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Seize the Magic of Cambodia: An Unforgettable Two-Week Journey from Temples to Tropical Beaches

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When it comes to exploring the enchanting landscapes of Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Cambodia often takes the backseat. Yet, the truth couldn’t be more contrasting. This vibrant country, with its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty, offers an unparalleled tourism experience, often underappreciated by many travelers. If you are seeking a new experience, filled with exploration and discovery, then a two-week trip to this captivating part of South East Asia promises an adventure beyond your wildest dreams. MUST TRY RESTAURANTS: At the end of each paragraph, you will find two different restaurants with varying cuisines which will be sure to please anyone’s tastebuds. Relish the Royal Splendor of Phnom Penh (Day 1-2) Kick start your Cambodian tour in the bustling capital city of Phnom Penh, affectionately known as the “Pearl of Asia”. This city, replete with a blend of Khmer and French influences, offers a unique amalgamation of tradition and modernity. Upon arriving, make it a point to visit the Royal Palace, a magnificent structure showcasing the epitome of Khmer and Buddhist architecture. Then, satiate your taste buds by trying out the local speciality: Amok, a delightful Cambodian curry cooked in banana leaves. For those with an adventurous palate, deep-fried tarantula makes for an intriguing option. The next day, delve into Cambodia’s chequered history by visiting the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. These sites, bearing remnants of the Khmer Rouge regime, provide a stark reminder of the four-year genocide that took place under Pol Pot’s reign. Yi Sang riverside : Delicious Chinese restaurant, open for breakfast or lunch for some delicious homemade dumplings. A gorgeous view over the river is just a bonus, and it is right next to the royal palace. Night market experience : Snacking for Khmer street food and shopping in the evening. Fun for any family or group of Friends to feast and wander. Unlock the Mysteries of Siem Reap (Day 3-5) After experiencing the urban charm of Phnom Penh, head to Siem Reap – the gateway to the ruins of Angkor. Begin your exploration with a visit to the world-famous Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The awe-inspiring sunrise over the temple complex is an experience that will surely remain etched in your memory for years to come. On your second day, explore the lesser-known yet equally captivating temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm. While Bayon amazes with its intricate carvings and labyrinthine passageways, Ta Prohm, also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple”, enchants with its unique blend of nature and architecture, where trees intertwine with the ruins in a mesmerizing display of time’s relentless march. For nature lovers, a visit to Ton Le Sap Lake offers a chance to witness the unique lifestyle of the local people living in the middle of the lake. Despite the touristy nature of the boat tours, it’s an experience worth having. Malis Angkor : A must go for anyone looking to explore Cambodian flavours. With brilliant architecture, inspired from the great temples in Siem Reap, you will find yourself full of food and full of happiness. Khéma Angkor : If you are craving, or missing, a more western styled meal, then look no further than Khéma Angkor. Here you will find that they have a delicious breakfast or lunch offering sure to satiate any dish you miss from home. Immerse in the Quiet Charm of Battambang (Day 6-7) Next, travel to the quieter city of Battambang, a place where you can experience Cambodia’s charm at a slower pace. Start your day with a fun ride on the Bamboo Train, a unique and memorable experience. In the evening, make sure to visit the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus, a not-for-profit project supporting disadvantaged children. The talented young performers put on a show that is sure to leave you spellbound. Jaan Bai : A wonderful restaurant pioneering new Cambodian flavours, with it’s take on traditional dished fused with western techniques and ingenuity. The Lonely Tree Café : Another stop to add during your time in Battambang. Either for a nice break from touring or a filling lunch. Rejuvenate in the Coastal Bliss of Sihanoukville (Day 8-9) After the hustle and bustle of the cities and the historical explorations, it’s time to unwind on the serene beaches of Sihanoukville. Spend your days relaxing on the pristine white sands of Otres Beach, soaking in the tranquil ambiance and stunning sunsets. Golden Beach : One of a kind Khmer style seafood restaurant. If you visit Sihanoukville, do not miss this spot. Sandan : A more traditional style of khmer seafood is what you’ll find at Sandan. A new experience jam packed with all of Cambodia’s herbs, seafood and vegetables. Experience the Tropical Paradise of Koh Rong (Day 10-11) A short boat ride from Sihanoukville brings you to the tranquil oasis of Koh Rong. Spend your days here basking in the sun on the white sandy beaches, swimming in the clear waters, and marveling at the bioluminescence at night. The Big Easy : This is the perfect spot to satiate any craving at all. They have a menu featuring western and Khmer dishes, sure to satiate any craving. Discover the Natural and Gastronomic Delights of Kampot (Day 12-13) Your adventure continues in Kampot, a charming town known for its French colonial architecture and its world-renowned black pepper. Spend a day exploring the Bokor National Park and its Killing Cave, a chilling reminder of the country’s dark past. Next, visit a Kampot Pepper Farm to learn about the cultivation and processing of the world-famous Kampot pepper. Plantation : Eat on-site, a wonderful experience following your tour of the pepper farm. A selection of dishes that will best highlight why Kampot pepper is world renowned. Café espresso : A wide variety of dishes to choose from. Their menu is truly international but featuring heavily on the best vegetarian dishes from all around. If you’re craving some healthy meals, Café Espresso is the restaurant for you. Wrap Up Your Journey in Phnom … Read more

