Tourist Guide to Activities and Things to Do in Cambodia
Travellers can explore numerous adventures and hidden paradises in Cambodia. Be it travelling to enjoy a beach vacation or discovering the architectural beauty of Cambodia’s ancient temples and historical monuments, travellers can enjoy the stay without any regret. The country has a lot to explore in terms of adventure activities, tourist destinations, wildlife and national parks. The diverse culture, religious beliefs and traditions of the country offer an insightful journey to the past.
The pleasant climate and environment of Cambodia offer a delightful travel experience. Cambodia is a lively and happening country and it is also home to various festivals, events, markets and adventure activities. So, travellers will never wear out of activities in Cambodia. Here is a complete guide to places to explore and activities to do in Cambodia.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Travellers visiting Cambodia should never miss stopping by to explore the Angkor Archaeological Park. It is the iconic symbol and heart of Cambodia. The length of Angkor Archaeological Park extends about 500 acres, making itself home to over 1000 ancient temples. The ruins of the temple are the living treasures that testify to the architectural expertise and rich heritage of the Khmer Dynasty. The Angkor Archaeological Park is the top cultural attraction in Cambodia. Travellers might find it hard to cover all the ancient temples and sights within Angkor Archaeological Park in a single day. Angkor Pass is compulsory for every traveller to enter Angkor Wat. Travellers can choose 1-day, 3-day or 7-day passes to explore the temples. The entrance pass cost varies according to the chosen length of the days.
Angkor Archaeological Park is open to visitors on any day including the national holiday from 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM. The famous sunrise spots in the park are open to visitors from 5.00 AM to 5.30 PM. It is truly exciting to discover what is inside the Angkor Archaeological Park. Countless ancient temples and monuments are located inside it and all of them are equally important in showcasing the cultural significance of the Khmer Empire. Only a few travellers are determined to discover all of them.
The Angkor Wat is a famous monument and the main attraction to see inside the archaeological park. Angkor Wat is a 12th century temple. It took 30 years and more to complete the temple. The Angkor Wat complex includes a 15-foot-high wall, an emperor’s palace and a temple. The next famous temple complex is the Angkor Thom. The main temple has intricate carvings of 54 gigantic smiling faces. Besides the temple, travellers can visit the Terrace of the Elephants, Bayon and other ruins in Angkor Thom. A must-visit sight in the park is the Ta Prohm or Tomb Raider Temple. The site is famous for the trees intertwined with the ruins. The giant roots consuming every aspect of the temple attract more visitors. Check out the Hall of Dancers, House of Fires, Satellite temples, libraries, etc., in Ta Prohm.
There is a lot to discover inside the park such as Pre Rup, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei and other temples. Getting around the temples is much easier with cycling. Travellers can look for the price at the Angkor Pass counter. The Angkor Archaeological Park is open around the year and the ideal time to discover the ancient ruins with a pleasant climate is from November to March.
Apsara Dance
The Apsara Dance is the cultural and national symbol of Cambodia. It is a classical dance that has its roots deep in the Khmer culture of the country. According to the mythology Apsara are female spirits born from clouds and water. These heavenly nymphs possess great beauty and elegance. They lived in the forest and river areas. All the notable temples in Cambodia have intricately carved Apsaras. Apsara dance holds the weight of the generation-passed tradition of the Khmer people. The beauty of the whole dance is the 1500 hand movements and the 3000 different positions. It nearly takes 9 years to learn and master the art performance. Mostly, the dance conveys a strong message from Cambodia’s traditional folklore. The elegance of the Apsara dance performance spreads out the traditional essence of Cambodia.
Travellers can head to the Sovannaphum Arts Association & Art Gallery located in the capital city, Phnom Penh, to watch the traditional Apsara dance and other cultural shows such as folk and mask dance, etc. The cultural shows are scheduled on Friday and Saturday of every week at 7.30 PM. Several hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh provide the facility to enjoy the live Apsara dance performance with fine dining options. Cambodia has various art associations and live art theatre shows where travellers can enjoy the Apsara dance. Apsara dance is one of the best and finest cultural dances to witness in Cambodia, so do not miss the opportunity. Check the ticket price and confirm the booking.
Mekong River Cruise Ride
The Mekong River Cruise ride is suitable for every traveller. The Mekong River is famous for its length which extends 2700 miles (approximately 4350 KM). The Mekong River holds great importance to Cambodia as people rely on it for fishing and it is home to various tropical birds, plants, mammals and fishes. The wildlife of the river is incredible, including giant catfish, various species of frogs, etc. The Mekong River Cruise is a long ride that entitles travellers to explore the nearby villages and floating markets. It offers a relaxing experience with a touch of adventure, like a tailor-made cruise ride with delicious and fresh seafood, traditional cuisine, meals, etc. Riding along the breathtaking natural scenery is the highlight of the cruise ride.
Here's a few unmissable places to visit during the Mekong River Cruise Ride. The first on the list would be Cambodia’s floating market and village, Kompong Phluk. Explore the local village Sa Dec and the exotic foods. Stop at Tonlé Sap to visit the lake villages, see the wildlife and watch the sunset. The cruise ride starts in Siem Reap. Travellers can enjoy riding along the banks of the river which stays forever in memory.
