Choose from 41 Fun Things to Do in Cambodia
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Sisowath Quay
Take a tuk-tuk to the Royal Palace and begin the day along Phnom Penh’s three-kilometer strip of shops, hotels and eateries. This scenic walk wanders along the river’s edge and visitors can lounge easily at one of the numerous outside tables in popular cafes. Sisowath Quay is an ideal spot to sample local beer, strong coffee and real French baguettes. Travelers can comb through traditional handicrafts at Colours of Cambodia, or purchase a “happy monk” painting at the Happy Painting Gallery next door. Street 178, also known as Artists’ Street, offers local silk and numerous shops that are worth a look.
Sisowath Quay is also convenient to the ferry terminal. Visitors can hop a boat to Siem Reap, where famous temple ruins draw travelers from around the world. Nearby Street 104 offers plenty of backpacker-friendly options, cheap accommodations and crowded, friendly pubs. This well-known walkway is a haven for tourists, so while you may not want to dedicate days to its exploration, the close proximity to many of Phnom Penh’s destinations make it worth an afternoon’s visit.
Practical Info
The quay is located near the junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap River by the Royal Palace.
Address: Sisowath Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
From $ 110
Royal Enclosure
Just to the northwest of the center of Angkor Tom lies one of the Angkor Wat region’s more mysterious ruins, the Royal Enclosure. All that remains of this ancient royal abode (the home of kings during the 10th and 11th centuries) is its surrounding walls and a pair of stone-lined bathing pools. Historians believe the lack of any other archaeological evidence suggests the royal palace itself was constructed of wood.
Unlike the carvings that adorn most of the other temples in the Angkor complex, with subjects limited to religious ones for the most part, the figures carved into the sandstone panels lining the pools here depict the usual demons and deities, but also a series of more whimsical sea creatures and monsters.
Practical Info
While the two pools within the Royal Enclosure aren’t open for swimming, they do make a nice spot to sit in the shade and have a picnic lunch.
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hours: Daily 5am-6pm
Admission: 1-Day Pass US $20
From $ 97
Pub Street
Travelers looking for cold beers and cheap food almost always find themselves in the throes of chaotic Pub Street. Local taverns, unique vendors, musicians and traditional dancers line this paved pass, giving Siem Reap’s entertainment Mecca a true party vibe.
Pedestrian-only streets mean it’s easy to wander between stalls selling traditional crafts, ice-cold beers and spicy hot soups. Food here is as popular with locals as it is with travelers. Strong-stomached visitors can sample frog legs, beetles, snake and crispy grasshoppers, while the less adventurous can head indoors to dance at bumping disco techs, or simply saddle up to one of the numerous outdoor tables and sip cool drinks while absorbing all of the city’s energy.
Practical Info
Pub Street is located between Sivatha Road and Hospital Street, south of Street 8 and north of Street 9 in Siem Reap.
Address: Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia
From $ 48
Roluos Group
The 3 main temples of Roluos stand apart from the main attractions around Siem Reap, lying to the west of the town rather than on the main northern axis. They’re also significantly older, dating from the 9th century when this area was known as Hariharalaya.
Preah Ko, the oldest, is arranged as two rows of three “prasats” (towers) each, and boasts stunning stone carvings and plasterwork. After that comes the intricate 5-tiered Bakong, and finally Lolei, which dates from 893. This last temple resembles Preah Ko but with 4 instead of 6 towers, once stood on its own island, and is noted for its fine examples of Khmer calligraphy.
Practical Info
The Roluos temples are off National Highway 6 which heads west out of Siem Reap. Get there in a tuk-tuk or hire a bicycle (take good care in the unpredictable traffic).
