Things to do in Cambodia

Arrive before dawn to see the sun's first rays illuminate the iconic five-towered temple, reflecting in the lotus pond.

Wander through Angkor Thom's central temple and get lost among 216 serene, enigmatic faces carved into towers.

Giant silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grip the crumbling ruins of this 12th-century monastery, made famous by the 'Tomb Raider' film.

Glide past stilted houses, flooded forests, and floating schools in this authentic Khmer community on Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake.

Climb the 7-tiered hilltop temple for a panoramic view of Angkor Wat and the Western Baray.

Board a wooden boat on the Mekong River at Kampi pool to see the rare, round-headed freshwater dolphins surfacing gracefully.

Walk among the memorial stupa and mass graves of this former Khmer Rouge execution site.

Once a high school, this prison-turned-museum documents the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime through haunting photographs, torture devices, and stark cells.

Board a riverboat from Sisowath Quay to watch the sky blaze orange behind the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom.

Under the art-deco yellow dome, haggle for gold, silk, electronics and sample street food like grilled skewers and sweet sticky rice.

Join a morning market tour and hands-on class on Pub Street to master Cambodia's signature coconut-fish curry steamed in banana leaf.

Often called the 'Citadel of Women', this small pink sandstone temple boasts the finest, most delicate bas-reliefs in Angkorian art.

This UNESCO-listed mountain temple straddles the Thailand border with stunning views over the Cambodian plains.

Swim in turquoise water, kayak to empty coves, and sleep in a beach bungalow on this undeveloped island in the Gulf of Thailand.

Coral gardens and colourful reef fish thrive just offshore from this sleepy island’s Saracen Bay.

Visit the gilded throne hall and the floor made of 5,000 silver tiles in this riverside complex.

Earn panoramic views of rice fields and the Sangker River from this 11th-century hilltop temple near Battambang.

Hop onto a bamboo platform on wheels that zooms along old railway tracks through countryside and villages.

At dusk, millions of wrinkle-lipped bats stream out of a cave on this sacred hill, forming a dark, swirling ribbon across the sunset sky.

Founded by a former child soldier, this museum near Banteay Srei tells the painful story of landmines and supports victim relief.

Walk through rows of climbing pepper vines at a plantation like La Plantation, then taste the world-famous black, red and white peppercorns.

Kayak or take a boat through a natural archway of overarching mangroves in Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wander past faded French shophouses, sip a coffee by the Praek Tuek Chhu river, and watch fishermen cast nets beneath the Elephant Mountains.

Choose live crabs from wooden baskets right on the seafront, then have them fried with fragrant Kampot pepper at a nearby shack.

Hike through dense Cardamom rainforest, spot gibbons, and stay in a homestay in this community-run project.