Cambodia is a tourist destination quite close to Vietnam, so from Vietnam, you can easily travel to Cambodia by road, which is quite convenient. Cambodia is also known as the land of the golden temples, so traveling to Cambodia is not just about visiting and paying respects at the golden temples. There are many other places to explore, and here is a list of 10 must-visit tourist destinations in Cambodia.
1. Angkor Wat Temples
The Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the wonders of the world and a very famous tourist destination in Cambodia. Every year, it attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world to visit and explore. If you travel to Cambodia and do not visit Angkor Wat, you are missing out on 50% of the meaningful experience of the trip. The best time to visit Angkor Wat is at sunrise when the air is cool and the crowds have not yet arrived. The Angkor Wat temple complex is the most famous tourist destination in Cambodia. It is also one of the seven wonders of the world recognized by UNESCO. It can be said that this is the greatest heritage that the Khmer people have left for future generations. The entire complex covers over 248 square miles (400 km2), surrounded by a deep and wide moat. The entire architectural complex is outstanding and unique with ancient stone carvings. The towers, temples, bas-reliefs, and vast corridors are all made of stacked stone blocks, looking very natural, even on the vaulted roofs. Stone decorations such as Buddha statues, apsaras, warriors, and illustrations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics are vivid and delicate.
2. Koh Rong Island
Koh Rong is still a paradise island, the most famous tourist destination in Cambodia, the land of the Golden Pagoda. For those who truly seek a peaceful and serene vacation, leaving behind all stress and staying away from the hustle and bustle, Koh Rong is an extremely ideal suggestion. Although tourism here is quite developed, you can still feel the pristine, exotic, and refreshing atmosphere of Koh Rong. Located in the Gulf of Thailand and about 25 km from the coast of Sihanoukville, the island of Koh Rong in Cambodia is often referred to by the most endearing name “island paradise”. Therefore, most all-inclusive Cambodian tour packages include an itinerary to visit here. Even many groups of young travelers who travel to Cambodia independently often come here because the roads are easy to travel.
Koh Rong is the second largest island in Cambodia with an area of over 78 km2, 43 km of coastline, and over 23 beautiful beaches. This place is famous for the pristine beauty of fine white sand beaches, crystal clear warm sea water, and pleasant tropical climate. The tourist destination of Cambodia, Koh Rong, is a familiar and famous name when it comes to tourism in Cambodia. The best time to visit Koh Rong is from early May to mid-November, with an average temperature ranging from 25 to 40 degrees Celsius, few clouds, and low humidity. You should check the weather conditions before starting your travel journey.
3. Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has a hot and sunny weather all year round, so you can visit this Cambodian tourist destination at any time. The coolest months in Phnom Penh are from August to October. Without golden sandy beaches and shimmering sun, without majestic hills with vast virgin forests, the capital Phnom Penh is a bustling city with scars of war that have healed over the years.
Experiences not to be missed in Phnom Penh
Visit Wat Phnom Wat Phnom is one of the oldest historical temples in Phnom Penh
Stop by Independence Monument
The monument and square are located at the intersection of Phnom Penh’s two largest roads, Sihanouk and Norodom. The monument has a traditional stupa shape, modeled after the architecture of Angkor Wat temple and other famous historical sites of Cambodia.
Visit the Royal Palace of Cambodia
It is one of the symbols of the Cambodian royal family. This is the residence and workplace of the king and also the venue for ceremonies.
Explore the Royal Square
It is one of the places that attracts many tourists for photos. Located near the royal palace, you can visit this place after touring the palace. The most notable feature of this area is a very friendly and approachable flock of pigeons.
Discover the Silver Pagoda
The reason the pagoda is called Silver Pagoda is because of the legend of 5,329 silver tiles on the floor, each handmade and weighing exactly 1,125 grams.
Finally, the National Museum of Cambodia, where ancient artifacts, religion, and art of the Khmer people are preserved
Markets in Phnom Penh
Away from the war-torn sites of Phnom Penh, you can take a tuk-tuk and explore and enjoy the cuisine at the markets here with prices ranging from 1-8 USD.
4. Sihanoukville
Apart from the modern and vibrant capital Phnom Penh or the mysterious Siem Reap with its historical ruins, the city of Sihanoukville boasts a distinctive blue color of the coastal land. Sihanoukville is one of the four cities in Cambodia and the youngest city in the country. It is also the most famous tourist destination in Cambodia. Sihanoukville is a large-scale resort city in the region… Sihanoukville is shaping up to be Cambodia’s attractive tourist city with its system of ecological parks and enchanting white sandy beaches,
As a peninsula jutting out into the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville features beautiful beaches from south to north, surrounding the city including Victory Beach, Lamherkay Beach, Koh Pos Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha Beach, Serendipity Beach, Ochheuteal Beach, and Otres Beach. Due to the curved shape of the beaches, the sea here is calm with gentle waves, smooth white sand, and no visible shell fragments, broken coral, or rocks on the shore. Particularly in Sihanoukville, as the coastline faces west, sitting and watching the sunset on the fine sand beach, watching the sun slowly sink into the deep sea is a fascinating experience for many. The beaches in Sihanoukville are ideal and almost unique in Cambodia. So if you are traveling to Cambodia, you must visit this place. It is a tourist destination in Cambodia included in many all-inclusive Cambodia tours by various companies and small self-organized groups traveling to Cambodia independently.
