The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation that borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Situated in the southwest of the Indochinese peninsula, Cambodia occupies a total area of 181,035 square kilometers. Two dominant physical features of Cambodia are the Mekong river, which runs from north to south of the country, and the Tonlé Sap Lake, the biggest fresh water river in Asia. You may ever hear that the flown water never returns but it really does in Cambodia. Tonle Sap River is the only river in the world that reverses its flow annually.

Cambodia is a country rich in cultural heritage which conjures images of a glorious, mysterious and more recently tragic past. Over the centuries numerous events have shaped the history of Cambodia, from the glory and might of the Khmer Empire through the 9th to 13th centuries which stretched from the breathtaking Angkor over most of Southeast Asia, to the intolerable cruelties faced during the 1975 to 1979 rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Following the total collapse of the Khmer Rouge in August 1998, Cambodia has transcended its turbulent past and has once again captivated visitors with its scenic beauty, enduring traditions and rich cultural history.

Today, Cambodia retains much of its beauty and grandeur with close ties to its turbulent past. A stroll through the suburbs of Phnom Penh will find beautiful wide boulevards, colonial architecture and a bustling riverfront that made it the Paris of the east before 1970, and for a taste of Cambodian history and royal life, visitors can tour the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda located just next to the palace grounds. A short walk away, the National Museum beckons with room after room of Khmer sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects; while a visit to the infamous S21 and Choeung Ek killing fields are harrowing reminders of the horrors the Cambodians faced. For those with a passion for shopping there are many markets offering a selection of exquisite handicrafts including woven silks, silverware, carvings in stone and wood and precious gems.

Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along a river, this former sleepy riverside provincial town of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the ancient magnificent Angkor and other ruins which formerly the seat of power for the once vast and glorious Khmer empire through the 9th and 15th centuries AD. With a distinct colonial and Chinese style of architecture this town emanated from a cluster of old villages, but today is alive with culture, restaurants and pubs. Siem Reap is the hub for the Angkor Archaeological Park, Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which encompasses dozens of temple ruins including the legendary Angkor Wat whose archaeological significance and visual impact sets it amongst other wonders of the world, such as the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal.

At the top of any list of places to visit in Cambodia is the Angkor complex of ancient temples in the province of Siem Reap. Here more than 400 square kilometers are dotted with the cultural remnants of the Khmer civilization. The most famous of these sites is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and truly one of the architectural wonders of the world.

A destination like no other, from unspoilt beaches and strings of pristine islands, to colorful pagodas, forgotten temples, remote hill tribes and a vibrant capital, Cambodia is a place to relax while absorbing local culture, sights and sounds.

The people of Cambodia enjoy many festivals that reflect our culture and religion, and the foreign visitor is always welcome to share the occasion. Cambodians pride themselves on their genuine hospitality. Cambodia, with its unparalleled cultural heritage and tropical ecology, is once again enjoying a resurgence of interest amongst foreign travelers looking to savour the essence of Indochina.