Country Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Motto: Nation - Religion - king
Land Area of Cambodia: 181.035square kilometer4s. It is bordered to the north by Thailand and Laos,to the East and South by Vietname, and to South and the West by the Gulf of Siem and Thailand.
Land Area of Siem Reap: 10,299km.
Population: Total population is approximately 13,437656Iaccording to Year of date compilation -2008). 90% are Khmer and 10% come from various ethnic groups.
CapitalCity: Phnom Penh. The center of industry, aadministration, commercial and tourism.
Climate: The average temperature is 27c, with two seasons - Monsoon season (May to Oct) & Dry season (Nov to April). Dec to Jan is the coolest period.
Weather: Raining season from May-October.temperature 24c - 33c. Dry season from November -April. temperator 20.5c - 36.5c.
Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism. 90%^of Khmer are of this religion. The other minority religions are Muslim and Christian.
Language: The official language is Khmer. English has gained popularity but older generation still Speaks French.
Currency: Riel is the coury's montary unit. Foreign currencies can be esily changed at most hotels, airports or at markets. Money local money is the Riel, but most tourism businesses use American Dollars.(US$1 is more or less 4000Ries).
Telephones: Phone cards are available throughout Cambodia. There are also several mobile phone systems. Country Code: 855.
Visa: A visa valid for 30 days is issued at the Pochentong International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport & international border check points upon arrival for US$20 & Us $25 for Business visa. Visas are also issued at Royal Cambodian Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries. Visa extension can be done at the Immigartion Department in Phnom Penh City.
Food: Rice and fish, together with a tempting array of herbs, sauces and spices are typical Khmer cuisine. Curry and soup with beef, pork, poultry and seafood can be bought from any street nendor at normal price. International cuisine can be found in more than 100 restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap .
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Transport: Taxi, Rented -Car, Bus, Motor bike or Tuk Tuk. Rail transport is also available for travelling to Siem Reap Angkor, battambang Province and Sihanoukville. There are 8 provincial airports and two International airport in the country. Travel by River boat is becoming popular these days along the tonle Sap river, tonle Bassac and the Mekong River.
Upon Visitors entering Cambodia through
Arrival: Pochentong International Airport, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airport can arrange for pick -up or make their own way into the city or hotels by taxi ( non-metered) at around US$7.oo, and US$7.00 in Siem Reap .
Travelling to Phnom Penh?
If you're heading to Phnom Penh, here's the inside track on the available transport options with a guide to prices and travel times:
Bus: National route 6, which concects Siem Reap to Phnom Pench, has been upgiadend in recent years and no loger resembles a motocross track. In fact it's now smoth termac virtually all the way . Several bus companies ply this route, wth prices from $5to $12, and the journey takes around 4 - 5 hours, usually stopping for a rest break in Kompong Thom. Check with individual comanies for times, though there are generally morning buses leaving between 6:30am - 9:00am and Lunch time buses laving around 12h30 -1h30pm.
Boat: Once the most popular chice of transport,there are arguably better alternatives now avaiblble, given recent improvements to the roads. At $25 it's relatively expensive and the wiew can quickly become monotonous.If you do choose the boat, be sure to wear penty of sunscreem if you sit on the roof, and take a pair of earplugs to drown out the noise of the engine. Boats leave from the Siem Reap ferry port around 7:00am and Journey time jettyto-jetty is around 6 hours.
Taxi: Although fuel prices have risen sharply in the last couple of years, a taxi can still be a good choice, with journey times around 5 hours. You should be able to get a car to yourself for around $50 and you have the luxury of leaving when you want to, and stopping en route as and when you choose. Ask your hotel, guesthouse or your driver to arrange this service for you.
Plane: the quickest but most expensive opion, the flight to Phnom Penh takes around and hour. At the time of writing the only airline fling the route is Siem Reap Airways, with prices around $60plus$6departure tax. And remember you'll need a taxi into Phnom Penh city from the airport, costing $7.
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Professional Government-licensed tour guides are available to help visitors. These experienced guides speak fluent English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish Chinese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese. Beside accompanying organized bus or car tours, they can be hired on and individual basis. There are also more than 100 travel agencies to welcome and co-ordinate visitors'trip.
