With ancient temples, tropical beaches and friendly locals, Cambodia lures travelers seeking adventure and enlightenment. But beyond the well-trodden tourist trail, this captivating country harbors many surprising insights and hidden wonders waiting to be uncovered. From unusual cuisine to traditional transportation, here are 13 fascinating discoveries as we begin Unlocking Cambodia’s Secrets.
Angkor Wat
Sprawling across 400 acres, the 12th-century Angkor Wat stands as the world’s largest religious monument, a testament to the Khmer empire’s architectural prowess. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally built as a Hindu temple before being converted to a Buddhist site.
Bamboo Trains
Adventurous riders can hop aboard Battambang’s Bamboo Train, an exhilarating local mode of transportation made of bamboo slats atop modified rail carts. This DIY railway offers cheap, fun transportation along rural tracks.
Land Mines
Decades of conflict left Cambodia riddled with landmines, with almost half still active across rural areas despite cleanup efforts. Sadly, this has contributed to Cambodia having the world’s highest percentage of amputees.
Floating Villages
Beyond iconic temples, Cambodia boasts incredible aquatic communities like the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, the Mangroves of Ream National Park and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins of the Mekong River.
Khmer New Year
The lively Angkor Sankranta festival enables visitors to immerse themselves in Khmer culture amid the iconic Angkor Wat temples during the Cambodian New Year. Experience history coming alive during this colorful event.
Plain of Jars
Strewn across remote plains of northeast Cambodia, the mysterious Plain of Jars features ancient massive stone jars dating back 2,000 years whose original purpose still confounds archaeologists today.
Fried Tarantulas
Fried tarantulas are a regional delicacy in Skuon, prepared with garlic and salt to offer a taste sensation unlike any other. An adventurous must-try for the culinarily courageous!
Blind Massage
In Cambodia’s innovative “blind clinics,” the visually impaired are trained in massage techniques to earn a living, providing jobs while delivering relaxing treatments.
Exports Bicycles
Cambodia is the largest exporter of bicycles to the EU, shipping almost one $1 billion dollars a year, that’s more than 24% of the EU’s total imports. Other industries outside of Tourism include textiles and footwear which employ over 600,000 predominantly female workers.
Killing Fields
Originally coined by journalist Dith Pran after fleeing the Khmer Rouge, the chilling term “Killing Fields” refers to the many sites where victims of the genocide were interred in mass graves.
Creative Transport
In Cambodian cities, motorbikes piled precariously high with goods and even live animals are a common sight. This creative transport solutions reveal locals’ resilience and resourcefulness.
Rather than wasting excess rice, Cambodians traditionally repurpose it as animal feed or transform it into prahok, a fermented fish paste relished for its intense umami flavor.
Water Buffalo
Gentle water buffaloes remain essential to many farming communities for plowing fields and hauling loads. Their presence captures the timeless rhythms of rural life.
As these fascinating insights reveal, Cambodia abounds with layers of wonders waiting to be peeled back by those who take the time to scratch beneath the surface. Let CamboTicket handle your transportation whether you are looking for bus booking or private taxi so you can focus fully on exploring the mysteries of Cambodia.