Things to Do in Cambodia: Angkor, Lake Life & Local Culture
Cambodia is teeming with unforgettable experiences, heavily influenced by the deep culture and significant history of the region. The temples of Angkor are, of course, the key attractions and rightly so. Walking through the jungle-covered ruins of Ta Prohm at sunrise, with bird song and tree roots spilling over ancient stone, is dreamlike and part of the reason people come to Cambodia.
But apart from Angkor, there’s still a lot to discover. A boat trip out to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake is a rare opportunity to see a genuine way of life that is closely linked with the ebb and flow of the water. Back in Phnom Penh, sites such as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum offer a different experience; an opportunity to reflect on Cambodia’s past under the Khmer Rouge. It’s heavy, for sure, but worth the experience.
If you want something a bit lighter, plan to be there for the annual Water Festival in November. The riverfront of the city transforms with longboat racing, street food, music and fireworks a fantastic way to engage with authentic local life and to catch some real Cambodian energy.
