The Kingdom of Cambodia

1. Phnom Penh

The vibrant Cambodian capital, referred to as the Pearl of Southeast Asia, is an exciting Asian hub that has undergone rapid development in recent years. Seamlessly melding traditional and contemporary Cambodia, expect to see ancient pagodas and homes sitting in the shadows of an increasing collection of skyscrapers. Phnom Penh is home to a series of tourist attractions, including the Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheung Ek Killing Fields, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and bars.

2. Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the jewel of Cambodia’s tourism crown, due to it serving as the gateway to the glorious temples of Angkor. The compact town sits on the doorstep of Angkor Archaeological Park – home to the famed Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm temples, among others. Great day trips take you to Phnom Kulen, Cambodia’s most sacred mountain and birthplace of the Khmer Empire and the floating villages of the Tonle Sap Lake. If shopping is up your street, then Siem Reap is home to various lively markets, including several night markets that are great spots to snag souvenirs.

3. Battambang

Located in northwestern Cambodia, Battambang is dubbed the Kingdom’s rice bowl, due to the volume of rice grown in the province. The capital of the same name is a compact riverine town, dotted with art galleries and striking colonial architecture. It is also home to Cambodia’s award-winning circus, Phare Ponleu Selapak. A stone’s throw from the town sits the famous bamboo railway and Phnom Sampov – a great spot for sunset, where at its base hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from their slumber for the night.

4. Sihanoukville & the islands

Cambodia is blessed with a stunning coastline, with the emerging city of Sihanoukville a popular spot. Recent years have seen this former fishing town transform into what is projected to be a major economic hub in Asia, with buildings piercing the skyline. Cambodia’s smattering of rustic islands is also easily accessible from Sihanoukville, with Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samleom being the favoured destinations for tourists.