Cambodia

    Cambodia bordered by Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, has a fabulous heritage, warm friendly people and an untamed wild landscape. The beautiful and extensive temple ruins at Angkor, now a UNESCO Heritage site, represent the glorious Khmer civilization and one of the most spectacular historical sites in Asia.

    Adventure seekers will love Cambodia's wild north east with its stunning scenery, alternative hill tribe cultures and wildlife. Go trekking, mountain biking or simply explore. 
    Cambodia is Asia's fastest growing tourist destination. After about 35 years of non-stop war, this beautiful country is finally re-emerging from the darkness. Since the time of the Vietnam war in the sixties, Cambodia has had to suffer "secret" carpet bombings by the United States, followed by the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge, a Vietnamese takeover, and a further 20 years of civil war.
     Following U.N. peacekeeping efforts, the somewhat dubious election of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the dismantling of the Khmer Rouge, the country is now enjoying a period of stability and new-found optimism. It's many wonders are now open to visitors.
                                 
    Phnom Penh: Asia Meets Europe
    The capital city of Phnom Penh (pop. 1 million) is a lively place these days. Cars and motorcycles careen through charming streets lined with many French style buildings dating back to its days as a French colony in the first half of this century. The center of city life is the riverfront boulevard, featuring many bars and restaurants with a big emphasis on French-style food.
    One attraction worth visiting (though not for the faint-hearted) is the Killing Field Museum (Tuol Sleng), a former school taken over in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge and converted into a torture chamber. The National Museum is less grisly, with an emphasis on Ancient Khmer history.
    The Temples of Angkor
    The biggest attraction for most visitors are the temple ruins at Angkor, just a few kilometers from the colonial city of Siem Reap. Well preserved stone temple ruins dating back about 1,000 years cover an area of 200 sq. kilometers. Visitors can easily spend several days exploring here, taking in the thousands of exquisite statues and bas relief carvings that adorn the walls of seemingly endless temple buildings and chedis (stone spires). A cruise on the Tonle Sap -- Asia's largest freshwater lake -- is also a memorable experience.
    A Word of Warning
    Though Cambodia is now more peaceful than at any time in the last 30 years, visitors should still exercise caution - particularly in the capital. Confine tourism activities to the daytime, since the dimly-lit streets can be dangerous at night. In the more rural areas, stick to well-established pathways (or better yet, travel with a qualified guide), since there are still countless landmines left over from the war years. Hazards aside though, a little prudence is all that's required to enjoy a safe and happy holiday in this remarkable country.
                                  
    Note:
    Currently, all foreign visitors can obtain the Cambodia visa upon arrival at the following checkpoints: Phnom Penh International Airport; Siem Reap International Airport, Cambodia-Vietnam border checkpoints at Bavet International Checkpoint and Kha Orm Sam Nor International Checkpoint (Chau Duc town on the Mekhong River, Vietnam); Cambodia-Thailand border checkpoints at Cham Yeam International Checkpoint (Hat Lek - Koh Kong), Poi Pet International Checkpoint and O'smach International Checkpoint. Please also note that the Vietnamese visa on arrival is not available at the checkpoints mentioned above.
    Phnom Penh
    To look at it today, one would never guess that this tranquil and charming city was the site of some of the worst horrors of the 20th century.
    A City of Occupations Phnom Penh, founded alongside the Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers, has been the capital of Cambodia since the mid15th century, after Angkor was abandoned.
    Most of modern day Phnom Penh was built while under the colonial control of the French, (who occupied it in 1864 as an extension of their interests in Vietnam). In its heyday, the city was considered one of the most picturesque in Southeast Asia.
    Since gaining independence from France in 1953, decades of political turmoil have constantly transformed Phnom Penh. A domineering monarchy was deposed in 1970 by the military as the country was dragged kicking and screaming into the Vietnam War.
    Reign of Terror
    Under the direction of Henry Kissinger, the countryside was carpet-bombed to toot out?Vietnamese communists. This insane military strategy drove the rural population into the capital, creating an overpopulated metropolis of hungry people, and paving the way for the eventual Khmer Rouge takeover under Pol Pot.
    In April 1975, (two weeks before the fall of Saigon) the U.S. forces abandoned the city as the Khmer Rouge moved in. Initially welcomed, the KR soon instituted harsh policies (somewhat similar to China抯 cultural revolution), including forcing almost the entire population back into the countryside to produce rice. The city was transformed into a ghost town, and the site of countless political tortures and murders. Tuol Saleng, a high school that was converted by the KR into an interrogation/torture centre has been preserved as the Museum of Genocide ?a chilling reminder of a truly horrible period.
    The Struggle for Peace
    In 1979, fed up with overambitious border attacks by the KR, Vietnam invaded Cambodia, taking over Phnom Penh, driving the KR into hiding in the countryside and plunging the country into 16 years of civil war. A $3 billion UN peacekeeping initiative resulted in the election of current Prime Minister Hun Sen, who made a concerted attack on the Khmer Rouge through military means and dubious amnesties, effectively eliminating them.
                                              
    A City on the Mend
    With country now stabilised, Phnom Penh is steadily being restored to former glories as the Cambodian economy recovers. Despite ongoing high employment, the streets are lively during daylight hours, and there is an unmistakable optimism in the air. Among its growing attractions are its laid back atmosphere, and lovely (and inexpensive) French food served in terraced restaurants along the Tonle Sap river. The National Museum and Grand Palace have also been restored and receive a growing number of international visitors.
   Getting a visa
    Visas are required to enter Cambodia. This can be obtained upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport for USD 20 and 1 passport sized photo per person. Additional passport sized photos are required for the Angkor Temple Pass. Please ensure you take comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and drink plenty of water. The most commonly .