Hope on the Horizon

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Tourists are starting to make their way back to Cambodia, and the government is launching an eight-pronged strategy to help ensure they keep doing so Over the first nine months of this year, ticket sales for the Angkor Archaeological Park saw a 20-fold increase over the same period last year. More than 134,000 foreign visitors accounted for ticket revenues of $5.36 million for the Park, and also gave grounds for optimism for the future. “This heritage site is essential to attract tourists, create jobs and generate income for our people in the tourism sector,” Prime Minister Hun Sen said during a visit to the Angkor Park at the beginning of this month. During the pre-COVID-19 era, Angkor collected up to 2.2 million international visitors in 2019, generating $99 million in revenue from ticket sales, Angkor Enterprise reported. In 2020, the tourism industry as a whole brought in over $1 billion for Cambodia, a figure that plummeted to $184 million last year. The government is now targeting 7.5 million visitors over the next five years with an eight-pronged strategy published at the end of last month. The first four elements of the strategy cover developing creative and innovative tourism products and services, improving the quality of tourism services in accordance with recognised standards, supporting the training of tourism professionals, and promoting convenience and safety in tourism transportation and mobility. The other four aim to improve capacity building, research and promotion of Cambodian tourism, encourage the adoption of modern tourism technologies, initiate more key policies to support tourism development, and to strengthen tourism governance mechanisms and human resource development. According to the report, the Ministry of Tourism has defined major policies, plans and strategies for the next five years for effective management and development of the tourism sector. “Sustainable tourism development is a government priority to develop the nation and serve the best interests of the people,” says the report. Ministry figures reveal that Cambodia recorded 998,272 international arrivals in the first eight months of 2022, marking a 720 percent year-on-year increase. August accounted for more than a quarter of this, with 254,813, up 7.65 percent from July (236,697), which saw a 44.95 percent jump from June (163,298). Adapted from an article in Cambodge Mag

