Cambodia’s Hidden Gems—Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

This is way up on the scale of 'unique' but then again landmines and Cambodia seem to have a long-standing relationship, which makes the Cambodia Landmine Museum a popular spot for tourists to visit. The museum is located inside Angkor National Park and was established by a former child soldier Aki Ra, which somehow completes the entire experience of the nation's bleak history. Visit the place to learn more about the horrors of what landmines did to the nation and its people. A dark and sinister era indeed but one that is very much a part of Cambodia and well worth exploring to really understand how far the nation and its people have progressed since then.

Visit the Cambodia Cultural Village to learn about the traditions, customs, and beliefs of the Cambodian people. The place is easy to visit from popular Cambodian hotels, and quite the eye-opener to the simple way of life practised by the villagers. Inside the complex are model versions of popular Cambodian villages, as well as life-size statues of famous personalities from the country's past. You can even shop for souvenirs there when you visit the artisans' workshops. Explore and learn about the production of traditional crafts such as jewellery, stone carvings, silver products, silks, and ceramics, among others. A quick tip for those of you planning a lot of sightseeing; book popular hotels in Cambodia to savour the thrills of returning to your hotel and relaxing at the end of the day. Some like FCC Angkor are loved for their variety of dining options and feature some of the top restaurants in Siem Reap.

The Wat Preah Ang Sang Tuk is one of the oldest of its kind in Siem Reap. It's located within proximity to the old town marketplace, along the river. The place is a culturally fascinating complex to explore while the area is a tourist's dream. The temple has several artefacts to learn more about the religion and beliefs of the Cambodians. One such attraction is the colourful wall mural that depicts the story of the Buddha and the origins of Buddhism.

The coffee culture in Siem Reap is buzzing and you certainly won't want to miss out on this very local tradition. Drinking coffee is a lifestyle in the city with several quaint little coffee shops offering tourists a chance to relax with a special brew of Cambodian coffee.

Plan a visit to the floating village on the Tonle Sap River and you will love the adventure. The village consists of stilt houses, home to local fisher folk who offer a unique insight into the nation's traditions. Tonle Sap River runs 250 km between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and is a fascinating ecosystem to explore.