Do you really know Cambodia? I am sure you have heard the country’s name, but do you know why this country is special?
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains, and the Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace, and the National Museum’s historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country’s northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire. In fact, there are plenty of things to do and visit in this country. I would like to share 10 of them with you that you might dream of visiting after the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Visit Angkor Archaeologica Park
Angkor is certainly the first name that comes to your mind when you hear the word “Cambodia”. Angkor Archaeological Park is located in northern Cambodia and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The most famous is the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. If you want to the best pictures of Angkor Wat you need to come early in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise. Angkor Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.
2. Gibbon Spotting
Besides exploring the city or the cultural highlights in Cambodia, you can do some fun outdoor activities such as trekking and observing the rare northern yellow-cheeked gibbons in their natural habitat. Gibbon spotting has become extremely popular in the country.
3. Microlight Flight Above Cambodia
If you can enjoy the beautiful view of Cambodia from above perhaps it might just be one of your best life experiences. You can fly above Cambodia over the temples of Angkor, lush jungles, floating villages, and flooded forests with Cambodia’s Microlight Flight Aircraft. Prepare your camera and be ready to take amazing pictures from the sky!
4. Sail along the Mekong River
Mekong River is the trans-boundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. From the Tibetan Plateau, the river runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Take the cruise from Phnom Penh at sunset and you will have a beautiful view of this place, ideal for taking some great pictures too.
5. Attend a cooking class
Cambodia is not only a country of buildings and archaeological sites but also a country of food. The best thing to do wherever you are traveling in another country is to attend a cooking class, not just to learn how to cook local food but also to interact with other people and learn their culture. For example, you can take a cooking class in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
6. See the Planktons Glow at Night in Koh Rong
While you are in Cambodia, you must visit this stunning natural phenomenon in Koh Rong, the bioluminescent plankton. You can only see it at night, and it shows up best when there’s no moon and you’re away from any light pollution. It’s so lovely to see all the light coming from the sea, you might think you are in a Disney movie, but no this is real!
7. Eat Local Food
If you don’t want to cook, you should still try the local food. In Cambodia, you can find easily local food everywhere on the street food from Lort Cha, grilled skewer, Kuy Teav, Kralan to Coconut Ice Cream. Don’t worry you if you gain a few kilos, it’s really tasty so worth it.
8. Go to the beach
Like other tropical countries in Asia, Cambodia has some beautiful beaches to visit. Cambodia’s beaches can be found in four of the country’s provinces: Sihanoukville, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Kep. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sun cream!
9. Visit the Killing Fields
Visiting this place will perhaps make you feel scared and sad because of the history, you will find thousands of skulls and bones here. More than a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime (the Communist Party of Kampuchea) during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979. But do visit this place in form of a memorial.
10. Eat some insects
In Cambodia you can find plenty of snacks made from insects. Delicious Tarantula, maggots, crickets, cockroaches, grasshoppers and red ants, you must try all these tasty crunchy insects while in Cambodia. They might look creepy and disgusting but they are full of protein.
