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Tourism is one of the main industries in the Kingdom of Cambodia
and strong efforts are being made to promote the country as
a unique destination, rich in diversity with a fascinating
cultural heritage.
Since the last national election, a new
era of peace and political stability has taking root in
the country. Opportunities are now available to discover the
deepest heart of the Kingdom, travelling in little known areas
and understanding more about the Angkor civilization.
Undoubtedly Cambodia's main attractions
are the magnificent Angkor temples, both in scale and
beauty, but there is much more on offer than its famous cultural
sites. As well as the impressive grandeur of the ancient capital,
Cambodia has beauty scattered into thousand facets through
the Kingdom. Visitors can cruise down the Mekong and tributary
rivers, go trekking in remote areas and relax on deserted
beaches.
Thanks to the improvement of the roads and
the open sky policy which facilitate the access to the country
(direct flights connecting Siem Reap to Bangkok, Hanoi, Pakse,
Singapore, Vientiane, Danang, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei
and Ho Chi Minh City operated by Bangkok Airways, Silk Air,
Lao Aviation, Malaysia Airlines, China Southern Airlines,
President Airlines and Vietnam Airlines). Other routes are
under negotiation.
The International Airport of Phnom Penh
(totally renovated in 2003) as well as the one in Siem Reap
receive passengers from all capital cities of South-East Asia.
Airlines currently serving Phnom Penh are Dragonair, Lao Aviation,
Bangkok Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Thai Airways
International, Vietnam Airlines, Siem Reap Airways, China
Southern Airlines, First Cambodia and Eva Air.
Land entry points, from Thailand, Laos and
Vietnam, allow visitors to combine the countries in the region
have a very unique travel experience. There are more possibilities
now with the better roads in Cambodia.
Visas are available upon arrival at
Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International
Airport, Poi Pet (border to Aranyaprathet, Thailand), Koh
Kong (border to Hat Lek, Thailand, Kham Samnor (border to
Chau Doc, Vietnam) and Bavet (Border to Moc Bai, Vietnam).
Visas are required prior to arrival at the border at Voeun
Kam (border to Laos).
The accommodation choice is expanding very
quickly in Siem Reap with a choice from standard hotels to
deluxe. Standard hotels are now available in almost all regions
recently opened to tourism. Traveling through Cambodia has
become a safe and very special experience, providing a wide
spectrum of different destinations to satisfy all visitors.
Phnom Penh
The capital of the Kingdom, Phnom Penh,
is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong,
the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. Strongly influenced by its French
colonial past, Phnom Penh is a mix of architectural styles,
promenades along the river, markets and pagodas... Visitors
should not miss the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National
Museum and Wat Phnom. The notorious “Killing Fields” and Tuol
Sleng Museum, chronicle of the Khmer Rouge's period, help
for the understanding of the Cambodian history.
There are several places of interest to visit
near Phnom Penh as for example Angkor Borei. Only 20
km from the provincial town of Takeo away, the capital of
the pre-angkorian kingdom of Funan (6th C.) and of Water Chenla
(8th C.), the site is easy accessible by boat along a small
river. Its museum displays reproductions of objects from this
periods and even some originals found in the region. Classic
Heritage Tours operate from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (Angkor)
and include domestic flights and accommodation.
Udong is worth seeing. This ancient capital
from the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site
of the king is located 40 km north of Phnom Penh. Udong offers
spectacular views of the surrounding country and the innumerable
sugar palm trees that punctuate the countryside. King Ang
Dung, the great grandfather of the present king; King Sihanouk,
was crowned here and many locals and foreign residents alike
picnic here on weekends. Another worthwhile excursion from
Phnom Penh is the Phnom Chisor Temple. On the top of the hill,
there is an amazing view of the surrounding plains, with a
fine Angkorian temple (Suryagiri -11th C.).
Angkor
Siem Reap, is the rapidly growing
small town which is the base for visits to the world Heritage
Site of Angor Wat - one of the greatest religious monuments
in the world. Besides the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap is
a quiet and pleasant town, offering promenades along the river,
in the center and around the old market. Excursions to the
fascinating floating villages, sunset cruises, tours to the
inundated forest or the bird reserve of Prek Tuol are greatly
combinable with a tour to the temples.
Some temples have been re-opened recently
including the fabulous Preah Vihear Temple. Well over
100 km north-east of Angkor, on the Thai border, Preah Vihear
Temple (or Prasat Phra Viharn) dates from the beginning of
the 11th century. It dominates the plain from its prominent
position in the Dangrek Mountains at an altitude of more than
700 m and was only returned to Cambodia by a ruling of the
International Court of Justice in The Hague in 1963 (previously
occupied by the Thais). Also close to the Thai border, just
1 hour 30 mins lies Anlong Veng, used by the Khmer Rouge leaders
as their last stronghold and hideout in this remote area.
It reveals the remains of Pol Pot's (Khmer Rouge Leader No.
1) house and burial site. The rainy season from May to October
complicates visits in remote areas.
In the same area is Koh Ker. The road has
recently been renewed and is now subject to a toll. The old
capital of ruler Jayavarman IV is located north and can be
visited in one day from Siem Reap. Beng Melea is a huge 12th
century temple complex, 40 km east of Bayon, which was completely
ruined even though it was built at about the same time as
Angkor Wat. Also to the north-west of Siem Reap, is Banteay
Chhmar temple, now established on many tourist itineraries.