Address: Cambodia
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Admission: 80,000 riel
From $ 98
Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo)
While visiting the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, it’s almost impossible to miss the Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo), an impressive, opulent structure. With a floor that’s covered with five tons of silver, a Baccarat-crystal Buddha perched on a gilded pedestal (known as the Emerald Buddha) and a life-sized solid-gold Buddha that weighs almost 200 pounds (90 kg) and is covered with 9,584 diamonds (the largest is 25 carats), a visit to the Silver Pagoda is one that is not easily forgotten. Though they’re hard to get a peek at (they’re covered up for protection), see if you can get a look at one of the more than 5,000 silver tiles that were inlaid during King Norodom Sihanouk's pre-Khmer Rouge reign and are the reason for the temple’s nickname.
Though the temple’s true name is Wat Preah Keo Morokat, which means Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the moniker The Silver Pagoda the more common name. Built between 1892 and 1902 under King Norodom, it’s an interesting structure—it’s actually separated from the Royal Palace by a walled walkway, but it’s still located on palace grounds, in the larger complex. Unlike most pagodas, no monks live here—instead, it’s the pagoda where the King meets with monks to listen to their sermons and where some Royal ceremonies are performed. Be sure to check out the gorgeous Ramayana frescoes that are painted on the walls and see the Buddha relic from Sri Lanka, which is housed in a small gold and silver stupa in front of the life-sized gold Buddha.
Practical Info
The Silver Pagoda is open to the public every day from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m., unless there is an official function scheduled. Enter from the gate on Sothearos Boulevard, about 300 feet (100 m) north of Street 240. Guide pamphlets and tour guides are available near the admission booth; multi-lingual tour guides available. Admission is 25,000 Riel (USD $6.16).
Address: Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m.–11 a.m. and 2–5 p.m.
Admission: Admission is 25,000 Riel (USD $6.16)
From $ 15
Ta Prohm
When the temples of Angkor were abandoned by the kings who built them, the jungle took firm hold of Ta Prohm. This Buddhist monastery, built in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII for his mother, today looks much like it did when it was uncovered in the 29th century. In eerie fashion, giant trees shoot through the tops of structures, while thick vines split walls in two.
A favorite among visitors, Ta Prohm served as the backdrop for Lara Croft’s adventures in the film Tomb Raider, and it’s easy to see why. In all of Angkor, it’s the place where the dominance of nature over manmade creations is most evident and most impressive.
Keep an eye out for a Sanskrit inscription in the stone of the complex, which details that the temple once employed 18 priests, 2,740 officials, 2,202 assistants and 615 dancers, all supported by 3,140 villages.
Practical Info
Unlike many Angkor temples, Ta Prohm is actually best photographed when cloudy. Since sun position isn’t a major factor, this is a good one to visit around midday, and you can grab lunch at one of the food stalls just outside the main entrance.
Address: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hours: Daily 5am-6pm
Admission: 1-Day Pass US $20
From $ 13
Silk Island
Known by locals as Koh Dach, Silk Island sits upstream on the Mekong near Phnom Penh and offers travelers to Cambodia’s capital city a quick escape from the urban landscape into a village that feels worlds away.
The rural community of Silk Island is comprised of dozens of local artisans—well-trained silk masters who hand weave some of the most glamorous fabrics from one of the nation’s most prized resources. Visitors say that the residents who carry on this age-old craft are kind and inviting, offering a warm contrast to the hustle of city streets. Silk Island offers travelers the perfect opportunity to step back in time, see artisans at work, learn more about the silk trade and collect some handmade crafts before heading back to the mainland.
Practical Info
Half-day tours to this tiny island are easy to find along the Sisowath Quay near Street 136. The hour-long boat ride up the Mekong is scenic and typically costs between $10 and $15 each way.
Address: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Admission: Price of a ferry ride
From $ 24
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
In 1975 the Khmer Rouge turned this former high school into a notorious killing center. Some 17,000 people were killed at Tuol Sleng, which was later referred to as Security Prison 21. It was one of at least 150 other death camps run by the regime.
The prison, which reopened as a museum in 1980, held numerous leaders of the communist party, as well as doctors, teachers and other educated Cambodian citizens. Prisoners were subject to months of torture. Because the Khmer Rouge kept diligent records, including thousands of photographs, rooms at Security Prison 21 are lined floor to ceiling with black and white photos and the prisoners killed there and the torture they endured.
