Why you should go to Cambodia?

A waterfall all of your own.

Then of course there is Angkor Wat. Yes, it is something you must see during your lifetime; but do bear in mind that there are actually dozens upon dozens of monuments scattered not just around Siem Reap but across much of the country. Siem Reap town, with its ever-growing supply of hotels, fabulous eating and plentiful drinking has developed into a destination in its own right.

The crown jewel of Cambodian tourism.

So with so much to see, why do people see so little?

Cambodia is a very poor country and the poverty and persistent begging, especially by children, can be distressing to some. Crime, especially snatch and grabs, are a stubborn problem; scams also continue to be a problem. But we'd say we've always felt relatively safe in Phnom Penh and its reputation among some as a sleazy destination is not at all deserved -- it's no worse than Bangkok or Saigon.

Kids working the crowd on the Neak Long ferry.

Cambodian food has its own distinct appeal, but for now it simply isn't on the same page when compared to the cuisines of neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand. That's not to say you shouldn't try to get a handle on it though, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

While Cambodia is generally slightly cheaper than both Vietnam and Thailand but more expensive than Laos, it remains excellent value for money.

How long does Cambodia deserve?
The standard tourist visa for Cambodia is 30 days. So we'd say that is a good starting point.

In a month you could visit Angkor, Battambang, a couple of islands via Sihanoukville and then dash along the coast to Kep and Kampot before striking north to Phnom Penh, and continuing north to Laos via Kratie and Stung Treng.

With two weeks you could easily see Siem Reap, an island, a bit of coast and the capital before moving on.

One week, Angkor plus Phnom Penh or an island.

Just another Stung Treng sunset.

Cambodia has land border crossings with all three of its neighbours (Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) and the main trunk routes are mostly sealed, of a reasonable standard and trafficked by frequent public transport. This makes it ideal for those planning an overland loop through Southeast Asia so if you're planning extensive travel, Cambodia should absolutely be a part of it -- just don't make the mistake of hightailing it straight to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

By Stuart McDonald
Last updated on 21st October, 2012.

No Photoshop required.

Heading north from the capital towards the border with Laos, the riverside towns of Kratie and Stung Trengeach offer small town charm and the opportunity (should you be in luck) to see the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Further east again takes you to romantically named Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri provinces. Once considered Cambodia's "Wild East" these areas have been (and continue to be) ravaged environmentally, but there are highlights that remain; Banlung in the north can be used as a base for trekking in Virachey National Parkand visiting nearby waterfalls, while Sen Monorom, in a similar fashion to Chipat, has a developing sustainable tourism scene.Source from http://www.travelfish.org