The many faces of Cambodia

By Ashleigh McIntyre
7 December 2010

High up on the list of anyone travelling to Cambodia is the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Why? Because this ancient temple complex is not only a powerful symbol of national pride, it is also the ultimate expression of Khmer genius. In fact, it is matched only by sites like Machu Picchu and Petra when it comes to amazing feats of construction.

These ancient remnants of a mighty empire draw in visitors from across the globe, who come to experience its spirituality, symbolism and majesty of the world’s largest religious complex. But when staring at the mind-boggling complex, with its elaborate carvings and intricate design....

As Cambodia continues to recover from the dark days of the 1970s, tourists are gradually discovering the rugged beauty it has to offer. With wilds as remote as those found in neighbouring Laos, as well as pristine beaches, Cambodia is quite the treasure trove.

For those clients wanting a beach holiday of Thailand’s Ko Samui calibre, a visit to Cambodia’s south coast, with its abundance of tropical islands, won’t disappoint. One of the best ways to experience this beauty while travelling is to ditch the wheels and take a boat from the capital, Phnom Penh, to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor. The journey gives visitors a chance to take in the scenery and culture of this kingdom’s waterways and experience life on the river Cambodian style.

While Cambodia has many faces that will leave visitors feeling uplifted and inspired, there is also a darker side to this kingdom. Before travelling, clients should at least understand the brutality and horror that the Khmer people have endured over the ages, from the Cambodian Dark Age in the mid-16th century, right through to the Vietnam War and the more recent Khmer Rouge regime.

To obtain a clearer understanding of the atrocities committed during the reign of Pol Pot and Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, clients should visit the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh, where large numbers of people were killed and buried from 1975 to 1979. It is believed around one-fourth of the Cambodian population lost their lives — a sobering reminder of the realities this country has faced. Yet the resilience and warmth of the locals are another aspect to this destination that make it worth the visit.