Attractive Places in Cambodia
Cambodia is an ancient cultural country in the southeast Asia and in the world that has its own vision "Cambodia is a kingdom of wonder". It consists many cultural heritages such as the ancient temples and national, natural resources like woods, diamond, Kerosene, Mabel, rubies, water, fishes, wild animals. Especially, it has 1080 ancient temples which were built through the Funan, Chenla and Angkor kingdoms, so the temples are situated every where in Cambodia. Besides the temples, it has crater lake Yak Lom, Waterfalls, and hill tribes. Angkor Advisor Travel Guides tries to collect a lot of information in Cambodia to show the readers and tourists who want to visit Cambodia. Angkor Advisor is one tour guides' services and team operator in Cambodia that has many human resources for satisfaction the tourists who book with Angkor Advisor Travel Guides. Our tour guides are going to show and explain you about the ancient temples, history, culture and the natural resources as well.
Phnom Penh, Phnom means Hill, Penh means the name of lady Penh, who founded it in the year 1372 AD, then the hill became the capital city of Cambodia when his majesty king Ponhea Yat settled 1434 after he left Angkor. Phnom Penh was the sixth, after Nokor Phnom, Angkor, Long Vek, Srei Sonthor, and Ordong. At the late of 19th century the capital city moved in to Phnom Penh again and still remains the same up to now. It situated at the confluence of the three great rivers "Chaktomuka, it means four faces" the Mekong Leu, Mekong Krom, Tonle Basak and Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh covering an area of 41 square kilometers and it is a major political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center for domestics and world trades. It also offers several cultural and historical attractions. It is a charming mix ancient monuments and modern landmarks which consists of five-star Hotels and international standard entertainment centers.
Legend has detailed that, after a particularly high flood, a wealthy Khmer woman named Penh found a tree on a bank of the Mekong river with four statues of Buddha hidden inside it, She built a temple in the year 1434 to store the sacred Statues. Here we can visit Buddhist Pagoda, Shrines, Stupas of the king, big clock, monkeys, elephants the Sculptures of king, Concubines and many more. In this place we can the elephants, for elephant ride, monkeys and beautiful surroundings.
It was designed by Khmer architect Van Molyvann, Independent Monument commemorates the end of Cambodia's rule by French in 1953. The Naga-motif is one of which can be seen in the historic, cultural and modern day business context, as a symbol of the country. This is the important architecture at Phnom Penh, which was built for memory of our own country after we got independent from French colony from 1863-1953. You may visit here at the late afternoon.
It was built in the year 1866 AD by his majesty king Norodom, the Royal Palace still rolls the functions as the official residence of his majesty king Norodom Sihamuni, king of Cambodia. The palace is open to visitors everyday, except on Monday. Within the palace compounds are the coronation hall, the entrance which houses a collection an open-air theatre for the Royal dance and the balcony for Royal appearances, an open-air pavilion often used for entertainment and viewing of the king's movies and the king's private residence which houses a collection of Cambodian work from artists around the world. The architecturally incongruous Napoleon III pavilion shipped and reassembled in Cambodia was a gift of the French Empress Eugenie in the earlier 20th century. Outside the south-east wall of palace is the house of the white elephant traditionally used for The Royal occasions including the Royal births, deaths and weddings.
It located within the Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda is so famous because of its floor which is paved from 5,000 silver tiles. All displayed inside are hundreds of the royal gifts received by the Royal families over the several years.Among the treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.The compound also places Wat Phnom Mondap, consists the footprint of Buddha. The surrounding wall of the complex is the oldest part of the palace that covered with frescos, which is depicting episodes of ReamKe Khmer that so called "Ramayana".
It locates just at the north of the Royal Palace, This truly fabulous museum set inside a beautiful traditional red pavilion which was built in the year 1917-18 AD is exclusively dedicated to the Khmer Arts. There are many artifacts that took from Pre-Angkorian Period, as well as Angkor period on exhibition. One of the prestigious is a statue of the great Buddhist king Jayavarman VII who was a powerful, great king of Angkor period that ruled from 1181-1220 AD and was responsible for many of the architectural wonders.
