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Cambodia


Like Vietnam, Cambodia is all too readily associated with war, and in Cambodia’s case, the horrific rule of terror of the Khmer Rouge and the notorious Pol Pot. This turbulent time ensured that Cambodia was well off the tourist map for many years, but in recent years, since the last Khmer Rouge troops finally defected to the government in 1999, Cambodia has been able to assume its rightful position as one of the must see destinations in Asia, if not in the world. Now visitors are flocking to this stunning country, keen to witness the famous sights so long hidden from the world. The biggest draw for tourists to Cambodia is the stunningly beautiful temple complex at Angkor, near the city of Siem Reap. Seemingly rising out of the surrounding jungle, the temples could easily occupy visitors for a week, as there are plenty of different ones to explore, although Angkor Wat is easily the most famous. The colonial capital, Phnom Penh is also usually on the tourist trail, and boasts some beautiful architecture and sites, as well as access to some of the more gruesome historical sites such as the Killing Fields. As Cambodia becomes more and more used to the tourist trade, other areas are opening up to visitors – the hill tribes of Banlung, the countryside around Sen Monorom, and the faded elegance of colonial Battambang are amongst these. In Sihanoukville Cambodia boasts a beach resort, with fine sandy beaches and rapidly developing infrastructure of hotels and facilities.


Cities and places within Cambodia
Fast Facts
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Population: 14.8 million of which around 1.17 million live in Phnom Penh.
Area: 69,900 sq miles
Geography: Cambodia border Laos and Thailand to the north, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the south-west. The country is made up of tropical rainforest, cultivated agricultural land, rivers and mountains (in the north east and south east). Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of three rivers – the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap, in the middle of the country. Along the south west coast are dotted many offshore islands.
Climate: Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate, and the main monsoon season runs between May and November. The best time to visit is during the dry season (December to April). In the North, it can be much colder in winter, but throughout the rest of the country, year round temperatures are much more stable. Seasonal flooding can occur in Phnom Penh and all over Cambodia during late July and early August, so it is best to avoid travel during this period.
Language: Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, spoken by around 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also used, and French used to be widely spoken (until Pol Pot put a stop to it!). English is now the first foreign language taught in schools
Currency: Cambodian Riel Current Rate £1 = CR8221.57.
Time: GMT+7 hours
Visa Requirements: British passport holders do require a visa to enter Cambodia and this can be purchased on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Riep International Airports (valid for 30 days)


Getting To Cambodia
By Air
Cambodia does not have a national airline as such and the main airports in Cambodia are generally served by other Asian carriers; for example, Thai Airways International fly between Thailand and Cambodia, Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Lao Airlines from Vientiane. There are no flights into Cambodia from anywhere other than Asia, so flights from the UK will always be via another Asian city. The flight time from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is around 1 hour 15 minutes (and from London to Bangkok around 11 hours 20 minutes). 
 
The main airports in Cambodia are in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, both of which are around five miles from the city centres, with journey time only taking around 10 minutes. There is no public transport other than taxis available though if you are booked on a tour, you will be met by your tour guide or representative on arrival.
 
By Boat
Both Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville have major port facilities. You can get to Phnom Penh from Vietnam via the Mekong Delta and there are regular passenger ferry services departing from Chau Doc and travelling through to Phnom Penh. Alternatively, you can reach Sihanoukville from Thailand, crossing the border at Hat Lek and taking a boat from Koh Kong.
 
By Road
Both the borders with Vietnam and Thailand are open and accessible to visitors, and there is a main road linking Phnom Penh with the Vietnamese border. The land border with Laos is not open to visitors, though this changes frequently so you are advised to check the situation. You can catch a bus in Ho Chi Minh City which will take you across the border into Cambodia. It is technically possible to make the road journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh in one day but there are a number of formalities involved – you cannot take a right hand drive car into Vietnam, even though these are quite common in Cambodia so you could find you are unable to take the same vehicle all the way. In addition, visas for Vietnam must be obtained in advance yet you can get a Cambodian visa at the border.


Getting Around Cambodia
By Air
There are numerous internal flights operating between the main centres of Phnom Penh and Siem Riep (gateway to the Temples at Angkor), and the flight time is around 45 minutes. Airlines operating this route include Siem Riep Airways International (misleading as they operate no international flights), and PMT Air. There are airports at Battambang, Sihanoukville, Banlung, Sen Monorom and Stung Treng, but these are generally not served by passenger flights.
 
By Boat
There are ferries that plough the popular tourist route between Psar Cha in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, up the Tonle Sap River and across Lake Tonle Sap – express boats make the journey in as little as five hours. Be warned that journeys on this route can be difficult during the dry season as the water level is low, and services can be cancelled. The lake itself is navigable year round.
 
By Rail
There are only two train lines in Cambodia, running from Phnom Penh to Battambag and to Sihanoukville. Train travel is not recommended as it is generally slower than bus services, and not very comfortable.
 
By Road
The quality of the roads in Cambodia varies enormously, and self drive is not recommended. You can hire a car with a driver. There are various long distance bus services, running between Phnom Pen and Kampot, Battambang, Siem Riep and Sihanoukville.
 
Getting Around Cambodia’s towns and cities.
There is no public transport system in either Phnom Penh or Siem Riep, and generally the only way of getting around is by taxi, cyclo, or motodop (motorcycle taxi).


