TRAVEL TIPS: TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN CAMBODIA

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Cambodia, a country which has seen untold horrors during the rule of Khmer Rouge is slowly rising as a top tourist destination. Some years back Angelina Jolie did a movie here" Lara Croft the Tomb Raider" which showcased the beauty of this country. Since then, tourists have been flying to Cambodia in large numbers. The place is riddled with wonderful temples of Angkor, beautiful tropical beaches and a variety of other natural attractions. Following are top ten must visit places in this country.

Angkor Wat

Also known as the city temple, this is the most magnificent Angkor temple and a major tourist attraction. The temple architecture reflects native Khmer idea of the temple mountain i.e. the home of gods in Hinduism. It was built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II. This temple is termed as one of the finest monuments in the world.

Preah Vihear

This is a Khmer temple located 525 meters atop a cliff in Dangrek Mountains. Of all the Khmer temples, this is the most outstanding. Constructed between the 11th and 12th century.

Koh Ker

These ruins used to be the capital of the Khmer empire for a short period between 928 and 944AD. Though it was for a short time, spectacular buildings were constructed such as the Prasat Thom, a 98 It tall temple pyramid, another amazing structure here is the giant Garuda, a mythical half bird, half human creature.

Bayon Temple

Bayon temple, built at the center of the royal city draws many tourists just to see its sea of stone faces. These smiling faces which stare in all directions are believed to be the portrait of King Jayavarman VII. The king built this temple in the 12th century as a way of expanding his capital Angkor Thom.

The S-21/ Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

A visit to this museum will remind one how peace is vital to a society; the museum showcases brutality of war. The Cambodian war caused the death of more than 3 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979. This was once a peaceful high school but the war turned it into a torture and interrogation center.

The Killing Fields

Those who survived the S-21 were taken to the killing fields for complete extermination. The government turned the lace into a monument. Skulls and bones collected from the fields are stored here; also there are many mass graves in the area.

Sihanoukville

Also known as Kampong Som, Sihanoukville is a port city with a beautiful beach on the Gulf of Thailand. After the tour of various temples upcountry, this is an awesome place to relax.

Tonle Sap

This is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. A fun thing about it is that it shrinks and expands with seasons. Since the lake drains into Mekong River, during the dry periods, the lake shrinks and when it rains the, accumulating water changes the direction of flow which creating an enormous lake. Many people live on floating villages around the lake.

Silver Pagoda

This building situated in the Royal Palace complex is a store for many national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Its walls are adorned with mural of the Ramayana myth.

Ta Prohm

This is where Angelina Jolie's movie "The Tomb Raider" was screened. The temple has not been renovated so as to show tourists the state of the temple when it was discovered. The temple walls are therefore still entangled with tree roots.

Author Bio:Scott Archer is a professional content writer and blogger from the UK who shares his travel experiences. His hobbies include travelling, trekking and cooking and he is currently working on a project Australia Visa which helps in visa assistance
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