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| Cambodia has many travel attractions; ancient temples, dense forests, glorious beaches and a captivating culture and history |
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Cambodia lies entirely within the tropics. It borders Thailand to the north and west, Laos to the northeast and Vietnam to the east and southeast. It has a 443 kilometer (275 miles) coastline along the Golf of Thailand. The total population is about 14 million, Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia.
Located in the heart of Indochina, Cambodia is rich in cultural traditions much of which predates that of neighboring Thailand. A former French colony, Cambodia has much in the way of colonial charm, and the French influence is very apparent in Phnom Penh. The recent period of calm and stability has lead to a renaissance of Cambodia as a tourist destination and has seen an incredible increase in hotel development.
The famous temples of Angkor are Cambodia's biggest tourist attraction. Stretching over some 400 sq. km., including forested area, Angkor contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. |
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These include the famous temple of Angkor Wat and at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. Today the temples stand as a monument to what was once one of the greatest ancient civilizations in South East Asia.
Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers. The city has a certain charm about it, with its crumbling colonial architecture set against a backdrop of bustling street side cafes and a redeveloped riverside area. Sisowath Quay is an attractive boulevard running along the banks of the rivers. The street is home to cafes and shops and the better class of bars. The Royal Palace and the two magnificent pagodas in the palace grounds, the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, are among the few public buildings in Phnom Penh really worth seeing. Wat Phnom is on a hill at the center of a small park and is notable for its historic importance. Phnom Penh has a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from budget guesthouses through good quality mid-range hotels to extravagant palaces. There are a surprising number of 4 and 5 star hotels in Phnom Penh.
If you are more into beaches and watersports, the south coast is dotted by near deserted tropical islands where you can have white sand beaches all to yourself, as well as being home to the seaside resorts of Sihanoukville and Kep.
Cambodia has two main international airports at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (next to the Ankor temple ruins). To enter Cambodia, a passport and a visa is required. Tourists and business travelers may purchase a Cambodia Visa valid for one month at the airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and requires a passport sized photograph. It is also possible to buy an E-visa, all you have to do is to complete the online application form available at the official website (evisa.mfaic.gov.kh), pay by credit card online, and include uploading a recent passport size photo. The Evisa allows tourists to enter and exit Cambodia through the two main international airports and three smaller airports. Visas can also be granted at Royal Cambodian Embassy or Consulate abroad. Before you travel, remember to look into any vaccination requirements. |
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