Places of Interest

PHNOMPENH

Phnom Penh is the vibrant bustling capital of Cambodia. Situated at the confluence of three rivers, the Mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle Sap, what was once considered the 'Gem' of Indochina. The capital city still maintains considerable charm with plenty to see. It exudes a sort of provincial charm and tranquillity with French colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. Phnom Penh is a veritable oasis compared to the modernity of other Asian capitals. A mixture of Asian exotica, the famous Cambodian hospitality awaits the visitors to the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia.The Independence Monument and the Silver Pagoda located inside the Royal Palace compound will give visitors a nice taste of Khmer history. For a glimpse of the darker side of this country's past, Choeung Ek - the Killing Fields, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are easily accessible from here. It is also the gateway to the land of the ancient Angkor temple in Siemreap, the beautiful beaches of Sihanoukville, the jungles and tribe's of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri.

SIEM REAP

Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap river lies the provincial capital of Siem Reap - old colonial town, developing tourist area and most importantly, gateway to the temples of Angkor. As the enduring symbol of the richness of Khmer architecture, Cambodia's most famous Angkorian-era temple complex constructed in the twelfth century. it was made with sandstone and along many of the bas-reliefs there are depictions from the great epics from India, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Siem Reap is where you will stay during your visit to Angkor. The area has been receiving visitors to the temples for more than 100 years but has managed to maintain a certain quaintness. The town is really a cluster of villages with a French colonial center. For some temples it is important to begin at the principal entrance to perceive the space and decoration as the builder intended, and entrances are indicated in the text. The monuments are oriented according to the four points of a compass which can be used as a point of reference. the temple of Angkor Wat is covered in detail in this book because of its importance, complexity and size. Angkor provides wonderful photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.

BATTAMBANG

Founded in the 11th century, it is the former capital of Monton Khmer and lies on the Sangker River just southwest of the Tonle Sap Lake. Battambang is Cambodia's second-largest city and the capital of Battambang Province which is the leading rice-producing province of the country. During 1970s Battambang was the Khmer Rouge stronghold in the region. Battambang did not give way to the Khmer Rouge movement after the fall of Phnom Penh.With the population of around 250,000 people, Battambang city is a peaceful and pleasant place these days. The main parts of the city are close to the Sangker River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province. It is a nice, picturesque setting. The riverside town is home of the best-preserved, French colonial architecture in the country. Unlike other tourist towns, the local economy is local - based firmly in rice, wood, sapphires and food crops. This place offers an excellent opportunity of 'unspoiled' rural Cambodia for the visitor.

SIHANOUKVILLE

Named in honour of the then-king, Sihanoukville was hacked out of the jungle in the late 1950s to create Cambodia’s first and only deep-water port, considered vital for the country’s international trade. During the 1960s the city experienced a small tourism boom.The big attractions around here are the four beaches ringing the headland. None of them qualify as the region’s finest but on weekdays it’s still possible to have stretches of sand to yourself. On weekends and holidays Sihanoukville is extremely popular with well-to-do Phnom Penh people.

RATANAKIRI

The name of this place comes from the Sanskrit words Ratna (gem) and kiri (mountain). The place of gems and mountains is situated on the northeast plateau, 636 Km from Phnom Penh. There are two rivers ( Sre Pork and Sresan River ) crossing the sparsely populated province which is renowned for its unique natural beauty and wealth of natural resources. The physical and environmental characteristic of the province forms an impressive range including undulating hills and mountains, a level plateau, watershed lowlands, crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Forest cover varies from area to area, from the dense impenetrable forest in the northern reaches, which are still rich in wildlife, to the drier and sparser forest, found in the southwest. This rural rugged province is a 70% ethnic minority. Ratanakiri is off the beaten track that offers wonderful opportunities for Eco-tourism in Cambodia.

MONDULKIRI

Mondulkiri is an eastern province of Cambodia, which is the most sparsely populated province in the whole country although being the largest province in Cambodia. The province is chock full of natural beauty, with thickly forested mountains, powerful waterfalls and the lush green rolling hills of the western side. Add to that the communities of hill tribe people who are not affected by mass-tourism, as they are in neighboring Thailand, and you have an area that is very attractive to the adventure traveler. The town of Sen Monorom is the best base camp for travelers who want to explore the surrounding areas.
Mondulkiri has still one of the biggest successional woodlands of Cambodia. Except being in Sen Monorom, you’ll find deep pure jungle, with a huge variety of flora and fauna. You may also find gigantic and beautiful waterfalls, where you can take an empowering shower, such as the impressive Bou Sraa. A quiet but beautiful town nestled into the hills; it has a lot of potential to develop into a center for non-intrusive eco-tourism. It is also interesting that 80 percent of the population in Mondulkiri is made up of ten tribal minorities, the variety of languages being used: Khmer, hill tribe languages, Vietnamese and Laos in this place.

KEP

The French established Kep City during the colonial time in 1908. Kep City is located in the Southwest of Phnom Penh. Kep is just a few kilometres from the border with Vietnam and used to be Cambodia's most popular beach town. During the 1960s, the city was developed as a beautiful seaside tourist resort for the rich and government.
Today, Kep is mainly popular to the domestic tourists, who choose Kep as their holiday destination. Kep appears to be experiencing something of a renaissance, with several mid-range and luxury guesthouses and bungalows recently opened. This place is also home to an extensive national park covering some mountains with deep green jungle. Taking a boat to the nearby islands is also a breathtaking experience. Another itinerary, which must not be missed, is an excursion to the serene waterfalls of 'Tuk Chhou" situated about 10 km from Kampot. The city is accessible by the National Road No 3 from Phnom Penh via Kampot province (173 km) or by the National Road No 2 from Phnom