Trans-country cruises are available that take passengers along the Mekong from Laos to Cambodia and onto Vietnam, or a mix of the countries. These tend to span several days, or a few weeks, depending on the itinerary. Alternatively, a sunset cruise along the Mekong is a must while in Phnom Penh. At dusk, the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers light up with boats of varying sizes hitting the water for an evening of cruising. Many include food and drink options.
Kanika Boat is a popular choice. Cambodia has a rich culture and heritage that is well worth exploring while visiting the country. The most common cultural activity is apsara dancing — Cambodian classical ballet — which has its roots steeped in Angkorian times.
Evidence that the dance form existed as early as the 7th century can be seen in carvings at Sambor Prei Kuk temples in Kampong Thom province, where ethereal beings have been immortalised in stone. According to Hindu mythology, apsaras are female creatures that visit Earth from Heaven to entertain gods and kings with their enchanting dance.
Wearing decadent costumes, dancers use mainly slow hand gestures — more than 1, exist — to tell stories. Cambodia Living Arts has spent more than two decades working to revive traditional Cambodian arts, while steering it into the contemporary sphere. The organisation puts on daily shows at its dedicated theatre at Cambodia National Museum. Its traditional dance show features song, music, dance and theatre. Sovanna Phum Arts Association in Phnom Penh is another organisation working to keep traditional arts alive.
It puts on a range of shows every Friday and Saturday that include shadow puppet theatre, apsara dancing, folklore, mask dances, and traditional music. Visitors can also try their hand at dance, drums, or circus skills at a private workshop.
Towns, villages and cities are smattered with adverts for Angkor, Anchor and Cambodia beer — the top three tipples — and hip beer gardens that come alive at night.
An evening in a beer garden sees a pretty uniform set-up: chairs and tables scattered throughout sheltered space, a small stage with live music or entertainment and heaps of beer towers.
The friendly and curious nature of locals means it is more than likely that barangs foreigners will be invited to a table to join in the celebrations. If you can stomach it, then go really local with your food and sample some of the insects Cambodians love to eat. Situated mid-way between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, villagers head into the jungle to catch the spiders before defanging them with their bare hands and selling them onto the vendors.
They are deep-fried in chilli and garlic before being served as a roadside snack. After about 5pm, many Siem Reap locals head to Road 60 on the outskirts of town. Here, the road is lined with stalls selling a wealth of food, clothes and other items until about 10pm, and makes for a fun local experience.
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What is it? A twelfth century city complex that was once the centre of the Khmer empire. Why go? Here, you can hire bicycles or a tuk-tuk driver to take you around, and a n accredited guide can help you understand the bas-relief carvings.
The highlight — the immense Angkor Wat — is touted as the biggest religious monument in the world, and is visited by around two million tourists yearly. Unlike other temples, the jungle has not been restrained here. Strangler figs with roots like octopus tentacles cascade over many walls, and rubble is strewn throughout.
Siem Reap. Jaw-dropping cultural performances by at-risk Cambodian youth. The circus uses dance, theatre, live music and acrobatics to tell Cambodian folklore stories relevant to the modern day with energetic, impressive shows.
All performers are graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak School, a non-profit association. Funds from shows support education and social support programs to give children and youth a focus and employment skills. Book ahead as performances sell out. This ancient temple has no busloads or package tourists. Perched on a clifftop at metres elevation, the temple overlooks the northern Cambodian plains. Tours from Siem Reap are easily arranged. An elephant sanctuary protecting forests and Indigenous livelihoods.
Cambodian forests are being threatened like never before, and the Indigenous Bunong people who previously relied on the forest are marginalised. The Mondulkiri Project employs Bunong people, teaching conservation skills and caring for rescued elephants.
A two-day tour incorporates hiking, a visit to the Bunong farms and an overnight stay at the jungle lodge. Phnom Penh. Traditional Khmer dining in a tropical garden. Romdeng is set in the garden of a colonial mansion and serves traditional Khmer favourites, including the ubiquitous fish amok curry in banana leaf.
Romdeng is supported by two social enterprises assisting children and youth. The staff are young trainees, learning hospitality skills to create a better future. Many were previously homeless or at risk. One hour outside Phnom Penh. A Wildlife Alliance haven for rescued wild animals.
This organisation cares for over 1, rescued animals across more than species. The full-day guided tour includes behind-the-scenes action, such as an elephant with a prosthetic leg allowing staff to change his stump liner. Off-the-beaten-path cycling around quirky attractions. Make sure to dress appropriately, cover your knees and shoulders. Dress code for Angkor Wat is extremely strict.
