Cambodia tourism attracts tourists not only with the unique relics of an ancient empire but also with pristine beaches and attractive, nutritious cuisine.
In the article below, Lux Travel DMC has hand-picked for you 5 experiences not to be missed on a trip to Cambodia to make your trip more perfect.
Table of Contents
1. Explore Cambodia’s temples – The gem of Cambodia tourism
Cambodia is famous for architectural works associated with ancient Khmer culture. Among them, the most famous is definitely Angkor Wat – a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO. Angkor Wat was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century with the original purpose of being a Hindu temple of the Khmer Empire – God Vishnu.
Angkor Wat – a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO
The most enjoyable time of day to visit Angkor is at dusk or dawn. The temple faces west, so when visiting it in the afternoon, visitors will admire that bright sunlight illuminates the entire temple area. Besides, dawn is also the time when hundreds of tourists come here to enjoy the freshness in the morning and start the new day with an interesting cultural and historical discovery tour.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat attracts thousands of tourists to visit early in the morning
Besides Angkor Wat, Bayon temple is also recognized as a symbol of Cambodia. Located in the Angkor Thom complex, the temple consists of 54 large and small stupas, each stupa has a sculpture of the face of the god Lokesvara, also known as the god Avalokitesvara. Bayon Temple has a total of 216 faces, these contribute to the unique beauty of the temple. If you are a person who is passionate about learning about culture and history, this will be the temple for you.
Besides Angkor Wat, Bayon temple is also recognized as a symbol of Cambodia
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2. Watch the Apsara Dance Show – Cambodia’s Fairy Dance
It would be a mistake to miss the ancient Apsara dance performances while exploring Cambodia. Born at least 2,000 years ago, this ancient dance has played an important role in Khmer culture and is engraved on many temple walls in Angkor.
Apsara dances are carved on many temple walls in Angkor, demonstrating their importance to Khmer culture
According to Hindu legend, this dance was performed by beautiful Apsara fairies to serve the gods, with slow movements but very elegant and noble. Currently, in addition to serving the royal court, there are up to 300 apsara dancers performing at hotels, motels, and the Chatomuk theater near the Royal Palace, amid bustling music and colorful, graceful costumes.
Apsara Dancer
3. Enjoy Khmer cuisine
Khmer dishes have their own unique flavors with fresh ingredients and cooking methods influenced by Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, and even French cuisine.
Khmer dishes have their own unique flavors with fresh ingredients
A typical feature of Khmer cuisine is that the dishes will be filled with many herbs and spices such as galangal, lemon, garlic, turmeric, lemongrass, ginger and tamarind, fish sauce, etc. Travelers can enjoy these typical dishes at both restaurants and street food stalls. Some of the most famous dishes that you can refer to are Amok steamed fish, Khmer red curry, Khmer beef salad, fried insects, etc.
Khmer food
4. Take a boat to explore the floating village in Tonle Sap
About 30 minutes by car from Siem Reap city center, Tonlé Sap (meaning large freshwater river) is a combined system of lakes and rivers of great importance to Cambodia. This is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. Typical tourism here is taking a boat to discover the floating village on the river and visiting the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary.
Around the lake, there are many Vietnamese and Cham households
Around the lake, there are many Vietnamese and Cham households, living in floating villages by the lake, they live here by fishing. Exploring the floating village of Tonle Sap by boat is an enchanting experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of Cambodia’s unique aquatic life. You’ll get a closer look at traditional Khmer life, where homes, markets, schools, and even Buddhist temples are built on stilts or floating platforms.
People here make a living mainly by fishing
Going west of Tonle Sap Lake, visitors will see Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, an ideal place for tourists who love nature and are passionate about observing animals. In addition to rare birds, there are also reptiles, fish, mammals, and insects… Some rare species are in danger of extinction such as Siamese crocodiles, Crab-eating macaques, spotted-billed pelicans, and milky storks, etc.
Photo Source: RED DOT (CAMBODIA) CO., LTD
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5. Relax on beautiful tropical beaches in Cambodia
Cambodia has long, clear beaches with fine white sand. In particular, the beaches here have wild beauty and have not been touristized.
The port city and seaside town of Sihanoukville is a highly recommended destination for your trip to Cambodia. Sihanoukville is surrounded by white sand beaches and remote islands including Song Saa islands with resorts with luxury villas. From the laid-back atmosphere of Otres Beach near Sihanoukville to the idyllic shores of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, you can choose the beach that best suits your preferences.
Sihanoukville is surrounded by white sand beaches
Besides, Cambodia’s beaches also offer various water sports and activities for those looking for a bit of adventure. You can kayak, canoe, or even take a boat tour to explore the nearby islands. Watching the sunset is also an activity worth recommending. Relax with a refreshing drink in hand as you watch the sun set below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the sea.
Watching the sunset is also a highly recommend activity
Above are the top 5 experiences that we highly recommend for you. From the awe-inspiring Angkor temples to the local floating villages on the Tonle Sap, and serene beach paradises along the coast, Cambodia attracts tourists with its blend of unique history, local culture, and majestic nature. Hopefully, this information will be helpful for your future trip to Cambodia.
About Lux Travel DMC
Founded in 2005, Lux Travel DMC provides 100% tailor-made private tours in Southeast Asia. We are deeply committed to sustainable tourism, recognizing our responsibility to preserve the environment, protect cultural heritage, support local communities, and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the charm of our destinations.
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