4 Best Sights in Cambodia

Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap is one of this planet's greatest archaeological sites. It's home to the magnificent temple-city of Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure and star attraction of this vast temple complex. Combined with more remote, lesser-visited temple-cities and ruins outside the park, this collection of archaeological sites is Southeast Asia's most impressive.

The massive structures are often compared to Central America's Mayan ruins, but far exceed them in size. And Angkor Wat is just one temple in a complex of hundreds: In all, there are some 300 monuments reflecting Hindu and Buddhist influence scattered throughout the countryside, but only the most significant have been fully restored, and in some cases reconstructed.

The major temple-cities of Angkor Wat and Angor Thom lie within a few miles of each other and can be seen in one day. Most travelers spend two or three days viewing the best-preserved temples, while archaeological enthusiasts will take a week or two to thoroughly explore the entire park, and do day-trips and overnight stays out to more remote temple ruins.

The best strategy for tackling the temples is to set out before sunrise each day, return to Siem Reap for lunch, swims, and massages, then return to Angkor Park in the late afternoon. Start your first day with sunrise at Angkor Wat, which for many travelers becomes one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. The site only gets busy during the short high season (December to March), but it is so enormous that it's easy to escape the crowds. After exploring the stupendous temple, move onto the neighboring temple city of Angkor Thom, where the highlights are the temples of Baphuon and Bayon, with its vivid bas-reliefs of scenes from epic battles and everyday life.

Start your second day at Ta Prohm. The temple is often referred to as the "Angelina Jolie temple" for its role in the movie Tomb Raider, and is best known for the tree roots that picturesquely appear to strangle the temple walls and galleries. Nearby Banteay Kdei, opposite the royal baths of Sra Srang, is more dilapidated, atmospheric, and shaded by trees. There are many small temples in this area that get very few visitors but are worth a look, such as Ta Keo and Thommanon.

On your third morning, head to the exquisite pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. The drive takes you through some of Cambodia's most gorgeous countryside, which is at its greenest during the monsoon season. On the way back, you can climb the pyramid temple of Pre Rup. With so many archaeological sites to see, the choice is yours. Discuss your preferences and how you like to travel with your guide, and if you prefer to get off the beaten track, ask the guide to create an itinerary to lesser-visited temples.

The entrance to the complex is 4 km (2½ miles) north of Siem Reap. Most independent travelers hire a tuk-tuk driver for a half-day or full-day ($20 to $35). Renting bicycles ($2 to $5) or electric bikes ($6 to $12) is also an option if you’re up for the exertion in the heat. Tourists cannot hire motorbikes and vehicles in Siem Reap, but you can hire a driver with car. Hiring a tour guide is a must, at least for the first day. Good hotels can recommend guides and drivers.

Angkor Archaeological Park is open from 5:30 am to 6 pm, although some temples open later than others and close earlier. See the official Angkor Enterprise website for times. You can buy tickets online or at the Angkor Ticket Office. Don't lose your ticket as you need to show it at the entrance to each site and to access restrooms (free-of-charge) in the Park. If you buy your ticket at 5 pm, you'll be admitted for the remaining open hour, in time to see the sunset setting the temples aglow. Your ticket will also count for the following day. Make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and take plenty of water. There are cafes and clean restrooms near Angkor Wat, and vendors selling drinks, fruit, and street food throughout the park.

In the early 20th century, the French built this hill station as a cooling retreat from the heat and humidity of the coast. Aside from a stone Catholic Church, there's little to see of the ruined and abandoned colonial-era buildings, but it's worth visiting for the journey there along a winding road through forests, and the spectacular coastal views from its 3,000-foot heights. It's 35 km (22 miles) west of Kampot, and easily reachable with a driver and car, which can be arranged through your hotel.

In the countryside 25 km (15 miles) south from the city, this tranquil 11th-century hilltop temple has five impressive, albeit crumbling, towers. Reaching the temple involves a hike up 358 steps, and is best visited early in the morning or late afternoon. You'll often find Cambodians up here lighting candles and making offerings. Tuk-tuks from Battambang charge $17 to $25 for the round-trip depending on where you stop en route.

Long before the French arrived to Battambang, the area around the present-day city was one of the Khmer Empire's most productive regions. Even though Wat Ek Phnom has been heavily looted over the centuries and is currently very dilapidated, there are still some fine stone carvings. In front of the ruins stands a more modern pagoda and an enormous Buddha. To travel here directly via tuk-tuk expect to pay around $10 to $12, however, it's mostly included on half-day excursions that can be arranged through your hotel or directly with drivers.

Admission is free with a ticket to Wat Banan, but only on the same day.