Travelling to Cambodia

The Cambodia country is situated on the In do Chinese Peninsula in South East Asia;the Peoples Republic Kampuchea changes its name to the original one Cambodia in May, 1989.If you studied the history of Cambodia,you will know that this is the greatest place on the earth. The boarders of this country are Thailand in west, Vietnam in east, and Laos in north.The Khmer rouge ruled this country between 1970s and 1980s.Sometimes it is called as Khmer Republic.

Before the Khmer rouge rule, the reign of terror used in this country.However,in Khmer rouge ruling this terror was happened in the country.The bizarre policies, the group implemented and managed to murder the twenty percent of the people in the country.At that time,the neighbor country Vietnam helped Khmer people and these Khmer people are sent to a small Island in the north.

From the past decade,the tourism in this country is growing rapidly.There are so many tourist spots around the country is beautiful.Especially,the wild life in Cambodia and the national parks are the nature is gift to this country. Cambodia is one of the safest and a peaceful country as you might think gives its recent history.The people in this country are very cooperative and respectable people.There are so many major cities around the country.The people in these cities are living happily.For every festive gathering irrespective gender everybody will participate in the national festivals.

One of the ancient cities in the country is Angkor.This city has fascinated westerners since its rediscover in the mid nineteenth century.A great deal is now known about the brilliant Khmer civilization that flourished among the monsoon forests and rice paddies of mainland Southeast Asia,thanks to the pioneering work of French scholars and the application of modern archaeological techniques such as remote sensing from the space shuttle.

The Angkor and Khmer civilization presents the complete picture of Khmer cultural history from Stone Age civilization to the establishment of the French protectorate in mid of the eighteenth century.If you want to plan a vacation in this country,that could be the best decision for your life.

Twenty years ago it would have been quite impossible for this lovely cultural city to have been featured on any travel list, but now it is open and welcoming to curious travelers. Siem Reap serves as a wonderful gateway to the Cambodian culture, history, architecture and the famous temples of Angkor Wat whilst also offering modern hotels and great shopping. Craft shops and silk farms abound, offering the chance to bring home some beautiful fabrics and hand-made jewelry. Take time to explore the Colonial and Chinese-influenced architecture of the Old French Quarter of Siem Reap and enjoy the cultural music and colorfully costumed Apsara dancers. The city dates back to 800AD and its temples and monuments are among the world’s premier architectural sites.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor Wat

The highlight of any visit to Siem Reap will undoubtedly be time spent at the nearby Angkor Wat temple complex. Built in the early 12th century, when other cultures still lived in simple, temporary buildings, 25,000 workers labored for 37 years to create this temple city. Imagine then, that after the fall of the Khmer Empire in 1431, it remained unknown to the outside world for centuries, until French botanist, Henri Mahout, stumbled upon it deep in the jungle, in 1860. Surrounded by a 570-foot wide moat, Angkor Wat has a central pointed tower surrounded by four smaller towers and is embellished with gorgeous statues, carvings and works of art carved in bas-relief. The lesser attraction of nearby Bayon, the last great temple built at Angkor, has 54 towers which peer incongruously through the dense Cambodian jungle, still awaiting rescue.

Things to do in Siem Reap

The city of Siem Reap is built along the banks of the Siem Reap River. It is made up of a series of villages, each with their own Buddhist pagoda, called a Wat. Although Siem Reap is attracting increasing numbers of tourists, is it so far retaining its cultural identity. An international airport, new hotels and international restaurants make a visit palatable to those used to a first world lifestyle, but generally there is no conflict between serving tourists’ needs and maintaining the established way of life. These can all be enjoyed on a boat trip to see the local fishing villages; a bicycle tour around the paddy fields; eating at a local market food stall; supporting the work of local craftsmen and enjoying a cultural evening with dinner and an Apsara Dance display. A somber reminder of the recent reign of the Khmer Rouge can be experienced with a visit to the Cambodia Landmine Museum, a cause dear to the heart of the late Princess Diana. There is also a newly opened National Museum in the city containing unique and wonderfully crafted artifacts and 1000 Buddha images in the 8 purpose-built galleries, which are well-worth seeing.

For those who are seeking a trip that is a little different, off-the-beaten-track and steeped in wonderful architectural history and treasures, Siem Reap should go right to the top of your “Places I must Visit” list.

Visit this website for more information.

Cambodia is well known for its classic and colourful dresses covered with intricate design and embedded unique buttons. It is regarded with its royal luxuries from foot to head. Despite the visions and impressions, Cambodia is full of sites and attractions that demonstrate the local cultures and ways of life.

The famous and popular viewing site of Angkor Wat is located in Siemreap Province and is one of the many tourist attractions of Cambodia because it is one of the ancient wonders of the world. In fact it is regarded as one of humanity’s most magnificent architectural achievements. It is the Central temple of the hundred Khmer temples and monuments built in Siem Reap. The temples of the Angkor Wat are well preserved. It demonstrates the extraordinary creativity of the 7th and 11th century Khmer civilization. It is the cultural home of the Khmer people.

The Ta Phrom is one escape to the hordes of tourists. This temple was built in honour of the Queen mother. If you have seen the Tomb Raider, you should recognize it. Of particular interest is the smiling dinosaur like imprint set in the walls.

The next attraction is the controversial Choeung Ek Memorial or the Killing fields. This is a 15 kilometer wide memorial Buddhist Stupa divided into levels and holding thousands of skulls. Many of the skulls are displayed with emphasis on each hole where they were clubbed to death in order to save bullets. This place may sound scary, but once there you will instead be fascinated by the hundreds of skulls that are displayed in the Stupa.

The next place to see is Banteay Srey and Pre Rup or the Citadel of the Woman. The carving of the temple will fascinate you because it is composed of beautiful rose coloured sandstone. This ruined temple is uncrowded, so tourists are free to take as many pictures as they’d like. Banteay Srey is well worth a visit and highly recommended. The Pre Rup is another ruin near the Barteay Srey. It possesses beautifully carved artificial doors. The main tower, which is extraordinarily high, provides great views of the surrounding country side.

How about experiencing the royal lifestyle? The Royal Palace is another must see attraction. The complex is surrounded by a high wall and has many elaborate gilt temples built in traditional Khmer architecture with many tiered roots and topped by towers. The throne room is the main highlight of the Palace. The whole complex is immaculate and is considered a peaceful oasis away from the busy and noisy city. Upon entering the place, you are regarded as a guest of the royal family because the King and the Queen still maintain residence in the grounds.