The Kingdom of Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, and Thailand to the northwest, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Tourism in Cambodia is one of the most important sectors in Cambodia’s economy. In 2103, tourism arrivals increased by 17.5 percent year on year, with business travelers increasing 47 percent.
All visitors, except citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam need a visa to enter Cambodia. The official price for a tourist visa is USD20 and USD25 for an “ordinary visa” also known more commonly as “business visa”. The major difference between a tourist and an ordinary/ business visa is that a tourist visa can only be extended once, for maximum 2 months of stay in Cambodia, whereas an ordinary/ business visa can be extended periods up to a year and more.
The reconstruction and healing process is now well under way and increasing numbers of tourists are rediscovering Cambodia’s attraction. The stunning temples of Angkor are the obvious draw for most tourists, but the country has much else to offer: tropical beaches, colonial buildings and an abundance of natural attractions. There are at least 10 tourist attractions in Cambodia:
1. Angkor
Angkor is a vast temple complex featuring the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century AD. These include the famous Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest single religious monument, the Bayon temple with its multitude of massive stone faces and Ta Prohm, a Buddist temple ruin entwined with towering trees.It is the greatest attraction in Cambodia and one of the most spectacular ancient sites on earth.
2. Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the only major temple at Angkor not built for king; instead it was constructed by one of king Rajendravarman’s counselors, Yajnyavahara.
3. Koh Ker
Some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were constructed in this short time. The site is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter tall temple pyramid rising high above the surrounding jungle. It is one of Cambodia’s most remote and inaccessible temple destinations.
4. Kratie
It is the place in Cambodia to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which live in the Mekong River in ever-diminishing numbers. It is estimated that there are between 66 and 86 dolphins left in the upper Cambodian Mekong area.
5. Bokor Hill Station
Bokor Hill Station and its abandoned buildings have an eerie, ghost- town feel. There are hiking tours arranged by local travel agents.
6. Silver Pagoda
Located within the Royal Palace compound in Phnom Penh, the Silver Pagoda houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. It is decorated with a richly colored and detailed mural of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903-04 by 40 Khmer artists.
7. Tonle Sap
Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is of major importance to Cambodia. It is also home to many ethnic Vietnamese and numerous Cham communities, living in floating villages around the lake.
8. Sihanoukvile
Sihanoukvile, also known as Kampong Som, is a port city and beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand. The big attractions here are the white- sand beaches and several undeveloped tropical island. It is a good place to relax and unwind, though be prepared to battle the crows during the high season or a holiday weekend.
9. Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525 meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
10. Siem Reap
Siem Reap is laid- back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. It offers a wide range of hotels, ranging from several 5-star hotels to hundreds of budget guesthouses while a large selection of restaurants offers many kinds of food.
Angkor is a vast temple complex featuring the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century AD. These include the famous Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest single religious monument, the Bayon temple with its multitude of massive stone faces and Ta Prohm, a Buddist temple ruin entwined with towering trees.It is the greatest attraction in Cambodia and one of the most spectacular ancient sites on earth.
2. Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the only major temple at Angkor not built for king; instead it was constructed by one of king Rajendravarman’s counselors, Yajnyavahara.
3. Koh Ker
Some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were constructed in this short time. The site is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter tall temple pyramid rising high above the surrounding jungle. It is one of Cambodia’s most remote and inaccessible temple destinations.
4. Kratie
It is the place in Cambodia to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which live in the Mekong River in ever-diminishing numbers. It is estimated that there are between 66 and 86 dolphins left in the upper Cambodian Mekong area.
5. Bokor Hill Station
Bokor Hill Station and its abandoned buildings have an eerie, ghost- town feel. There are hiking tours arranged by local travel agents.
6. Silver Pagoda
Located within the Royal Palace compound in Phnom Penh, the Silver Pagoda houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. It is decorated with a richly colored and detailed mural of the Ramayana myth, painted in 1903-04 by 40 Khmer artists.
7. Tonle Sap
Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is of major importance to Cambodia. It is also home to many ethnic Vietnamese and numerous Cham communities, living in floating villages around the lake.
8. Sihanoukvile
Sihanoukvile, also known as Kampong Som, is a port city and beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand. The big attractions here are the white- sand beaches and several undeveloped tropical island. It is a good place to relax and unwind, though be prepared to battle the crows during the high season or a holiday weekend.
9. Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525 meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
10. Siem Reap
Siem Reap is laid- back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. It offers a wide range of hotels, ranging from several 5-star hotels to hundreds of budget guesthouses while a large selection of restaurants offers many kinds of food.
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