Cambodia may be synonymous with Angkor Wat, but there’s far more to this fascinating corner of Southeast Asia than one very famous temple. Think buzzing night markets, jungle-clad ruins, sizzling street food, sleepy riverside towns and tropical islands, all underpinned by a warmth and energy that makes the country a joy to explore.
The wonders of Angkor
That said, Angkor Wat earns every bit of its star billing. Rising from the Cambodian jungle just outside Siem Reap, this 12th-century marvel is the centrepiece of the vast Angkor Archaeological Park, which stretches across some 400 square kilometres and once formed the heart of the mighty Khmer Empire.
Watching the temple’s five distinctive towers appear against a pink-and-gold sky at sunrise is one of Southeast Asia’s great travel moments, but don’t stop there. Nearby, enormous stone faces peer down from the towers of Bayon, while at Ta Prohm, tree roots twist dramatically through centuries-old walls. Venture further afield and it’s still possible to find temples where birdsong replaces the bustle of the main sites.
Beyond the Temples
Then there’s Siem Reap itself. Once seen simply as a gateway to Angkor, it’s now a destination in its own right, with bustling markets, colourful bars, excellent Khmer restaurants and plenty to do once temple fatigue sets in. Explore by tuk-tuk, sample your way through the city’s street-food stalls or head into the surrounding countryside, where rice paddies and villages provide a completely different side of Cambodian life.
Beyond Siem Reap, Cambodia continues to surprise. Cruise across Tonlé Sap, explore the faded colonial streets of Battambang, dive into Phnom Penh’s increasingly exciting food scene or head south to Kep for seafood seasoned with the region’s famous Kampot pepper, before continuing on to Kampot itself. And when it’s time to slow things down, the palm-fringed islands of the Gulf of Thailand offer an altogether more leisurely finale.
In other words, come for Angkor Wat, but leave enough room in the itinerary to discover everything else.
Where to Stay: Anantara Angkor Resort
Just 15 minutes from Angkor Wat, Anantara Angkor Resort makes a suitably luxurious base for exploring it all. This intimate retreat has just 39 suites arranged around a stunning courtyard pool, combining Khmer-inspired design with the sort of calm you will appreciate after a 4am temple wake-up call.
Better still, its dedicated Experience Butlers can turn sightseeing into something far more memorable, arranging everything from remote temple explorations and countryside tuk-tuk trips to street-food discoveries and journeys beyond the usual tourist trail. Back at the hotel, there’s Khmer cooking at Chi, traditional treatments at Anantara Spa and plenty of opportunity for doing very little at all.