National Parks in Cambodia
National Park is the best place to explore the biodiversity, wildlife and thriving nature of the country. Cambodia has a lot of best national parks offering adventure activities and a peaceful time with nature. Travellers can experience solitude time with nature, exploring the hidden waterfalls and wilderness of the landscape. Phnom Kulen National Park is famous for the Kulen Mountain range. It takes almost 1-1.5 hours to reach the mountain top. The top attractions of the national park are Kulen Mountain, Preah Ang Thom (a reclining Buddha statue), River of a Thousand Lingas, etc. Bikers can take the motorcycle to Sra Damrei or Elephant Pond for an adventure. Virachey National Park is famous for its wilderness and trekking paths namely the O’Lapeung Trek and the Kalang Chhouy Sacred Mountain Trek.
A must-visit national park in Cambodia is Kirirom National Park, which is a hidden gem with high cliff mountains, waterfalls and a thriving ecosystem. The national park offers various adventure activities such as trekking the Bokor mountain to discover breathtaking viewpoints, mountain biking for a wild adventure experience, camping in the woods for stargazing and many more activities. Kep National Park in Cambodia is renowned for its lush green landscape. Travellers are advised to be mindful of the entrance fee and timings. Remember to carry the essentials such as mosquito repellent, a map, a first aid kit, hiking shoes, etc.
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Cambodia is home to numerous old temples and structures. Museums are the best place for travellers who are eager to find the history of the ancient monuments. Read here about the museums to explore in Cambodia.
Trekking in Cambodia
Trekking is a blissful activity. It allows travellers to have a personal connection with nature. The natural beauty and lush forest area of Cambodia provide the best trekking or hiking path leading to breathtaking natural scenery and wildlife. A trek to the Cardamom Mountains is a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the best rainforest regions in Cambodia. The mountains are once home to Cambodia’s native people. Trekking on Cardamom Mountain would be challenging because of the rugged path. The mountain is home to various species of birds, reptiles and animals. Travellers can run through wildlife such as Asian elephants, bears, Siamese crocodiles, Indochinese tigers, leopards, etc.
The Mondulkiri Project hiking trail in Cambodia offers an exciting and magical experience for travellers. Mondulkiri is a remote area in Cambodia and the project is an initiative to preserve the forest area. Travellers can opt for a one day or two-day hiking trail. The hiking trail covers the mountain range and surrounding landscape which includes rivers, waterfalls, exotic birds and wildlife. The highlight of the hiking trail is the interaction with the elephants in the forest. The next famous hiking trail in Cambodia is the Virachey National Park Hiking Trail. Travellers can choose a multi-day hiking trail in Virachey National Park. The trek entitles the travellers to explore the unique trees and tribal villages. Choosing to camp overnight is the best way to spend an eco-friendly stay. Travellers can try bamboo rafting in a small lake with guides.
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There are a few major cities in Cambodia that contribute a lot to making Cambodia an exciting and lively place to travel and explore. Read more to explore Cambodia’s most popular cities.
Shopping Places in Cambodia
Shopping is always the happy and fun part of the trip. Every country has a dedicated shopping center for artifacts and handmade craftworks. Travellers can find a lot of bazaars, markets and shopping complexes to spend a shopping evening with a delicious street snack or traditional cuisine in Cambodia. Wooden artifacts are the best souvenirs travellers can get in Cambodia. The intricate wooden carving and the unique designs showcase the craftsmanship skills of the country. Here are a few markets or shopping places to visit in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh
The capital city, Phnom Penh, is home to the best market and shopping places in Cambodia. The first to visit is the Central Market, travellers can get anything here, including jewellery, textiles, watches, Buddha statues, sculptures, artwork, paintings, etc. The Central Market is the perfect spot to try Cambodia's traditional sweet and fresh seafood. The Russian Market in Phnom Penh is famous for handicrafts and motorcycle parts. The Night Market in Phnom Penh is the coolest place to enjoy shopping and it has a vibrant nightlife atmosphere. Travellers can enjoy a quick snack and live music or theatre performances.
Siem Reap
Angkor Night Market is a famous shopping place in Siem Reap. There are 200 and more shops in Angkor Night Market, which is open in the evenings from 4.00 PM to midnight. Artisans d’ Angkor shopping place is a good option for buying traditional handicrafts. Made in Cambodia Market is the aother famous place for shopping in Siem Reap. It is a vibrant marketplace full of local products located in Oum Khun Street. The market is open only on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. A few other shopping places are Khmer Ceramics Centre, AHA Fair Trade Village, Old Market, etc.
Besides the mentioned places, travellers can enjoy shopping in other places such as the Aeon Shopping Mall, Olympic Market, Orussey Market, Street 240, etc. Shopping can be fun and exciting but do not fall for shopping scams and beware of fake products. Before buying any artifacts or other products, do basic research about the price and try to negotiate the price. Crowded places like bazaars, markets and shopping places are more prone to theft and pickpocketing, so travellers are advised to be more careful about their money and belongings.
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Travelling to Cambodia requires a valid visa, if not, the traveller's entry into Cambodia will be denied (except the travellers who are exempted from a Cambodia visa). Travellers can choose any type of Cambodia visa from the visa types. A tourist visa is the great option for travellers planning to visit Cambodia for tourism. Read more at getting a tourist visa for travelling to Cambodia.
Cambodia Visa Online is an online travel permit to visit Cambodia for tourism or commercial purposes. International visitors must have a Cambodia e-Visa to be able to visit Cambodia. Foreign citizens can apply for an Cambodia e-Visa Application in a matter of minutes.
Australian citizens, Canadian citizens, French citizens and Italian citizens are eligible to apply online for Cambodia e-Visa.