Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to
Cambodia
Ascend to the realm of the gods, Angkor Wat. Descend into hell at
Tuol Sleng prison. With a history both inspiring and depressing,
Cambodia delivers an intoxicating present.
An Empire of Temples
Contemporary Cambodia is the successor state to the mighty Khmer empire, which, during
the Angkorian period, ruled much of what is now Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The re-
mains of this empire can be seen at the fabled temples of Angkor, monuments unrivalled in
scale and grandeur in Southeast Asia. The traveller's first glimpse of Angkor Wat, the ulti-
mate expression of Khmer genius, is sublime and is matched by only a few select spots on
earth, such as Machu Picchu and Petra.
Upcountry Adventures
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh may be the heavyweights, but to some extent they are a
bubble, a world away from the Cambodia of the countryside. This is the place to experien-
ce the rhythm of rural life and timeless landscapes of dazzling rice paddies and swaying
sugar palms. The South Coast is fringed by tropical islands, with just a handful of beach
huts in sight. Inland from the coast lie the Cardamom Mountains, part of a vast tropical wil-
derness that provides a home to elusive wildlife and is the gateway to emerging ecotourism
adventures. The mighty Mekong River cuts through the country and is home to some of the
region's last remaining freshwater dolphins. The northeast is a world unto itself, its wild
and mountainous landscapes a home for Cambodia's ethnic minorities and an abundance of
natural attractions.
The Comeback Capital
Just as Angkor is more than its wat, so too is Cambodia more than its temples. The chaotic
yet charismatic capital of Phnom Penh is a hub of political intrigue, economic vitality and
intellectual debate. All too often overlooked by hit-and-run tourists ticking off Angkor on a
regional tour, the revitalised city is finally earning plaudits in its own right thanks to a gor-
