Out of many invigorating Asian countries, Cambodia is a real untamed gem that awaits keen explorers and adventuresome tourists alike. To experience all the wonders that the ancient country of Cambodia has to offer, you ought to immerse yourself in it, which means visiting it. From south to north, you will have the unique opportunity to see serene elephant sanctuaries, majestic sacred temples, rich jungles, and versatile wildlife. Going on this particular journey would be a dream come true for most explorers, but even for those who are not into an immersive Robinson Crusoe-like expedition, Cambodia is a magical place that won’t disappoint any visitor. Still not convinced? Well, here are some of the most convincing reasons to visit this lovely country.
1. Witness the enchanting sunrise at Angkor Wat
There are a plethora of things that you must do while visiting Cambodia, however, the very top activity is to go to the temple of Angkor Wat. This supreme specimen of Khmer genius architecture and building has never been able to get replicated, nor any temple has ever been able to match Angkor Wat’s serenity. Long, winding, and stunning poles stand the test of time, and the best way to fully immerse in its spirituality is to go to Angkor Wat very early in the morning. By witnessing the sunrise and avoiding the roaming crowds, you would get a hands-on approach to the unique spirituality and symmetry to the fullest.
2. A heaven for seafood lovers and volunteers
Before you get on visiting another temple, going hiking, or exploring, you need to take some time off and blend with the locals. Cambodia has been welcoming both tourists and enthusiastic volunteers from all over the world, and even though they have brought different ingredients, the customs and traditions remain “ancient ”. No McDonalds and similar industrial restaurants, but rather plenty of local fish restaurants that prepare seafood in an alluring manner. Try fried fish in banana leaves, and a wide range of sweet and sour soups with fish as the main ingredient. In addition, meeting new people, helping the community with fishing, development and reconstruction of local facilities is the main goal of some volunteers, for instance. However, they would not miss out on anything, and what’s more, give a vast contribution to the nation. Hence, embarking on an exciting volunteering abroad project is a great way to help and explore Cambodia.
3. Visit wildlife sanctuaries
There are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Cambodia to explore, and if you are a freak of nature, you shouldn’t miss out on these. From a one-hour ride outside Phnom Penh you will spot Phnom Tamao Wildlife Centre where they keep rescued wild animals and where visitors can slowly roam around the grounds and marvel at the environment and animals. Don’t get frightened if you see an elephant with a prosthetic leg since the organization here focuses on saving and nurturing all endangered species. Next, you might want to go to Virachey National Park to see some of the rarest animal specials such as white-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey, tigers, sun bears, clouded leopards, and many more.
4. Swim with the elephants
Elephants are considered a sacred species all across Asia, and Cambodia is no different in terms of safekeeping them. You would scarcely see tourist offers or riding the elephants, on the contrary, they highlight the importance of protecting these adorable beings. To maximally immerse into Cambodia’s wonders, you should go to Mondulkiri and search for a group of dedicated and passionate people whose aim is to look after the abandoned, overworked, and orphaned elephants in the sanctuary. In this sanctuary, you would have a chance to feed the elephants, walk with them, and in the end go for a swim. Be prepared, though, to get a good splash of mud on you rather than water.
5. Unwind at the stunning beaches
If your goal is to have a tranquil and off-the-beat holiday, you may as well visit some of the most laid-back beaches in Southeast Asia. Believe it or not, Cambodia has some of the finest and relaxed white-sand beaches with glorious turquoise waters. Anyone who is intrigued by this type of visit should head out to either Kep, Koh Rong or the Saracen Bay beach at Koh Rong Sanloem and merely unwind. Besides utter relaxation on the hammocks, you can go snorkeling in aquamarine waters, walking barefoot on the coastline, fishing, or dining at some of the most delicious seafood restaurants. Adventurers will also find out what to do on these beaches. Go hiking to the masterful lighthouse, or try ziplining, or windsurfing.
To sum everything up, exploring Cambodia is a dream come true for most visitors, but for those who are not so fond of coming to this part of the continent – they would be flabbergasted. In both cases, exploring Cambodia’s wonders is something everyone should put on their bucket list.
