Matador's Ultimate Guide to Cambodia

Southeast Asia's often overlooked gem ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Matador's Guide to Cambodia]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Cambodia Hi all, A good trip to Cambodia involves more than visiting Angkor Wat and taking the S21 tour. Few countries offer a more raw or honest travel experience, and learning the country’s history since the reign of Pol Pot is a must in order to properly engage. Once there, its rich cuisine, cultural sites and temples, and exciting on-the-ground experience make Cambodia unique among Southeast Asian destinations. Phnom Penh, its capital city, is home to a bumping commercial district along its waterfront. The coastal town of Sihanoukville is a popular beach and party destination, while in Siem Reap, pub conversations over amok and a cold Angkor beer are the best way to meet fellow travelers and young locals. One tip – seek out the [local rum]( while in the country. This week, Matador explores Cambodia. [Let’s dive in](. [EXPLORE CAMBODIA](  GET INSPIRED [Siem Reap]( Why Now Is the Perfect Time To See Siem Reap and Angkor’s Temples Located just a few miles north of downtown, the remains of early Khmer civilization were as stunning as ever without the tourist horde. Accompanied only by the sounds of the nearby jungle, my temple visits were as surreal as they were solitary. This was probably the closest I would ever get to experiencing Angkor as the lost jungle city of lore. Better make your way here before the rest of the world does. [READ MORE]( [Angkor park]( 9 Stunning Temples You Need To See Near Siem Reap, Besides Angkor Wat Angkor is Cambodia‘s most-visited tourist attraction. There are dozens more incredible ruins in and around the park. Far from finding yourself stuck behind coach-loads of sightseers, you can visit most of these ancient temples and hardly see another person. Here are our nine favorite temples near Siem Reap that aren’t Angkor Wat. [READ MORE](  NATURE + ADVENTURE [Kampong Phluk]( Cambodia’s Floating Villages: How To Visit Like Venice, Italy, this village isn’t actually floating but is built on 16’ tall wooden stilts driven into the bed of the seasonal lake, Tonle Sap (which literally translates to “large freshwater river”). The lake is filled by the Tonle Sap river that connects to the Mekong River — all of which form a massive central hydrological system in the Cambodian floodplain. [READ MORE]( [Arcadia Backpacker Hostel]( How To Visit the Arcadia Backpacker Hostel’s Awesome Waterpark in Cambodia This hostel in Kampot, a small town in the south of Cambodia, sits on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River. Instead of using their 150m of unobstructed riverfront only for ordinary swimming, the hostel created a Swiss Family Robinson-style water park with features that will launch you into the air for your plunge deep into the river. [READ MORE]( [Mika Jones]( I Gave Up My 120k Job To Build a Skate Park in Cambodia In the hip beach town of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, the Australia native is building a specially designed skate zone that will be a community center for local Khmer kids. Dubbed Skate Style, the park is now open to the public and is already seeing kids flock to its ramps and halfpipe to practice their skills. We sat down with Jones to find out more about the story behind the facility and his plans for the future. [READ MORE](  FOOD + CULTURE [preserved egg]( As Travel Reopens, It’s Time To Rethink How We Talk About Unfamiliar Foods There’s a world, quite literally, of food histories and culinary adventures waiting to be unlocked. You’ll find that so much of it is misrepresented, and so much of it is delicious. [READ MORE]( [Temples of Angkor]( 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Angkor Wat The Temples of Angkor are among the most fascinating and increasingly popular destinations in Southeast Asia. The excursion is more than worth it, but there are a few things you should know before arriving in Siem Reap. [READ MORE]( [Durian Fruit]( What It’s Like To Eat the World’s Stinkiest Fruit for the First Time Despite the stench, the spiky, football-sized fruit is easy to find in Southeast Asia because the taste of the custard-like inside is in a league of its own. On a trip to Kampot, the “durian capital of Cambodia,” I decided to push past the scent and try one for myself. [READ MORE](  TIPS, ADVICE + DEALS [backpacker in Asia]( Everything You Need in Your Pack To Travel To Southeast Asia Southeast Asia's beaches, lush landscapes, dynamic cities, and delicious food make the region a must-see for many international travelers. Before you embark on the journey of your lifetime, you’re going to need a few essentials, and perhaps the odd luxury. We’ve compiled what you need as far as travel gear for Southeast Asia. [READ MORE]( [city with lights in Cambodia]( The Coolest Things To Do in Siem Reap Beyond Angkor Wat The city is home to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and is the commercial hub of northern Cambodia and the surrounding section of the Mekong Delta. While Angkor Archeological Park is worth at least a visit, there are plenty of things to do in Siem Reap beyond the temples. 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