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Cambodia Travel Guide: Best Places & Time to Visit, Delicacies

Indian Embassy in Cambodia

Embassy of India
No.50, Street No. 214, Samdech Pan Ave.,
Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Contact No: (+855-23) 210912 / 210913

Visa Process for Indian Visitors to Cambodia

The following documents are required to get a Cambodian visa:

  • Original Passport which is valid for 6 months after leaving Cambodia
  • Confirmed air ticket
  • Confirmed hotel reservation

Visa Processing Time - 3 to 5 Working days

About Cambodia

Officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, this country is situated in the southern portion of the Indo-China Peninsula. The Angkor Wat historical park in Siem Reap province, the beaches in Sihanoukville and the capital city Phnom Penh are the main tourist attractions in Cambodia. The country offers tropical beaches, colonial buildings and abundance of natural attractions. The divergent facets of the kingdom provoke both the serious and casual travellers, who are always fascinated and sometimes perplexed by its mysteries.

The best tourist spots to visit in Cambodia

  • Preah Vihear: Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated at the top of a 525-meter (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
  • Sihanoukville: Also known as Kampong Som, Sihanoukville is a port city and beach resort located on the Gulf of Thailand.The main attraction consists of the white-sand beaches and several tropical islands.
  • Tonle Sap: Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and one of the greatest points of interest in the country. From November to May, the Tonle Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year’s heavy rains begin in June, the flow of the Tonle Sap changes directions, and an expansive lake is formed.
  • Silver Pagoda: Located within the Royal Palace compound in Phnom Penh, the Silver Pagoda houses many national treasures such as jewelled Buddha statues made of gold. Most notable is a small 17th-century baccarat crystal Buddha (the Emerald Buddha of Cambodia) and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds.
  • Kratie: It is a tiny town situated on the banks of the Mekong River and is dominated by a central marketplace, surrounded by old French colonial buildings. Plenty of backpackers gather here during the peak season. Rare Irrawaddy dolphins can also be found here.
  • Koh Ker: Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer empire from the year 928 to 944 AD. Spectacular buildings and sculptures can be seen here. Prasat Thom is a 30 meter (98 ft) tall temple pyramid rising high above the surrounding jungle, and a giant Garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird creature) guards the top.
  • Banteay Srei: Officially part of the Angkor complex, Banteay Srei, is built mostly of red sandstone, it lies 25 km north-east of the main group of temples, and it is often considered a separate Cambodian attraction.
  • Bayon Temple:It is one of the most famous places in Cambodia. The Bayon Temple has over 200 massive stone faces looking in all directions. The curious smiling faces are astounding imageries of Angkor.
  • Angkor Wat:Angkor Wat or the "City Temple", built in the 12th century, is the most magnificent and largest of all Angkor temples. The temple’s balance, composition and beauty make it one of the most beautiful monuments in the world.

How to Reach Cambodia from India

Tourists can travel to this place by booking flights with international airlines that fly to the Phnom Penh International Airport or the Siem Reap International Airport. Travellers from India can reach Cambodia by boarding flights, available from major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Some of the other Indian cities that are connected to Cambodia by regular flights are Ahmedabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Trivandrum. Major airlines that operate from India to Cambodia include Bangkok Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Asia and Silk Air.

Best time to Visit

November - March is the best time to visit Cambodia. If you prefer to avoid the crowd and want to visit when prices are lower, the best time to visit Cambodia will be from May to early October. Cambodia is warm throughout the year with temperatures rarely dipping below 20°C.

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Officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, this country is situated in the southern portion of the Indo-China Peninsula.

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The following are the most important celebrations organised throughout the year in Cambodia

  • Water festival (October or November)
  • Pchum Ben (September)
  • King Sihanouk's Birthday Celebration (October 31)
  • Khmer New Year's Day (Mid-April)
  • Angkor Festival (November or December)
  • Royal Ploughing Day (May)

What to Pack?

Although many tourists wear shorts to deal with the scorching heat, locals tend to cover as much skin as possible. If you are planning a Cambodia trip, avoid unnecessary items. Pack bedding, sunscreen and necessary medicines, and choose a backpack over a rolling suitcase.

Top Delicacies

While you're in Cambodia, this list of the best Cambodian food will help you savour the best of everything.

  • Fish Amok
  • Lap Khmer (Lime-marinated Khmer beef salad)
  • Red Tree Ants with Beef
  • Nom Banh Chok
  • Khmer Red Curry
  • Bai Sach Chrouk (Grilled pork and broken rice)
  • Lok Lak (Stir-fried beef in brown sauce)
  • Kaw

Indian Restaurants in Cambodia

  • Angkor India Restaurant
  • Located at:1 #8a Street 278 Boeung Keng Kang | Commune Chamkar Mon District, Phnom Penh
  • Cuisine: Indian, Asian, Grill
  • Contact No.: +855 23 212 023
  • Sher-e-Punjab
  • Located at:130 16 St | Pasar Kandal khan dumpenh Phnom Penhn, Phnom Penh
  • Cuisine: Indian, Balti
  • Contact No.: +855 23 216 360
  • Flavours of India
  • Located at:158, Street No 63, Phnom Penh 23, Cambodia
  • Cuisine: Indian, Asian, Vegetarian-Friendly
  • Contact No.: +855 12 835 907

Shopping List Essentials

Everyone wants souvenirs of a memorable holiday and shopping is one of the main things to do in Cambodia. You can buy local crafts like betel nut boxes, baskets and bowls made by homegrown raw materials. Gold and precious stones are worth considering, though you may need help in assessing the value. You can expect 70-80% silver in many of the items on sale in towns, cities and local villages across Cambodia. Temple rubbings on rice paper are good to frame and mount on your wall. The Krama is the traditional scarf worn by many Cambodians; many tourists buy it as souvenirs.

Healthcare Centers

In Phnom Penh, you can get excellent medical facilities at Calmette Hospital, Community and Family Medical Clinic, European Dental Clinic, Naga Clinic, Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, Sen Sok International University Hospital. In Siem Reap, excellent medical facilities are available at Angkor Hospital for Children, Royal Angkor International Hospital, U-Care Pharmacy (Geolink Group).

Basics of Local Communication

Although English is gradually becoming more common in big cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Khmer is the primary language, and French is also widely spoken in the country. Learning these basic Khmer phrases will gain appreciation and smiles from the Cambodians:

English French
Hello Sues-Day
Yes baht (men)/ jah (Women)
No Dteh
Please Suom Mehta
Thank you Or-Koon
Sorry/excuse me Sohm dtoh
I need a doctor K`nyom trouv krouh peit

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