The Khmer Angkor Tour guide Association of Siem Reap , is located in the Tourism office next to Grand Hotel (looking for guides wearing the KATGA uniform and ID).Tel:012 610 278
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Siem Reap is the great ancient civilization of Angkor, which was built by the Khmer Empire over 1,000 years ago. Since Siem Reap is receiving more tourists every year, the development of the area continues with more hotels, guesthouses, villas, apartments, restaurants, bars and many other attractions springing up all over town. Most of the major overland tourist routes are easy accessible now with nice new roads and bridges been built.
HOW TO REACH SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
Siem Reap is located 314km northwest of Phnom Penh, it can be reached all -year-round by direct flights from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City,Sigapore and Yangon. From Phnom Penh, it takes only about 40minutes to fly to Siem Reap, by bus or taxi approximately 4 -5 hour and by boat on Tonle Sap from Phnom Penh City and Battambang Province. Travel by road from Phnom Penh and from Poipet, Thailand border is becoming popular these days.
Getting to Siem Reap The majority of visitors arrive by air from Phnom Penh and Bangkok, though there are also flights from several other major cities in Southeast Asia. See international/domestic flight schedule page for detailed international and domestic flight information and a list of airlines that service Phnom Penh and Cambodia. For international overland travel from surrounding countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) see the international border crossing/overland travel page. Cambodian visas are available on arrival at both airports and most international border checkpoints. The crossing at Aranyaprathet/Poipet is closest and most convenient to Siem Reap. The road from Phnom Penh is very good condition and there are regular buses, taxis and vans running between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap as well as a daily river ferry service.
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- Apsara Theatre: For a night time Apsara shows why not join the nihtly dance performances at the Apsara theatre with a Khmer meal.Many local restaurants in Siem Reap offer dinner menus or buffets accompanied by Khmer traditional dance performances. The dinner usually starts at 19:00 or 21:00, followed by the dance show which you can expect to last between 40 minutes and one hour. Such restaurants include Koulen II restaurant,Jasmine Angkor,Amazon restaurant.
- Cambodian Cultural Village:Cambodia Cultural Village first opened to public in late 2003. Covering a total area of 52 acres, this theme park showcases the traditional Cambodian way of life, and the local customs and practices of the various ethnic groups in the country. It is home to more than 10 villages, showing off the different cultures and characteristics of 19 Cambodian races. The shows include Apsara dances, traditional wedding ceremonies, circus acts and an elephant show.
Tel: +855 (0) 63 963 836.
- Massage and Spa: There are numerous establishments that offer just about every variety of massage. Massages are alsoavilable at some hotels,night clubs and hairdressers. These following services are all highly in Siem Reap town.
- War Museum: A limited display of guns, mines, tanks and other military hardware. Open from 8am to 5:30pm. Entry costs $3. Do not confuse this museum with the Mine Museum.
Location: Kasekam Village off of National Rd. #6 on way to airport.
- Mine Museum: Founded by Mr. Akira, a former soldier and de-miner, this museum is a fascinating testament to Cambodia’s violent past, and to Aki Ra’s personal survival. It documents the story of Aki Ra’s life and experiences through a quarter of a century of war, and houses one of the world’s largest collections of decommissioned mines and other ordnance. Aki Ra is constantly seeking donations, and has recently founded an NGO, in cooperation with CLMMRF, to maximize his vision of “making my country safe for my people”. The museum is home to several young landmine victims taken in by Akira and his wife. This is a unique museum and a thoroughly worthwhile project that deserves your support. The museum is open from 7am to 6pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted and much appreciated.- Balloon Rides:The balloon station is 1km to the west of Angkor Wat. The balloon rises 200 meters in the air on a fixed wire and provides amazing views of the temples and landscape. Sunrise and sunset are the most popular times for a ride.
- Horseback Riding:The Happy Ranch, an international-standard horse ranch and riding school, opened in 2002 on 10 acres of land. It offers trail rides and riding lessons for both adults and children.
Tel: +855 (0) 11 920 002.
