Angkor Wat, the world’s biggest religious structure, is one of the most spectacular destinations to see in Cambodia at any time of day. Watching the sunrise from behind the temple, on the other hand, is a unique experience that is well worth getting up early for. At this peak hour, though, don’t expect to have the temple to yourself, as tens of thousands of other early birds will throng to the temple to catch this magnificent moment.
There’s something beautiful about seeing the lights of a metropolis twinkle below you. The city can now be seen from a height of 189 meters, thanks to the recent arrival of Rosewood Phnom Penh to the capital’s hotel scene. The five-star hotel’s Sora Skybar, perched on the 37th level of the 39-story Vattanac City Tower, provides unrivaled panoramic views over the growing capital and beyond. Guests may enjoy the sunset and witness Phnom Penh light up before their eyes starting at 5:30 p.m. Simply breathtaking.
Another fantastic and unique experience to appreciate is being at one with nature in the middle of the tropical rainforest. The Cardamom Mountains are home to Southeast Asia’s biggest surviving rainforest, as well as a plethora of unusual and endangered flora and wildlife, making each visit here unique.
A temple with observation platforms perches atop Phnom Sampeu in Battambang, offering views of the region (which is called Cambodia’s rice bowl) stretching below. The Killing Caves, where the Khmer Rouge executed individuals during their control in the 1970s before dropping their victims’ remains down a hole, are also located on the mountain. In one of the caverns, there is a glass monument, as well as the skulls and other bones of victims and a reclining gold Buddha. At nightfall, when hundreds of thousands of bats spiral into the sky, the bat caves are a must-see.
Bokor Mountain near Kampot, formerly a French colonial retreat where the country’s aristocracy would travel to escape the tumult of city life, is a testimony to Cambodia’s history. Until recently, the decaying hotel at the summit was a highlight, with guests able to explore the ghostly shell and take in the breathtaking views over the Vietnamese island of Ph Quc. It has now reopened as the Le Bokor Palace luxury hotel, making it inaccessible to non-guests. Despite this, a journey up Bokor provides opportunities to see waterfalls, Buddhist sculptures, a decaying cathedral, cool air, and some of Cambodia’s top Instagram spots.
