Introduction

Cambodia is a country that for long has been shrouded in secrecy due to the on-going war and civil conflict that lasted for more than 2 decades. Now the country has risen as a Phoenix out of its ashes and is one of the most sought after tourist destinations. Yes, although the borders have opened up and the country is perfectly safe to travel, it remains and exotic and mystical land not seen by many.

The Cambodians are an amazingly strong and resilient people. Since they have been through Year Zero they have been slowly but surely building up their country. Improved road, better security, electricity and clean water, all those things that we take for granted in other countries are a new achievement in Cambodia . And this makes is possible for tourists to enjoy the things that Cambodia has to offer. But it is not only the material things that make tourists feel welcome. It is the genuine friendliness and honesty of the Cambodian people that make foreigners feel at home and what makes a visit to Cambodia an unforgettable and unique experience.

Of course, in terms of destination, Angkor Wat is the highlight of any trip to Cambodia . Angkor Wat, the apex of the ancient, mighty Khmer empire. It is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, on par with the Pyramids of Egypt.

Walking between the towering Khmer temples, created over a period starting over 1,500 years ago, and surrounded by beautiful forest, entering the dark, sacred chambers once the sanctuary of powerful Kings, overlooking the surroundings high up from the sculptured towers, one still feels the mystical meaning of what has been achieved here. One can feel it like a spiritual atmosphere hanging over the area. It is touching, powerful and impressive. It is an experience you will not forget.

Of course Cambodia has many more things to offer. Be it the beaches, the forests, the hill tribes or the bustling city of Phnom Penh . In the following chapters you will find information and tour packages which will guide to enjoy this magnificent jewel of the Mekong .


Places to visit  

In and around Phnom Penh.

The capital of Cambodia dates back to the year 1327. According to the legends a rich widow named Don Penh found a tree with 5 Buddha statues in it. The tree was washed to the shore of the Mekong River after a devastating flood. To thank Buddha for her survival she thus founded a pagoda which was later named after her., Wat Phnom Don Penh, on top of a large mound in the center of the city. In 1866 Phnom Penh became the capital of Cambodia . The city is located right at the "crossing of the rivers" where the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap river meet each other and then separate again to go each their own way.

The city was formerly called " The Pearl of Asia " and although the many years of war has destroyed a lot of its previous splendour, one still gets a taste of the old ambiance. In Phnom Penh one can find many interesting buildings and temples ( The Royal Palace, Wat Unnalom, Wat Langka, the National Museum ) of traditional Cambodian style, and several dozen " grand residences formerly housing the colonial French administration.

A visit to Phnom Penh markets is definitely a must because of the special bustling atmosphere. Prices of both local and imported items are low and it is easy to find interesting souvenir to take home as a remembrance to your visit.

The Royal Place and the Silver Pagoda

The palace in its present form was built in 1866 by King Norodom to replace the ancient palace that was make of wood. In the palace, there are numerous building including a Throne Hall, an open-air theatre, the Silver Pagoda, beautifully sculpture chedis and other historical building in which small museums are housed.

The oldest part of the palace is the fresco-covered walls of the palace compound, which is open to the public, but is unfortunately in a poor state of maintenance. It depicts episodes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the Reamker.

Located within the palace compound is Wat Preah Keo Morakot ( Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha ). It is more commonly known as the Silver Pagoda because the entire floor is make up of 5000 silver tiles, each weighing 1.1 kg. The temple's floor is a priceless work of religious art.

In the pagoda one can further admire many Buddha images made of pure gold and encrusted with thousand of diamonds. Two dozen cabinets along the walls are filed with gifts to King Norodom and to successive Kings from other royalty and dignitaries.

Some part of the compounds is not open to the general public because the King and Queen actually live in the palace.

The National Museum

The National Museum houses many of the Kingdom's most important and awe-inspiring works of art from the pre-Angkor and Angkor era. The museum itself is a beautiful building with a wooden roof frame and is an example of Khmer architecture at its finest.

Housing over 5000 works of art, the collection is divided into archeological and ethnographic masterpieces, ranging from the 6 th to the 13 th century, stone sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, Royal barges and palanquins as well as dance costumes from the 19 th century.

Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

The museum of genocide is located in the former Tuol Svay Prey High school . When the Khmer Rouge took the capital in 1975, the school buildings were turned into a jail and torture center where thousand of people were systemically killed. More than 20,000 people entered Tuol Sleng and only a handful of people survived. Many died during the torture and those who lived through this hell were taken to the Choeung Ek execution ( the " Killing Fields" ) center just outside the city, where they were murdered and thrown into mass graves. At the execution area, now idyllically located between rice pad died and fruit orchards, a memorial glass tower has been erected, containing the skulls and remains of part of the tens of thousands victims.

