Cambodia
Cambodia exudes a mysticism that’s hard to emulate, the not-so-secret ingredients of which come in the form of its extraordinary jungle ruins, Khmer villages, buttery beaches and cities of old-meets-new.
Cambodia exudes a mysticism that’s hard to emulate, the not-so-secret ingredients of which come in the form of its extraordinary jungle ruins, Khmer villages, buttery beaches and cities of old-meets-new.
A lot goes into this secret recipe for the beguiling. First there’s the obvious – lots of temples – the likes of the incredible Angkor (four times the size of the Vatican and best experienced at sunrise) and the vines coiling around the slumbering ruins of Ta Prohm.
Then there’s a dash of city life, moving from the raucous riverside bazaars of Siem Reap to getting lost in the charismatic capital of Phnom Penh. If the touring hits a little strong though, there’s a place for a milder sprinkling of white sand beaches and unspoilt landscapes on the Koh Rong archipelago; a little-known paradise that’s a haven for snorkelers and divers.
In pursuit of…
… a stop-over turned foray-front-runner
Previously considered as a passing destination, with visitors just dipping their toes in before jetting off somewhere even further afield, travellers are finally starting to see Cambodia for the dynamic and alluring destination it is. Attributed, perhaps, to the new generation of young Cambodians set on moving forward without losing the country’s history – turbulent or otherwise. The result: little pockets of urban treasures where restaurants train locals in the best traditional-meets-fine-dining techniques, and modern art scenes that thrive alongside remnants of one of the world’s oldest civilisations.
Previously considered as a passing destination, travellers are finally starting to see Cambodia for the dynamic and alluring destination it is.
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A sense of place
Get to know our favourite spots in Cambodia, from the towering temples of Siem Reap to Phnom Penh’s delicate balance of past and present.
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![a stone arch structure with a red tuktuk in front of it]()
Siem Reap
Stronghold of many a temple, including the famed Angkor Wat, the rural Siem Reap is an advocate of Cambodia’s ancient past; best experienced through the eyes of conservationists as they examine the temples, or on a bike ride through the pretty waterlogged villages.
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![Sun shining through a temple with a statue in the middle]()
Phnom Penh
A meeting of bygone and modern minds exists in the capital city of Phnom Penh. A wander around this fast-growing metropolis straddling the Mekong uncovers an arty atmosphere pervading through the markets and boutiques that stand between blonde temples and glassy high rises.
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![View from the beach of the sea and hills during sunset]()
Islands
Once barely inhabited, the islands of Cambodia have grown over the years into seductive slices of paradise. There are still some private corners just off their coasts though, like the tiny islet of Song Saa near Koh Rong and Krabey Island just off the mainland.
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Its essence...
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Cambodia
Destination essentials
WHEN TO VISIT
Flight
Time difference
Currency / Language
FROM THE READING ROOM
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Get in touch your way…
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