This is a genocidal prison of Khmer Rouge during they took in power. Pol Pot's comrades hastily converted what was a high School into a place of unimaginable suffering for some 20,000 victims. It so called "S 21".
It is around 12 km south of the city Phnom Penh, it is a famous memorial built to commemorate the victims of genocidal period of the Khmer Rouge. More than 10,000 people were killed at this Place at that time and were buried in mass graves. Most were brought there after being tortured in Toul Sleng Prison.
- GETTING AROUND PHNOM PENH
It is an Island, which is about 30 km on the Mekong river and about 15km northeast of Phnom Penh. Koh Dach is traditional silk weaving village of handicraft production, dying and weaving silk on old looms, pottery, osier craft work, wood carving, painting and Jeweler's cutting. One can reach there by road No 6A and by boat along the beautiful view scenarios of the Mekong river banks and fishing villages. The people are so friendly and you can learn more about the traditional weaving with the old looms that they still use there.
It is a site of the oldest capital city between 1618 to 1866 AD, Udong is located on hill just 40km at the north of Phnom Penh off RN5. It was seriously destroyed during the war. At this place we can be seen many Stupas that took to build for former king of Cambodia such as Chedei Damrei Sampounn, Ponhea Yat's Stupa and Sakyamuni Chedei of Buddha. At the west there is a gigantic Buddha that is under restored, this Buddhist temple had been destroyed during the civil war in Cambodia. This ruin is so interesting to visit, too. Near the foot of the mountain (north side) had a nice Buddhist temple which in resent year.
It is located on the Top of Phnom Chisor. It was built in the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002-1050 AD) in the eleven century and dedicated to Shiva. it was from laterites and bricks with carved sand stones lintels and with broken galleries. Over there, we can view fascinated of landscape and rice paddy fields from its top of Phnom Chiso.
It was built in the reign of king Jayavarman the VIII in the 12th century and dedicated to Buddhism. it was from laterites stones with chambers and galleries. the details of Lokesvara we can be seen at the carved lintels such as the figures of meditation Buddhas and Lokesvaras. Here, we can see many new figures of temple guardians and the reclining Buddha on the east lintel of central tower.
It is a temple, named after king Prohm's mother, is 150 m north of Ta Prohm Temple in the ground of pagoda. Legend said that Peau gave a child birth to a son, named Prohm. When Prohm discovered his father was king Preah Keto Mealea, he set off to live with the king. After a few years, he returned to his mother but did not recognize her and taken by her beauty, he asked her to marry as his wife. He refused to believe that Peau's protests that she was his mother.
TA KEO PROVINCE
It is a name of province in Cambodia which very little attraction of visit, This province has other Sites of Khmer architecture too, such as Angkor Borei and phnom Da. It has colonial buildings.
Angkor Borei and Phnom Da
Angkor Borei was known as Vyadhapura when it served as the capital of "Water Chenla" in the 3rd century. Angkor Borei is actually a small town, but in this instance it is used to refer to a group of temples in the vicinity. it has four artificial caves, built as shrines, are caved into the north -east wall of Phnom Da is a square laterite tower open to the north. In the wet season, it is worth approaching Phnom Da by water as the island is spectacularly isolated. During the dry season, it is possible to make it there by road.
BATTAMBANG PROVINCE
It situated 292 km from Phnom Penh, Battambang is Cambodia's second largest city an elegant riverside town. Quiet and serene, it was founded on the bank of the Stung Sanker River in the 11th century. It is home to interesting historical sites like Wat Ek Phnom, a temple was built by Suriyavarman I (1002-150) in the 11th century. Wat Toul Baset is dated back to the 7th century and Wat Poveal Museum which displayed Khmer arts. It is the best preserved colonial architectures in the kingdom and some of the hospitable Khmer, you except to meet. At the late afternoon, you may lake the bamboo train from one village of to other villages, this make you so happy, too.
