In summer 2018, our hearts and souls were longing for some quality time in nature, so my family and I leapt at the chance to travel to the remote northeast of Cambodia with the Vireak Buntham minivan. One of the highlights of our stay in Ratanakiri province was our visit to Yeak Laom Lake, an oasis set amidst the beautiful landscape of ancient mountainous forests, and a home to the local indigenous people.
with my son at Yeak Laom Lake
Yeak Laom Lake is a crater formed after a volcanic eruption over 4,000 years ago. It has a diameter of about 800 meters. The Tampuan ethnic minority has a strong connection with this alluring lake as it is the source of their community’s strength, spirituality, culture and livelihood. We learned that the Tampuan community has been in charge of maintaining and managing the lake since 1998, including forest patrols, waste management, tourist services, etc.
Yeak Laom Lake in Ratanakiri
We hired a 4×4 off-road vehicle from the hotel. The lake is only 5 km away from the capital town of Banlung, but getting there from our hotel took longer due to difficult road conditions in the rainy season, which runs from June to October. The ride out there was enjoyable despite the muddy, bumpy roads; we waved to happy kids as we passed by far-flung villages and farmlands.
As soon as we got out of the 4×4, we were drawn towards the entrance by the magnificent 100-meter-tall tree that stood strong and proud, as well as the brave Tampuan statue that guards the gate and serves as a symbol of the local community and Tampuan culture. After we purchased our $2 USD entry ticket, we looked around us and saw that we were surrounded by a verdant jungle, colorful birds were soaring overhead, and gorgeous butterflies were fluttering by. Then we headed to the lake, descended a set of stairs, and stood on a platform, where a fresh, cool breeze cheered us on.
my son at Yeak Laom Lake in Ratanakiri
After a short while, we opted to walk further, and when we got to the fourth platform, nobody was there. We had the charming lake all to ourselves. We stayed and sat there and took in the breathtaking scenery while unwinding in this genuinely beautiful place.
When the sun shone on the lake, it resembled a massive ring of gems! It shimmered brilliantly and had an emerald-azure color. Furthermore, the tranquil atmosphere and still waters created an exhilarating and euphoric ambiance.
with hubby at Yeak Laom Lake in Ratanakiri
The lake’s deep clean water is ideal for a refreshing swim. Even though we did not swim, we saw some people who couldn’t resist taking a dive to experience the warmth of the water. Rather, we strolled around the lake on a well-defined hiking trail. It took us a little over an hour, with several stops along the way to admire the lake, snap some photos, observe spiders, and enjoy watching countless beautiful butterflies and birds.
me at Yeak Laom Lake in Ratanakiri
Moreover, we had the opportunity to visit a handicraft site, buy some items as souvenirs from the ethnic group, and interact with the community, learning about their way of life.
The Yeak Laom Lake is a true gem of Ratanakiri — stunning nature and a wonderful cultural immersion! We were definitely enchanted by the Yeak Laom Lake spell! What a blissful nature escape it had been!
Cambodia is a small country, but it is a gem in Southeast Asia with a lot to offer for everyone, including a diverse culture, a rich history, deep-rooted colonial influences, gorgeous landscapes, the innate hospitality of its people, and so much more. Having spent the past 14 years as expats living and working in Phnom Penh, we believe we know enough about this beautiful nation. Hence, I decided to share our list of the top 14 reasons why you ought to visit Cambodia at least once in your life.
In July 2017, we took our son to see the Angkor Temples in Siem Reap.
The charm and genuine hospitality of the people
The people of Cambodia make the country more special. With their friendliness, profusion of smiles, generosity, kindness, and genuine hospitality, they entice visitors and tourists to return time and time again. We have traveled from north to south and east to west, and we have received the same consistent warm welcome and kindness from the locals. It’s a smiling country; everyone welcomes you with a big smile on their faces and greets you with “Sous Dai, Bong!” The locals always wear their smiles, making Cambodian people quite fashionable.
I admire the hardworking people of Cambodia.
Incredible amount of history
The ancient Angkor Temples in Siem Reap provide a magnificent insight into the past of the great Khmer Empire, a time of national pride that endures to this day. One of the temples in Angkor is Angkor Wat, which was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarnam II. It is a symbol of Cambodia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, classified by the Guinness World Records as the largest religious monument in the world, and before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it was visited by two million tourists every year. It is fascinating to wander around the ancient temples of Angkor and learn more about the kings who built them and the conversion from Hinduism and Buddhism.
Our first visit in the Angkor Temples was in October 2010.
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh was established in 1866, and it showcases Khmer architecture and gives you a peek of Cambodian culture and heritage. It is wonderful to wander around the complex and explore every building inside. The Silver pagoda on the south side of the palace features a royal temple and houses many national treasures such as gold and silver Buddha statues encrusted with diamonds.
