I am planning a 17-day trip to Cambodia this February and want to visit some other areas in addition to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Does anyone have experience with any of these places and any rec
I am planning a 17-day trip to Cambodia this February and want to visit some other areas in addition to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Does anyone have experience with any of these places and any recommendations for us?
Battambang: Second largest city in Cambodia, ricebasket of the country. Stereotyped as good traders and fighters. Accessible from Siem Reap or Phnom penh. A number of Angkorian temples: Ek Phnom, Phnom Banang etc. Feels more provincial than Phnom Penh and Siem Reap despite its size, and sometimes feels like a different country from the central plains.
Kampot: Sangkum pre-war charm and nostalgia. Nice architecture along the river and left over from a long gone era. Should be combined with seaside town of Kep and Bokor National Park.
Sihanoukville: Beach. Becoming more gawdy as large resorts are kicking people out of "private" beaches. But good for mindless relaxation. You could drive down or take a bus to Sihanoukville, then head for Kep and Kampot. But not a must go. Sihanoukville is for beach bums (nothing wrong about it, the place was built only in the 1960s), Kampot and Kep have more history and culture to offer.
Kampong Cham: Nokor Bachey Angkorian temple on the outskirts, build by Suryavarman II . Worth a day trip if you have time but given your schedule not a priority.
