https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/cambodia/best-things-to-do/10070100081090
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Cambodia [2025]
Show All Photos
Angkor Wat
4.8
/5
3294 reviews
9.2
From AU$ 41.31
Based on 49,288 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +855 63965414
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Admire the magnificent Buddhist complex of Angkor Wat
Explore ancient Khmer legends' mysteries
Saved by 825 users1016 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Amazing Experience – Highly Recommend!Booking the Angkor Wat 1-Day Ticket through Trip.com was super easy and convenient. The e-voucher system worked smoothly — we didn’t need to make any reservations and just showed the voucher to enter.The price on Trip.com was actually cheaper than the official website, which was a nice bonus. The ticket gave us access to all the main temples, and it was an unforgettable experience exploring them.We also hired a private driver, which made the visit even more enjoyable. He took us around the temple complex and shared insights into Cambodian history and culture — really enriching.Would absolutely recommend booking through Trip.com for a hassle-free and affordable way to see Angkor Wat!
We booked the trip and had mr T, who entertained the tour with his knowledge about the temples we visited. Would love to recommend the tour and Mr. T as tour guide
Show All Photos
Royal Palace of Cambodia
4.5
/5
899 reviews
5.8
From AU$ 16.62
Based on 8,297 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855-12-721915
Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.2 of Night Attractions in Cambodia
Highlights:
Experience local vibes at dusk
Khmer-style spires & religious colors
Saved by 290 users341 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Cambodia🇰🇭Phnom Penh【Royal Palace】
Royal Palace
Built by King Norodom from 1866 to 1870 and designed by Cambodia's top architects, it is the royal palace of the King of Cambodia. The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh is a complex of buildings, including the throne room for coronation ceremonies or royal activities, the Buddhist temple "Silver Pagoda" for royal Buddhist ceremonies, and the palace where the Cambodian monarch lives.
Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tickets: US$10 (40,000 riels)
Time: 09:00-17:00
I don’t know what people think about this place but for me it’s sure a wonderful place in Phnom Penh because here was the one of my happy place ❤️❤️
Show All Photos
Angkor National Museum
4.7
/5
1078 reviews
5.8
From AU$ 17.49
Based on 3,424 reviews
Angkor | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855-63-966601
Address: 968 Vithei Preah Sihanouk Ave, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through beautiful surrounding gardens
Angkor Wat & modern architecture fusion
Saved by 223 users656 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It's good to preview the background and history of Angkor Wat before going to Angkor Wat. There are also Chinese video explanations, which are very good. The route design of the entire tour is also very good, and you will not walk the same way or walk around without direction.
It's worth a visit. You can take a quick look and listen to the guide for 2-3 hours. After all, it's too hot outdoors, so it's quite comfortable to do indoor activities. There are basically Angkor stone artifacts inside. The guide is 5USD for rent, which is paid on site.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Angkor Thom
4.8
/5
696 reviews
5.1
Based on 8,669 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 965 414
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap 17000
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Moat surrounds & adds mystery
54 Khmer-smiling Buddha statues
Saved by 184 users194 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
【Angkor Thom】
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom, also known as Angkor Thom, was built in the 9th century and covers an area of nearly 9 square kilometers. It was the capital built by King Jayavarman VII and the last capital before the end of the glorious era of Angkor civilization. According to the description of "Records of Cambodia" by Zhou Daguan, an envoy of the Yuan Dynasty, Angkor Thom was prosperous and bustling at the end of the 13th century, with magnificent buildings, which was no less impressive than the cities of the Yuan Dynasty in China at that time.
Angkor Thom has a total of five gates, with Buddha statues carved on all four sides of the gates. There is a long row of stone statues on both sides of the gates, which is a famous attraction in itself. There are many Angkor ruins scattered in Angkor Thom, the more famous ones are Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.
At the south gate of Tsurugi Castle, the path leading to the gate crosses the moat. The bridge is crowded with people. From afar, you can see the iconic stone-carved human-faced tower smiling at the four directions above the gate of Tsurugi Castle. As soon as you step onto the path, you can see the head of the Naga snake god standing tall. The long rope-like body of the Naga snake god runs through the entire path. There are two rows of stone statues evenly distributed on both sides, each with 27 2.5-meter-high kneeling stone busts lined up in a row. On one side are the gods, and on the other side are the Asuras, and the two sides are wrestling fiercely. The most interesting thing is that the facial expressions of the statues on both sides of the path are completely different. The statue on the left is a good god, with kind eyes and a smile on his face; the statue on the right is an Asura, with eyes wide open and a fierce look. Because of his ferocious face, he is called the evil god.
