During Khmer New Year down by the riverside, or Angkor Wat on a public holiday you feel anything but off the beaten track. Yet while 8 million people visit Cambodia every year, most stick to a very tried and tested travel circuit.
This largely means Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Koh Rong and if people are feely really adventurous then Battambang. In fact though there are a heap of unknown travel gems in Cambodia just waiting to be explored.
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5 Unknown Travel Gems in Cambodia
With this in mind I have put together my personal 5 unknown travel gems in Cambodia that are just waiting to be explored. As always I have to have been there and we save the best until last!
5) Kampong Thom
This is some beautiful countryside full of temples, great food, friendly people and pure Khmer countryside vibes. And yet despite being only a few hours drive from Phnom Penh very few people come here. Interestingly it was also the hometown of Pol Pot, with his relatives still living here.
4) Preah Vihear Temple
One of the most stunning temples anywhere and with the journey alone and its views making the trip worthwhile. Yet despite this few people actually come here. Combine this with the rustic location and the contemporary war issues and this is a must visit site.
3) Koh Kong
Everyone has heard of Koh Rong and Sihanoukville, but few carry on further to Koh Kong and this is a real shame. Great street food, a real rural Khmer feel and awesome beaches. Combine this with things like the mangrove park and it is well worth a visit.
2) Anlong Veng
Despite being just two hours from Siem Reap by car or bus almost no foreigners visit. This was the last holdout of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, so if you have more than a passing interest in Cambodian history this is a must see travel gem in Cambodia.
1). Kratie and Koh Trong
I have made this a double entry, although it could have easily been two standalone ones. Kratie is a beautiful town with greta eats and off course the pink dolphins which are quite the site. Then there’s the Mekong Island that is Koh Trong. This is perhaps the most serene and relaxing place in all Cambodia, yet few people make it here.
Honorable mentions
Other places of note that perhaps just missed the list for our unknown travel gems of Cambodia include places like Stung Treng, which straddles the Laos border, as well as Rattanakiri province.
I’d also go further still including the real boonies like Kampong Chhnang and even Poipet. Battambang is another that only misses the list because it is just about on the trail, although again seriously underrated and missed by many.
So, those are my 5 unknown travel gems of Cambodia! In fact it would have been easy to do as many as 10, or more, but these ones really are true gems.
Click to see my Cambodia Tours with YPT.