1, Mondulkiri
You may know of Cambodia with its famous Angkor temples and many other pagodas and historical sites. But Cambodia is also rich in natural resources and abundant in beautiful landscapes, which makes a perfect place for ecotourism travel as well. Among them, Mondulkiri is probably the best place for your trip to nature.
Mondulkiri means “a range of mountains”, indeed the area holds a collection of beautiful mountains that is compared to nature-lovers’ paradise of Cambodia. There are much to explore to Mondulkiri including cultural resorts, waterfalls, forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal villages.
In Mondulkiri there are plenty of waterfalls, each has its own charm and are all popular for their natural freshness. The surrounding forests contain a large amount of attractive rivers, remote and unique landscapes, and undisturbed habitat of wildlife. Mondulkiri also has a pine plantation farm that contains extensive ranges of pine trees that is really worth a view on your trip.
A visiting to local hill tribe villages will leave you with wonderful experiences of local culture. You can choose to experience home stay, visit traditional houses, enjoy tribal art and folk dance of those ethnicities or drop by the tribe markets where many people from various minorities gather to buy and sell handmade products.
2, Kratie
Say Kratie to any Khmer and they will probably think dolphins – indeed the town is a famous home for the endangered Inrrawaddy dolphins, and many people come here just to catch a glimpse of the few left in the world.
Kratie is a nice place to spend a night or two, if you would like to dive in the authentic rural ambience and escape from some other intensely touristed areas. The town is charming with its colonial architecture and tree-lined streets. The river road is a nice spot to chill out and watch the city life while enjoying dozens of snack and drink stalls selling all different things. Or you can get the most unique experience with a Cambodian rural tour, experiencing homestay at a local’s and help out in the fields. The green paddies and beautifully polished stilted wooden homes shaded by thick palms would remain in your memory for good!
The province has a monsoonal climate, with a cool season from November to March, a hot season from March to May, and a rainy season from May to October. There are a number of decent restaurants serving full meals as low as $1 or even less. You'll also find a bustling market which is a great place to sample some delicious food and generally breathe in the rural Cambodian life.
3, Battambang
Battambang city is the capital of Battambang province, and a popular tourist destination due to the many nearby ancient temples, Buddhist shrines and the infamous bamboo railway. Battambang boasts the best preserve French colonial architecture of the country, the perfect blend of modern city and small-town friendliness, which works together to give the town a unique charm.
There are plenty of things to see and do in and around Battambang, plus the town provides great accommodation and food and drink options. The town still remains quiet and far more traditional than the bustling capital or tourism hotspots of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, providing a wonderfully contrasting destination to complete your Cambodia itinerary.
Several temple ruins and historical sites can be found within a 30km radius of town, such as Phnom Banon and Wat Ek Phnom, providing convenient day trip opportunities. There are nearby natural wildlife and preserve centres, creating a perfect trip for natural lovers and those who seek a true relaxing holiday.
4, Kampong Thom
Is often known as the resting place between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, nevertheless the place is relaxing and beautiful with several attractions. So why not make it one of your destinations on the way to the Angkor temples?
You can spend a good day to pack yourself with trips to several temples in the area. The temples may be smaller, and the sites are also smaller to that of Angkor, but taking out the comparison, you will find all the wats and prasats in Kampong Thom fascinating and beautiful. Phnom Santuk and Prey Kuk Temple are the most famous sites among those you should visit.
Kampong Thom provides you with the precious chance to dive in the authentic Cambodian rural life with many fishermen, ox-carts and farmers. You can relax on the boat trip along the river or bike ride through the rice paddies, trying to breath in the most original smells of nature. There are a number of Khmer restaurants with authentic taste, which is a good chance to practice your Khmer or perhaps sign language because most menus and services are in Khmer. Nevertheless, the beef lok-lak and noodle soup are especially good and will make your mouth water at the first sight.