Angkor Thom is the name of the temple complex to the north of Angkor Wat. It includes, most famously Bayon, but also other dozens of other smaller gates and temples. You could spend days exploring around in here.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Phnom Penh Night Market
4.2
/5
101 reviews
5.0
Based on 846 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855-23-222839
Address: HWFG+JV8, Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Cambodia
Highlights:
Taste Cambodian cuisine & crafts
Rich stalls & themed shops
Saved by 220 users34% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Plenty of foods available for all local and international tourists. Near the market, you can enjoy sightseeing along the Mekong river with vibrant bars and pubs
Phnom Penh Night Market is located by the Tonle Sap River, between Road 102 and Road 106. It is an open-air night market, rebuilt from a street garden. The original grass was replaced by a cement brick floor, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, surrounded by iron pipe railings. There is a constant stream of people every night, especially during the peak tourist season. There are many kinds of goods in the night market, including clothing, shoes and hats, flowers, food, jewelry, cosmetics, daily necessities, and a large number of stone carvings, bamboo and wood products, and Khmer-style Buddha statues and other handicrafts. It is also close to the Tonle Sap River and the bar street with many foreigners, so you can also go there for a stroll.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Bayon Temple
4.8
/5
1484 reviews
5.0
Based on 20,873 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 765 577
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Bayon Temple sunset view
54 Buddha towers & Khmer smiles
Saved by 171 users281 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Bayan Temple is the national temple of the Angkor Dynasty in Cambodia. It is located at the center of the Angkor Tong Wangcheng. It was built by King Jehovah VII (Jayavarman VII) from the end of the 12th to early 13th centuries. It has many important historical significance: religious level ● reflects religious integration and transformation: The Bayan Temple witnessed the transformation of the Angkor dynasty's religious beliefs. Before that, the Angkor region was mainly Hindu, and the Bayan Temple was an important symbol of this religious transformation, with the strong promotion of Buddhism by Yamamoto VII. The temple has Buddhist elements, such as many Buddha statues and Buddhist story reliefs, and some Hindu traditions are integrated, which reflects the transition and tolerance of the religion of the society at that time, and also reflects the desire of the rulers to unite the people and consolidate their rule through religious integration. ● Promote Buddhist culture: Bayan Temple, as a Buddhist temple, was an important place for the spread and practice of Buddhism at that time. It promoted the development and prosperity of Buddhism in Angkor, attracting many monks and believers to practice and worship. The Buddha statue sculpture, mural and other art forms in the temple are not only the expression of religious belief, but also become the carrier of spreading Buddhist teachings and culture, which has a certain impact on the development of Buddhism in the surrounding area. Political level ● Signify the reign of king: Bayan Temple is a temple built for himself by King Jehovah VII and a symbol of his ruling power. The temple's large-scale, exquisite architecture and complex design showcase the king's wealth, power and ambition. The four-faced Buddha in the temple is considered a symbol of the king's face, a design that combines the king with the god Buddha, which aims to emphasize the divine status and legitimacy of the king's rule, and convey to the people that the king is the representative of God on earth, thereby strengthening the king's rule. ● Promoting national unity: At the height of the Angkor dynasty, Bayan Temple, as an important religious and political center of the country, played a role in rallying national strength and promoting national unity. People from different regions gathered to Bayan Temple for religious activities, strengthened exchanges and contacts between each other, helped to break the geographical gap, enhance the sense of identity and cohesion of the country, and was of great significance for maintaining the unity and stability of the country. Art level ● Show the peak of Khmer art: Bayan Temple has become an outstanding representative of Khmer art with its unique architectural style and exquisite carving skills. The relief murals in the temple are rich and varied, including war scenes, court life, folk stories, etc., vividly depicting all aspects of society at that time, providing precious visual materials for future generations to understand the history and culture of the Angkor Dynasty. Its architectural structure and decorative details reflect the outstanding wisdom and creativity of Khmer craftsmen, which has had a profound impact on the subsequent development of Cambodian architecture and art. ● Promote cultural exchange and dissemination: Bayan Temple, as an important symbol of Angkor culture, attracts artists, scholars and tourists from different regions. They appreciate and learn Khmer art here, promoting exchanges and dissemination among different cultures. The artistic style and creative techniques of Bayan Temple may also spread to the surrounding area, which has a certain promotion effect on the development of art in Southeast Asia.
The Buddha face tower of Bayon Temple is a prominent symbol of the temple and has extremely high artistic and cultural value. The following is a detailed introduction for you:
Architectural layout
Bayon Temple is located at the center of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. It is a pyramid-shaped building. The highest point is a gold-painted round pagoda, which is built on two hollow platforms. Surrounded by 48 pagodas of different sizes, the central pagoda is surrounded by stars. These Buddha face towers constitute the unique appearance of Bayon Temple.
Buddha face shape
Each pagoda is engraved with a four-faced Buddha, and the prototype of the Buddha face is believed to be Jayavarman VII himself. These Buddha faces present a serene and mysterious smile, which is the world-famous "Khmer smile". No matter from which angle you look at it, you seem to feel that the Buddha is watching you, giving people a mysterious power that travels through time and space, tranquility and hope.
Religious significance
According to religious consciousness, the gold-painted round pagoda at the highest point of Bayon Temple is built on two hollow platforms, indicating that the Buddha in the sky and the people on the earth are closely connected. Carving the king's face into a four-faced Buddha also made the subjects realize that the Bodhisattva was their king, thus strengthening the subjects' loyalty and respect for the king.