Both the Genocide Museum and killing Fields are a must for visitors who are interested in Cambodian history and who want to understand the suffering the Cambodian people have gone through. But it is not for the faint-hearted as both sites are largely maintained in their original state.

Wat Phnom

On a hill in the Northern part of Phnom Penh lies Wat Phnom, the Pagoda was built in 1372 and is regarded as the place where the city Phnom Penh was founded. Wat Phnom is a very popular place among the city people as it is located among trees in a small park with a children play ground and a small open air theatre. Many people come to the Pagoda for prayer and small offerings, to get a few moments of peace away from the hectic daily life. Why not enjoy with the Khmer and take an elephant ride through the park?

Wat Unalaom

Wat Unalaom is historically the most important pagoda in Phnom Penh and it is the center of Cambodian Buddhism. Wat Unalaom was built in 1443 and one can still admire the beautiful structure and Khmer designs of the pagoda.

Phnom Chisor.

About 50 km out of Phnom Penh in the Province of Takeo , one can find a hill called Phnom Chisor. On top of this hill there is a small but interesting temple built from laterite and brick and decorated with sandstone lintels. Inscriptions here date from the 11 th century, when this site was known as Suryagiri. A special characteristic of Phnom Chisor is its wooden, rather than stone, doors that open into the sanctuary in the center of the temple. The doors show off intricate carvings of figures standing on pigs. From the top of Phnom Chisor one has a spectacular view of the surrounding plains and the temples of Sen Thmol and Sen Ravang which are located not far from Phnom Chisor. A visit to Phnom Chisor can be easily combines with a visit to the Angkor-era temple of Tonle Bati .

Oudong.

Oudong, built on a hill some 40 km north of Phnom Penh , was the capital of Cambodia for a short period of time, before Phnom Penh . While little remains of the canals, terraces, bridges and approximately 100 pagodas, built during the reign of King and Ang Duong, Oudong is still frequented by Khmers who go to pay homage to the remains of the former kings. It is a pleasant halfday trip that takes you into scenic countryside Phnom Penh .

The Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap

The majestic temples of Angkor in the northwest Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer art and civilization. Today, millennium after they were built, they awe visitors with their perfection enormity.

The temples are the creation of a succession of Khmer Kings who presided over an empire that dominated most present day Southeast Asia from 800 to 1430 AD, reaching its peak in the 12 th century. The period began with the ascension to the throne by King Jayavaman II.

From the 15 th century the temples were abandoned by the kings and subsequently forgotten until their "rediscovery in 1961 by a French explorer.

The jungle setting and silence enhance the mystery of the temples. One early discoverer's reaction upon setting Angkor is not so much different as the feeling of the visitor of today.

"The temple stands solitary and alone in the jungle, in too perfect order to be called a ruin, a relic of a race for ahead of the present ".

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt . It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and it is inspired by 12 th century Hinduism. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took several decades to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king.

Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk , which is located on the east wing. In it, the Naga mythical serpent is twisted by demons and gods to spurt out the elixir of life. The way the light glows the ancient stones makes sunrise and sunset the best time to wander through Angkor Wat's 2 square km, climb its towers and ponder its creators...

The magnificent new Le Meridien Angkor has opened its door. Now, for the first time, visitors to Cambodia can stay in the closet hotel ever built to Angkor Wat itself, the country's national treasure of ancient Khmer culture.

Even more impressive is the resort design. Khmer architecture has been tastefully blended with luxurious modern amenities. The result is a world suffused with echoes of Khmer culture in the many intricate carvings, stone statues, private moat and tranquil inner courtyards.

With its legacy of famous Le Meridien service combined with deep regard for the Khmer heritage, Le Meridien Angkor rises the standard of accommodation in this timeless area to new heights of opulence, convenience and taste.

For more details or to make a reservation, please visit us online at www.lemeridien.com or contact.

Angkor Thom

The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom (" Great City ") contains the famous Bayon temple with its more than 200 enormous, mysterious smiling faces. It also contains the 300m. long Elephant Terrace with its large sculptured royal elephants and Garudas. Also within the walled area is the terrace of the Leper King. A sandstone replica of the Leper King is here. ( The original is in the National Museum in Phnom Penh .)

Ta Prohm.

Ta Prohm is the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its discovery. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of the massive Banyan trees which envelope the stones like tentacles.

Bantey Srei

This is the fabled pink temple of the women, so called because it is made of pink sandstone and considered a tribute to the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carvings and remarkable state of preservation make Bantey Srei one of everyone's favorite temples. Bantey Srei is located about 32 km from Angkor and it is one of the oldest temples in the region.

