Cambodia Hotels

Here are three suggestions for places to base your visit to Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Most of the modern day Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was built by the French during their colonial rule. It lies alongside the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers, and it has, been the capital since the mid 15th century when Angkor was abandoned. The French influence is readily seen, not only in the wide tree-lined boulevards lined with the colonial houses and shops, and some elegant buildings. The city is lively and bustling, with some busy markets, but has an easy-going air and you can eat good French food cheaply along the Tonle Sap River. Visit the National Museum - and if you can bear it, the Tuol Sleng Museum of genocide, or venture further a field to see the pre-Angkorian Temples.

Siem Reap the gateway to Angkor

This former market town is rapidly growing through tourism and has a good selection of hotels and restaurants - and authentic Cambodian shopping in the local markets. Do go and take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake - the huge inland freshwater lake with its annual floods - with its floating and stilted villages. The big attraction of this area has to be the Temples of Angkor Wat, a collection of over 50 temples scattered through a large area of forest. The largest, Angkor Wat itself, the worlds largest religious monument, can get crowded with photographers towards sunset - but there are plenty of temples to see and you may need several visits, at a minimum several hours for Angkor Wat alone.

Elephant Adventures in Mondulkiri

One of the last unexplored areas of Cambodia, but is a jewel for the intrepid explorer who wants to see new vistas. The journey to the eastern province of Mondulkiri from Phnom Penh is an adventure in itself, but well worth it. Sparsely peopled with unique hill tribes, the hidden villages and stunning scenery with waterfalls and tropical forest are an amazing experience. Stay in Sen Monorom, the province capital, visit the beautiful Bou Sraa Waterfalls, but most of all and take and Elephant Trek. You can take short treks into the villages and the fringe of the forest or longer ones into the jungle. You may even see wild elephants, leopards and bears. What an adventure!

Things to do in Cambodia

5 ideas for places to visit

1. Sihanoukville - Palm-fringed beaches and pristine tropical islands; snorkelling and game fishing
2. Battambang - Cambodias 2nd city - See nearby Angkorian Temple Wat Banan and Wat Ek Phnom by the river
3. Kratie - Sail down the Mekong to search for the Irrawaddy river dolphins
4. Cardamom Mountains - another adventure - mangroves, jungle, islands and beaches
5. Banteay Chhmar - 12th Century ruins of the Palace of the cat in the northwest