5. Twin Beaches / Kampot
The coastal city of Kep in southern Cambodia is a popular destination for many Cambodian tourists. Through the Xa Xia border gate (Ha Tien – Kien Giang province – Vietnam), about 20km further is the coastal city of Kep in Cambodia. Both sides of the road have sparse population. Along the national highway, there are salt fields stretching along the road. The coastal road in Kep is 5 – 6km long. One side is the sea, the other side is the mountain foot covered with lush green trees up to the top. Kep beach gently slopes, with gentle waves and clear blue water. The scenery is peaceful and gentle. Along the road after the beach, there are empty lots with many street vendors. The beach is usually crowded on weekends and quite empty on weekdays. In addition to the beautiful beaches, the coastal city of Kep also has a variety of fresh and delicious seafood at reasonable prices. The most famous seafood here is crab. Even the locals have built a very large crab statue. The crabs in Kep are not big but have firm and sweet meat. Many tourists traveling to Cambodia enjoy this dish. Cuttlefish, shrimp, sea fish… are also processed by locals into various attractive dishes. Young groups of friends or families often stop by here when traveling independently in Cambodia
6. Golden Pagoda – Silver Pagoda
In the journey to explore the land of temples in Cambodia, the Golden and Silver Pagoda is a famous tourist destination that cannot be missed. The Golden and Silver Pagoda is located in Phnom Penh, to the left of the royal palace in the complex of the Cambodian royal palace architecture. The Jade Buddha is the most beautiful and famous temple in Cambodia, known not only for its architecture but also for its art, known as the “Silver Pagoda Golden Pagoda”. As this is where the king holds the Tho Bat Quan Trai Gioi or royal and court officials hold Buddhist ceremonies, the temple does not have resident monks. Because the temple is adorned with 5,329 silver tiles on the floor, Western visitors call it the “Silver Pagoda,” while Asian visitors prefer to call it the “Golden Pagoda” because the temple has a large gold statue of Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha) weighing 90kg, adorned with 2,086 diamonds, including a 25-carat diamond on the crown and a 20-carat diamond on the chest. The temple is also famous for a precious jade meditation Buddha statue (there is also information that this statue is made of crystal) about 60cm tall (there is only one in Thailand, one in China, one in Myanmar, and recently one in Australia), which is why the Cambodians call it the “Jade Buddha Temple.” This place is included in most all-inclusive Cambodia tours.
7. Cambodian Lakes and Beaches
Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is currently the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. This Cambodian tourist destination is a system combining a lake and river that holds great importance for the land of temples. Tonle Sap Lake is a system combining a lake and river that holds great importance for Cambodia. The lake was formed around 5500 years before Christ due to the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia. Tonle Sap Lake is also the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1997.
Tonle Sap Lake is located in Siem Reap province and is about 25km away from the city center. Therefore, tourists can easily visit Cambodia and explore Tonle Sap Lake in just an afternoon, taking about 30 minutes by car. Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is where a community of Vietnamese and Cham people live in floating houses. Their lives revolve around the water, and visitors will see how challenging and difficult their lives are. The people mainly rely on fishing with rudimentary tools and trading on small boats just enough to sustain them. Many tourists traveling to Cambodia often visit this place to admire the beautiful scenery.
8. Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the main city located in the northwest of Cambodia. This Cambodian tourist spot attracts visitors because of its location at the gateway to the Angkor archaeological park. The most famous attractions in Siem Reap are Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Visitors can purchase 3 different types of tickets priced at 37 USD, 62 USD, and 72 USD for one day, three days, and seven days respectively. These tickets are free for children under 12 years old and no discounts are offered for students. A note to remember when traveling here is to keep your ticket safe, as losing it can result in a fine ranging from 100-300 USD. Additionally, dressing modestly and respectfully is a mandatory requirement in this area.
Other nearby attractions that draw tourists include Tonle Sap (the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, located 25 km from the city), Kampong Kdei Bridge (the oldest stone bridge in Southeast Asia with unique architecture, located about 50 km from Siem Reap), Kulen Mountain and Linga River (considered sacred sites by the Cambodian people), and Preah Vihear (located on the border with Thailand). Some dishes to try when visiting Siem Reap include Amok, Nom Banh Chok, Bai Sach Chrouk, palm sugar cake, fried chili crickets, hủ tíu, grilled squid, Khmer curry, Khmer beef salad, and dosa. Don’t miss out on this Cambodian tourist destination on your trip.
9. Battambang
Battambang is often overlooked by many Cambodian tourists, which is quite understandable as it does not have beautiful beaches, is not the capital city, and especially Battambang does not have the magnificent Angkor temples. However, in reality, this second largest city in Cambodia is a place of perfect balance, bustling, friendly, and full of interesting things to discover. If you know and understand a lot about Cambodian history, you cannot miss the city of Battambang, a famous commercial center in the 18th century. Today, the tourist destination Battambang is the second most populous city in Cambodia. Here, there are many temples with architectural styles from the Angkor and Buddhist era. To explore this city thoroughly, you should travel by bike or on foot. When visiting the streets of Battambang, you will easily come across many animal and deity statues. Among the numerous temples in Battambang, the most famous structure is a statue of an ancient Khmer king. Battambang is a very impressive city that you should visit when in Cambodia.
10. Kratie
Kratie in Cambodia is a relatively new destination for many travelers as it does not have many tourist spots on a large scale. If you are already familiar with Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, etc., then Kratie will be a new and interesting destination awaiting travelers to explore. If you have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia, you should visit Kratie at least once, one of the most attractive destinations in this country. Kratie is a small town located along the Mekong River, possessing the pristine, ancient, and mysterious beauty of buildings with strong French architecture. Kratie may not be a very prominent tourist destination in Cambodia, but many tourists choose to stop here because of this beauty. When you visit Kratie, you will not only admire ancient architectural structures but also observe the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that can only be found in the Mekong River.
