Cambodia is a country in a hurry. Whether you arrive in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you get the distinct feeling that the whole country is very busy. The Cambodian civil war that happened from 1975-1978 not only brought untold suffering and death, it also interrupted the country's progress. While much of Southeast Asia was marching headlong towards industrialization, war brought Indo-China to a standstill. But now that peace has prevailed, Cambodia is in a hurry to catch up with its neighbors.
In some ways, it has not only caught up, it has surpassed. Take Siem Reap for instance. Just a couple of decades ago, there is hardly any form of accommodation in town. Visiting the ruins of Angkor was not only uncomfortable, it was downright dangerous.
Not anymore. The land all around the Angkor Archaeological Park, where all the famous ruins are located, has been thoroughly scanned and cleared of mines. Now tourists can explore the ancient Khmer monuments comfortably (relatively comfortably) and with little risk of losing limb or life. As for accommodation, one is practically spoilt for choice. Everything from the most budget hostel to the ultra-pampering pleasure palaces have descended on little Siem Reap in the space of just a few short years. Whether you intend to explore Angkor by bicycle, tuk tuk or helicopter, it's all at your disposal.
I can remember how excited I was the first time I visited Cambodia, many years ago. I was only beginning to travel, and being a novice, did all my homework. Since then, I have returned to Cambodia a number of times. While it is still an exotic destination, I have become much more familiar with it today. I hope therefore, that this travel guide to Cambodia which I've put together will be helpful to you, especially if you are in the planning process of a trip there.
AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. Reasonable care is taken to check and verify the accuracy of the content. AsiaExplorers disclaims responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the tips and advice provided directly or indirectly by this website. All pages may be printed out for your own personal, non-commercial use. Photographs not credited to a third party belong to Timothy Tye and may not be reused in any form unless you are first given permission. Write in to inquire if interested. Third party photographs are governed by their respective licenses. The author is a Christian. Click here if you are interested to know more about his Christian beliefs. To contact AsiaExplorers, use the following email address:
