Chloe's top 5 things to do in Cambodia!
Cambodia is a land of vibrant culture, tropical landscapes and generous people. Although you will be met by kind and smiling faces, the Khmer people have been affected by recent, devastating events. This is why Cambodia should not just be at the top of your travel bucket list of destinations, but an area of interest in terms of your growth as a Global Citizen. It all starts with some curiosity, open-mindedness and the desire to know more. Here are my Top 5 things to do in Cambodia that should not just give you a generic, tourist experience, but the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the culture and develop your awareness and understanding of the social, economic and cultural differences experienced in this area of the world.
Phnom Sampeou
This is a must do! There is no doubt that the Khmer people are strong and resilient, but you won’t fully be able to comprehend this until you walk into what are known as the ‘Killing Caves’; listening to a story from someone who experienced the brutality of the civil war in Cambodia firsthand. It is a chilling place to visit and an emotional topic to discuss, yet it is so important to hear and understand what the local people went through during the 1970’s.
As well as a place of cultural significance, Phnom Sampeou is also a breathtaking place for sunset... you’ll be met by some furry, hungry friends at the top (beware of getting too close to the monkeys!); and then you will be able to kick back and enjoy a mesmerising display of bats at the bottom (I recommend doing so with a fresh coconut in front of the cliff carving of Buddha). At around sunset each night, tens of thousands of bats flee the mouth of the cave, while groups of both locals and visitors gather to admire the spectacle; daring to taste some of the local street food on offer.
Phnom Sampeou
Ta Dumbong Kro Aung Statue
This one is hard to miss as it’s pretty much the first thing you see when arriving in Battambang. It’s quite a standout feature in the city, and it represents the legend of how Battambang got its name. Ta Dumbong was a cow herder who found a magic black stick and used it to become king. During his reign, he had a dream about a holy man on a white horse who would one day defeat him and take over his thrown. In an attempt to ensure this never came true, Ta Dumbong rounded up all the holy men he could find in the city and sentenced them to death. The prince, however, who was by then a monk, was presented with a white horse and decided to challenge the king. When Ta Dumbong saw this, he realised his dream was coming true and attempted to stop it by throwing his magic stick at the prince. He missed, he fled, and nor him or the magic stick were ever seen again. Hence the reason for the name Battambang, which means ‘city of the lost stick’. Somewhere in the story, Ta Dumbong eats some rice that turns him black, but you’ll have to come and listen to it yourself to get a full run down.
Ta Dumbong Kro Aung Statue
Cooking Class at Coconut Lyly
Cooking class or homestay? You’re only at Coconut Lyly for a couple of hours, but the welcoming and hospitality from Chef Lyly and his family makes you feel as though you’re at home. This is the perfect way to have an authentic taste of Cambodia as you learn the steps of making their national dish, Fish Amok (the fish can be swapped out for another ingredient to accommodate taste preferences and dietary requirements), and so much more. We’ll let the chef tell you the secret to a good Amok... and how to make the perfect spring roll... and how to use gelatine correctly in order to get a nice texture on their signature Coconut Lyly dessert. For all the foodies in the house, it’s safe to say that you will leave with a belly full of delicious food, as well as some awesome cooking tips to try at home!
The team with Chef Lyly at Coconut Lyly
Angkor Wat
This is probably the more famous out of the things to do in Cambodia. Here are the facts: Angkor Wat is considered to be one of the largest religious structures in the world due to the size of land coverage; the construction of the temple took place across 28 years, and it was originally designed to be a Hindu temple. Now, here’s what I think you really need to know: the sunrise tour is a must. For the best photo op you should stand behind the lake; facing the structure as you will get a perfect mirror image on the reflection of the water. Finally, beware of the impromptu tour guides hanging around, although they’re friendly, they’ll probably ask you for some money after telling you about the history of the grounds.
The best thing about doing the sunrise tour of Angkor Wat is that you have the rest of the day to explore its neighbouring temples! A personal favourite is the Bayon Temple because you’re met with 216 giant smiling faces. It’s a spectacular view, but very easy to get lost amongst the identical pillars. For the Angelina Jolie fans, you also can’t miss the Tomb Raider temple on this route and have your film star moment (if you don’t know what I mean, still add it to your list as Ta Prohm Temple is really unique – the giant, exposed tree roots give it an apocalyptic feel as nature has reclaimed her place on these ancient grounds).
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Volunteer at the elephant sanctuary
Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect city break! Switch off from the rest of the world for a few days (they do both overnight stays and week-long visits) as you escape to what is left of the Cambodian jungle. Home to 3 Asian Elephants, many dogs and cats, and a few families of monkeys, this is your opportunity to make a difference on the lives of the animal community in Cambodia. Unfortunately, the tourism industry still poses a huge threat to elephants across South-East Asia, and its sanctuaries such as this, where rescued elephants are able to enjoy their lives of freedom.
The accommodation is authentic as you stay in small jungle huts, fit with their own hammock and decking for those afternoon breaks. Meals are all vegan, but I promise you won’t even notice as it’s so delicious! And of course, feeding time and jungle walks with the elephants are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The sanctuary aims to educate all of their visitors about the cruel treatment of elephants, and although it’s a highly emotional and shocking topic to discuss, we guarantee you will leave the sanctuary with a new perspective and a new mission as a Global Citizen.
Top Tip: when visiting the sanctuary, make sure you’re stocked up on insect repellent, antihistamines and bite cream! The chances of mosquito bites are high, if not 100%, so it’s best to be prepared.
Elephants at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
During my stay, someone described Cambodia to me as being like an onion; it has many layers to it. The more layers I peel back, the more I fall in love with this country and its diverse and incredible culture. I hope that in sharing my top five things to do here, you feel inspired to visit Cambodia! My main piece(s) of advice would be to keep an open mind and try not to compare it to anywhere else you know as it is a truly unique place.
If you've been to Cambodia, we'd love to hear some of your top things to do as a Global Citizen... share them with us by tagging us on Instagram! @challengesabroad