Battambang
Battambang is the “heart of the Cambodian rice bowl” and also a second biggest city of Cambodia. It is located around Tonle Sap Lake, blessed with many harvests of nature. It is an elegant riverside town, home of some of the best preserved French period architecture in the country. More importantly, there are numerous Angkorian and post-Angkorian sites. Some of the most interesting are Banan temple, Ek Phnom temple, Baset temple and Snoeung temple (they are built more than a thousand years ago). Besides the thousand years old temples, the tourists can also enjoy the natural resorts such as Sek Sark, Pich Chanda, Cham long Kuiy, Koh Sne. The cultural, agricultural and fruits villages are also a special characteristic of this province for the tourists who like to explore the true Cambodian daily life.
- Banan temple:
Is one of the oldest and historical places located within the Battambang Provincea, adapts the architecture of mid 11th century and the end of 12th century the temple was first built by King Ut Tak Yea Tit Tya Varman II (1050-1066) and was finally built by the king Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). Banan. The temple is located on the top of approximate 400 meter heighten mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District in 15 kilometer distance from the provincial town by the provincial Road No 155 parallel to Sang Ke River. At the mountain’s valley, there are Ku Teuk and two main natural well, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.
- Ksach Pouy Fruit Farm Village:
Ksach Pouy village is famous for its variety of natural grown tropical fruits. Taste them along the way where local farmers offer seasonal fruits from their latest harvest. This is a great opportunity to taste juicy oranges and guavas, sweet pineapples and mangos and also so far unknown delicious fruit.
- Watkor Cultural Village:
Watkor is called a cultural village for its impressive number of charming ancient wooden houses; mostly constructed in the early 20th century. Here the tourists can explore the Khmer’s inspiring simplicity in housing of the past and the present. Step inside and discover the Cambodian way of life, the tourists can take photos of many trees growing around the houses are more than 100 years old, just as old as the ancient houses, too. The owners and their families are happy to take the tourists around to explain the moving history of their houses and to share some of the stories from their lives.
Pailin
Pailin is a precious gem-mining goldmine city. It is about 25 kilometers from the Thai border and 80 kilometers from Battambang by road. It is a very good place for tourists to explore the gold mining activities. Moreover, tourists also can enjoy the mountainous view, lush bamboo forest and especially Wat Rattanak Sorphon pagoda which is over 570 years. The special characteristic of the latter is the Burmese characters inscribed on its gate.
Siem Reap
This is a must-visit destination for all visitors to Cambodia. It is where the famous Angkor Wat temple is located. The 12th century Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world and it is honored as one of the Wonders of the World. Apart from the legacy of many great temples, Siem Reap also has much more to offer to tourists. The spectacular floating village on the lake, the natural heritage site of Kulen Mountain, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea, gateway to Koh Ker and the silk weaving village are all very interesting sites to visit. There are also several Buddhist monasteries in the province and these are open to tourists too. Indeed, Siem Reap offers the tourist a totally different experience from anywhere else in the country.
- ANGKOR WAT
One of the world heritages, built by King Suryavarman II. The 11th century and was dedicated to Brahmanism. Angkor Wat is 6Km from Siem Reap town and covers an area of 200 hectares.
- ANGKOR THOM
Built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, the Angkor Thom populated as many as one million people. Within the area, one can admire several temples with its unique beauty. Enclosing by a dense forest, it leaves Angkor Thom stood the test of infinity in silence.
- BAYON
Built b King Jayavarman VII from the end of the 12th century and was dedicated to Buddhism. Its 45 meter high tower is topped by four huge carved heads and surrounded by other 54 towers.
- NEAK PEAN
Built by King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism.
- BAPUON
Built by King Udayadityavarman II in 1060AD and was dedicated to Brahmanism.
- PREAH KHAN
Built by King Jayavarman VII at the second half of the 11th century and dedicated to Buddhism.
- BANTEAY SREY
Built by King Rajendrawarman and Jayavarman V at the second half of the 10th century and was dedicated to Brahmanism.
- BAKONG
Built by King Indravarman I at the end of the 9th century and dedicated to Brahmanism.
Banteay Meanchey
This northwest province is one of the most important border check points Cambodia and Thailand. The main attractive tourist sites are Banteay chhmar and the Prasat Banteay Trop which were built in the 12th century.
Preah Vihear
It is home of Preah Vihear temple which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage on 07 July 2008. This temple, located 108 kilometers distance from the Preah Vihear town, on the mountain of Dan Rek, was built between 9th century and 10th century during reign of four kings. Preah Vihear is the historical site named as “Se Khari Svarax” meaning “power of mountain”. The temple is located in the steep side looking from Cambodia and gently sloping site from Thailand. Tourists can access to this temple by both way, from Cambodia side and Thailand side. Besides Preah Vihear temple, Koh Ker is also an interesting historical series of temple which consists of 38 small temples of various styles.
Kampong Thom
It is a small town in the central part of Cambodia. It is located along the River Sen banks which provide the rich soil for rice cultivation and many kinds of fishes. Fishery and forest production are the main resource for the population. This province is also home of many pre-Angkorian era temples such as Sambor Preikuk and Kuhak Nor Kor temple. Sambor Prei Kuk is the most popular temple in this province as it was a former capital during the time of King Isanavarman I in 7th century when he successfully united two territories (Chenla Kork and Chenla water). It is very interesting to visit Sambor Prei Kuk before visiting the splendid Angkor complex as the Angkor Civilization was mainly inspired by its style and design. Besides historical places, this province also has many religious and natural resorts to be explored.
Otdor Meanchey
This province has been recognized as the historical and cultural site for tourists. It is the province where former Khmer rouges made their last stand. Khmer Rouge had controlled the territory almost 20 years from 1979 until 1997. By this reason, this province has been promoted as the special historical site as it is the place where Pol Pot die and buried and tourists can take photos of the remaining activities.
Besides historical sites, tourists can also enjoy the green view of the big trees, waterfall at the mountain valley and various colors of orchids. At 500 meters from waterfall, tourists also can explore the religious area where monks make their meditation. This resort names Rut Cham Pey.