5 Places to Visit in Cambodia in 2019

Do you want to taste ancient Southeast Asia on your next trip to Cambodia? The former Khmer empire boasts of incredible landscapes, pristine beaches and exotic temples. The top places to visit in Cambodia attract tourists and travelers with varied interests. You will find an amalgamation of both old and new which will leave in total awe. Whether you’re visiting the iconic Angkor temples or the sophisticated and contemporary, capital Phnom Penh, the country is worth visiting at least once in this lifetime.

1.   Kampot – The land of the black peppercorns

Besides being the land of black peppercorns, Kampot is a beautiful riverside promenade that has number of colonial structure. Also, picturesque riverside town provides a gateway to the French hill station of Bokor National Park that has mesmerizing views and a pleasant climate. And needless to say, it is one of the most famous tourists’ places in Cambodia too.

Must Try – Try the crab curry here for a lip smacking treat

2.   Sihanoukville – Become a beach bum at this paradise    

The spot where the United States fought its last battle in the Vietnam War is now a land of sunny beaches. Relax at the shores of these less populated beaches and enjoy water sports like snorkeling and kayaking. Spend a day at a beach shack on any one of these pristine six beaches here to enjoy a fun holiday.

Must Try – don’t forget to try windsurfing at the quiet and serene Otres Beach  

3.   Siem Reap – The charming gateway to the Angkor temples

The Siem Reap River and the rice paddies make this town much more than just a stepover to witness the Angkor temples. This place has vibrant night markets, silk farms, traditional craft shops, fun road tours through rice peddles, bird sanctuaries, fishing villages and boat tours on Tonle Sap Lake. This should definitely be on your list of the top 5 places to visit in Cambodia.

Must Try – Revitalize yourself at the oldest Buddhist temple at the Wat Bo village. Also, do watch Apsara dance performances and visit Pub Street that is the best of the Cambodian tourists’ attractions

4.   Koh Ker – An abode of temples

When in Cambodia, one can explore the innumerable temples at Koh Ker that lies to the northeast of the Siem Reap town. These are one of the most popular Cambodia tourist spots. The temple complex here is nearly 3 km long which consist of a number of temples and is considered one of the places to see in Cambodia.

Must Try – The 30 m Prasat Thom complex that rises majestically over the surrounding jungles

5.    Phnom Penh – Enjoy the scenic splendor of this riverside city

Phnom Penh still retains its charm as the leafy capital city of Cambodia with its palaces and wats. Located at the conjunction of three grand rivers – the Tonle Sap, the Mekong and the Bassac River, this city now houses a number of hotspots like cool cafes and bustling bars. It is one of the top Cambodia tourist places.

Must Try – The beautiful complex of the Royal Palace with its golden spires is a must see Cambodia tourist attractions

To get hassle free e-Visa to Cambodia, you can visit our website i.e. evisaforcambodia.org/ or you can drop us a mail at info@evisaforcambodia.org

5 Top Popular Cambodian Street Foods You Want To Try

Unlike Thailand, Cambodian street food is not as popular. The cuisine of Cambodia is often neglected by its neighbors such as Thailand or Vietnam. However, once you go deep into Cambodian cuisine, you will discover unique and amazing flavors.

 It offers unique and surprising delicacies that are foreign to the eyes and taste of the most visitors. It is not for the squeamish travelers.

Here is a list of top 5 Cambodian Street Food to tickle your taste buds:

1.   Lort Cha: Cambodian Short Stir – Fried Egg Noodles  

Lort Cha is one of the most popular Cambodian street foods. It’s a stir-fried dish which consists of Lort which are short fat rice noodles, with bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, and chives. It is typically cooked with beef and topped with a fried egg.

 Num Pang: Typical Cambodian Sandwich

This dish has all the Vietnamese ingredients in Cambodia; such as the baguette. Brought by the French during the Indo-China colonization period, Cambodia calls it Num Pang.

This sandwich is typically served with meaty ingredients such as pate, ham or pork served with cucumber, carrots, chives and onions.

Cambodian Bamboo Sticky Rice             

Also known as Kralan in Khmer is a type of sticky rice roasted in bamboo sticks. It is made of sticky rice mixed with black beans grated with coconut and coconut milk. The mixture is packed into a bamboo stick and slowly roasted over a charcoal fire until cooked.

Snails: A popular Cambodian Street Food

After reaching Phnom Penh, the first things you’ll notice will street vendors with long flat carts on wheels. Their carts are strategically placed under the hot burning sun loaded with freshwater snails. The snails will be seasoned and cooked previously before dried under the sun.

Chive Cakes

Another most popular Cambodian street food is Chive Cakes. You will notice street vendors selling small chive cakes on bicycles. These Cambodian Chive Cakes are fried in shallow pans, and made with glutinous rice flour and served with a sweet spicy fish sauce

Cambodia FAQs

1.    When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

Cambodia can be visited all round the year. However, mostly travelers prefer dry season i.e. October to April. Early summer can also be a great time to visit for those who are comfortable with higher temperatures and more frequent bouts of rainfall.

2.    What are the accommodations like?

When we plan to travel, we think of a comfortable & safe accommodations first. Cambodia has hotels and comfy home stays for every range.

