A Complete Travel Guide to Sisophon, Cambodia
When it comes to a tourist place in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is one of the best tourist destinations. The country includes a rich culture influenced by several religions that have thrived within its boundaries and its beautiful natural scenery. Cambodia has several cities that are very popular among tourists like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Angkor Wat.
However, one of the cities in Cambodia which often gets overlooked by most tourists, is the city of Sisophon. The name of the city is derived from 2 Sanskrit words which are Sri meaning wealth and Sopana meaning staircase, thus the city's name means gateway to prosperity.
Since the city is not that well known among tourists, you will need to know certain basics about this place. So, keep reading to get a complete travel guide to Sisophon in Cambodia.
Arriving in Sisophon
Sisophon is connected to major highways of the entire country which means you can reach the city from anywhere in the country. Your best bet is to take a flight to Siem Reap and then take a bus or taxi from there to arrive in Sisophon. Generally, it takes about 1-2 hours to reach Sisophon from Siem Reap. Siem Reap is a great place for exploration so you can even take your time exploring this place before going to Sisophon.
If you wish to visit Sisophon directly upon your arrival in Cambodia, you can board a bus or taxi directly from Phnom Penh to reach Sisophon. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and the Phnom Penh International Airport is the most common place where you will arrive in Cambodia.
Keep in mind, however, that Phnom Penh is around 400 kilometers away from Sisophon. It is highly recommended that you use a private car service if you wish to travel from Phnom Penh to Sisophon because while the journey is long, it is filled with many beautiful sights that you will surely enjoy.
A private car service will allow you to take occasional breaks around these parts and take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views along the Journey. Another method of reaching Sisophon is by traveling from Battambang in the south which is about 65 kilometers away from Sisophon.
Whatever route you choose to take, make sure to enjoy the journey just as much as Sisophon itself.
Travel Tips and Basic Information on Sisophon
Location
Sisophon is located in the Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia. This province has its borders connected with Siem Reap and the country of Thailand. Sisophon is the capital city of this province. Sisophon is most famous for having a rich history of the Khmer heritage and houses several temples and ruins which are said to have been created during the Angkorian era.
Best Time to Visit
Sisophon shares its weather conditions with the rest of Cambodia which makes it a little easy to plan a trip for. In Cambodia, the best time to travel is during the dry season which lasts between November to April. During this time, you can enjoy the city of Sisophon under clear blue skies and the lush green landscapes that are found on the outskirts of the city.
Many of the city's attractions are best explored when you are not being bothered by the rain which also makes traveling convenient, especially in the outskirts of the city. So, in summary, the months between November to April are best to visit Sisophon.
Cost of Travel
Thankfully, unlike the more popular tourist destinations of Cambodia, Sisophon is not a very expensive place to travel and explore. You can expect a moderate charge from traveling within the city, but the rest depends on how much you spend on the markets around Sisophon.
Delicacies
The city's delicacies are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with aromatic herbs and spices being infused with the dishes to give them a distinct and memorable taste.
Some popular dishes that the city is famous for are the Amok which is a fragrant fish curry steamed in banana leaves, and the Bai Sach Chrouk, a dish made from rice which is abundant in Cambodia with grilled pork.
There are also many street food stalls all around the city that offer delicacies such as the Num Banh Chok which is a traditional rice noodle soup along with a variety of skewered meats and fresh fruits.
If you wish to take your taste buds on a journey to experience all these unique delicacies, the Mirror Restaurant and the Golden Crown Guesthouse Restaurant are the best choices due to their offering all of Sisophon's delicious cuisines with top-quality service.
Handicrafts and Souvenirs
One of the things that Cambodia is famous for is its handicraft industry. Specifically, the country is known to have a rich history of traditional arts that allow natives to make handicrafts with unique and memorable designs that are built using the old traditional methods once invented by their ancestors. The silk handicrafts of the country are especially popular.
If you wish to add some of Cambodia's souvenirs and handicrafts to your collection, then Sisophon has plenty of local markets that you can visit to get your hands on some of these well-crafted items. Things like textile crafts, embroidery, pottery, and many others are all available in Sisophon's vibrant markets.
Top Places to Visit In Sisophon
Prasat Banteay Chhmar
Sisophon is well known for housing a lot of temples and religious sites within its boundaries. One of these places is the temple of Prasat Banteay Chhmar, located just outside the city. This is a large temple complex which is said to be built during the 12th century.
If you wish to have a look into Cambodia's rich past, the towering stone towers and finely carved bas-reliefs on this temple will keep you immersed as you explore this majestic site.
Wat Kirichum Chamkar Khnar
Wat Kirichum Chamkar Khnar is one of the historical marvels from the Angkorian era that holds historical significance in Cambodia. Located towards the west side of Phnom Svay, this pagoda is known as a gateway to spiritual exploration and the natural beauty of Cambodia.
The pagoda welcomes you with a beautiful Angkorian-style gate that leads to a tranquil trail leading to Wat Phnom Svay and a walking path that leads to the top of the mountain. As you move along the path to reach the pagoda, take a moment to appreciate the greenery that surrounds the path leading to it.
Tourists to this place will feel both physically and spiritually enlightened after they explore this Angkorian site.
Sisophon Market
No tourist can claim that they have explored Sisophon completely without paying a visit to its illustrious market. Sisophon's Market is a place that is filled with all the things that make Cambodia so popular in Southeast Asia. You will find all of the handicrafts along with freshly grown fruits.
If you are in the mood to taste some of the most popular delicacies of Sisophon, the Sisophon market is the best place to enjoy them along with getting a look into the local life of Cambodia.
Cambodia is one of the best places in all of Asia when it comes to exploring its rich history, culture, and natural scenery. While the country is filled with popular tourist destinations like Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat, and Siem Reap, there are also many undiscovered gems waiting for you to visit them. One of these places is the city of Sisophon.
So if you are looking to visit Sisophon, make sure to prepare your Cambodia e-visa and travel guide to have the best possible journey.
Check Eligibility for Cambodia e-Visa and apply for Cambodia e-Visa 5 days prior to your scheduled flight to Cambodia. German citizens, Austrian citizens, Swiss citizens, Swedish citizens and Georgian citizens are eligible to apply online for Cambodia e-Visa.