The Kingdom of Cambodia. The ancient Khmer Empire dominated this area for over 600 years. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand make up its borders. Phnom Penh is both its capital and the largest city.

Cambodia hosts a population of around 15 million people. Theravada Buddhism is the area’s most popular religion, with 95% of the population practicing it.

This country gained its independence in 1953. Many religions and diverse nations influence the culture here. There are also many influences of Hinduism throughout the country. French colonialism and Angkorian culture can also be spotted at various places.

How to go to Cambodia

Going to Cambodia via plane is easy, as they already have Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville routes. Going from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, and vice versa, travel time would take about 6 hours. You can ride a night bus where you can sleep the entire travel. If you want to go to Sihanoukville, easiest route is from Phnom Penh as it only takes about 4 hours, unlike from Siem Reap that it’ll take 8 hours. 

Things to do in Cambodia

1. Visit the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. Seeing the Angkor Wat is a once in a lifetime, never to be missed experience that you should do.
2. Ride a bike and explore Siem Reap.
3. Temple hopping in Siem Reap.
4. Try Cambodian-Khmer dish.
5. Discover Phnom Penh’s heritage, culture, and story.
6. Dive at Sihanoukville.
7. Shop for souvenirs and handicrafts from local night markets.
8. Pamper yourself with a Khmer-style massage.
9. Try an exotic street food, such as a fried tarantula.
10. Drink a draft beer at the Pub Street.

Food & Cuisine

Rice features primarily in its cuisine. Fish is also a staple of the area. Tropical fruits, soups, and noodles are key ingredients. French colonialism has also greatly affected the food of here.

Currency

The official currency is Riel. However, the locals prefer to use US dollars. You can exchange other currencies at airports and banks. Due to visitors’ wishes, upmarket hotels, shops, and restaurants now accept credit cards. However, it is always better to have cash in small denominations. Also, there are ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville.

Transportation

Common transportation in Cambodia is Tuk-Tuk. A single Tuk-Tuk trip will cost about $2 – $5, depending on how far your destination is. You can hire taxis in all main towns. However, they don’t have meters, so you should negotiate the price beforehand. You cannot hire a self-drive car, only with a driver. You can arrange car hire by private negotiation with a taxi waiting outside the hotel or through tour operators.

Electricity

In Cambodia, they use electric sockets of both A (as in the USA) and C (European) types. Find out, which your facility has, to know if you will need an adapter. However, the standard voltage is always 230V.

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July 8, 2016 12:00 am Published by Neha Rizal Leave your thoughts