(Originally posted 1 April 2016) Here is a list of our top 11 recommendations for things to do in Cambodia.
- Find hidden gems off the tourist beat
If you are in a tourist area and want to find a quieter spot with more reasonable prices, you usually need not wander too far off the main street to find something suitable. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, we found a lovely spot called Brothers, situated just behind the Hard Rock Café. Great food and service at excellent prices made this our resident restaurant for our week in Siem Reap. So take a stroll around the corner, and you could find a gem of a place.
- Understand what happened here
Cambodia has a troubling history, and you can begin to understand it when visiting places like Choeung Ek, commonly known as the Killing Fields, or the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh. It is a difficult and emotional visit, but understanding Cambodia’s violent past makes you appreciate the hospitable nature and humbleness shown by most Cambodians you will meet. It is hard to comprehend how people can be so kind and caring, having come through such horror – a lesson to be learnt for most of us.
- Do a road trip
Get to see a little of the countryside when you travel between cities or points of interest. We had one of our most interesting days when we did a day trip up to the Thai border to visit Preah Vihear Temple and were shown around by a local farmer after our mini-bus overheated.
- Party like like a teenager again
Siem Reap is geared toward tourists and has a street dedicated to eating, drinking and partying – Pub Street. Although we are well past our prime partying days, we got into the spirit of things and partied like it was 1999. Just make sure you have enough bottled water ready for the following day.
5. Be sure to watch the sunrise
We were trying to practise our photography skills and were up early on a few mornings to capture the sunrise. But the days watching the sun come up over the beach in Kep or lighting up the glorious Angkor Wat temple were surreal experiences that I would recommend to anyone. There is something wonderfully serene about being there to witness the quiet start to a day.
6. Tour the Temples
No one can prepare you for the incredible temples of Angkor Wat and the surrounding area. We spent three days touring all the temples and still only saw a portion of them. Make sure you have a guide or guidebook on your first day so that you can begin to grasp the significance of this world heritage site. Warning: there is so much to see that you can get a little templed-out, so we took a break every other day and did another activity (it is cheaper to buy a three-day pass that you can use over a week).
7. Enjoy a little luxury that won’t break the bank
We stayed in the lap of luxury for a very reasonable price by simply looking out for a good offer on an online hotel booking site. It even included free airport transfers. So head over to a website like Expedia and see what is on special.
8. See 1000 Buddhas
Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap has a gallery of 1000 Buddhas. It is awe-inspiring to view this collection that goes back to the ancient Khmer civilisation. The museum is also well worth the visit to view what remains of the precious relics removed from the temples.
9. Get a massage
Not all massages are created equal, but we stumbled on a little out-of-the-way place offering a two-hour massage for $13. This massage was the best I have ever had, and strangely, instead of just feeling relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep, we felt completely refreshed and invigorated. So be sure not to settle for the high prices on the main tourist drag and go into the quieter neighbourhoods to find something special.
10. Head to the coast
Sihanoukville is a common beach destination in Cambodia, but instead, we headed for the sleepy coastal town of Kep. The quiet area was a great way to chill out for a few days. If you feel like getting more active, you can ride a bike down to the main beach area and grab lunch. Otherwise, just veg out wherever you are.
11. Try local nightlife
Walking down the road from our hotel in Siem Reap, we found a local restaurant away from the main tourist area. The entrance is lined with beautiful girls, so we can only imagine the real purpose of the venue. However, we had one of our cheapest good meals in Cambodia – we speculated that perhaps they did not know what to charge for just food and drinks without any ‘entertainment’. The waiters spoke no English, so we eventually explained that a fried rice dish with cow would suit us perfectly. Three excellent meals, a pitcher of beer and a pack of cigarettes cost us a grand total of $7!
Cambodia was not one of our first choices in selecting countries to visit, but now that we have been, we highly rate it and would go back in a flash. The people, the culture, and the amazing sites make this a very special destination.