In 2024 I travelled solo around Asia for eight months and visited ten different countries. Out of all of them, Cambodia impressed me the most with its culture, sights, friendly people, and stunning nature. In my article, I share with you some interesting facts about the country and the most beautiful places that I visited during the three weeks I was there.
Cambodia lies in Southeast Asia between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. After several years under French colonial rule, it declared independence in 1953, and today it is a kingdom with around 17 million people.
Cambodia is best known for Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, built in the 12th century. It is such a source of national pride that it even appears on the country’s flag. That is also the only flag in the world that has the image of a building.
Cambodians generally do not celebrate birthdays, especially in rural areas. Some older people do not even know their exact date of birth. Celebrations are made up for during the Khmer New Year.
The official currency is the riel, but in everyday life, payments can also be made with US dollars. However, they will immediately reject any banknote that is even slightly crumpled or torn.
More than 95 percent of the population are Buddhists, so there are temples and monasteries everywhere. You can often see Buddhist monks in their bright orange robes on the streets of the bigger cities.
Cambodia also has a dark history, mainly due to the rule of the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979, when over a million people lost their lives.
Siem Reap is a great base to start your exploration of Cambodia and visiting the Angkor temples. The town has a very relaxed atmosphere, full of smiling people, street food, and affordable accommodation. I stayed in a hostel with a pool, where rooms cost only around four euros a night. Because of its accessibility, the town is full of young travellers who explore the area together, socialise over beers, and share tips on where to go next.
The nightlife in Siem Reap is quite lively. The most famous spot is Pub Street, packed with bars, restaurants, and music. In the evening, the street closes to traffic and turns into one big party. At every turn you can find cheap cocktails and the local Anchor beer, music playing from the shops, vendors selling corn and pancakes, and tourists and locals dancing right in the middle of the road. If you feel like it, you can get a massage right there for only one euro.
But the biggest reason to visit Siem Reap is, of course, Angkor Wat. For the visit, you need to buy a ticket in advance at a special office in town. There are 72 temples in the complex, so tickets are available for one, three, or seven days. I decided that it would be enough to visit the temples for just one day.
Since there are many tuk-tuk drivers in town, you can easily arrange transport with one of them. The complex is six kilometres from the town, and it is so large that it is impossible to explore on foot.
Early one morning, while it was still dark, a tuk-tuk driver we had arranged with picked me and a few other travellers up, and we paid him twenty euros. We then drove through the quiet town, heading towards Angkor Wat, where a large crowd was already gathering at the entrance. We all waited in anticipation as the sky slowly turned orange, and the silhouette of the main temple appeared before us. This moment was truly magical and something special.
We then explored the inside of Angkor Wat together, and later the driver took us to see some of the other important temples. The three that stuck with me the most were Bayon, known for its huge stone faces, Ta Prohm, where massive tree roots weave through ancient walls, and Banteay Srei, a red sandstone temple famous for its stunningly detailed carvings. All the temples are a remarkable demonstration of how diverse and impressive the ancient Khmer world once was.
I should also warn you that it gets very hot there, with the sun beating down early in the morning, so it is wise to have a hat, plenty of water, and, out of respect for the site, clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Travellers usually make their way from Siem Reap to Battambang, which is not a place you visit for sights, but for a sense of calm. The town has a peaceful atmosphere and is mostly known for its colonial architecture.
The most fun experience in Battambang is riding the bamboo train, a small wooden vehicle that locals use to transport goods and people along the railway tracks. When two trains meet, one is quickly taken apart to let the other pass.
At sunset, it is worth climbing Phnom Sampeu, a hill a few kilometres outside of town. From there, you can watch bats fly out of the caves at dusk. There are so many that the sky suddenly darkens from thousands of wings, and the air fills with the sound of their flight. The view from the top stretches far over the rice fields and gives a special sense of calm that you can only experience in this part of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s chaotic capital where almost everyone gets their tongue twisted the first time they try to say its name. The city itself is full of sights, including the Royal Palace with its pearl-white walls and shining roofs, the Silver Pagoda with its priceless Buddha statues, numerous temples and monasteries, French colonial buildings, and museums.
Along the Mekong River, you can watch local life, sit in a cosy café, or enjoy a stroll by the water, while the night markets offer a wide range of local treats and souvenirs.
Despite the pleasant atmosphere, Phnom Penh also carries a dark chapter of history. The Tuol Sleng Museum, a former prison school, bears witness to the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime, which claimed the lives of millions in the 1970s. The museum is worth a visit, but it is not for the faint-hearted.
The last destination I visited was the tropical island of Koh Rong, which is also one of my favourite places from all of my trips. This is mainly because of its white beaches, clear turquoise waters, and relaxed, simple vibe.
To get to Koh Rong, I first took a van to the city of Sihanoukville, which took about six hours. From the port, ships travel to the island several times a day.
The island is still fairly untouched, with the main hub being just the small fishing village of Kaoh Touch, where wooden guesthouses and restaurants line the beach. Life on the island is very simple, with frequent power cuts, poor internet, and no ATMs, so you need to bring cash with you. But it is precisely this distance from the "normal" world that gives the island its charm. You can take a tuk-tuk from the pier to the village. The roads are quite rough, so the ride can be a bit bumpy. But once you arrive and settle into one of the hostels or bungalows that are scattered across the jungle, you will want to stay there forever.
During the day, you can sunbathe, swim, snorkel, take boat rides and explore secluded beaches, and in the evening, enjoy the beachside parties hosted by the hostels. There are lots of backpackers in this area, so you get to meet young people from all over the world. One of the hostels holds an event every Saturday, with fire dancers and a party that goes on until the early hours. At sunrise, the sky turns the most beautiful shades of red, purple and orange I have ever seen.
If you are travelling in Southeast Asia, do not miss out on Cambodia. I would even recommend going there as a standalone trip for travellers short on time, and I promise you will not be disappointed.
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