5, Kep City
Kep is a seaside tourist city which can easily be reached from Phnom Penh by train or from the border or port of Vietnam. The city was founded in 1908 during the French colonial times and was renovated into a beautiful seaside resort in 1960s.
Coming to Kep, tourists especially enjoy the beautiful sandy beach with twelve month of sunshine. After a swim, it is also great to take a stroll along the shore road, examining the ruins of French colonial holiday homes left from Kep’s glory days. You can go trekking around to explore Kep’s mountains, forests and waterfalls or even rent a fishing boat to experience a day of being fishermen.
Kep is a huge market for seafood, and a paradise for seafood lovers: fresh fish, prawns, squids,… Crab is Kep’s specialty. Don’t miss your chance to try the famous fried Kep crabs in Kampot pepper sauce! Every weekend, hundreds of people travel to Kep to enjoy a picnic or to buy fresh seafood at the famous seafood market.
6, Sihanoukville
Spend a wonderful “sun, sea and sand” holiday in Sihanoukville! After visiting Angkor complex, visitors stream to Sihanoukville to enjoy the fresh air and a variety of beautiful beaches to suit your own preferences.
Ochheuteal Beach and Serendipity Beach are located in the central area, suitable for those who enjoy a vibrant lifestyle. Here gathers a lot of budget motels, hotels, restaurants, bars, cinemas, fashion stores, Westerners’ corners, etc. Sokha Beach and Independence Beach are close together, containing two famous private resorts suitable for those who prefer a deluxe vacation. The resorts include separate beaches, bars and restaurants. This is the only place with bungalows overlooking the sea for a romantic vacation, suitable for couples or families with children. Otres Beach and Victoria Beach are affordable and quiet. There are many small fishing villages located close to the sea, creating a peaceful setting. Beaches are beautiful with fine white sand and blue water.
Seafood is sumptuous and cheap, and even cheaper and fresher if you buy at the Old Markets. You can choose from crabs, shrimps, clams or oysters, and sellers will swiftly grill it for your freshly hot takeaway. This is as fresh as ocean-to-table, and possibly the most delicious seafood you’ve ever had.
Sihanoukville is good to visit all year round but the best season is from September to May.
7, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – The Pearl of Asia, Charming City, Paris of the East! The city is attractive with an excellent blend of buildings with French influenced architecture and many spectacular works of Khmer architecture.
The places you should not miss when coming to Phnom Penh are the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, the Independence Monument and the National Museum, constructed during the French colonial era in the late 19th century in the classical Khmer style and hosting a vast collection of Khmer antiquities.
Phnom Penh offers a variety of interesting culinary treats which cannot be found elsewhere in the country. Pizzas, banana pancakes and fried rice are always easy to find. The riverfront hosts everything from stand-up stalls to fine French bistros. Besides, there are many exotic dishes for the brave such as duck embryo eggs, frogs, chicken claws, chicken feet, grasshoppers, etc.
Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. There is plenty of sunshine all year round, making it perfect to visit any time in the year.
8, Siem Reap
Siem Reap means “Defeat Siam” – today’s Thailand, the name is to remember Cambodia’s victory against a Siamese invasion. Nowadays, the fast-growing town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and is filled with lodging, dining, and tour-package options for tourists of all budgets.
Every year, waves of tourists travel to visit the famous “UNESCO World Heritage” Angkor Archaeological Park. The spectacular complex contains magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire dating back more than a thousand years ago. Highlights include the temple of Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom with its countless sculptural decorations.
Besides, there are lovely museums, cultural villages, handicraft shops, fishing villages, etc. at Siem Reap. Discover local cultures with its cooking classes, massage, cultural performances all year round. You can get to virtually any place by tuk tuk with the cost of as low as $1 for a city tour. In terms of food, Old Market areas offer the largest assortment of restaurants and street food of all kinds.
Siem Reap has a tropical wet and dry climate with plenty of sunshine, making it a perfect getaway after a hardworking and stressful year at work.