At the Royal Palace of Cambodia
The Ancient City of Odong is located in Kandal province, about 35 km northwest of Phnom Penh via National Road Number 5. The Mountain of Oudong (Phnom Oudong) consists of many archaeological findings from pre-Angkor, Angkor and Post-Angkor periods such as sandstone architectural elements and artifacts resulting from the worship of Animism, Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. It is also a site where the kings were buried.
At the top of Phnom Oudong
Both the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Field are in Phnom Penh and provide detailed information on the Khmer Rouge, a communist political group in Cambodia. The four-year period of the Cambodian Genocide, which took place between 1975 and 1979 after the Khmer Rouge came to power in the nation following the Cambodian Civil War, killed 3 million people. However, on January 7, 1979, Vietnamese troops seized Phnom Penh, overthrowing the brutal regime of Pol Pot. I believe it is a must-see for everyone (at least 16 years old and above) to hear the heartbreaking and horrendous stories in order to understand Cambodia and to stop this kind of atrocities from repeating in the future.
Choeung Ek Memorial (the Killing Fields) was one of the execution grounds during the Khmer Rouge, which killed thousands of people.
Natural beauty and inspiring landscapes
Cambodia has beautiful mountains such as Bokor Mountain and Cardamom Mountains with deep jungles that are ideal for hiking. The Cardamom Mountains are Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest and home to a number of endangered species, including the gibbons, elephants, clouded leopards, pangolins, sun bears, and many more. Also, it is home to ethnic minority groups.
We trekked through the Cardamom Mountains in Koh Kong.
It was raining hard when we went to Bokor Mountain, but we managed to take a picture of the old Catholic Church on the mountain, built in 1919, the 2nd oldest standing Catholic Church in Cambodia.
It also has several stunning tropical islands with beautiful beaches on Koh Rong, southwest of Cambodia. Koh Rong has white beaches, clear turquoise sea, and a leisurely pace of life. The surrounding coral reefs make for excellent snorkeling all day long. This small paradise is perfect if you are looking for idyllic beaches and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and work.
Building a sandcastle in the sand and reading on the beach.
We were the only ones on the beach! Love it!
We love the secluded beaches in Cambodia! In fact, our favorites!
Cambodia also has great lakes and rivers including the Yeak Laom Lake, the Tonle Sap Lake, the Mekong River, the Tatai River in Koh Kong, and the Teuk Chhou River in Kampot, that are ideal for kayaking and sunset boat cruises.
This was in July 2018. In the background is the beautiful Yeak Laom Lake in Ratakaniri, a volcanic crater lake that was formed after the volcanic eruption around 700,000 years ago.
Alan and I kayaked along the Teuk Chhou River from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. under the scorching heat of the sun. It was one of our memorable experiences in 2012 because we got lost in the cathedral (the mangrove areas) and the tides were big and rough on the way back.
Furthermore, it also has scenic wooded hills in Mondulkiri, eastern region in Cambodia, tremendous tumbling waterfalls in lush forest in Ratanikiri, northern Cambodia, and wonderful parks in Kirirom, southern part of Cambodia.
We went waterfall hopping in Ratanikiri.
In July 2018, we explored the eastern region of Cambodia, and one of the things we enjoyed was walking hills after hills in Mondulkiri.
Bou Sra is a scenic triple-tiered drop waterfall in Mondulkiri.
Lush forest in Ratanikiri
Family friendly activities
All throughout the country, Cambodia provides safe family-friendly activities suitable for kids and offers families the ideal mix of exploration activities, from exploring the world-famous ruins at the Angkor Temples to jungle trekking to paddling up and down the winding scenic rivers to enjoying the tropical islands to learning about arts, and so many more. It offers a variety of activities and experiences that will amuse visitors of all ages, including zip lining, kayaking, caving, rock climbing, bicycling, quad biking, scuba diving, art classes, cooking classes, the Cambodia acrobat circus, cultural villages, nice swimming pools at distinctive resorts, and a lot more.
We kayaked the whole morning to explore the Tatai River. It was a unique take on the country and a fantastic way to learn about its biodiversity.
We opted to have a glimpse of the underwater world in Koh Rong.
It was an incredible equestrian adventure! Our horses took us the whole afternoon on a tranquil journey as we trotted through the countryside for a taste of the authentic Khmer lifestyle.
Caving Kampot! Besides the cool rock formations, there is a 5th century (pre-Angkorian) Funan Temple inside Phnom Chhngok Cave.
…and I scratched the adventuring itch. I completed all the obstacles and ziplined through the woods. What a great way to view the world from a different perspective!
Focus on the target.
Pete was enjoying himself by jumping into the Tatai Waterfall several times!
Exploring the countryside on a quadbike is awesome.
