A southeast nation Cambodia is officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia. The beautiful place has everything from pristine beaches and exotic temples. Not to mention the natural scenic beauty of this place which attracts travelers from all over the world. The place will give you the best of both worlds as it is a mix of both old heritage and modernism. The stunning place boasts of iconic Angkor temples whereas the contemporary and sophisticated capital of the sovereign state called Phnom Penh. A land for tropical adventure here are top 10 must see places while visiting Cambodia. Kampot- The land of the black peppercorns Evident by the name it is actually the land of the black peppercorns. With a number of colonial-era structures, this place is not just famous for peppercorns. The scenic riverside town also provides a gateway to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia that is to the French hill station of Bokor National Park which has calming and pleasant views which you can enjoy in the pleasing weather. You can also visit the age-old ruins at the Kampot Kampong Trach caves or just enjoy the boat ride and look at the marvelous waterfalls. Kratie- Take a dive with the Irrawaddy dolphins On the banks of the river Mekong lies the little town of Kratie with its well-preserved French colonial buildings. You can witness the charming sunset on the banks of river Mekong. The very rare species of dolphins called the Irrawaddy are also found here and can be seen in action while visiting this beautiful scenery. If you are lucky enough you can also take a dip with these friendly creatures. The French architecture here is surely one of a kind and a must visit place while in Cambodia. Sihanoukville- The sandy paradise A historic place earlier, this is the place where the United States of America fought their last war during the Vietnam war. This ancient site is now a place for beach bums as it has been converted into a sunny beach. You can enjoy water sports like snorkeling and kayaking or just relax at this not so crowded calm beach. Enjoy the day at any of the six beaches and chill at the shack. One of the most popular sports here is windsurfing at the Otres Beach. Siem Reap- The magnificent gateway to the iconic Angkor temples The rice paddies along with the Siem Reap river is more than just a stop to view the iconic Angkor temples. The Siem Reap is home to colorful and bright night markets, traditional craft shops, silk farms, bird sanctuaries, fishing villages, fun road tours through rice paddies and boat tours on Tonle Sap Lake. You can witness the oldest Buddhist temple at the Wat Bo village, Apsara dance performances and the very famous Pub Street which are major tourist attractions. Koh Ker- An array of temples The uncountable temples at the Koh Ker lie northwest to the Siem Reap town. The complex here is 3 km long and has a number of temples. You can begin your tour with the Neang Khmao temple that is in the shape of a stupa and is on the top of a small hill. Other temples here include Koh Ker temple, the Pram temple, Chen temple, the Preng well and the Kuk temple. There is also a famous temple legend here according to which if you drop a coconut at the Koh Ker temple it will magically appear in a pond near Neang Khmao temple. Phnom Penh- Dwell in the charm of this cute little riverside town Often called the leafy capital of Cambodia, this place retains its natural beauty. The town has a number of towns and wats. The city is located in synchronization with the three great rivers namely, the Tonle Sap, the Mekong and the Bassac river. The city now has a number of cafes and bars where you can hang out. You can witness the French architecture in the houses along the road which make it one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Cambodia. You can also check out the Khmer artifacts at the National Museum or go shopping at the Phsar Reatrey to get some handcrafted handicrafts and souvenirs to take home. Angkor- The widely popular and one of the greatest temple complexes The world-famous Angkor Wat lies in Angkor. Apart from being regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world, it was also listed as UNESCOs World Heritage Site. The Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments on the planet. The Wat holds a special regard because its sandstone complexes were brought from holy mountain of Phnom Kulen. It took around 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants to construct this enormous temple. Apart from this Angkor Thom which attracts a lot of tourists as many famous movies like Lara Croft and Tomb Raider were shot here. Koh Rong- The picture-perfect paradise island This one here is for the adventure lovers. One of the most thrilling beaches in Cambodia, the Koh Toch Beach lies here. You can go for various water sports like snorkeling, diving, and kayaking during where you can witness the beauty of marine life. Sea animals like the Diamond fish, seahorses, sergeant fish, parrot fish, jumping fish, diamond fish, blue-spotted ribbontail rays, and squids are few of the rare sights you can easily see here. For all the wildlife enthusiasts you can go to the Police Beach where they have a butterfly farm and a mini zoo. Koh Tonsay- Take a calming tour of the Rabbit Island Koh Tonsay is commonly known as the Rabbit Island as the locals believed that the islands shape resembled like that of a rabbit. The place will be a perfect place to relax as this island is not very crowded and is away from the hustle-bustle of the other popular tourist destinations. You can de-stress at the quiet sandy shores. You can try the delicious local food here, go swimming or even interact with the very friendly locals present here. You can also take a trip down the Koh Pos or snake island. Mondulkiri- Feel the magnificence and the glory of wildlife and waterfalls Situated in the Eastern parts of Cambodia, this place is the perfect place for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. With an abundance of flora and fauna, this place will help you experience bliss in natures lap. The lush forests, magnificent mountains, and charismatic waterfalls will make you fall in love with this place. The major tourist attractions here are The Bou Sra, Chrey Thom waterfalls, and the Memang Gold Mines. You can also experience the tradition and culture by visiting and interacting with the hill tribes.
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