During a two week period you can explore the capital Phnom Penh, the ancient Angkor Wat and the laid back beach town of Sihanoukville.
When you mention your plans to visit Cambodia to your friends or parents, all kinds of horror stories will probably enter their minds. The murderous regime of the Khmer Rouge pretty much erased this tiny nation from travel itineraries completely from the 1970s right through to the early 90s. Now Cambodia is staging a phenomenal comeback, and tourists are pouring in by the thousands. It's undeniably one of the most charming destinations in Southeast Asia today, and amazingly cheap to boot. You will enjoy yourself here, and will leave with a journal full of photos and entries about the glorious temples, beaches and sites of natural beauty. Below are some places you won't want to miss.
Phnom Penh
The economic and political hub of Cambodia, this traffic choked city has some lovely temples and museums which are worth taking a look at. With the exception of Choeung Ek, otherwise known as the Killing Fields which are 15 kilometres away, most of the capital's sights are within close proximity to each other. The Independence Monument and the Silver Pagoda located inside the Royal Palace compound will give you a nice taste of Khmer history. For a glimpse of the darker side of this country's past, head to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. When the Khmer Rouge took control of the country in April 1975, thousands of Cambodians were brought here for interrogation. Not many of them managed to get out alive. As a chilling reminder that mass murder and torture is never far away, photos of countless victims are posted inside. The memorial at Choeung Ek is near the museum.
Siem Reap
This town is the gateway to Angkor Wat, Cambodia's most famous temple complex constructed in the 12th century. As the enduring symbol of the richness of Khmer architecture, it was made with sandstone and along many of the bas-reliefs there are depictions from the great epics from India, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Throughout the 1990s, efforts to protect this site were renewed with a greater sense of dedication. Architectural teams from Germany and Japan have contributed to the preservation of Cambodia's greatest treasure.
Sihanoukville
Named after King Norodom Sihanouk, this beach town on the Gulf of Thailand is not as rustic as you might expect. Modern buildings now line its streets and it receives many local and foreign visitors. Occheuteal Beach is the most popular in town, and the busiest part is in the middle section. At the north end there is Serendipity Beach, which is where you can get a bungalow right on the sand. The local cuisine emphasizes seafood, with lots of fresh crabs, prawns and squid.
Getting to Cambodia by Overland Crossings
From Thailand you can take a bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, and then on to the border town of Poipet on the Cambodian side. The journey should take about four hours. When you get to the border immigration officials might try to overcharge you for a tourist visa. The standard price is U.S. $20, so be firm but polite. From Poipet it's easy to get transportation through to Sisophon and then Siem Reap.
From Vietnam, many travellers use the border crossing at Moc Bai which is the most convenient way to get to Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. There are regularly scheduled buses which go back and forth between the two cities. Alternatively, you can cross into Cambodia from Ving Xuong on the Vietnamese side of the Mekong River.
Fom Laos, you can cross the Mekong at Voeung Kam and then catch a boat to Stung Treng. If you are travelling by road make sure you arrange in advance for onward transportation into Cambodia, because sometimes there is none available.
Currency Exchange
The Cambodian riel is the national currency but prices in restaurants and hotels are usually quoted in U.S. dollars. Coins are not used in the country. Carry some smaller riel notes for taxis and things like snacks and drinks. One U.S. dollar will get about 4,000 riel.