Wat Ek Phnom
It was built in reign of king Suriyavarman I in the 11th century and dedicated to Hindu got Shiva. it is a large ruin that located in Wat Ek Phnom. The Temple was from laterites and sand stone with central sanctuary and Mandapa. The road to this place today is very comfortable. At the east side there is a Buddhist temple which has fancy painting that detailed about Buddha's backgrounds. The new Buddha built in the moat of the temple but it was not completely built.
Wat Banan
It is located on the peak of hill Banan that is 25km south of Battambang. it was built in the 10th and late 12th in the reign of king Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Buddhism, but the figures of the Buddha mostly had been destroyed. If you reach there, you can be seen the beautiful terrace with Naga balustrade in Bayon art. Beside this you can see the steep steps that leading to top of hill.
BANTEAY MEANCHEY PROVINCE
It is a small province that located near the Thai Border. This place so called Sisophon. Very day a lot of Tourists pass this border to Siem Reap Angkor. Here in Border you could pay your Visa for Cambodia for one month which costs 20 Us$ and 25 US$ for business Visa. At town Sisophon we can see a few Hotels like Phnom Svay, Rung Roeung, Neak Meas....
Banteay Chhmar Temple
This temple is located 60 km on the North of Banteay Meanchey provine. It is a large ruin that locates on Banteay Chhmar district, in Jungles. The temple itself has several beautiful carving-bas Relieves which detailed a bout the war between Cham and Khmer at that time, Civil war between Pearata Rahu and the Royal son of King named Shrindrakumara and a bout everyday lives of Cambodian in that time. The temple was built in the reign of his majesty king Jayavarman VII in the late of 12th century and dedicated to his son Shrindrakumara and his four companions. it also most attractive temple in Cambodia with beautiful carvings, several towers, towers with four faces like Bayon, too.
SIEM REAP TOWN, PROVINCE
Siem Reap is in the cultural place of the most attractive of Cambodia. It is colonial city and a gateway to temples of Angkor. Siem Reap locates 314 km Northwest of capital city Phnom Penh. The town Siem Reap, whose population is well above total of 130, 000, is only a few kilometers from the temples of Angkor and serves as a base for visitors to the monuments. The name Siem Reap (pronounced "See- Em, Ree-Ep") means " Siamese Defeated " Siamese means Thai, today, Reap means defeated, commodities produced in the area of Siem Reap includes fresh Water, fishes, wood, rice and handicraft.
Visitor are also surprise by cleanliness and serenity of the place. Home of the great religious monuments of the world. Visitors are often dazed by the many angkorian temples.
You may have to plan your trip in advance and take more than a few days to see what the temples have to offer. Some temples should be seen at deference time of the day. There are several temples in this province such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Pre Rup, Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei.
Besides the temples, you can visit old market, center market, artisans Angkor, Phsa Leu, Angkor silk farm, Khmer Angkor Art, Wat Engkor Sei, Wat Bo, Wat Po Banteauy Chey, killing field, Royal Residence , Preah Ang Chek Prea Angchom, Angkor National Museum, Angkor conservation, King Sihanouk Museum and great lake (Tonle Sap with its floating villages). So this trip here, you can be booked fully through Angkor Advisor ADVENTURES (AAA) as possible.
Everyday has many direct flights from every capital cities in the region such as Bangkok, Viet Nam , Singapore, Malaysia and Yangon. Also you can connect flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap that last forty minutes. Besides this you can take boat, buses from Phnom Penh, Battam Bang , Poi Pet , Anglong Veng , Voenkam (Laos) and Bavet to Siem Reap. (see on page Angkor temples).
PREAH VIHEAR PROVINCE
It is located near the Thai border at the north of Phnom Penh and it borders Siem Reap at the southwest, Udormeanchey at west, Kompong Thom at the South and Strueng Treng at the east. Preah Vihear is not active tourists province like Siem Reap, because it small province and has a few guesthouses and hotels, but it has two attractive and charming temple-sites: Preah Vihear temple and Preah Khan at Sangkum Thmei district, Ronakse commune, Ronakse village, and Preah Vihear Province.
