When talking about the things to do in Cambodia, visiting the temples of Angkor would be the first thing that comes to mind. Well, Cambodia is more than just temples. There are many other kinds of destinations such as postcard-perfect islands, luxurious resorts, Tarzan-worthy jungles, and more.
However, visiting the Angkor temples is a must-thing to do in Cambodia. You can’t miss the impressive collection of ancient temples that Cambodia has to offer. The Angkor complex should be the first destination to visit when you go to Cambodia.
1. Visit the Archaeological Park of Angkor
This is the very first thing you have to do in Cambodia. The trip won’t be a complete one without stopping by at Angkor Archaeological Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers you with some of the amazing ancient temples in the world.
If you love the rustic beauty of ancient monuments, you will be amazed by the temples in the complex. However, mass tourism would be a problem for you. This destination is considered as overcrowded in Cambodia. So, you have to avoid visiting this park during peak season.
2. Trek Through the Jungle
Cambodia has a wide jungle ready to be explored. One of them is in the Cardamam Mountains. This rainforest is the largest remaining one in Southeast Asia. The government of Cambodia is now underway to preserve the wildlife that lives in the forest.
If you like to have some adventure in your Cambodia trip, you have to do this thing. Always hire a tour guide to accompany you trekking the Jungle.
3. Taste the Cambodian Cuisine from The Street Vendors in Siem Reap
Typically, Cambodians use sticky rice or fried noodles as their main ingredient. Some meat and fried veggies are often added too. Try the Lort cha. It’s a noodle mixed with chives and bean sprouts. Lort Cha is typically cooked with beef or chicken. It’s often served in a big portion to fill your stomach
Another Cambodian food you have to buy from the street vendors in Siem Reap is the Amok. It’s a fish soup that’s made with a mix of red Thai curry paste and coconut milk. You can taste the lime zest and chili that makes it good.
4. Learn about The Past of Cambodia’s Khmer
This country has rich cultural roots and deep spiritual ties. It also has such a complex history. In between 1975 and 1979, many Cambodians became the victim of mass executions under the Khmer Rouge. That barbaric past is still remembered until these days.
Some memorials and museums are built in Cambodia to let everyone learn about history. You can visit the Tuol Slend Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh. There is a lot of historical stuff that reveals the torment and extremities that are used in the past.
5. Relax on Koh Rong Island
Have a great relaxation on this serene island with a beautiful beach. Visiting Koh Rong Island gives you a chance to see Cambodia at its finest. You can also take a short boat to get on the island from Krong Preah.
You can enjoy the sugar-coated beaches with azure waters that support your relaxing atmosphere on the island. Besides, there are some water activities to do like snorkeling around the ocean to see the beauty of diverse marine life.
6. Watch Hundreds of Bats Fly Overhead
This interesting sight can only be seen in Battambang caves. You should visit the caves in the Evening. Almost every evening, you will see the crowds anticipating to observe lots of baths burst out of the cave.
You will witness the exotic beauty of the sky filled with a stream of black. They are fluttering overhead in a sound wave motion. It’s an experience that would get you excited. It also show you that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get impressed.
7. Discover The True Cambodia from Its Rural Region
If you want to see the real color of Cambodia, you need to go to the Rural regions. It’s in the countryside of the Kingdom. Tourists like to come here because of the warm hospitality Cambodians and stunning natural landscapes.
It’s an easy way to escape the city. From the Capital city, Phnom Penh, you can just head to Koh Dach. It’s also known as the Silk Island that sits in the middle of the Mekong river. It only takes about 40 minutes from Phnom Penh.
8. Sail Along the Mekong River
The river of Mekong is one of the highlights in Cambodia. In fact, it’s an iconic river in Southeast Asia, slicing through 6 countries from Tibet to Vietnam. In Cambodia, the Mekong river is passing through Phnom Penh to Vietnam.
There are some cruises available to let you enjoy the mighty Mekong river with style. If you want to go across some countries, you can join the Trans-country cruises that would go from Cambodia to Vietnam.
If you don’t want to go to another country, you can choose a sunset cruise that only sailing around Phnom Penh. A popular choice that you may wanna consider is the Kanika Boat.
9. Ride the Infamous Bamboo Train
Riding the bamboo train is one of the most fun things to do in this country. This is a ride you don’t wanna miss when you’re in Cambodia. You can find this ingenious Bamboo train in Battambang. Enjoy a 45-minute ride just for a few dollars.
Some people think that getting on public transportation is too much hassle in Battambang. So, this bamboo train would be a great option to try, just like the locals.
10. Shop at Phsar Thmei
For tourists that love shopping, visiting the local markets is a must thing to do. There is a range of stuff you can buy including local food, clothing, souvenirs, and many more. Phsar Thmei is the central market of Phnom Penh that’s constructed in 1937.
Besides the shopping, you can admire the beautiful architecture of this Art Deco building. The supported dome in the middle is very artistic. This clean market is open all day long. So, don’t forget to visit the local markets when you’re in Cambodia.
Conclusion
Cambodia offers various things to do. All of those things to do Cambodia can be done without spending a lot of money. You can still make the most of your trip to Cambodia. This post is a helpful guide for you.