Top Ten Things to Do and See in Cambodia
  1. PHNOM PENH
Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts, between excess and poverty, old and new, Asian and colonial. Located at the confluence of Cambodia’s three major rivers, it has been called the loveliest French-built city in Indochina, but elements of this charm have been lost through Cambodia’s turbulent and violent recent past, and through its expansion. However, there are plenty of tourist attractions, the most notable of which is the famous Silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace – it has 5000 silver tiles on the floor. Whilst in Phnom Penh, be sure to visit the National Museum of Cambodia, built by the French in 1917, and home to a sublime collection of sculpture and art. Also worth a visit is Wat Phnom, which gave the city its name – built on the only hill in the city, there has been a pagoda on this site since 1373, and people now come to pray for luck here – in business, in exams, and just about anything else! You can even have a ride on an elephant here too. *See also “Recent History section below*
 
  1. THE TEMPLES AT ANGKOR
Without doubt, the premier tourist destination in Cambodia, Angkor is the former capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, and is one of the most spectacular religious sites you are likely to find anywhere in the world. Built in honour of the god Vishnu, construction of the temple complex started in AD879, under the reign of King Suryavarman II, and wasn’t completed until 312 years later. Then hidden for almost 700 years, it was “discovered” by Henri Mahout in 1860. Angkor Wat is the central complex, which has an unmortared 66m high central tower, flanked by four smaller towers. Running around the outside of the temple is an 800m long bas relief, which is the longest in the world. Other temples within the complex include Ta Prohm, which is instantly recognisable due to the roots of the surrounding trees that are growing through the temple – roots which are holding the building together, and which show what the whole complex looked like when it was discovered in the 19th Century.
 
  1. RIVERS
Cambodia is home to three of Asia’s major rivers, the main one being the Mekong, which is the longest river in South East Asia, spanning around 2625 miles, and upon which around 50 million people depend for their livelihoods.   The Cambodia section of the river at Kratie is home to the famous freshwater dolphins, so keep an eye out. Or alternatively take a river cruise along the Tonle Sap River all the way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – the area is the most important inland wetland region in all of South East Asia.

  1. RECENT HISTORY
No trip to Cambodia should gloss over the significance of the recent past, and although visits to places such as this can be hard, it is an important part of learning about the country and the challenges it has faced and overcome. The Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide, also known as S-21, is a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed during the Pol Pot regime. Between 1975 and 1978, over 17,000 people who were held here were taken to the Killing Fields extermination camp. The museum contains many photographs of prisoners, and guided tours are available, and much recommended. The Killing Fields at Cheoung Ek, around 12 miles from Phnom Penh are another bleak reminder of what happened only 30 years ago – in 1980, the remains of nearly 9000 people were exhumed, and more than 8000 skulls, arranged according to age and gender, are displayed in the Memorial Stupa. It is a profoundly depressing place to visit, but one which serves as a reminder of how far Cambodia has come since the 1980s.
 
  1. SIHANOUKVILLE
Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s only beach resort, located on the south coast and blessed with beautiful sandy beaches, tropical islands and a much enhanced infrastructure, including new hotels springing up regularly. Tourist numbers have escalated rapidly, and whilst not on the scale of beach resorts in neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam, Sihanoukville looks set to become increasing popular with those looking for a beach break after exploring all the cultural and historical treasures of Cambodia. Until then, it is a popular weekend getaway for residents of Phnom Penh. The waters around Sihanoukville are great for scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing. Mountain biking is also popular, and there are plenty of places accessible in a day trip,including the coastal towns of Kep and Kampot, Bokor Mountain and Ream National Park.     
 
  1. RATANAKIRI PROVINCE
Home to shy hill tribes, endangered wildlife and abundant natural attractions, the remote Ratanakiri Province, in the far north east of Cambodia is well worth a visit, for a change of pace, a glimpse into a traditional way of life, and a chance to visit some of the country’s unspoilt national parks. Ratanakiri also played a prominent part in Cambodia’s history, as base for the Khmer Rouge leadership during the 1960s. The primary industries are gem mining and tourism – major draws are volcanic Boeng Yeak Lom, near Banlung, a beautiful place for a swim and picnic, the Virachay National Park, and Voen Sai, a pleasant community of Chinese, Lao and Kreung villagers. You can also get a taste of the gold rush here – the mines and the camps that accompany them move around, but the miners are usually happy to display their finds, which are mined by hand.
 
  1. BOKOR NATIONAL PARK
This is one of Cambodia’s largest protected areas, and includes within its boundaries the former French hill station, Bokor Hill Station, now a ghost town where you can see the haunting remains of a church, royal residence, casino, hotel and numerous villas. Also noteworthy within the park are the Popokvil Falls, a two-tiered waterfall, where swimming is possible. You can also opt for a canoeing trip all the way from the bottom of the falls to Kampot.
 
  1. COLONIAL PAST
Visit Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia after Phnom Penh, and home to some of the best preserved French colonial buildings in the country. It is also a great base from which to explore the surrounding scenic villages and numerous temples. More scenic still is the river trip from Battambang all the way to Siem Reap. You can fly directly to Battambang from Phnom Penh.
 
  1. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Cambodia boasts many fascinating traditions, and during your visit to the country you should try and experience some of them!   Watch a traditional Apsara dance – Siem Riep is perhaps the best place to do this, where there are organised cultural evenings, though you might find spontaneous displays in villages you pass through. Cambodia also celebrates numerous festivals – the Water Festival in October/November is one of the most spectacular; at this time, the waters on the Tonle Sap River change directs, and in the shift, vast numbers of fish are left behind. Thousands of people line the banks of the river in Phnom Penh to watch the boats paddle out to reap the spoils.
 
  1. KHMER FOOD
Cambodian cuisine is broadly similar to that of neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam though generally less spicy. In the major tourist centres of Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, it is easy to get international food as well as more local specialities. A meal in Cambodia will usually include a soup, which is usually eaten alongside the other courses. Freshwater fish plays an important part in Khmer cuisine, and most of this comes from Lake Tonle Sap or from the Mekong River.




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