Used as the atmospheric backdrop for the film, the temple is one of the most visited places in Cambodia. Completed in , Ta Prohm is best known for its unusual appearance — a huge tree growing right through the temple. As one of the most enchanting and atmospheric things to do in Cambodia, combine your Angkor Wat visit with Ta Prohm and Bayon temples. Located in the small circuit together with Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, the 12th-century Bayon temple is absolutely worth your time.
Spooky and atmospheric. You can go explore the excellent Khmer food scene, take a day trip to Phnom Kulen waterfall , have a romantic sunset tour or visit floating villages. Or, wait for it, you can have a cocktail tour in a Tuk Tuk.
But it is and the famous Pub Street houses many restaurants, bars and clubs with music blasting out loud. Some of the cocktails were quite weak but we did enjoy the fun and friendly atmosphere. For a more sophisticated evening in the city, enjoy a quieter meal in one of the many lovely restaurants just a few streets away from Pub Street. Opt for the traditional Khmer cuisine and their fantastic curries. Pair it with a pint for a hearty dinner out.
Check out the Khmer Kitchen in the Alley West. Alternatively, for hands-on things to do in Cambodia, eat what you cook! Join this excellent cooking class and, accompanied by a local chef, learn how to cook a traditional Cambodian meal. From our own experience, joining a cooking class in SE Asia is always enjoyable because it offers a unique insight into the authentic local cuisine and food culture.
And you get to eat amazing home-cooked food that you made yourself. As far as fun things to do in Siem Reap go, this one is the most entertaining, if you love cooking. More so, you get to cook in a local village just outside Siem Reap, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Central Battambang pronounced Battambong is easy to navigate being laid out in a series of streets running parallel with the Sangkae River.
But the most impressive of all the things to see in Battambang is the bat show at dusk. For a spectacular end to your day in the Cambodian countryside finish up at the Bat Cave. Each night millions of bats fly out of the cave at sunset towards the local lake. The picturesque Phnom Sampeou Mountain today is known as the grim execution site. The victims were murdered at the top of the cave and then thrown into the grotto through the natural skylight.
If you think Battambang is too much hassle to get to on public transport, you can arrange a day tour from Siem Reap. Phnom Penh is a modest country capital by world standards but this just adds to its charm and chilled vibe. And due to the layout of Cambodia, you might find yourself back here as you explore the country. Hard to absorb but nonetheless one of the most incredible things to do in Cambodia is visiting the Killing Fields. The audio guide here graphically retells in detail the horrors which unfolded under the Khmer Rouge Regime in the s.
Equally disturbing and hard to digest is the Tuol Sleng Museum, one of the torture sites in the city. Housed in a former school, the site was used by Khmer Rouge to interrogate and brutally torture thousands of Cambodians and foreigners who happened to be in the country at the time. The museum is haunting but a must-see place in Cambodia. While in Phnom Penh, seek out the stunning sandstone museum.
Opened in , the National Museum is full of fascinating Angkor artefacts. Grab an audio guide and set aside a couple of hours to explore the museum. Beware of scams on the streets. Aside from the gold-dusted Royal Palace, the National Museum and famous markets, another Phnom Penh highlight includes the beautiful Wat Phnom temple from which the city gets its name. Spend some time wandering around and maybe even ask for good luck. Many locals come to the temple to pray for blessings and leave beautiful fresh flower garlands and fruit as an offering.
If you love shopping, then visiting locals markets will definitely be one of the most fun things to do in Cambodia for you. Constructed in , the Art Deco building has a beautiful supported dome making the structure a true work of art.
Definitely one of the best places to visit in Cambodia and Phnom Penh. One of the best ways to see the Cambodian countryside is to hop on a bike or motorbike and explore the off the beaten path.
Hopping on a bike to explore the Angkor site could also be a super fun experience. The jungle is hot and humid and getting in and out of the temples is exhausting enough in the sweaty heat. However, a one-day tour exploring the amazing Angkor Wat could be one of the best things to do in Cambodia. Get up early, have a hearty breakfast in the jungle and as the sun rises, catch the golden light over the iconic temple.
From many fun things to do in Cambodia, watching a mesmerising Khmer Dance show could be the most unique experience. One of the best classic dance shows takes place at the open-air courtyard of the National Museum in Phnom Penh. You can purchase your ticket ahead of time and spend an hour enjoying hypnotising Cambodian folk dance moves.
Kampot is one of the best places to visit in Cambodia for its iconic pepper. But t he main attraction here is the various pepper farms where the famous Kampot Pepper is grown.
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