Cambodia is a country not many have heard of but is certainly a hotspot for backpackers and travelers. If you have not heard of Cambodia, now is a good time to learn about its wonders and beauties! The country is rich in culture and history with gorgeous views along the Tonle Sap River running right through the middle of Phnom Penh, the capital.
First thing you need to know about Cambodia is that outside of Phnom Penh, there is very little development. Even Siem Reap, a popular tourist city, is mostly gravel and dirt roads surrounded a few hostels and restaurants. Most people travel use Siem Reap as the gateway to the temples of Angkor Wat, but it is still unique and fun to explore on its own.
I flew into Phnom Penh International Airport to begin my two-week adventure in Cambodia in July. My brother was already living there for the summer doing an internship, and I figured it would be a great way to bond and do some traveling. The airport is small and outside are loads of taxis and tuktuks waiting to take you to your accommodation.
My first couple of days in Cambodia were spent relaxing with my brother and adjusting to the time difference. My first Cambodian adventure was a trip to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, one of many sites used in the 1970s the Khmer Rouge to execute over a million of people for refusing to “re-educate” themselves. Their goal was to eliminate all knowledge and start at zero to rebuild the country.
Prepare yourself for the Killing Fields. The audio guides go into great detail about what happened, including mass executions, torture, and sites were human bones can still be seen littered about. It is a must do in Cambodia. Take a tuktuk for cheap out to Choeung Ek (only 11 miles from Phnom Penh) and experience the Cambodian genocide. Also visit S21, the prison where many were held and tortured. You can usually combine these two into a half-day tour with your tuktuk driver, and you should. It is an unforgettable experience.
If you are searching for something off the beaten path, book a half-day boat cruise to Silk Island where you can see how Cambodia’s silk is made! Our cruise included lunch and a scenic ride down the Tonle Sap River. It cost us roughly $25 USD each for this, which is the currency of choice used in Cambodia. Anything smaller than $1 will be given to you in Cambodian riel. Take a look at the silkworms and stop be sure to buy some pure silk on your way out!
Most people who hop off in Cambodia visit the glorious temples of Angkor Wat. I promise you these temples are worth the visit and not overhyped. From Phnom Penh, you can fly (although their aviation design is not great) or you can opt to take a five to six-hour bus ride, which is the option we chose. We got a glimpse of rural Cambodia on our way out there and drove over a mix of dirt and paved roads. The bus was comfortable and cheap, only $15 one way.
The entrance tickets for Angkor Wat are not cheap. You can choose between a one, three, or seven-day pass. We chose the three-day pass, which cost us around $65. The architecture and beauty of these temples makes it worth the money. The must do thing here is wake up early, even if you end up with a stomach bug like me, and have to drag yourself out of bed and visit Angkor Wat for sunrise. There will be thousands of people there as well, but the complex is so big that you can easily find somewhere to watch the sunrise over the temple.
Angkor Wat covers a land area of 402 acres and is the largest religious monument in the world. These temples were transformed into Buddhist temples from Hindu temples at the end of the 12th century, making Angkor Wat over 900 years old. Angkor is the most famous of these temples, but each temple is known for its unique style. Angkor Wat is the largest temple, Bayon is known for the many faces that appear carved into the structure, and Ta Prohm was made famous from the movie “Tomb Raider,” which can be seen with trees and roots growing all around the structure.
Hire a tuktuk for however many days you wish to visit the complex. They are experts and known the best routes and temples to bring you to.
I highly recommend a visit to Cambodia! It is an up-and-coming destination, so get there before it becomes overrun with tourists. The rich history and culture combined with the incredible temples of Angkor Wat made the two weeks I spent in Cambodia one of my most treasured travel experiences.
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