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Villas
From the Northern Roundabout, NH33A heads north past the mildewed shells of handsome mid-20th-century villas that speak of happier, carefree times, and of the terrible years of Khmer Rouge rule and civil war. Built according to the precepts of the modernist style, with clean lines,
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Chau Srei Vibol
This petite hilltop temple used to see few visitors, as it was difficult to access, but new roads have put it on the temple map at last. The central sanctuary is in a ruined state but is nicely complemented by the construction of a modern wat nearby. Surrounding the base of the hil
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Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre
This wildlife conservation centre is located within the temple grounds of Wat Sorsor Moi Roi. Established by Conservation International (www.conservation.org), it is home to several species of turtle, including the rare Cantor’s giant softshell, which was only rediscovered along th
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Ta Nei
Ta Nei, 800m north of Ta Keo, was built by Jayavarman VII (r 1181–1219). There is something of the spirit of Ta Prohm here, albeit on a lesser scale, with moss and tentacle-like roots covering many outer areas of this small temple. However, the number of visitors are also on a less
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Phnom Keu Waterfall
There are numerous waterfalls dropping out of the Cardamoms south of Pailin. The most accessible one, which has water year-round, is Phnom Keu. To get there turn right off NH57 1.5km east of Wat Phnom Yat, then proceed 5km on a rough road (which gets dodgy in the rainy season). Fro
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Long Beach
On the back (west) side of the island is Koh Rongs finest beach, a 7km stretch of drop-dead gorgeous white sand, dubbed Long Beach (also called Sok San Beach after the fishing village at its northern end). Longtail boats head here from Koh Tuch pier, depositing sun-seekers on the s
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Cambolac
Cambodia has a long tradition of producing beautiful lacquerware, although the years of upheaval resulted in some of the skills being forgotten. Cambolac is a social enterprise helping to restore Cambodias lacquer tradition and create a new contemporary scene. You can tour the work
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Me Chrey
One of the more recently ‘discovered’ floating villages, Me Chrey lies midway between Siem Reap and Prek Toal. It is one of the smaller villages in the area but sees far fewer tourists than busy Chong Kneas. Arrange transport by road for about US$8 for a moto or US$25 for a taxi be
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Prasat Banan
Its a 358-stone-step climb up Phnom Banan to reach Prasat Banan, but the incredible views across surrounding countryside from the top are worth it. Udayadityavarman II, son of Suryavarman I, built Prasat Banan in the 11th century; some locals claim the five-tower layout here was th
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Wat Moha Montrei
Situated close to the Olympic Stadium, Wat Moha Montrei was named in honour of one of King Monivong’s ministers, Chakrue Ponn, who initiated the founding of the pagoda (moha montrei means ‘the great minister’). The cement vihara, topped with a 35m-high tower, was completed in 1970.
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Veal Krous Vulture Feeding Station
In order to save three critically endangered species – the white-rumped, slender-billed and red-headed vultures – the Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) set up a ‘vulture restaurant’ in the village of Dongphlet, northeast of Chhep on the edge of the Preah Vihear Protected
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Cambodian Cultural Village
It may be kitsch, it may be kooky, but it’s very popular with Cambodians and provides a diversion for families travelling with children. This is the Cambodian Cultural Village, which tries to represent all of Cambodia in a whirlwind tour of re-created houses and villages. The visit
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Wat Nokor Bachey
The original fusion temple, Wat Nokor is a modern Theravada Buddhist pagoda squeezed into the walls of an 12th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine of sandstone and laterite. Its a kitschy kind of place; many of the older building’s archways have been incorporated into the new building
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Banteay Samré
Banteay Samré dates from the same period as Angkor Wat and was built by Suryavarman II. The temple is in a fairly healthy state of preservation due to some extensive renovation work, although its isolation has resulted in some looting during the past few decades. The area consists
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Heaven & Hell
The eastern half of the south gallery depicts the punishments and rewards of the 37 heavens and 32 hells. On the left, the upper and middle tiers show fine gentlemen and ladies proceeding towards 18-armed Yama (the judge of the dead) seated on a bull; below him are his assistants,
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Wat Phnom Yat
From NH57, stairs lead through a garish gate up to Wat Phnom Yat, a psychedelic temple centred on an ancient po (sacred fig) tree. A 27m Buddha looms over the top of the staircase, while a path leads up to the colourful temple and the large golden stupas at the top of the hill. Alo
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Koh Paen
For a supremely relaxing bicycle ride, it’s hard to beat Koh Paen, a rural island in the Mekong River, connected to the southern reaches of Kompong Cham town by an elaborate bamboo bridge (toll 500r to 1000r) in the dry season or a local ferry (with/without bicycle 1500/1000r) in t
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Golden Silk
Golden Silk is a working silk farm located in Banteay Srei district, about 30km from Siem Reap. Golden silk also happens to be the name of a particularly refined thread of silk produced by the yellow silkworm. Visitors are welcome to visit the weaving centre and learn more about th
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Spean Thmor
Spean Thmor, of which an arch and several piers remain, is 200m east of Thommanon. Jayavarman VII constructed many roads with these immense stone bridges spanning watercourses. This is the only large bridge remaining in the immediate vicinity of Angkor. It vividly highlights how th
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Independence Monument
Modelled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead. Wreaths are laid here on national holidays. In the park just east of here is an i
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