Cambodia Tourism
Cambodia today enjoys a tourist scene that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. Decimated under the cruel regime of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge, the population was significantly felled in genocide. While reminders of the country’s harsh past still exist, the coastal beaches, verdant rainforests and one of the world’s most beautiful temple complexes—Angkor Wat, have helped Cambodia to move on and attract increasing numbers of tourists.
Cambodia has never been more accessible, and travellers who once braved this then largely untrampled Southeast Asian area 10 years ago may not recognise Siem Reap today—the gateway city for exploring the mighty Angkor Wat temple complex and the other ruins in the 60 square mile ancient Khmer city. Angkor Wat is undoubtedly the most visited place in Cambodia, and many people come to the country just to tour these temples that effortlessly fascinate and impress.
Travel to Siem Reap has come a long way in recent years, with direct flights from cities in Thailand now serving the region regularly. The old route to Siem Reap from the capital of Phnom Penh is still the most common, with the boat option offering the best views of villages on the banks of the Tonle Sap River. The trip between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap can be done seasonally by boat in half a day.
Though it’s not as impressive as the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Phnom Penh’s royal abode is well worth a visit, and serves as a great example of traditional Khmer architecture. The National Museum found nearby, which is packed with artefacts from the country’s incredible past, some of which have been brought from Angkor for safekeeping, is also of interest. The riverbank directly across from the palace is where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong, and once a year a special boat race is held here with the king taking his place of honor perpendicular to the finish line.
Some of Phnom Penh’s sights are known for leaving tourists feeling unwell, but to educate yourself about the suffering the Cambodian people have endured will help you to understand this fascinating country. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is housed in a schoolhouse that was converted by the Khmer Rouge into a holding tank where over 20,000 people were tortured before losing their lives and being buried in mass graves 10 miles away in the ‘killing fields’ of Cheoung Ek.
Sihanoukville, named after the king, is the country’s only real beach resort, popular with Cambodians and foreigners alike. The country has made significant headway in deactivating landmines left behind after the Vietnam War and many rural areas are now safe to travel in.
