Ask any Cambodian and they’ll know landmark Wat Langka in Phnom Penh. Created as a sanctuary for Holy writings and a meeting point for monks from Cambodia and Sri Lanka, it is home to a shimmering temple, shaded grounds and colourful murals. As one of the capital’s oldest temples, dating back to 1442, many of the monks based there are highly-regarded teachers. Free meditation sessions take place throughout the week.
Prasat Preah Vihear (temple of the sacred mountain) has been at the centre of conflict for decades. Sitting on the edge of the Cambodian-Thai border, ferocious fighting between the two countries over ownership of the sacred site pursued until recent years. In 2015, the destination was deemed safe and taken off many foreign offices’ watch lists. While military presence remains strong, the temple is well worth a visit. With none of the crowds that plague Angkor, Prasat Preah Vihear is a series of impressive structures, built between the 9th and 12th century by several kings.
The Cambodian countryside is the jewel of the country, with pristine paddies stretching to the horizon dotted with grazing buffalo, dusty dirt tracks and gently waving palm trees. Ask any Cambodian about their “homeland” – or home province where their family is rooted – and they will swell with pride. So, whichever part of rural Cambodia you’re exploring, it will be someone’s super special spot.
Another ancient sacred place of worship that Cambodians hold close to their heart is the lesser-known Koh Ker temple complex. Serving as the capital of the Angkorian empire from 928AD to 944AD, the remote site – 127km northeast of Siem Reap – boasts 42 religious structures and monuments spread across a 9km by 4km area nestled among the forest.