Preah Vihear temple
It is over 170 km to the northeast of Angkor is Preah Vihear or Prasat Preah Vihear which dates from the 9th century to the 12th century. it was built in the reign of kings: Yasovarman I (reigned 889-910 AD), Suryavarman I (reigned 1001-1050 AD), Jayavarman VI (reigned 1080-1113 AD), and Suryavarman II (reigned 1113-1150 AD), it dedicated to the god Shri Sikhasvara, the lord of summit. The temple dominates the plain from its prominent position in the Dangrek mountains at an attitude of more than 700m high and was only returned to Cambodia by a rule of the international court of justice in the Hague in 1962 (It was occupied by Thai previously in 1949). Today we can arrive the temple easier from Cambodia, because the road took to build for resent years and this year in charge to restore by Bayon TV company, the street from Siem Reap to the foot of mountain is ongoing to build. UNESCO counted or listed this temple as the World Heritage on 7th, July, 2008 in Quebec, Canada, then on 15th, July, 2008 the troops invaded into Cambodian Border nearby the temple Preah Vihear, at Ta Moan temple and somewhere else.
Preah Khan at Kompong Svay
It located in Ronakse village, Ronakse commune, Sangkum Thmei district and Preah Vihear Province, in this place many temple that former time a residental palace of king Jayavarman VII. The temple are Preah Damrei, Preah Stun, Mebon and Preah Khan. The enclosure of temple Preah Khan is big as Preah Khan enclosure in Siem Reap Angkor. The temple complex is smaller than one at Angkor. But during the civil war all figures of Buddha had been stolen and sawed out. This temple was built in the reign of king Jayavarman VII,in the late of 12th century and dedicated to Buddhism.
Koh Ker Temples Group
It is classic temples group took to build in the reign of king Jayavarman IV, at the first half of 10th century. The famous temple is Prasat Thom, 35 m high, seven levels. The Rahal Baray is the large ancient reservoir here for the capital Linga Pura. There are several temples built the same time such as Prasat Pram, Prasat Neang Khmau, Prasat Krahom, prasat Lingas, Prasat Banteay Pichhean, and Prasat Domrei Chong Kondoeng....Located 162 km, the north of Phnom Penh capital city on the way (National road No. 6) to Siem Reap Angkor. Kompong Thom is one of five provinces that surrounding Tonle Sap lake. Sambor Preikuh is one of the Khmer civilization and historical sites. Besides the temple we can visit Wat Kompong Thom, Damrei Chheann Klar, Phnom Santuk and Kuha Nokor temple.
KAMPONG THOM PROVINCE
Sambor Preikuh
At about 30km from Kompong Thom is situated the ruin of Sambor Preikuh. This ruin was built in the reign of king Isanavarman I, One of the greatest king of pre-angkorian period. Sambor Preikuh was built from bricks and sand stones for lintels and pillars which are said the date from the 7th century for dedicating to Harihara. Sambor Preikuh has three complexes are: North, South (Yeay Pean) and Middle (prasat Tor).
KAMPONG CHAM PROVINCE
It is a third large town in Cambodia after Phnom Penh and Batambang, with its Mekong river location and relatively close to Phnom Penh and Vietnam. Kompong Cham has always been an important trade and transportation hub. The town is quaint and charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets in from the river. Besides this, Kompong Cham has many Places to visit such as Wat Nokor temple, Phnom Bros, Phnom Srei, Banteay Prei Nokor, Preah Teat Toch and Thom temples, Chhub Rubber Tree and Changka Andong Rubber Trees.
Wat Nokor or Nokor Bachhey temple 
This is a large temple in Kompong Cham province, which encloses with large laterite wall with four gates and small laterites and sand stone structure. this temple was built in the reign of king Jayavarman VII in the late of 12th century, and dedicated to Buddhism. Here can be seen many sculptures of Buddha and Lokesvaras. The Buddhist temple was built near the temple, it seemed to be later on around the sixteenth century.