Tuol Sleng is divided into four main buildings. The first, known as Building A, houses prison cells where the last bodies of victims were found. Building B serves as a gallery of images, including the faces of those who died here. Building C offers a closer look at the small cells prisoners called home. Instruments of torture and other memorabilia are on display in Building D.
Practical Info
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Entry is US$2. The museum’s entrance is on the west side of 113 Street, north of 350 Street.
Address: 113 Street and 350 Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Admission: $2
From $ 9
Srah Srang
Srah Srang is a baray, or reservoir, that is located south of the East Baray and east of Banteay Kde. Srah Srang was created by excavation in the mid-900s and, while there are several theories, it’s not clear whether the significance of this reservoir was religious, agricultural or a little bit of both. However, Srah Srang is best known as an ideal location for viewing the sunrise.
At present Srah Srang measures almost 2,300 feet (700 meters) by almost 1,200 feet (350 meters) and is still partially flooded. A basement was found in the middle of it, which suggests that there may have been a temple on an artificial island at some point in the past. The landing-stage is located opposite the entrance to Banteay Kdei and is bordered by naga balustrades, ending with the head of a serpent mounted by a garuda with unfurled wings; guardian lions watch over the steps that lead down to the water.
Practical Info
Srah Srang is part of the Angkor Wat site and is accessible whenever Angkor Wat is open. Due to its popularity, it can often get crowded at sunrise.
Address: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
From $ 59
Royal Palace
Catch a performance of the Royal Dance Troupe at the open-air theater in the coronation hall or linger near the balcony, where the current king has been known to make an appearance. The private residence, built in 1866, houses an impressive collection of artwork, and the multi-purpose house of the white elephant, just outside the palace walls, is used for royal births, deaths and weddings. The current king may live in this well-known palace, but visitors can still tour most of its grounds.
Practical Info
The Royal Palace, located two kilometers from Wat Phnom on Samdech Sothearos Boulevard, is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is US$3 per person, US$2 per camera and US$5 for a video recorder.
Address: Samdech Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Admission: $3
From $ 15
Wat Bo
One of Siem Reap’s oldest temples, Wat Bo is known for its collection of well-preserved wall paintings from the late 19th century. Though Wat Bo is a Buddhist temple, these paintings depict the Reamker, which is Cambodia’s interpretation of the Ramayana—an epic Hindu story about the love between Rama and Shita, the strongest man and the most beautiful women of all time. There is also an impressive collection of Buddha statues.
It won’t take long to explore Wat Bo as it’s not that big of a temple. However, the paintings are well preserved and, in addition to illustrating the Reamker, the paintings also give insight into daily life in this area. A sharp eye might catch foreigners painted into the scenes, get an idea of what fashion looked like in those days and perhaps spot the likeness of French soldiers. It’s a quiet respite from the liveliness of Siem Reap and a nice break from the expansive temples of nearby Angkor Wat.
Practical Info
Wat Bo is located on the east side of Siem Reap River on the corner of Street 22 and Samdech Tep Vong and gives Wat Bo Area its name. Wat Bo is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and entry is free, though donations are appreciated.
Address: Corner of Street 22 and Samdech Tep Vong, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
From $ 83
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom is one of the most visited temples in the country. The original sacred temple was built atop a hill in Cambodia’s capital city in 1373, however the spot where travelers visit today was rebuilt in 1926 and underwent a serious facelift in 1998. Traditional games take place on temple grounds to celebrate the Khmer New Year, and during the Festival of the Dead animists from across the country venture to the pagoda to make sacred offerings.
Travelers should beware of a group of gangster monkeys that residents have grown to despise. These friendly-looking furry creatures are notorious for stealing food, money and even biting tourists. It’s become so serious that Cambodian Police have issued a US$250 bounty on them (perhaps a worthy pursuit if you’re running low on cash).