Cambodia Reopens Tourism for 2022

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A new initiative designed to revive Cambodia’s tourism industry, was officially launched virtually by the Ministry of Tourism on January 27. The “Cambodia: Safe and Green Tourism Destination” campaign came after much of the country’s tourism was suppressed due to Covid-19 restrictions and safety concerns. During the virtual launch, Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, encouraged municipal and provincial administrations for creative ideas in attracting international visitors, including through ASEAN channels. Promoting that the country is open to fully-vaccinated visitors without being subjected to quarantine, he also advised that every business that caters to visitors in implementing safety measures and standard operating procedures on COVID-19 prevention. According to the Tourism Ministry, Cambodia attracted up to 6.61 million in international tourism in 2019 and generated a gross revenue of 4.92 billion USD. During the pandemic, the number of foreign visitors dropped down to 87 percent during the Jan.-Nov period in 2021, from the same period in 2020. The Ministry of Tourism reported that a total of 344,547 tourists — of which included 334,859 domestic visitors and 9,688 foreigners, travelled to the tourist destinations of Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk, Battambang, Kampot, Koh Kong, Pursat, Mondulkiri and Siem Reap during the first weekend of February. Currently, Cambodia has administered at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to 14.35 million people, or 89.7 percent of its 16 million population, of which, 87 percent are fully vaccinated with two shots. The rate of vaccination will continue to increase as vaccinations become more available in the outer provinces. Siem Reap’s Rejuvenation and Demand for Green Space Already, several airlines have been increasing international flights. After a 11 month hiatus, the Siem Reap airport welcomed its first international travellers from Singapore Airlines on December 17, 2021. Craig Dodge, an advocate and director of sales and marketing of the popular Phare Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap and Steve Lidgey, who runs a small boutique travel agency called Travel Asia A La Carte, have been anticipating the return of international tourism. Both men were there to greet the first international travellers at their arrival at the airport. “It was a very emotional moment for both Siem Reap residents and also the visiting travellers when Singapore Airlines resumed their flights to Temple Town,” Lidgey explained. “A few tears of joy were shed at the thought of businesses resuming their livelihoods.” Lidgey noted with a bittersweet smile on how many tourists enjoyed seeing Angkor Wat without the heavy crowds that usually were there in previous years. “Prior to the pandemic, we saw healthy tourist numbers increasing year on year,” Lidgey noted. “However, just prior to covid, there was a drop in passengers from the western markets. This was due to a focus on the Chinese market — and photos of busy temples were a little off-putting for western travellers who wanted to avoid mass tourism.” Although the covid pandemic has been ravaging the tourism industry worldwide, Lidgey felt that Siem Reap has been hit especially hard due to the city’s heavy dependency on tourism. He added that Siem Reap businesses will still have difficulties resuming commerce after receiving little to no income for two years even after Cambodia has reopened itself to tourism. As Lidgey prepares himself to say goodbye to some wonderful businesses closing, he is still hopeful towards the new opportunities and revitalisation of Siem Reap. “Siem Reap does need to change from being so heavily focused on tourism — the pandemic has made that very clear,” Lidgey explained. “Phnom Penh has kept going, but time has stood still in Siem Reap. The government has plans to make Siem Reap into a ‘Smart City’ so that would be beneficial to all.” Over the past two years, Siem Reap has gone under major road construction in efforts to modernize the city and make travelling more convenient. Many local visitors from Phnom Penh or other regions in Cambodia, have enjoyed the changes to the city, especially the walking and bicycle paths that have been highlighted during events like the Angkor Marathon. “From personal experience of running a marathon(around the Angkor Temple Complex), I can really say the location is like no other — and a spectacular setting for a race,” Lidgey stated. Already there is a demand for pavement, cycle lanes, and greenery as the city grows. “It’s a great place for biking — there are bike guides and (more) infrastructure,” Dodge noted. Adding that he has noticed more cyclists and biking trails have been increasing around the temple complex as well as camping sites around Banteay Srey and Kulen Mountain. Lidgey himself stumbled across new developments on the foothills of Kulen Mountain as he rode his bike through cassava, rubber, and cashew plantations. This is why Lidgey would like to encourage the local government to promote the local traditions and the exploration of the natural beauty of the rural areas in other parts of the province. In addition to the Cambodian New Year, which has garnered many visitors to Siem Reap in the past, other events such as the kite festival in the Banteay Srei district and a local fair in Preah Dak, as well as the much anticipated The Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, are what Lidgey would like to see become part the attractions for domestic and international tourists. Written by Sotheavy Nou