Cambodia

Cambodia is defined by the Angkor temple complex, but also has a Gulf coast, the Tonlé Sap floodplain and a difficult recent history documented honestly in Phnom Penh. Distances are moderate and buses are cheap. Angkor deserves at least three days rather than the single-day version most itineraries allow.

Cities

Kampot

Kampot is a slow riverside town of shuttered colonial shophouses, known for the pepper grown in the surrounding hills and for the abandoned hill station on Bokor mountain. Days go on river boats, pepper farms and salt fields. It pairs well with Kep and the crab market twenty minutes away.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh sits at the meeting of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, with the Royal Palace, the National Museum's Khmer sculpture and the Khmer Rouge sites of S-21 and Choeung Ek. The genocide memorials are demanding but central to understanding the country. Riverside cafés and markets balance the day.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap exists to serve Angkor and has a dense concentration of hotels, restaurants and tour operators, plus a strong circus and arts scene of its own. Three-day temple passes are the standard choice. The floating villages on Tonlé Sap and the Phare circus fill non-temple time.

When to go

See all seasons

• Hot: Temperatures often above 35°C; temple visits limited to early morning.
• Wet: Afternoon downpours, green moats, reflections at Angkor, fewest visitors.
• Cool dry: The best weather and the peak season at Angkor.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.