The Kingdom of Cambodia has rightfully become a tourism mecca due to the magnificent architectural heritage of Siem Reap. In the past several decades, Angkor Wat has become one of the world’s most famous attractions, on par with the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal, even earning center stage on the Cambodian national flag. Other must-see Angkor ruins within the UNESCO-protected archaeological park include the superlative Ta Prohm, Bayon and Banteay Srei, to name but a few.
It would be a mistake, though, to think that Cambodia starts and ends with Siem Reap. The capital, Phnom Penh, continues to revitalize itself and offers excellent Khmer arts experiences, an itinerary counterbalance to sober reflection on the Khmer Rouge years. Rural Battambang tempts with authentic countryside life, far removed from the traffic of Angkor. And the southwest coastal towns of Kep and Sihanoukville, in addition to their charming French colonial remnants, are now a portal to one of Southeast Asia’s most acclaimed resorts, Song Saa Private Island. Cambodia today is a complete holiday destination like never before.