Practical Info
Entry to the grounds costs between US$1 and US$2. Close proximity to the US Embassy, the French Colonial post office and Raffles Hotel on Michael Howe Street makes the wat an ideal starting point for a tour around the city.
Address: Sangkat Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Admission: Between $1 and $2
From $ 15
Wat Ounalom
Built in 1443, Wat Ounalom is perhaps the most important pagoda in Cambodia’s capital city. Comprised of 44 structures, including a stupa thought to contain an eyebrow hair of Buddha, this impressive attraction was damaged during the Khmer Rouge and later restored. An early morning trip provides a quiet respite from the bustle of a busy surrounding city. In this peaceful setting visitors can hear monks chanting while they wander the pagoda, and even visit with them after Morning Prayer.
Practical Info
Wat Ounalom is located in Phnom Penh on Sangkat Chey Chum Neas Boulevard, just a short walk from Thansur Bokor Highland Resort. It is free to enter.
Address: Sangkat Chey Chum Neas Samdach Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
From $ 106
Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung Market)
A place of magic, where it’s conceivable that almost anything can be found for sale, the Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung Market) is a haven for tourists, displaying a wide variety of goods—most notably, designer brand knock-offs. The Russian Market got its name from the Russian tourists that frequented it in the 1980s; these days, you can hear a wide range of languages being spoken in its stalls.
For those looking for souvenirs, “real designer clothes” at a huge discount and some remarkably fantastic food, you’re in the right place. As factories for such big name Western brands like Levi’s, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren are located in Phnom Penh, stock that is deemed unfit to be shipped abroad due to some flaw are then sold at the Russian Market. Stick to the eastern side of the market for clothing; the northern side sells a utilitarian mix of tools and household goods and the other two sides are a mixture of jewelry and watches, antiques and not-so-antiques, pirated videos and various crafts. The middle of the market is the jackpot–-it’s a veritable Mecca of jet-fuel-grade iced coffee, noodle shops and snacks of both the savory and sweet persuasion.
Practical Info
The Russian Market is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is about 3 miles (5 km) from Wat Phnom on the corner of Streets 440 and 163. Entry is free, but be sure to take small bills (in Cambodian Riels) to make negotiating prices easier.
Address: Streets 440 and 163, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
From $ 15
Tonl e Sap
This great lake covering 1,000 square miles (2,600 square kilometers) is not only the largest body of fresh water in Southeast Asia, it’s also a UNESCO-designated biosphere due to its remarkable natural features. The flow of water in Tonlé Sap changes direction twice during the course of the year, expanding and contracting with the seasons.
The Basics
Most travelers choose to experience Tonlé Sap by boat, whether en route between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh or during a daytime or sunset dinner cruise. Depending on the option chosen, a sightseeing boat ride might include a visit to Chong Khneas floating village of stilted houses, a fish and crocodile farm, and a meal at a traditional Khmer floating restaurant.
Those with an interest in the lake’s biodiversity can opt for a day trip to Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, a biosphere reserve that’s home to more than 150 bird species.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tonlé Sap is a must-see for adventure travelers and first-time visitors.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat when cruising the lake.
- Many boat tours on the lake include hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Tonlé Sap day trips can last anywhere from four to nine hours, depending on the option chosen.
How to Get There
Most tours of the lake depart from Chong Khneas, located 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) south of Siem Reap. The easiest way to get to the lake is on a guided tour.
When to Get There
From November to May—the country’s dry season—Tonlé Sap empties into the Mekong River, making the lake’s natural features much less spectacular. If you want to get out on the lake when it’s at its largest, plan to visit during the rainy season (August and September) when the waters reverse and the enormous lake forms. Water levels are at their lowest between April and June. The best bird viewing happens between December and April.
The People of Tonlé Sap
Spend some time on the lake, and you’ll quickly realize that most residents of the stilted houses and floating villages are fishermen. Many of these families are ethnic Vietnamese who’ve been in the trade for decades. For the most authentic view of life on the lake, head farther afield to the villages near Kampong Chhnang and Pursat.
