Every year, Cambodia welcomes more visitors to its shores, with the majority flocking straight to the tourist hubs. Those looking to escape the crowds, fear not because it remains relatively easy to get off the well-trodden trail. Here are 10 genuine alternatives to Cambodia’s tourist traps.
As Cambodia’s top tourist attraction, avoiding the crowds that flock to the main temples at Angkor Wat Archaeological Park – Angkor Wat itself, Bayon and Ta Prohm – is now impossible. And the over-crowding issue looks set to continue to hurtle towards breaking point as the UNESCO World Heritage site welcomes more visitors each year.
For a truly off-the-beaten track experience, swap Angkor for Koh Ker. Located about 120km from Siem Reap – home to Angkor Wat – visitors, if they’re lucky, can have the temple complex to themselves. At worst, there will be a handful of Cambodian families roaming the remote site.
Sitting as the capital of the Angkor Empire from 928 to 944, it comprises of a series of temples and monuments dotted throughout 81sqk of jungle. Only a few temples are open to visitors, with Prasat Krahom and Prasat Thom being the most visited.
Prasat Thom is the main monument, with visitors able to climb to the top of the seven-tiered structure. However, this comes with a warning to those who harbour a fear of heights. For those who can brave it, the views are certainly rewarding.
Prasat Krahom is Koh Ker’s second largest structure. The series of crumbling, jungle-engulfed buildings feature stone archways, dilapidated galleries, libraries and sanctuaries that live on as a still-impressive shadow of their former glory.