Varied cuisine
Cambodia is a paradise for food lovers. Every dish is an explosion of flavors between sweet, spicy, and bitter, salty and sour, fresh and cooked. They love contrast on their plates, and every meal includes a variety of sauces such as sour fish sauce, chili, and lemon with salt and pepper. They love noodle soup, baguettes, and wine. Some of our favorite dishes are fish amok, beef Loklak, vegetable soup, and many more.
Wildlife and biodiversity
Everyone can enjoy Cambodia’s diverse wildlife and biodiversity, which range from the mighty Mekong to tropical paradises, waterfalls, birdlife, and mountain ranges. For all animal lovers, you can enjoy a full-day behind-the-scenes tour of the Phnom Tamao Rescue Center, which nurses and rehabilitates wild range animals that have been rescued from the clutches of poachers and the illegal trade before being released back into the wild. When we went there, we had a close-up look at the animals, such as gibbons, pangolins that were eventually released into the wild, Lucky the female elephant, one tiger that was a zoo rescue from a safe distance, and many more. Besides a tour at Phnom Tamao Rescue Center, you can enjoy bird watching on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, wildlife tour in Siem Reap, the elephant sanctuaries in Mondulkiri, and various treks through the Cardamom Mountains. All these will undoubtedly give you a WOW experience.
Pete had a close encounter with Lucky, a female elephant at Phnom Tamao Rescue Center.
Free the bears!
Behind us were lovely deer. Can you spy on them?
Innovative accommodations
Across the country, Cambodia provides safe and innovative accommodations. Wherever you go, if you are looking for some rest, relaxation, and downtime, you can find chic and stylish hotels within your price range for travelers looking for some time off.
We had a relaxing stay at the One Resort.
Excellent value for money
All over Cambodia, hotels, dining options, attractions, nightlife, and more are reasonably priced, especially if you go local, which you really ought to do.
We always have a pleasurable and peaceful staycation at Baitong Hotel & Resort in Phnom Penh.
Sustainable initiatives
The government and the private sector of the nation are both making investments in green, sustainable, and environmentally conscious travel initiatives, from hotels and resorts to activity options.
We had a great stay at Canvas & Orchids Retreat Resort, an eco-friendly resort in Tatai, Koh Kong.
Farmhouse Resort & Spa is one of the eco-friendly resorts to which we like going back.
We had an exclusive stay at the Ratanikiri Paradise Resort. It was great!
Authentic travel
Nowadays, travelers prefer more genuine experiences, and Cambodia has a lot of these, including lounging on a secluded island, trekking through the jungle, taking in the rare flora and fauna, cycling through undeveloped countryside, staying in a community homestay, learning how to cook traditional Cambodian food, immersing yourself in one of the many festivals, and many others.
We visited a floating village in Siem Reap sometime ago.
Exploring the dense jungle in Cambodia.
The amazing view of the salt fields in Kampot is seen under the blue sky on a sunny day. It’s like the world’s natural gigantic mirrow. And a spot of reflection is always good for the soul!
A short talk before we explored a pepper farm in Kampot
Laze at the secluded beach.
Rich culture
Cambodia is dubbed the “Kingdom of Wonder.” Cambodian people are infused with the rich culture and heritage of their country. They provide opportunities for the visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant local scene, which includes stage performances, elaborate ceremonies, magical Apsara dance, traditional music, etc. You may also check out Cambodian Living Arts, which offers a series of traditional dance shows.
Traditional local dancers gracefully danced the Aprsara Dance during the charity concert performed by Musica Felice.
Celebrations
Numerous public holidays and festivals are observed throughout the year in Cambodia. Some of the major celebrations include Khmer New Year in April, and in November is the Water Festival, where a large crowd gathers at the Tonle Sap River to watch the colorful spectacle of boat races. In addition, the religious celebration of Pchum Ben during which Cambodians remember the departed loved ones takes place in October.
We watched the boat race at the Water Festival.
And we watched the fluvial parade at night during the Water Festival.
Art
Many young contemporary artists are leading the way in Cambodia’s thriving art scene. The cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot all have galleries. In Phnom Penh, you can see the creations of emerging artists in Sa Sa Bassac, Java Cafe, and the Gallery. You can also stroll around Boeung Kak Lake in Phnom Penh for beautiful street art.
Street art in Boeung Kak Lake
Street in art Boeung Kak Lake
Great access to neighboring countries
If you have extra time to explore South East Asia, you could always visit its neighboring countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, which are equally fascinating regions with tons to offer. In fact, the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam trip is the most popular combo itinerary for a couple, group of friends, or family traveling to Southeast Asia because it includes almost all of the region’s distinctive attractions such as incredible temples, food, scenery, and architecture. If you are on a budget or if you wish to see the countryside, you can explore these places by bus (the buses are nice and comfortable), otherwise there are direct flights available.
Little Lilly Meets the World 