15 THINGS TO DO IN CAMBODIA

Things to Do in Cambodia

What is in Cambodia? A lot of people are visiting the place because of its vast culture and heritage. It also has the most ancient Buddhist temples and the oldest cities in the world which are still present and existing – some of which are UNESCO recognized. They say that the best time to visit the country is before the rainy season which is during the months of April, May and June. Nevertheless, just to keep you on your toes – Wanderlust15 has come up with a Cambodia travel guide for you.

1. Angkor Wat

UNESCO has given their seal of approval to Angkor Wat and listed it as a World Heritage Site. The top one most famous tourist attraction in all of Cambodia is located at Siem Reap and it is the biggest area of worship in the entire world with 162.6 hectares of land. The temple was a gift of Hindu god Vishnu by the Khmer dynasty which later one became a public temple for the people in the 12th century. Don’t forget to go to Angkor Wat – it is one of the things to do in Cambodia.

2. Bayon

Bayon is one big temple with a lot of doorways and exits. The thing that distinguishes the temple of Bayon from other temples in Cambodia is its unique design – the walls are engraved with faces that are smiling back at you. King Jayavarman VII, a forward-thinking King of Cambodia, is the one responsible for the construction of Bayon in the 13th century. This is the second-most visited landmark in the country and is also well-preserved, at the moment.

3. Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Your holiday to Cambodia will not be complete if you don’t pass by the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh. It is one of the most visited attractions in the city because of its architectural design and its significance. It was erected in 1866 and inspired architecturally in Khmer. It is a compound of structures and one of those building within is the home of the King. Since its foundation, it has been the official residence of Cambodia’s Royal Highness.

4. Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom was a capital city back in the Khmer dynasty and for it to still linger after 800 years is truly miraculous. The whole city is 9 square kilometers and if you walk the guided paths, you will see eight centuries worth of temples, structures, monuments and architecture. It is a blessing to be in places like Angkor Thom because it has stood the test of time and have endured forces of nature and men, alike. The ancient city is simply overwhelming and to visit Angkor Thom is one of the things to do in Cambodia.

5. Banteay Srei

There are a lot of temples in Cambodia and Banteay Srei is one of those famous temples that tourists frequent in the country. For one, it is very ancient. It was built in the 10th century and it was a place of worship which was dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva.

The meaning of Banteay Srei is Citadel of Women or Beauty and the meaning of it is not far from the truth. The temple is really beautiful for its age and a true epitome of Angkorian architectural art.

6. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

A very dark incident happened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia decades ago. During the Khmer Rouge command, it was documented that at least 20,000 prisoners were murdered that time and the Tuol Sleng was one of the “execution” centers of those killed. The area of the museum used to be a school called the Chao Ponhea Yat High School and it was transferred into a security prison. Today, it is a museum to remember those who were brutally slain. Chilling!

7. Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple is a historical building in Cambodia and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is believed that the temple was erected back in the 11th century but there was a hermitage found in the area and it was a 9th century design. A hermitage, in this context, is used to mean as a residence of people practicing a religious lifestyle. The temple is located at an isolated area and that adds to the value of the structure since it is still well-preserved even at this time.

8. Preah Khan

In the olden days, kings and royal family members, made monuments and buildings to honor their loved ones. The Preah Khan is one of those “honored” monuments for it was established to commemorate the father of King Jayavarman VII during the 12th century. The temple is within Angkor Archaeological Park – along with other important landmarks of the country and it can be found at the northern part of the park. One of the great things to do in Cambodia is to check out Preah Khan.

9. Banteay Kdei

They also call Banteay Kdei as the Citadel of Monks’ Cells. This Buddhist temple has been around since the 13th century and clearly, the whole temple is in ruins. But the Cambodian government is doing their fair share of restoring this historical landmark. At the moment, it is being renovated brick by brick so that people can see how beautiful this citadel was back in the day. You can still visit the area and if you appreciate archaeological monuments, this will make your day.

10. Bakong

Bakong is a man-made structure which was dated as early as 802 AD. People back then wanted to please their god called Shiva. They created an artificial mountain and on top of the mountain was a small temple. Century after century, the believers Shiva made improvements on Bakong and added towers made in sandstone and bricks. It has four levels, some causeways and doors leading to different parts of the area. It will be fun and exciting to explore Bakong.

11. National Museum of Cambodia

The best way to learn more about the country you are visiting and the people you will be socializing with while on your vacation is by going to their museum. With this, one of the things to do in Cambodia is to explore their National Museum. The history of Cambodia and its people are displayed right there – up until their independence from the French. It is also an archaeological and cultural museum. Ancient relics of the Khmer empire are protected there.

12. Beng Mealea

One of the most unforgettable sights in Cambodia is the Beng Mealea. The person responsible for the building of this once grand temple in the 12th century is Suryavarman II. It was not preserved or conserved but there is a hint of mystery in this place – some tourists say they get goose bumps while touring the ostentatious monument. Some people clean it out of goodwill because the jungle plants and roots of massive trees have consumed the whole area but even with that, it still it is a sight to worthy to see.

13. Independence Monument

The Independence Monument is a tourist landmark in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The monument is located at the city central and locals pass by it every single day – admiring the structure. It has an Angkorian design and it was established to commemorate the Sybilles Cambodian Independence Day in 1958.

It is 20 meters high and was the work of renowned Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann. You can take pictures of the monument but tourists cannot go inside it.

14. Wat Phnom

Another historical site to view is the Wat Phnom. There is a story behind Wat Phnom which involves the most famous woman in the history of Cambodia – Penh. Penh lived in the 14th century and was fond of collecting Buddhist artifacts. The collections she made were preserved in this temple called Wat Phnom.

The interior of the wat glows in the dark – there are murals inside which covers the legends of Buddha and Cambodia. Up until now, the ceiling is still as is in its original state and was not touched for repair or preservation.

15. Wat Ounalom

Wat, in Khmer or the Cambodian language means Buddhist temple; and in Cambodia, temples are perhaps their most important and most popular tourist landmarks. Among the list of most visited attractions in Cambodia is Wat Ounalom. It is located at Phnom Penh and it is very near the Royal Palace, which is another tourist spot in the country. One of the things to do in Cambodia is to visit this historic wat which was established in 1422 by King Ponhea Yat. This is the residence of Cambodia’s Chief Monk.