Roluos Group

The three monuments in the Roluos Group, located 12 km. southeast of Siem Reap, offer a look at the earliest definition of Khmer civilization. These temples, Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, were built in the 9 th century under Indravarman I. Bakong is also the site of a modern Buddhist monastery.

Phnom Koulen and Kbal Spean.

This site is regarded by the Khmers as one of the holiest sites because it is located at the origin of the Siem Reap river which was (and still is ) the life giving source of the water that enables the widespread rice cultivation in the area of Angkor . As such it was the basis of the wealth of the civilization, which in its turn provided the resources required to build the temples. At this site one can observe the beautiful rock carvings under the surface of the flowing water of Siem Reap river in the setting of dense jungle.

Sea, Sand and ..Mangroves

Another popular Cambodian destination are the beautiful beaches of Sihanouk Ville and Koh Kong. Ideally suited for those who like to have peace and quiet in a basic and traditional settings. From the coast one can make day trips to the outlying islands where one can imagine to be Robinson Crusoe because many of the islands are absolutely deserted, with white beaches and crystal clear sea water. Or you can make a day-trip by boat to the National Parks which conserve some of the most important mangrove eco-systems of the region.

Cambodia 's beaches are not yet at all developed into commercial centers like one can find in Thailand . Generally they are very quiet places, almost deserted, and they don't have the bars, the shops, and the noisy crowds that are found in Thailand . The beach at Sihanouk Ville now boasts a real 5-star beach resort.

The wild North-east region.

The North-east is the region of Rattanakiri and Mondolkiri, two provinces squeezed between the Mekong River and Vietnam . The area is hilly with jungles interspersed with grassy plateaus. There are very few people visiting this region because it is really off the beaten track. Besides that, if the main destination for coming to Cambodia is to visit Angkor Wat, a trip to Rattanakiri and Mondolkiri literally is a side trip.

On the other hand. Rattanakiri and Mondolkiri can very conveniently be visited if one travels from Laos to Cambodian or vice versa.

The area is inhabited by ethnic minorities which have been living in the forests since centuries in an area that straddles the Cambodia and Vietamese highlands.

Their culture and languages, their dress and their beliefs are really worthwhile experiencing. Besides that the natural environment is still very much unspoilt.

Other places of interest.

Besides the places which have already mentioned above, there are other place of interest such as: Kompong Cham and Kompong Thom, Battambang, Phnom Da and Angkor Borei in Takeo, Bokor National park and Kirirom National Park . It is possible to incorporate these places in a round trip through Cambodia or to make optional excursion to selected place.

Travel tips.

Traveling to Cambodia .

By air.

There are direct connections by air to Cambodia from all major Asian cities, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane, Shanghai, etc, both to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap ( Angkor Wat ). For travelers from the USA and Europe it is often possible to purchase the sector to Cambodia directly together with the long haul ticket to Asia at a reduced cost ( check with your travel agent ! ).

Over Land.

To travel over land to Cambodia is possible from all three neighboring countries through a multitude of international border crossings which are open to foreign nationals.

All three entry points are very popular because they have opened up new and exiting routes through beautiful country side and rustic villages, which is much more enchanting than spending time in dreary air ports.

However, traveling along these routes is time consuming so the programme must allow sufficient time for this. The actual immigration process at all border points is simple and straight forward, but in the high season one has to be prepared to queue up for quite some time. To connect to the border crossings from Bangkok and from Ho Chi Minh city is also simple. Between Bangkok and Aranyaprathet and Had Lek there are public bus services which are convenient and safe. One can even travel by train to Aranyapreathet.

Between Ho Chi Minh and Moc Bai there also is a public bus service and one can also take an exciting boat trip over the Mekong river from Ho Chi Minh to the border and onward to Phnom Penh.

For more information, please don't hesitate to contact any of our office as per the details on page 1.

Visa arrangement.

At the Thai/Cambodian border crossing mentioned above, as well as the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap a visa can be easily obtained for most nationalities. The cost of a tourist visa is USD 20.00. It allows for a 1 months stay. Besides this 1 passport size photograph is needed. Visa forms and entry forms can be obtained at the check point free of charge.

Please note that there are visa restrictions for nationals from some countries in South Asia and the Middle East . In this case a visa must be obtained from a Cambodian Embassy prior to arrival .

At the Laos/Cambodian and Vietnam/Cambodia border crossings a visa must be obtained from the Cambodian embassy prior to arrival.

For more information, please don't hesitate to contact any of our offices as per the details on page 1.

Currency.