Situated in the south of Cambodia, Sihanoukville is one of Cambodia’s most popular seaside towns. Visitors to this pretty beach area will find plenty of bars, restaurants and cheap guesthouses, while there are plenty of places to stretch out on the pure white powdery sand and work on your tan.

Formerly known as Kompong Som, Sihanoukville takes its name from the famous prince Sihanouk. A great way to reach this resort is by boat from the border crossing that connects Cambodia with Thailand. This is a good place to relax for a day or two before travelling through the rest of Cambodia.

The main attraction in Sihanoukville is its multitude of beautiful beaches, namely Victory Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha Beach, Ochheuteal Beach, Serendipity Beach and Otres Beach. The cheapest accommodation can be found around Victory Beach, while Otres Beach is the least crowded and the Ochheuteal Beach is the most vibrant as it offers a large collection of bars and restaurants.

This is a great place for diving as there are a number of nearby islands where you can take a boat trip and dive deep into the clear blue waters. Snorkelling is also popular here and the waters around Koh Russei – also known as Bamboo Island – are a particularly good place to spot shoals of colourful fish.

Cambodia’s first official national park, Kirirom has been open to visitors since 1997 and covers an impressive 800 acres. Situated 112 kilometres from Phnom Penh, many local city dwellers travel here on the weekend, spending the night amid lush forest and pine groves. However, arrive during the week and you will have this picturesque area virtually to yourself.

As you explore the park you will discover a number of pretty lakes and waterfalls. There are a number of walking trails, with one of the most popular being the two hour hike up to Phnom Dat Chivit. Also known as End of the World Mountain, pause for glimpses of black bears and unparalleled views of the Elephant Mountains and Cardamom Mountains.

At the top of the mountain you will find a Buddhist monastery and a clear water lake, which is a good spot to cool and enjoy a snack from one of the vendors’ carts. Although a number of animals live in the national park such as elephants and tigers sightings are rare, although it is possible to see other animals such as porcupines and colourful hornbills.

If you don’t fancy travelling straight back to Phnom Pehn when darkness falls, head to the nearby Chambok village to spend the night in a traditional wooden house. There are a number of good restaurants here and an impressive 40 meter high waterfall.

Situated on the banks of the Mekong River in eastern Cambodia, Kratie is a pretty colonial town surrounded by natural beauty. Although not a major tourist attraction in itself, large numbers of people flock here for the chance to spot the beautiful Irrawaddy Dolphins.

It is possible to visit Kratie on a day trip from Stung Treng, which is three hours away. However, Kratie’s quiet charm and the warmth of the local people coaxes many people to extend their stay for several days in order to explore fully and enjoy the tranquility.

Perhaps the best way to fully explore Kratie is by hiring a bicycle from one of the many guesthouses. Cycle to the pretty pagoda of Sasar Moy Roy with its 100 pillars. According to legend this pagoda holds the ashes of a princess who was killed by a crocodile more than 500 years ago.

Climb the steps to the top of Phnom Sambok for fantastic views of the river and surrounding countryside and visit the traditional Cambodian temple of Wat Roka Kandal. Forget about noisy motos, horse and cart is the main form of transport in Kratie and this is an interesting way to get around and see the sights.

The sunsets over Kratie are simply spectacular and many people gather in the evening to watch the dying of the day. Enjoy freshly caught river fish at one of the many riverside restaurants and wash it down with a beer or two for the perfect end to a relaxing day.

Wat Preah Keo Morokat is one of Cambodia’s greatest treasures. Situated in Phnom Penh, the temple is known by Westerners as The Silver Pagoda. The entire floor of this amazing temple is covered with over 5,000 silver tiles, each weighing 1 kilo.

But this is just a fraction of the temple’s wealth and beauty. All around, exquisite priceless artifacts glitter in the gloom. Presented to Cambodia’s monarchy as a token of respect from neighbouring countries, each piece has its own unique beauty.

A life-sized gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds, stands at one end of the temple. The Buddha statue was created in the palace workshops in 1907 and weighs an incredible 90 kg. But it is the Emerald Buddha that most visitors come to see. Crafted from baccorant crystal, this is one of Cambodia’s most famous images.

The Silver Pagoda was originally constructed of wood during the reign of King Norodon in 1892. It was rebuilt in 1962 in concrete and marble. The impressive temple was inspired by Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo and shares the walled complex with the Royal Palace. Also created for King Norodon, the Royal Palace was built in 1866.

The Royal Palace is currently the residence of King Sihanouk, who is finally able to reside there in peace. Whilst it is not possible for visitors to enter the palace, it is worth looking at the grand architecture outside.

Khmer Kingdom

Experience the sheer grandeur of one of the World’s Modern Wonders, visit Cambodia’s incredible Angkor complex. These 11th Century temple ruins, covering a vast area and comprising of numerous temples reclaimed by Cambodia’s tropical jungle. It’s just one of the surprises of this plucky country, where it’s sad recent history is very much part of the tourism.

We’ve been travelling to Cambodia for over a decade, recording the rise of its tourism, and present to you a blog, soon to become a full tourist site to help you plan your visit. The country has a surprisingly good tourist infrastructure and plenty to see and do, all recorded here.

From the Royal Palace, Tol Slueng Prison and Killing Fields of Phnom Penh to the beaches of Sihanoukville and tourist bustle of Siem Reap, we have the country covered. And we haven’t even mentioned the friendly locals, good food and amazing Asian landscapes.