- Live cello concert at Jayavarman VII Children’s Hospital:Swiss pediatrician Dr Beat Richner has been working to build up children’s hospitals in Cambodia since 1992, and has been the subject of a number of films and books. The talented Dr Richner plays a selection of pieces by JS Bach on his cello every Saturday at 19:15 at the Jayavarman VII Hospital, and talks about the children’s hospitals he has established in Cambodia. There is no fee to go and listen, but visitors can help this wonderful project by donating to his hospitals.
Tel: +855 (0) 63 364 803 or see www.beatocello.com
- Crocodiles and Snakes Farms:There are number of crocodile farms in Siem Reap. Many of them are small, backyard affairs, but there is a big one about 3 kms south of Siem Reap, on the road to the Tonle Sap.
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Where to Shop and What to Buy in Siem Reap
Phsar’ is the Khmer name for a traditional market. Phsars cater primarily to local people and sell everything from clothes and electrical and household goods to fruit, vegetables and meat.
- Phsar Chas (Old market) is located in the former French Quarter close to numerous western bars and restaurants. It is tourist-orientated and sells souvenirs and handicrafts. Locals buy food and household items there.
- Phsar Kandal (Central Market) is fairly new, and is located on Sivatha Road in the center of town. This market is aimed squarely at the tourist with many souvenir and silver shops, agencies and moneychangers. Many of the shops open until 9pm.
- Phsar Samaki is located on Nat. Rt. #6, east of the traffic lights. The market offers sundries, clothes, perfumes, gems, fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Phsar Leu (Upper Market ) is the largest local market in Siem Reap and sells food, clothes, household goods & jewelry. On Nat. Rt. #6, east of Phsar Samaki on the opposite side of the road.
- Angkor Night Market: a new addition to the Siem Reap shopping scene, the Angkor Night Market has many stalls selling a wide variety of handicrafts, souvenirs, paintings, and silk and bamboo products. There is an Island Bar where you can enjoy a cool drink after a hard night of shopping. Open from about 4:30pm til midnight
- Angkor Market:Large selection of imported food, including beer, cheese, canned goods, cold meats, etc.Good selection of wine and spirits. Freshly-baked bread. Newspapers and Magazines. Your One-Stop Shop! Corner of Sivatha St. and Oum Khun St.
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If you are enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalo, houses on stilts and little villages; you will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside truly worthwhile. Most travel agencies can arrange tours for you. However, for a more authentic experience consider asking your motodup or tuk-tuk driver to take you to his village. Many drivers are happy to do this and genuinely delighted that visitors are interested to see more of their country. The brash new hotels and restaurants in Siem Reap can give visitors a false impression of Cambodia. Poverty and poor living conditions affect most of the population and Siem Reap Province remains the second poorest Province in Cambodia, according to aid organisations. A journey in the Cambodian countryside can help to redress the balance.
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Where and What to Eat in Restaurants
Siem Reap has risen to the occasion with an impressive array of quality restaurants serving not only Khmer dishes but a huge choice of other Asian and international cuisines. To find one that’s just right for you, take a stroll along Pub St and Sivatha Blvd near the Old Market, or try our recommendations below.
-The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC): On Pokambor Ave to the south of the Royal Palace, in a former governor’s mansion overlooking the Siem Reap River, the FCC is a part of the luxury FCC Angkor Hotel
-The Red Piano: At 341, Svay Dangkom, the Red Piano is in a fine location and has an ambiance to match. The menu ranges from pastas to imported steaks, and from sandwiches to other international and Asian favorites. It also has a good collection of wines and a long cocktail menu.
-Blue Pumpkin:Located on 365 Mondul 1, this stylish modern, all-white (not blue) café is much loved by both locals and tourists. - Café Indochine: On busy Sivatha Blvd, Café Indochine opened in 2002 in a beautiful traditional wooden house. The menu is rich with dishes from Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand as well as French specialties. Tel: +855 (0) 12 804 952.
- Le Tigre de Papier: On Pub St, the “Paper Tiger” first opened in 1999 and has been through a number of improvements to its décor and its food, which consists of a selection of Khmer and Western dishes. One new service is 24-hour pizza deliveries. This is a great place for bookworms – it has a library of more than 500 books to read while enjoying a delicious lunch or a few drinks. Le Tigre de Papier also has a Khmer cookery school.