One of the capitals of Jayavarman II. It was rebuilt by Jayavarman
VII and dedicated to his sons who were killed in battle repelling
a Cham invasion in 1177.
Deep in the jungle, a visit of secluded Kbal
Spean, known as the river of the Thousand Lingas, is highly
recommended. The rocks in the river have been carved (11th-13th
Century), which gives it a magical touch.
Battambang
The second largest city in Cambodia, Battambang
is located in a rich and fertile plain. The Sangker River
flows through the town center, which is filled with interesting
colonial architecture. The region has numerous Angkorian and
post-Angkorian sites. Some of the most interesting are the
Wat Ek (11th C. - Suryavarman I),Wat Toul Baset
(7th C.) and Phnom Banon.
The less visited regions are located in the
north of the country. Tropical lush jungle cover the mountain
areas, hiding the rich wildlife in its grandiose scenery Trips
are difficult or even impossible during the rainy season.
Mondulkiri is the largest province but is sparsely
populated. Around Sen Monorom, capital of the province,
there are 11 different hill tribes, each with its own distinct
language, culture and traditions.
Rattanakiri is an adventure seekers
dream. Banlung, the capital of this province, is situated
around 600 km from Phnom Penh. The Jarai, Kreung and Tampuan
hill tribes reside here where they still practice a way of
life untouched by modernization. The Yeak Laom Lake lies in
the crater of an extinct volcano.
The South
Southern Cambodia has access to the Gulf
of Thailand and offers ideal opportunities to finish a tour
in the Kingdom. Kampot is a pleasant town 5-km inland on the
banks of the river Tuk Chhou. A nice place to enjoy a boat
trip on the river. Kampot is also base for excursions to the
Bokor National Park in the Elephant Mountains. The nearby
seaside resort of Kep (Kep-sur-Mer) is located 25 km from
Kampot. This beautiful coastal area was once the favorite
holiday spot for Cambodia’s French-influenced elite during
the turn of the 19th century. From Kep fishing boats can take
you to one of the island scattered in the bay.
Kompong Som (Sihanoukville) is Cambodia’s
only deep-sea port. The beaches are some of the most unspoiled
and finest in Southeast Asia. It has a local charm with offshore
islands easily accessible by fishing boats. The area is beginning
to develop with various hotels serving tourists and Asia expats.
The local restaurants serve fresh, delicious seafood.
The 1.9 kilometres Koh Kong Bridge was
officially declared open on 4th April 2002 by Prime Minister
Hun Sen. This magnificent 8 million dollar masterpiece of
technology links Koh Kong with Thailand's south-west promoting
tourism, investment and trade, as well as reducing travelling-time
to Phnom Penh. However, this new wide laterite highway built
by the Thai Army, requires 4 tricky ferry crossings and is
not recommenced during the rainy-season.
Fantastic new cruise- and shipping possibilities
have emerged recently and and are now proposing new ways to
discover Cambodia such as:
Cruising on the RV Mekong (Saigon – Siem
Reap – Saigon)
Many veteran travellers will be familiar
with the much loved Pandaw Fleet owned and operated by the
Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in Myanmar. The original Pandaw
was a Scottish built paddle steamer refitted to a high standard
of comfort with deluxe staterooms. The intention was to recreate
the atmosphere of the colonial steamers that carried royal
princes, viceroys and a succession of famous artists, writers
and poets. The RV Mekong and the MV Tonle is of similar design
to the Pandaws with a spacious dining room on the Main Deck,
an ample cocktail bar on the Upper Deck and a large sun deck
area above, half covered by an awning, which affords the best
views of the river life around. The the RV Tonle Sap will
cruise in the same waters. Cruise upstream from Saigon – Siem
Reap or downstream from Siem Reap to Saigon (see River
Journeys)
M/V Toum Teav / The traditional Khmer wooden
boat
(Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh)
An extraordinary way of cruising quietly
between Cambodia's main cities in the nicely decorated M/V
Toum Teav. Equipped with 10 cabins (7m2) and bathrooms with
shower (3m2), a library salon, a sundeck and an open restaurant.
Tours leave Phnom Penh on Monday at 8 a.m. to arrive in Siem
Reap on Wednesday around noon. The return takes place from
Siem Reap on Thursday at 8 a.m. and arrives on Saturday in
Phnom Penh around 6:00 pm. Another option is their Phnom Penh
– Saigon cruise for 7 days/6 nights or Phnom Penh - Kratie
for 3 days/2 nights (see River
Journeys in Cambodia”).
Mekong Express Boat on Tonle Sap Lake (Siem
Reap-Phnom Penh v.v.)
The M/V Mekong Express, a Japanese-made Motor-Vessel,
operates between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on odd days and
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh on even days. The modern boat comes
with a new engine with a capacity of 140 seats, equipped with
modern furniture, air-conditioning and sundeck. The journey
between the two cities takes 5 hours. The M/V Mekong Express
does not operate, during the low water period from February
to July.
New Cycling
tours around the Angkor temples are now available privately
or in small groups. Tours go from half a day to 4 days including
accomodation and bikes.
Cambodia is developing quickly and the number
of visitors is increasing fast. But time has come to understand
one cannot visit Cambodia in 4 days only, without leaving
with regrets. Who wants to come from so far and realize that
one more week at least would be necessary to have a good insight
of this fascinating country?
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