City: Cambodia
Top Things to do in Cambodia
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Cambodia
Cambodia from Asia region, is best know for Historic Sites. Discover best things to do in Cambodia with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Cambodia
1. Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
These were the execution grounds for the Khmer Rouge.
Reviewed By MarkyMark383 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Not as well known I think as the Holocaust but in some ways even more brutal and sad and distressing.
Just to try and imagine the hand to hand torture and killing that took place here. What an utter waste of human life and suffering.
You just ask yourself Why?
Situated about 15km south west of central Phnom Penh
A must see while in Phnom Penh together with S21.
2. Bayon Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Heather G - Uckfield, United Kingdom
The 220 faces of this temple are just unbelievable. Where ever you turn around they are there looking down on you. It is worth going round the rear were you have the place to yourself. There are many areas to step over to enjoy it. A must go to.
3. HUMAN Gallery - Joseba Etxebarria Photography
Overall Ratings
5 based on 173 reviews
HUMAN Gallery - Joseba Etxebarria Photography brings together some of the best portraits of the humanitarian photographer Joseba Etxebarria taken during his trip around the world, as well as several postcards, pictures and books that are not for sale online. The gallery is located on the 1.5 th street of the city of Battambang, in an old house of more than a hundred years, where it has created a relaxing space where you can enjoy the photographs. During your visit you can also try the Cambodian coffee, our natural fruit smoothies, different spirits or a glass of French wine. All with a good relaxing background music. HUMAN Gallery contributes 20% of the sale of photographs, books, posters and postcards to finance the WINGS FOR THE FUTURE project that supports the education of several children in extreme poverty in the community of Boeng Raing, about 13 km Of Battambang.
Reviewed By Dora P
I visited this small gallery on my wanderings through Battambang. Lovely pictures made with true feeling. The owner greeted me and chatted like we were old friends. A nice place to spend half an hour thinking about the warmth of strangers and differences that can sometimes bind us together...
4. Preah Vihear Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 430 reviews
Reviewed By Lenny2299 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
This temple has a very lovely view of the valley below. The trip is far - about 300km from Siem Reap. It is a great way to see how people live in the country.
You pay $10 per person admission then either $25 for a 4x4 pickup or $5 to get on the back of a motor bike to take you up and back. It is not covered under the Angkor Temple ticket you get for Angkor wat etc.
The buildings have not been restored but due to its remote location there are some great carvings still intact. I wish I could tell you more but after a while you get “Temple overload”
5. La Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 754 reviews
La Plantation is a social and sustainable family project, the perfect combination of traditional farming and modern processing. At La Plantation, we produce Black, Red, White Kampot pepper and the exclusive Fresh Salted Kampot Pepper, Red Long Pepper, Turmeric, Bird Chili and local fruits. Grown traditionally and harvested by hand, our spices are processed with high standards in quality and hygiene and are certified organic by Ecocert. Presentation, tasting and free guided tour in English, French, Khmer and Chinese. You will understand why Kampot Pepper has been elected #1 best pepper in the world. La Plantation has also a social dimension by improving the living conditions of many people in this rural area and by taking care of the primary school. You can enjoy our spices in our two restaurants (Khmer and French), or join a Khmer cooking class. You can also experience a tour in the rural countryside up to Secret Lake in a cart pulled by water buffaloes. Take your time for the visit.
Reviewed By Polya92 - Toronto, Canada
We scootered to La plantation from Kampot, which was really fun! However, beware of doing so when it’s rainy/after it has rained - the last part is a dirt road and I imagine it could get very unpleasant when it’s wet.
We were greeted at La Plantation by one of the guides who took us through the process of how the pepper is made and differentiated between the different kinds. This was followed by a tasting of all peppers and then a walk around the pepper plantation itself.
It was all very informative and friendly and we even bought some pepper to take home with us which seemed reasonably priced!
I’d highly recommend a visit to La Plantation, as it’s just a fun day out.
6. Sothy's Pepper Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 633 reviews
See how famous Kampot Pepper - Green, Black, Red, and White - is produced, without chemical fertilizers or insecticides, taking a tour in Cambodian, English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish. We use solar and wind energy. We have one simple bungalow - inquire for prior arrangements. We can be reached from Kep (or Kampot) by tuk-tuk or taxi; many visitors come with locally rented motorscooters
Reviewed By Anyrubina - St. Petersburg, Russia
Good place, well maintained farm, combines different organic ways of living: no pesticides for pepper, electricity autonomous, they try to safe water and don’t waste anything. It’s free of charge with a tour, you can buy some pepper afterwards and also lunch and dinner are available there. I took a tuk-tuk from Kep to visit this place, salt fields and fishing village for 15$. Or you can easily get there by bike or bicycle.
7. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
This former torture and detention center is now a museum dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge.
Reviewed By Charles K - Lakeway
This detention center which was formerly a school building is yet another example of the horrors which occurred in Cambodia during the era of the Khmer Rouge. According to data at the site some 17,000 people were tortured and killed at this site. Its superintendent Commander Dutch, is serving a sentence of life imprisonment after being convicted of crimes against humanity by a UN Tribunal. There are some people there who were actually imprisoned there and talking with them is a chilling experience. Not for the faint of heart, but a visit gives some insight into one of the darkest periods of human history.
8. Angkor Wat
Overall Ratings
5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Rachelle W - Los Angeles, California
More than 10 years ago, I took a south East Asian history class; The Khmer Empire and its wonders intrigued me! I have been wanting to come in years, and finally I made it this March!
Woke up at 4am, my family and I came early, and each got a three-day pass to the whole Angkor Wat historical complex. $62 for three days is a deal for us, because we planned and saw 15 different temples!
Starting at 5am, we waited by the library pool in front of Angkor Wat, waiting for the sun to rise. Around 5:45am, the sky lit up a little, and everyone stood up, holding up their cameras. For the next 45 minutes, the sun came out little by little, and it is definitely one of life time kind of experience. Don’t miss it! If you come from the US (and Europe possibly), you most likely have jet lag. Early rising wouldn’t be much of an issue :) Don’t miss the sunrise!
The temple - the Angkor Wat is the signature of the whole historical complex. It is actually the tomb of one of the Khmer kings. Almost all temples in SR as it’s surrounding areas are facing East, but this one is facing West, and reason is till today unclear. Some scholars say that because it’s a tomb, and facing the West means the end of a life cycle. Some do not agree. No conclusion has been reached.
Though most people rush to the architecture itself, I wouldn’t miss the leading bridge. One will find seven-head snake statues here and there at the end and mid point of the bridge. They are the Hindu gods of Naga (please correct me if I’m wrong), a important figure in the religion. Good picture opp :)
The complex itself has 5 towers, and one can climb up to the top of the towers. There is always a line but do wait to go up. The arts on top are not to be missed. If one comes before 7-7:30am, the wait tends to be less than 15 minutes. Recommend to spend 30-45 minutes on top and check out all the detailed art works. All the dancing goddesses on the wall are different! If one actually pays attention, one will see that their hair, dress, and facial expression are all different and unique. These ladies are the Kong’s dancers and reserve ladies (like concubines but may not have served the king in bed). These ladies came to the palace in their teen years and stayed till the king passed. Many of these arts show the lonely life in palace but close friendships among them :)
The murals are not to be missed!!! Please hire a guide if one can! These murals are famous battles between Khmer and its enemies. One can either read about the stories before hand or have a guide discuss the details.
Angkor Wat has so much to see and feel! 3-4 hour minimal recommended! Wear comfortable shoes and bring at least 3 bottles of water! It is hot and exhausting in March (still dry season). I run 7-8 miles a day, but I still found myself huffing and puffing after 5 hours of touring. Be prepared!
Have a fantastic time!
9. Koh Ker Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Koh Ker, three hours from Siem Reap, served as the capital of the Khmer empire from 928 to 944, and was built under King Jayavarman IV under whose reign colossal sculptures and lingas were constructed, leading to charges of megalomania. Some of the lingas remain, though the sculptures have been removed to the museum in Phnom Penh. The site, which has only recently been demined, is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter high pyramid temple. In view of the distance, there are far fewer crowds here, making a visit an easier and more pastoral experience.
Reviewed By Andy22L - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
About 120km away from Siem Reap, the pyramid temple is a unique structure in Koh Ker. It is located within the central sanctuary of Prasat Thom, which is the largest of all the sanctuaries in Koh Ker. There is a path around the pyramid, as well as wooden stairs leading to the top of the pyramid.
10. Koh Trong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By Simon B
Jump on the ferry and cross to this peaceful and charming island in the middle of the Mekong river. The ferry leaves from near the port office and takes 5 minutes to cross the river, not sure if there is a timetable or it just leaves when it likes!! Once on the island you can hire pushbikes or motobikes, take a driver or just walk around. There are several small places to eat, we eat at the fried noodle and fried egg restaurant - all it served was well you can guess!!
There is a path that circles the island allowing views of the small villages, temples, rice fields and the small floating village.
Well worth a trip for half a day.