         

3.    What are the special delicacies of Cambodia?

Cambodian delicacies are very similar to the Thailand & Laos. However, for vegetarians & vegans there are ample amount of choices for them as well.

4.    How safe is Cambodia?

Cambodia is a relatively safe country both in the rural countryside as well as in larger cities. As always, travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and use common sense when venturing out at night. Crime rates in general are very low, particularly against tourists. However, it’s important to be wise & keep your possessions safe.

5.    Do I Need a Visa to Cambodia?

A passport with at least six months validity is necessary for travel to Cambodia.  It is no longer necessary to go to the Embassy for getting the visa stamp, waiting hours in queue. Now tourists can apply for a visa online (e-visa). All you need to do is to complete the online application form and make sure whatever is filled should match your passport. It is always advisable to check before submitting the application then pay with your credit card. After receiving your Visa through email, print it out and carry it along when you travel to Cambodia. This e-visa to Cambodia facility is available for applicants requesting Tourist Visa but not to those who require a Business. 

To get hassle free e-Visa to Cambodia, you can visit our website i.e. http://evisaforcambodia.org/or you can drop us a mail at info@evisaforcambodia.org

Wildlife of Cambodia

Travelers to Cambodia may find that although Cambodia is not a wildlife destination in the first place, however, some outlying pockets of forest may offer some of the best opportunities for wildlife spotting in all of South East Asia. Cambodia’s wildlife diversity is at critically low levels due to deforestation and habitat destruction. It is home to nearly 16 globally endangered species and 2 critically endangered species. Some larger mammal species found here are dholes, elephants, deer, panthers, bears, tigers, cormorants, cranes, crocodile, and wild water buffalo. Many organizations are working together to try and protect Cambodia’s remaining wildlife diversity. Wildlife is mostly isolated to pockets where intact habitat still remains, including the dry forest along the Lower Mekong, the Elephant Mountains, and the Cardamom Mountains.           

For wildlife enthusiasts traveling to Cambodia for a short time, one of the most iconic places to spot wildlife in Cambodia is in the Cardamom Mountains, which were also the last centre for the Khmer Rouge in 1979. Tourists to this region are kept to low levels and multi-day treks out of Chi Phat offer the chance to traverse the area. Minimal human presence has created a fairly isolated region where the forest has stayed largely intact, offering what is considered to be the most 'wild' and bio diverse region in all of Cambodia, and arguably all of South East Asia. The forests here support a number of endangered species, including the tiger, Asian elephant, sun bear, gibbon, clouded leopard, and the gaur.  It is estimated that over 450 bird species live in the canopy. The rivers provide habitat to the Irrawaddy dolphin and humpback dolphin, as well as the rare Siamese crocodile, and at least 34 amphibian species, 3 of which are newly discovered.

To visit Cambodia you would require an e-Visa to Cambodia. Visit our website i.e. evisaforcambodia.org/ 

An Essential Travel Guide to Cambodia

Due to its stunning UNESCO heritage sites, Cambodia is one of the South East Asia’s most sought after destination. It had idyllic coastlines and amazing architecture. From the beautiful temple to the tastiest of delicacies Cambodia has it all. Here is our guide to the tastiest of delicacies and cultural guide to everything you can’t miss.

What Will You Need in Cambodia?

ü Passport and Visa to Cambodia

ü KHR- Cambodian Riel

ü Khmer (Language)

Things to See in Cambodia

ü Banteay Chhmar

ü Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)

ü Battambang

ü Koh Kong

ü Chi-Phat

ü Koh Rong SWhanoukville

ü Kampot

ü Ratnakiri

ü Phnom Penh

Which are Some Beautiful Temples in Cambodia?

ü Angkor Wat

ü Bayon

ü Ta Prohm

ü Banteay Srei

ü Banteay KDEI

When to Visit Cambodia?

(a)  Sept – Nov

(b) Nov – Feb

(c)  April and October

Cambodia Travel Guide

Cambodia Travel Guide: 5 Lesser – Known and Underrated Temples in Siem Reap That You Shouldn’t Skip  

Siem Reap and its Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the must visit places in Cambodia. The history, culture and heritage are incredible and not to missed if you’re travelling to Cambodia. The Angkor Archaeological Park is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and where the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire was located.

1.   Tickets and Passes

Ticket offices open at 4 am. And there is a validity period set for the passes. The three day pass can be used on non-consecutive days within a week, and the seven day pass can be used on non-consecutive days within a month

2.   What is the Code of Conduct in the Angkor Archaeological Park?

Following are the code of conducts which are required to be followed in Angkor Archaeological Park:

ü Cover your shoulders and knees

ü Don’t touch the monuments

ü Keep your voice down

ü Follow the signs

ü Don’t smoke and litter

ü Respect the monks

ü Skip the drone

3.   What are some of the lesser known temples in Siem Reap?

 Following are the lesser-known temples in Siem Reap that you shouldn’t skip:

ü Baphuon

ü Banteay Kdei

ü Prae Roup/ Pre Rup

ü Ta Som

ü Neak Pean

If you’re planning to visit Cambodia and hoping to explore the above mentioned hidden Cambodian tourists’ spots. Getting a visa is a must before visiting Cambodia. Save yourself from the hassle and get your Cambodian Visa online i.e. e-Visa to Cambodia before arriving at Cambodia. For more information visit evisaforcambodia.org/