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What is Khmer Food? Khmer food takes influences from a variety of countries. Cambodia was a French colony for many years and also has many Chinese immigrants, so both French and Chinese foods are widely found. In the west of the country, the cuisine is, naturally, influenced by the food of neighbouring Thailand while in the east the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine are more evident.
Coastal towns such as Sihanoukville in the southwest are famous for their seafood, cooked in many styles, including Japanese and European. Common ingredients in Khmer cuisine are similar to those found in other Southeast Asian culinary traditions – rice and sticky rice, fish sauce, palm sugar, lime, garlic, chilies, coconut milk, lemon grass, galangal, kaffir lime and shallots
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The amazing lake and river system of the Tonle Sap is quite unique. This vast lake; the largest in SE Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season. The Mekong starts its journey in the Himalayas, flowing through China, Laos and Cambodia before discharging into the sea at its delta in South Vietnam. The Mekong Delta cannot absorb all the river water; so in May, the river reverses its normal seaward flow and begins for flow back up the Tonle Sap River. The 160km long lake fills with water and, expands to 250kms long by up to 100kms wide over a period of 3 months. The lake rises and progressively floods the surrounding forests and rice fields. The people who live in simple shacks along the Causeways and rivers; move up towards the shore. As the water retreats, and the rainy season approaches; the floating villages move inland to take shelter along the river banks - Chong Khneas: is the Floating village that most visitors see. It is where the ferries from Phnom Penh and Battembang dock. Most tour companies operate from there. With well over 5000 people living in over 1300 houseboats. It can be an interesting place to visit. However with over 150 tour boats operating here it is no longer the experience it once was. It is a chaotic place The most interesting lake villages are a little further away from the main tourist floating village of Chong Khneas and require time to get there.
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Kompong Khleang is one of the largest settlements on the lake. Over 20,000 people live in high stilt houses which tower up to 10 meters over the river. It is a spectacular place which only gets a small number of visitors. There is a small island at the centre of the village which has a bustling market and one of several Pagodas, a School and Health Centre. The Pagoda has a brightly coloured painting outside the entrance; depicting Heaven and a rather gory Hell; depicted very graphically. There are also carved stones from the remains of an Angkorian Temple which was once on this site. The kids are enthusiastic and cheekily pose anywhere a camera is pointed. Some are quite fascinated by their reflections in the glass of camera lenses. They get very exited when the see their images in the preview screens of digital cameras
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Kompong Phluk is an attractive small community with a land village and surrounding mangroves.
In the dry season a large number of temporary thatched dwellings are built on the lake. these are removed during the flood season. The name Kompong Phluk Translates to Harbour of the Tusks reflecting its past trade in elephants. It is a place virtually untouched by time or tourism
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The culture of Cambodia has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries, and has been heavily influenced by India and China.[1] Throughout Cambodia's long history, a major source of inspiration was from religion. Throughout nearly two millennium, Cambodians developed a unique Khmer belief from the syncreticism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilization, including its language and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century A.D. Its is generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and culture to ports along the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific while trading with China. The first state to benefit from this was Funan.
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Main article: Religion in Cambodia
Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist with 90% of the population being Theravada Buddhist, 1% Christian and the majority of the remaining population follow Islam, atheism, or animism.Buddhism has existed in Cambodia since at least the 5th century CE. Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century CE (excepting the Khmer Rouge period), and is currently estimated to be the faith of 90% of the population. [3]slam is the religion of a majority of the Cham (also called Khmer Islam) and Malay minorities in Cambodia. According to Po Dharma, there were 150,000 to 200,000 Muslims in Cambodia as late as 1975. Persecution under the Khmer Rouge eroded their numbers, however, and by the late 1980s they probably had not regained their former strength. All of the Cham Muslims are Sunnis of the Shafi'i school. Po Dharma divides the Muslim Cham in Cambodia into a traditionalist branch and an orthodox branch
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Army Shooting Range, (near Banteay Srey and Kbeal Span). Armament and explosives availability apparently is only limited by how much you are willing to spend. Listening to the soldiers-turned-used car salesmen put the hard sell on a new machine gun is almost worth the trip. This is a true game of Russian roulette - fancy pulling the pin of a 30+ year old grenade and possibly getting the faulty one? Make sure that whoever is supervising you is also willing to stand next to you! $30+ per round. Grenade throwing: $30.
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