Construction background
At the end of the 12th century AD, Jayavarman VII, a devout Buddhist, built this Buddhist stone temple. The entire temple was built based on the highest realm of Mount Sumeru in Buddhist teachings. The four-faced Buddha is engraved on all the Brahmanic pagodas, which is significantly different from other Brahmanic temples in Angkor Wat.
No.
7
Show All Photos
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
4.6
/5
49 reviews
4.8
From AU$ 27.85
Based on 13,230 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +855 92 225 320
Address: Intersection, Ring Road, south of the, Sok San Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Cambodia
Highlights:
High-level acrobatics & dance
Circus show by Angkor Wat
76% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Worth to visit. The shows starts is very good. Although the shows starts at 8pm, the food stores are opened from 5.30pm onwards. There are also some performances at 7pm by the local kids performing the traditional dances.
It was amazing and i enjoyed it ao much! I really recommend to experience it
No.
8
Show All Photos
Ta Prohm Temple
4.7
/5
858 reviews
4.8
Based on 19,475 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 765 577
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5-2 hours
Highlights:
Temple entwined with giant roots
Tomb Raider real-life adventure
Saved by 162 users183 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
【Ta Prohm Temple】
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm Temple was built in 1186. It is a temple dedicated by the ancient Angkor king to his mother. Its architectural style is the same as Bayon Temple. "In the Mood for Love" and "Tomb Raider" both chose this place as a filming location. The main feature is the tree-wrapped tower. The whole temple is surrounded by dense trees, entangled for thousands of years. The roots of the ancient trees penetrate into the stone texture of the temple and merge with the temple.
Ta Prohm is a mausoleum built by Jayavarman VII in memory of his mother. It faces east and west, is large in scale, has a moat, and has many pagodas and corridors. Ta Prohm is located in the core area of Angkor Thom, not far from Angkor Wat and Greater Angkor Thom. It is characterized by years of disrepair and is not as well preserved as Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple, providing a foundation for the growth of large trees. Entering from the west gate, you can see from afar the dilapidated ancient temple covered with shade and birds singing. Many corridors and pagodas have collapsed into piles of rocks, and some are tilted and crumbling. Moss appears everywhere, giving it a sense of vicissitudes. From east to west, the first large tree grows on the vault of the tower and the cross corridor. The roots fork and then fall straight down along the wall, leaving two door frames. Going further inward, you can pass through the Sutra Library, through a corridor, and climb the wooden plank road on the stone pile between the corridor and the pagoda. You can see the roots of the second big tree split into two forks, sliding down the corridor wall like a snake; then go around to the other side of the corridor, and the big tree falls neatly like a waterfall on this side. This place is already under the shade of the big tree. The forked branches converge into a trunk behind the pagodas and fall down. It is not visible until you pass through a corridor and reach an open space between the pagoda and the corridor. You can see the roots of the big tree falling like a scattered waterfall, leaving a door frame in the middle. In "Tomb Raider", Laura fell into the hall here. Enter the pagoda on the right to visit the urn. Go around the pagoda through the vertical and horizontal corridors to see another big tree, the shape of which is free to imagine. There is an open space on the other side, and then you can walk out of the temple.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Independence Monument
4.4
/5
362 reviews
4.7
Based on 1,822 reviews
Sangkat Chakto Mukh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855 96 563 8118
Address: Norodom Blvd, 41, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
No.5 of Night Attractions in Cambodia
Highlights:
King's grand celebration on National Day
Landmark at Phnom Penh's intersection
Saved by 137 users120 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Cambodia🇰🇭Phnom Penh【Independence Monument】
The Independence Monument was built to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule on November 9, 1953. It was completed in March 1958, 37 meters high, with 7 floors, and 100 snake gods (symbols of Cambodian culture) on it. Every year during Independence Day, the Cambodian king or the king's representative holds a grand celebration here. Many visiting foreign heads of state also come here to lay wreaths.
In 1863, Cambodia was invaded by France and occupied by Japan in 1940. After Japan surrendered in 1945, the French colonists returned and invaded Cambodia again
Address: Norodom Blvd, 41, Phnom Penh
Considered the center of Phnom Penh, the independence Monument is iconic. It's te city's heartbeat- people exercise, dance, relax or shop.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Street 08
4.7
/5
271 reviews
4.7
Based on 10,201 reviews
Siem Reap Downtown | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855-63-964242
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.6 of Night Attractions in Cambodia
Highlights:
Angkor Night Market's local charm
Siem Reap's iconic bar hub
Saved by 188 users112 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Cambodia🇰🇭Siem Reap [Pub Street]
Pub Street
PubStreet is near the old market in Siem Reap. There are many snacks along the way. They are good value for money. There are some travel agencies near PubStreet, where you can buy bus tickets to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. There are many bars, restaurants, massage shops and some small commodity markets on both sides of PubStreet. You can buy some souvenirs here.
The night is beautiful, the weather is great, and the mood is super positive. I met up with three or five friends and had a drink with my girlfriends. It is also a good way to relieve stress and relax. There are many bars in a row, and there are many choices. I am a face party, so the drinks must be beautiful and photogenic. Whether they taste good or not is second to others.
1
2