KRATIE PROVINCE
It is a sleepy Mekong river town, very picturesque with sandbars and big islands out front and bends in in the river. There are some nice-looking colonial French Buildings and Khmer styles. The province is known as its rare fresh water Irrawaddy dolphins.This small riverside town, is well preserved as it was spared war time bombing and was liberated by Khmer Rouge long before other parts of the country. We visit not only dolphins, here we can visit Wat Sosor Moy Roy pagoda and Phnom Sambok.
Dolphins Irrawaddy
The freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins is an endangered species in Cambodia and some experts believe there may be as few as 60 left on stretches of the Mekong river north of Kratie. It is possible to see them about 15km north of the town on the road to Strung Treng, particularly during the dry season when water levels drop significantly - early in the morning or late afternoon seem to be the best times. It is best to go with driver over there because they the best spots around the many tiny islands on this stretch of water, from where you have an opportunity to view them at close quartets.
REATANAKIRI PROVINCE
The provincial town Banlung is located 636km Northeast of Phnom Penh. There are many picturesque sights in this province which is remote, primitive an beautiful Yak Lom lake is 3km from Banlung, this is a small but lightly scenic crater lake of an extinct volcano with the forest coming down to the lake shore. The lake offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking and swimming. Besides this, we can visit hill tribes at Voen Sai, Taveng, Mining Bor Keo or Bei Srok, Virak Chhey National Park and Waterfalls. Beside this we can be seen the rubber trees and the factories to produce the rubbers here.
MONDULKIRI PROVINCE
It is situated in the eastern high land forms parts of the plateau and mountain region. This province is chock full of natural beauty, which thickly forested mountains, powerful waterfalls and the lush green rolling hills of the western side. Add to that the communities of hill tribes who are not effected by tourism. Mondulkiri is nestled against Cambodia's eastern border with Vietnam. It really is another Cambodia, with scenery and climate quiet unlike anywhere else in the country. There are endless grassy hills and every here and there clumps of pines huddled together against the winds. According to a little people live here, it makes this place with most attractive Natures, wildlife, such as tigers, elephants, bears, and leopards. Beside this we can vision the waterfalls, Sihanouk Falls, and Bau Sraa Waterfalls.
KAMPOT PROVINCE
Over shadowed by some of the more prominent destinations in Cambodia is Kompot province. It located in the coastal region, arguably the most beautiful province of Cambodia offering the visitor ocean beaches an offshore islands, mountain , a national park, waterfalls, rivers and picturesque setting in main town of the same name. In down town Kompot you can visit the colonial buildings, river at the evening and the markets. Especially, we can visit Kep town that located a round 25km from Kompot province. Bokor National Park, officially known as Preah Monivong National Park, but more commonly referred to as Bokor which was founded by French in 1922. In its top has The colonial Casino building that took to build around 1923. Beside this, we can visit Popokvil Waterfall, and Teuk Chhu.
PREAH SIHANUKVILLE PROVINCE
It located a bout 230km by the national road No.4 from the Capital Phnom Penh is located in Southwest of Cambodia. Dazzling white sand and swaying palms lapped by the warm, translucent waters of the Gulf of Siam makes Preah Sihanuk province and its surrounding islands a pristine seaside gateway. The province scenic location is ideal, placing ten tropical islands including Koh Pous, Koh Takeav, Koh Rong islands, etc. Cambodia's seaside paradise can be visited all year round. Watching the sunset during dinner along the coast is the perfect ending to the day. The fresh catch of the day stimulates the palette of seafood's lovers. Swimmers can enjoy an evening swim under star filled skies and gild through the warm water filled with phosphorescence that gleams like diamonds. It is an economic lifeline of Cambodia, as it carries seafood, salt, and a variety of imported goods to the capital city and beyond.
PHNOM PENH