The question ’What is Cambodia known for?’ tends to throw up different answers depending on which generation you belong to. While Baby Boomers and Gen X affiliates may recall the Khmer Rouge and its aftermath more readily, Millennials and Gen Z may be more inclined to think firstly of the recent tourism boom and its main players—Angkor Wat and the southern islands. While these answers can help you plan a tour of Cambodia, the Southeast Asian nation has much more to offer besides.
While it may not get the limelight of its neighbors—Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east—Cambodia is a fine destination in its own right and is blessed with natural and cultural highlights that are every bit as vibrant and varied as its history. So stay with us as we unearth some bizarre and beguiling facts about Cambodia to whet your appetite for your next Southeast Asian sojourn.
1. Angkor Wat Temple Complex
As the world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is undeniably one of the most well-known things about Cambodia. It is also the most-visited tourist attraction in the country and, since Siem Reap’s 2023 airport upgrade, is served by Cambodia’s largest airport (Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport).
The name Angkor Wat literally means ‘temple city.’ Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer Empire, and ‘wat’ is the Khmer (and Thai) word for temple. The vast stone temple complex was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
While the temple complex can be busy and the weather very hot, a visit to Angkor Wat is essential for all visitors to Cambodia. You may take a one-day tour of the complex if you have limited time. If you have more time, consider spreading the temple viewing over a couple of days, and maybe also take in the nearby Kbal Spean, also known as ‘The River of a Thousand Lingams.
Interesting Fact:
The importance of Angkor Wat to the Cambodian people and, indeed, to the nation’s economy is evident in the fact that the temple complex is depicted on the country’s national flag.
2. Tonle Sap Lake
As an offshoot of the mighty Mekong River (the world’s twelfth-longest river), Tonlé Sap sits at the heart of the Cambodian ecosystem. It is the largest freshwater lake in the whole of Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the entire world. The huge lake is home to over 200 species of fish, and it has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1997.
The lake sits pretty centrally within Cambodia, and its northernmost point is under an hour’s drive from Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. There are close to 10 meters of difference between the lake’s wet- and dry-season levels, and to deal with this annual fluctuation, several floating villages are built onto the lake.
From Siem Reap, you can spend a day exploring one of the floating villages, Kompong Kleang, and also take in one of the nearby, colorful local markets as well as the Beang Melea Temple.
Interesting Fact:
Many of the locals living on the lake are of Vietnamese origin, and of the floating villages, Kompong Khleang is the largest.
3. Stunning Beaches and Islands
While neighboring Thailand may get most of the limelight when it comes to Southeast Asian beach destinations, Cambodia’s islands are gaining in popularity. The islands sit in the Gulf of Thailand and offer a more laid-back, off-the-beaten-path experience than some of their Thai counterparts. Mass tourism is yet to hit the Cambodian islands, and now is definitely the time to go…
The twin islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are the most popular and are a short boat ride off the coast of Sihanoukville. The eastern end of Koh Rong is the livelier area and is beginning to become a party destination, while its smaller sibling boasts the impressive, white-sand Saracen Bay Beach.
A short distance to the east of Kohn Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are two smaller and quieter islands, Koh Thmei and Koh Ta Kiev. Koh Thmei is perfect for a quiet nature-watching retreat, while Koh Ta Kiev is known as a back-to-basics island haven.
Interesting Fact:
Lazy Beach, a 40-minute walk through the jungle from Kog Rong Sanloem’s Saracen Bay, was listed by National Geographic as one of the best beaches in the world!
4. Khmer Rouge History
The Khmer Rouge is the name given to the regime of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) that ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The regime’s social engineering policies and national purity policies resulted in the genocide of Cambodian minorities, and many political opponents were brutally murdered during these dark days in Cambodia’s history.
Phnom Penh is the gateway to Cambodia for most international travelers, and while there are many other less poignant and more uplifting tourist attractions in the capital city, tours of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (or ‘S-21 School’) and the Killing Fields are worth investigating. The genocide museum was one of many torture and execution centers established by the Khmer Rouge, and the Killing Fields are where many of the CPK’s enemies met their untimely ends.
Visiting these locations will reveal some of the facts about Cambodia and its varied history. While in the capital, you can also visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, and take in some of the vibrant local markets.
Interesting Fact:
Estimates of total deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including from disease and starvation, are usually around the 2 million mark—a quarter of the country’s 1975 population figures.
5. Unique Festivals and Celebrations
High on many people’s lists of interesting things about Cambodia are the country’s vibrant and unique festivals. If you are planning a trip to the country and are open regarding the dates of your trip, you can check the dates of some of the festivals and plan your stay to coincide with one of them. Be aware that the dates of the festivals tend to follow the lunar calendar and can be different each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Perhaps the two biggest and best known are Khmer New Year and the Water Festival. The Cambodian New Year, also known as the Khmer New Year or Choul Chnam Thmey, usually falls on 13 April or 14 April and is a three-day public holiday. On the first two days, Cambodians clean their houses, prepare food for blessing by the local monks, and make merit at the local temple. And on the third day, similar to Songkran in neighboring Thailand, it is traditional for the locals to splash water on one another.
The Water Festival, or Bon Om Touk, takes place later in the year, on the full moon of the Buddhist month of Kadeuk. This is usually in November, and the festival celebrates the annual reversing of the water flow between Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River. The ensuing three days of festivities include boat races along the Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh, fireworks, and general merriment.
Interesting Fact:
The Royal Plowing Ceremony in April/May and Vesaka Bochea (or Buddha’s Birthday) in May are also well worth checking out.
6. Cambodian National Parks
One of the cool facts about Cambodia that should not be overlooked is that it is home to several national parks that include millions of hectares of impressive tropical nature. The various protected areas contain lush tropical rainforests and trekkable mountain ranges, and they provide shelter for many exotic and rare species of flora and fauna.
Preah Monivong Bokor National Park sits in the southeastern corner of Cambodia, between Sihanoukville and Keb. It’s famous for its mist-covered hills, ancient ruins, and panoramic views of the coast. The lush rainforests feature cascading waterfalls and the remnants of a French colonial hill station, and you may even get to spot the smallest members of the bear family—the Malayan sun bear.
For some serious trekking, you can also check out the Central Cardamom Mountains National Park. It is one of the last remaining large rainforests in Southeast Asia, and it covers 1.5 million square miles. The park is home to endangered species such as clouded leopards, Asian elephants, and Siamese crocodiles, and its remote trails are perfect for a trekking adventure.
If you’re in the north, Phnom Kulen National Park, revered as the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, offers a different kind of experience. The park is home to Cambodia’s most sacred mountain and features ancient temples, statues, and the famed River of a Thousand Lingas. The park is a short drive north-east from Siem Reap.
Also close to Siem Reap, within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is ideal for spotting endangered and exotic bird species. It’s one of Southeast Asia’s most important breeding grounds for waterbirds, including storks, pelicans, and ibises.
Interesting Fact:
There are thirteen national parks in Cambodia, as well as numerous wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and natural heritage sites.
