the Travel Enthusiast
- 08 Dec
Cambodian cities to see before you die
Phnom Penh, photo by Lori NY
Cambodia, an unlucky country with some of the most beautiful ruined temples in the world, is a tourist destination chiefly thanks to the wonders of Angkor and other similar places. However, those who have dedicated some of their holiday time in Cambodia to the exploration of not only ancient cities but new ones too, rarely regret it.
Cambodia’s cities are in a constant flux, and the ravages of the Khmer Rouge are slowly being erased day by day. Luxury hotels stand tall next to old gilded temples, and even more unsavory sights like potholes and garbage heaps – but all these these things are what make Cambodia’s cities unique. If you decide to visit this stunning country, whether as a backpacker or regular traveler, there are quite a few Cambodian cities to see before you die.
Phnom Penh
The Cambodian capital has had a really rough time during the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror. Before the 70’s, Phnom Penh was nicknamed the Paris of the Eat thanks to its many beautiful French colonial buildings, interspersed with traditional Cambodian architecture. Today, the older buildings are sometimes overshadowed by new, high-rise towers, but this gives a distinctive mood to the city. Traditional tourist attractions in Phnom Penh are not that many, but if you want to relax and breathe in the local atmosphere it is a great holiday destination.
Battambang
Battambang, photo by Du Hangst on Flickr
The second most populous city in Cambodia is quite a popular tourist destination thanks to the many temples not far from it. Battambang has more sights than Phnom Penh, as well as other particularities that make it the perfect destination after a few days in the capital.
One of the most distinctive features of Battambang are the countless statues scattered around the city each and every way. The colonial heritage of Battambang is also impressive – there are quite a few lavish residences that used to belong to French officials.
Kratie
The small city of Kratie is one of the most relaxing urban destinations in Cambodia. Tourist facilities in the city are not very well developed, but Kratie has become a hotspot for backpackers, despite being quite remote. The great thing about Kratie is that it can accommodate even the smallest budget, and it is surrounded by fetching rural scenery, villages and religious sites.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville, photo by Damien on Flickr
Sihanoukville, called Snookyville by locals, is a small seaside town near the best beaches in Cambodia, and it is a very young city established in the 60’s. For one glorious decade, Sihanoukville thrived, but after the 70’s it fell on rough times, like the rest of the country.
For the past decade, Sihanoukville hs been slowly building up a reputation of backpacker friendly seaside town, more and more bars and hotels are opening, and it wouldn’t be surprising if in the near future the city would become one of the most sought-after beach destinations in Asia.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Siem Reap
Despite its bellicose name (Siem Reap means Siam Defeated), Siem Reap is a very pleasant place to stay while you are exploring the ruins of Angkor Archaeological Park. Although the city is small, it has lots of tourist facilities and a considerable expat community, but the flavor of typical Cambodian urban life is also felt strongly.
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