Address: Cambodia
From $ 19
Baphoun
Baphuon began life in the 11th century as a Hindu temple meant to represent mystical Mount Meru, like most temples in the region. It was later rededicated to Buddha but hasn't weathered the intervening years as well as its neighbors, with much of the construction lying in countless pieces.
A vast reclining Buddha forms a wall of one of the temple's three tiers, but you will have to exercise your imagination to visualize the divinity's features. Despite "“ or maybe because of "“ its present state, Baphuon is one of the most magical Angkor sites, with shaded pavilions looking out on elaborately-carved stone pieces battling the jungle for supremacy.
Practical Info
Baphoun is within Angkor Thom, which lies 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) north of Siem Reap, past Angkor Wat. As the subject of major ongoing archeological work, much of the Baphuon site is inaccessible at any given time.
Address: Cambodia
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Admission: 80,000 riel
From $ 97
Terrace of the Leper King
One of Angkor’s many mysteries, the Terrace of the Leper King once served as the northern half of a long viewing stage and audience platform for King Jayavarman VII and his entourage. The mystery of the site stems from the statue at the top of the terrace, a replica of an original statue of a nude, sexless figure known simply as the Leper King.
Scholars aren’t sure who he was, though legend tells of at least two kings of Angkor having leprosy. Another theory states that the statue isn’t a king at all, but the Hindu god of death, Yama, and that the nickname came from the lichen discoloring the statue’s surface. The original statue of the Leper King sits in the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
Practical Info
The Terrace of the Leper King lies just north of the Terrace of the Elephants within the walled complex of Angkor Thom.
Address: Angkor, Cambodia
Hours: Daily 5am-6pm
Admission: 1-Day Pass US $20
From $ 68
Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument
Built in the late 1970s, the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument is a statue located in a large reflecting pool that stands in honor of the former alliance between Cambodia and Vietnam. Located at the Botum Park near the center of Phnom Penh, not far from the Royal Palace, the monument is an interesting piece of history as it was built by the Communist regime that took power after the Cambodian-Vietnamese War and overthrew the leadership of the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge was the ruling party that caused the atrocities that can be witnessed at Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields.
Featuring statues of Vietnamese and Cambodian soldiers, along with a woman and baby representing Cambodian civilians, in the "Socialist realist" style developed in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, the monument is situated in a popular park in the middle of the city. More than its artistic value or architecture, the monument has occasionally become a political focal point for protesters, damaged by hammers, gasoline, fire and even a bomb. The damage has been repaired and the memorial remains an interesting piece of architecture that marks a definitive time in Cambodia's history.
Practical Info
The Cambodian-Vietnam Friendship Monument is located at 25Z Blvd Samdach Sothearos Boulevard, near the corner of Sihanouk Boulevard in the middle of Hun Sen Park.
Address: 25Z Blvd Samdach Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
From $ 110
Terrace of the Elephants
Located within the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants stretches across a grassy expanse for nearly 1,150 feet (350 meters) and once served as a ceremonial platform and foundation for the king’s royal audience hall.
The ornately carved Terrace of the Elephants, built near the end of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, gets its name from the relief stone carvings of parading elephants that adorn the terrace walls. Some of the elephant trunks form decorative columns, while more relief carvings depict circus-like scenes of acrobats and wrestling matches.
From the top of the central staircase onto the platform, you can stand and imagine what the view would have been like for the Khmer king at the height of the kingdom’s power, gazing out over sporting events, ceremonies or the triumphant return of his army.
Practical Info
You might be tempted to rush past the Terrace of the Elephants on your way from one temple to another, but it’s well worth taking a few minutes to appreciate the detail of the carvings here.
Address: Angkor, Cambodia
Hours: Daily 5am-6pm
Admission: 1-Day Pass US $20
From $ 45