through a display of the local people's culture and environment.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- The lake is about 9 miles (15km) south of Siem Reap
- Phone Number
- Tonlé Sap Exhibition (0)63 964 694
- Transport
- The ferry between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap crosses the lake and docks at the village of Chong Khneas. The Tonlé Sap Exhibition is on the road to Angkor Wat, just past the Jayavarman VII Hospital.
- Hours
- All attractions are open daily, though the exhibition is closed between 12pm and 2pm
- Admission
- Chong Khneas floating village boat tour: US$6; Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary entrance: US$5, tour US$15-25; Tonlé Sap exhibition: free.
Temples of Angkor
A sightseeing must on any trip to Cambodia are the historical Temples of Angkor, set in the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, more than 100 temples have been uncovered and stand testament to this ancient civilization and one of the biggest cities of its time. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built, an impressive Hindu temple surrounded by a moat, and acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world. The walled Royal City of Angkor Thom is home to the Bayon Temple and its huge stone faces, another fascinating attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 3 miles (5km) outside Siem Reap
- Admission
- US$20 for a day pass
Aki Ra's Landmine Museum
A jarring counterpoint to the ancient Khmer glories on display at Angkor Wat are the more recent horrors of Cambodia's political and social upheavals. This museum, founded by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier, provides a clear and compelling account of this troubled time, and the appalling legacy of landmines and unexploded ordinance that still blights the lives of the Cambodian people's lives today. Despite ongoing effort to find and defuse these sleeping weapons, it is estimated that less than half have been cleared. Aki Ra himself deactivated over 50,000 of them, many on his own initiative. The museum contains hundreds of these landmines, and many other weapons too.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Located 4 miles (6km) south of Banteay Srey Temple, within the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park
- Email Address
- info@cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Website
- www.cambodialandminemuseum.org
- Admission
- Donation of $1 per person
Psar Chaa - Old Market
This is Siem Reap's most popular shopping experience for visitors. The outside stalls sell souvenirs such as silk, carvings, stoneware, faux vintage items, t-shirts, and paintings and photos of Angkor Wat temples. Further inside the market are fresh produce and seafood stalls. The food stalls are an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Khmer food, invariably served with the distinctive local Prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. A good accompaniment is coconut milk drunk directly from the fruit. The ubiquity of baguettes and frog legs is a clear, and delicious legacy of the French colonial era.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- Downtown Siem Reap
Beng Mealea
For those visitors especially charmed by Tah Prom's jungle clad stones within the Angkor Wat complex, it is well worth making the five hour round trip to visit Beng Mealea, a little-visited sandstone temple, now fused with the surrounding jungle. Built in the 12th century, and long since abandoned, this sprawling temple complex is as on a similar scale to Angkor Wat, and closely approximates what the first western visitors there must have experienced when stumbling upon these forgotten wonders. Many of the carvings have been desecrated by earlier souvenir hunters, but in other ways the mystery and quality of the structure has remained intact due to the small number of visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- 45 miles (70km) from Siem Reap
- Admission
- $5
Angkor National Museum
This museum is a useful stop-over en route to the temples, so visitors can gain some perspective on the centuries of history, rich symbolism, and other stories that often remain hidden when viewing the Angkor temples without a guide. The museum uses multimedia displays and various artifacts to evoke the golden age of Khmer culture. The building itself is ultra-modern, lavishly air-conditioned, and enormous, with over 20,000 square meters of floor space.
- Region/City Name
- Siem Reap
- Address
- No.968, Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Svaydangum, Siem Reap
- Email Address
- info@the-anm.com
- Website
- www.angkornationalmuseum.com
- Hours
- 1 May to 30 September: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6pm; 1 October to 30 April: Open daily, from 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Admission
- Admission for non-Cambodians is $12, with an extra $3 for photography
Cambodia Cooking Class
It is always wonderful to return from your time abroad with a skill you didn't have when you left home in the first place - and the Cambodia Cooking Class, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist attractions, offers tourists to Cambodia the chance to do just that. Khmer cuisine distinguishes itself from Thai and Vietnamese cuisine with its delicate use of spices and aromatic herbs, used to create finely-balanced flavors that run the gamut from sweetness, to saltiness, sourness and spiciness. The Cambodia Cooking Class is operated from the Frizz Restaurant in downtown Phnom Penh, and prides itself on a 'small classes, maximum attention' philosophy (space is limited to 16 participants per day). During the full day lesson (9am to 4pm), visitors will learn to prepare a full-course Khmer meal, as well as learning useful tips about the blending of spices and the decorative aspects of Cambodian cuisine. Included in the price, is transportation to and from the restaurant; and a full-color recipe booklet, so you can try your new culinary skills on your friends and family once you return home.
- Region/City Name
- Phnom Penh
- Address
- 67 Oknha Chhun, Street 240, Phnom Penh
- Phone Number
- (0)23 220953
- Website
- www.cambodia-cooking-class.com
- Hours
- Advance booking essential check website for details
- Admission
- $15 (half-day), $23 (full-day). Includes transportation to and from the Frizz Restaurant and a recipe booklet
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