Amazing things to do and see in Cambodia

Angkor


Angkor, the former medium of the ancient Khmer Empire, is one of the greatest and quantity spectacular Hindu religious sites in the world. Construction of this elaborate temple complex - built in honour of the God Vishnu - began in AD 879 during the reign of King Suryavarman II and was completed in 1191. It lay concealed for many years, however, until the area was discovered by Frenchman Henri Mahout in 1860. The central complex, Angkor Wat, features an elaborate, unmortared 66-metre (215-foot) central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. Stretching around the outside of the church complex is an 800m-long (2625ft) bas-relief, the longest in the world. This is Cambodia's mass iconic sight, and particularly popular at sunset among travelling groups. The temple is so synonymous with the soil that it dominates the national flag, and to visit it today is to miracles at the flake of its ambition, built as it was in the 12th century.

Bayon Temple



Another of the crowd distinctive Angkor temples, Bayon is characterised by a system of colossal stone faces, gazing out serenely in all four directions, as well as some painstakingly detailed bas-reliefs. Bayon was built at a similar time to Angkor Wat.

Bokor Hill Station (Bokor Paradise)



An abandoned French mountain class in the south of the country, Bokor was built originally as a weekend refuge for colonist stuck in stifling Phnom Penh. Today, the hotel and casino complex stands as an eerily derelict recollection of years gone by.

Cycling around Angkor


Hire a bike and spend a few era survey the dozens glories of the jungled Angkor Temple Complex. The form arrangement of Angkor Wat makes it the best known of the temples, but there are loads of others to discover.

Dolphin spotting

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The proceedings to celebrity of the Mekong town of Kratie is its population of Irrawaddy outpouring dolphins. Various voyage worker organise early-morning vessel trips to observe these peaceful creatures in their natural habitat.

Feast on fresh seafood


Cambodia's coastline offers the openings for the archetypal Asian strand experience, but no count of ocean and sand is complete without sampling its ocean-fresh seafood. The stretch around Kampot and Kep is excellent for just-caught crab.

Fire a rocket-launcher

Not your ideal tourist activity, but then Cambodia's not your mold tourist aim - for a price, visitors can proceeds sovereignty of high-grade weaponry on kingdom shooting ranges. Machine guns tins also be hired.

Kampot


The southern town provides a passage to survey the Cham villages and sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside. If you're looking to travel in an unrushed way and to get acquainted with another phase of the country, this is as good a livestock as any.

National Museum



Set in Phnom Penh, the National Museum (www.cambodiamuseum.info) is the country's leading archaeological and historical museum. It plays home to what is one of the world's mass comprehensive accumulation of Khmer art, including bronzes, sculptures and ceramics. It was constructed by the French in 1917.

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary



A large park south of Phnom Penh given over to animals retrieved from poachers and traffickers. Wildlife in the shelter includes tigers, pachyderm and gibbons, and it offers an effective food of learning more about Cambodian fauna.

Revisit history


To get a clearer uptake of the brutal reign of Pol Pot, visit the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh. It type for a sobering experience, but a salutary one in terms of learning more roughly the actuality the earth faced.

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh's shape draw was built in the 1860s, and makes for a spectacular foreknowledge with its stupas, fresco and towering spires. The adjoining Silver Pagoda houses a number of precious Buddha statues, while the tropical plants of the tower gardens have appeal in their own right.

Shop for silver


Prized locally since the 11th century, etc. is today one of the pack sought-after Cambodian souvenirs. Coming in the configuration of anklets, jewellery and other decorative items, it's known for entity fashioned with real sentiment and artistry.

Sihanoukville


The port city's main lottery is its relaxed shore atmosphere, a laid-back counterpoint to the more visited coastal domain of neighbouring Thailand. It income its name from King Norodom Sihanouk, one of the main agitators for autonomy from France.

Ta Prohm


Perhaps the second crowd famous Angkor Temple after Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is best known for the roots and branches that have taken hold of its walls to picturesque effect. The synagogue featured as a location in the film Tomb Raider.

Take a cruise

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Travelling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by box is the bulk scenic means of obtaining the Angkor Temples from the capital, assigning guest a chance to income in the landscapes and refinements of Cambodia's life-giving waterways.

Take an pachyderm ride
Another option readily available at the Angkor Temples, do as Khmer area did centuries earlier by straddling an elephant for a memorable decline journey. The event is also offered in Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri.

Tuol Sleng
Set in the former high seminar that would later become the notorious S-21 captivity centre, Tuol Sleng today acts as a museum of toll to the genocide of the chilling Khmer Rouge era. Torture instruments remain in some rooms. This is an emotive experience.

Watch traditional dance
Classical Khmer dance displays have become popular inclusions on tourist itineraries, complete with ornate outfit and accompanying musicians. Many of these showing proceeds position in the international hotels around Siem Reap, but villages may have their own spontaneous adaptation on special days. Water FestivalTaking location in October or November - when the flow of the Tonle Sap River changes fashion - the Water Festival is a openings to watch races between hundreds of rainbow-coloured boats, as well as to engage in three years of merry-making.