5 interesting things to do in Cambodia

Discover the sacred temples and traditions of one of South-East Asia's most beloved countries. These things below are the highlights of Cambodia that you need to visit to make the most of your adventure.

1. Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat

Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat is believed to be the oldest and largest temple complex in the world. It was once the capital of the Khmer Empire and its front-facing outline has since become a national symbol, featuring on the Cambodian flag, on beer labels and in the name of countless hotels.

The ruins sit in an archaeological park that extends for 400 square kilometres, a scale beyond what many visitors anticipate. Those with ample time should make the most of a three-day or week-long pass to explore its maze of ancient stone structures and water features coated with blossom-pink lotus flowers – not forgetting to investigate the history of the underground city that lies beneath Angkor Wat.

2. Explore its other magnificent temples

Angkor Wat might take priority on the itinerary, but travellers would be missing out if they were to skip Cambodia’s other fascinating temples. You don't need to go far – Angkor Archaeological Park is home to numerous ancient monuments that can be explored at your own leisure on bike or foot.

Angkor Thom can be found in the shadow of Angkor Wat and showcases a series of ancient buildings including Bayon temple, whose 200 stone-carved faces are believed to depict King Jayavarman VII. Ta Prohm might not measure up in magnitude against its sister temples, but it still proves to be a big hit with travellers, after its unconventional overgrown banyan tree roots made a starring appearance in the movie Tomb Raider.

For those seeking a more off-beat spiritual encounter, venture to northern Cambodia to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear that stands atop a 525 metre cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains. If the ancient ruins don’t beat your expectations, then the panoramic views over lush green forestry bounding into the horizon most certainly will.

3. Sample the street food of Siem Reap

South-East Asian cuisine opens travellers to a whole new range of alternative street food that travellers wouldn’t typically find on market stalls back home. From deep-fried tarantulas and snakes on skewers, to lime and chilli crickets, there really is everything and anything on the menu to choose from.

Aside from these rather niche foods, Cambodian dishes typically use fried noodles or sticky rice as a main ingredient, with an addition of fried vegetables and meat. Lort cha (noodles, bean sprouts, and chives) is typically cooked with beef, topped with a fried egg and is served in a generous portion enough to satisfy a hungry appetite. While amok (fish soup made with coconut milk and red Thai curry paste) has enough lime zest and chilli kick to warm the stomach, and is traditionally steam cooked in a round banana leaf dish.

4. Visit Battambang Bat Caves at sundown

Every evening at the base of Phnom Sampeau mountain, crowds gather in anticipation to observe thousands of bats burst out of a cave hole for their nightly hunt. A stream of black fills the sky, fluttering overhead in a sound wave motion, before dispersing on the star-lit horizon. This astounding display happens like clockwork at 5.30pm each evening, 15km south west of Battambang.

However, the caves of Phnom Sampeau mountain behold a dark history, having been used as an execution site under the rule of Khmer Rouge. Cambodians regard this natural phenomena as the souls of victims freeing themselves from the darkness. There is also a memorial site where people can pay their respects.

5. Take it slow on Koh Rong Island

Just as you think you’ve seen Cambodia at its best, take a short boat trip west of Krong Preah to Koh Rong Island, where sugar-coated beaches and azure waters welcome off-beat travellers. From discovering sandy coves in remote corners to snorkelling alongside diverse marine life among coral reefs, natural beauty flourishes throughout this little-explored island, both on land and in the surrounding waters.

There really is no better way to finish your South-East Asia adventure than with a relaxed evening clinking cocktails in a beach hut bar, watching the sun set over Koh Rong's palm tree shrouded shores.

See more: 7 reasons why you should visit Cambodia at least one time

Source: wanderlust

Daehan Dawon, the largest tea plantation in South Korea

The Boseong Green Tea Plantations in the South Jeolla Province are one Korea's landmarks. The most famous field is the Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation, which is naturally the most tourists. Most people travel here either in spring.

There is something mesmerising about watching Korean ladies carefully picking green tea leaves. For those who love taking pictures, there is a specially designed photo area, a well-groomed patch of field, while the rest of the plantation often happens to be slightly overgrown. Even if you come in late autumn or winter, you will see quite a picture, as the hillsides are always beautiful.

The origin of Deahan Dawon

Daehan Dawon, the largest and oldest tea garden in the southern county of Boseong, dates back to 1937, when the first green tea trees were planted by Japanese colonialists. The area’s rich soil, humidity and day-to-night temperature differences made it a perfect location for tea cultivation.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit Boseong and the Daehan Dawon Plantation is in May as the yearly Dahyangje Tea Festival is celebrated at this time. Aside from driving your own vehicle, the most common way to reach Boseong is to take the bus from Seoul, although the route is not direct. From the capital, you will need to take a bus to the city of Gwangju. You will then change at the intercity bus terminal, and take another bus directly to the city of Boseong.

Going Green

Out of the three main plantations in the Boseong area, Daehan Dawon is the most famous one. It routinely attracts domestic and international visitors but it also functions as a fully-operational plantation that produces 40% of the nation’s green tea products. Daehan Dawon is incredibly scenic, and all around you will see neatly trimmed tea hedges that adorned multitudes of hills. Daehan covers more than 560 hectares of hillside and fields. This is the largest and oldest tea garden in Boseong.
The most popular tourist activity in Daehan is the stroll up to a road that leads to the main plantation area. This iconic path is referred to as the Boseong Cedar Road, as it is lined up by tall cedar trees that can reach to up to 20 meters in height.

Enjoy Daehan Dawon’s cuisine

Go past the market and go around a small pong to get to the administrative office building. This section is also populated by various restaurants and coffee shops. Make sure to bring a camera during this hike as there are plenty of amazing photo opportunities. After the hike, get yourself some favorite green tea ice cream, a perfect way to cap off the experience.

Here, visitors can learn more about the life cycle of the tea leaf, its harvesting and drinking culture. In addition, the museum offers a number of programs such as tea-making and tea ceremony workshops that provide a unique, hands-on experience.

Read more: Explore the hidden beauty of Seoul

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7 challenging mountains in Asia not for amateur climbers

Being on top of well-known mountains is always the goal of every climber out there. If you are a professional climber, perhaps one of the mounts mentioned here will somehow be your next target.

7. Mount Huashan, China

Starting with something low but not quite the easiest, Mt. Huashan is located in the Shanxi province of China and has a reputation for having the world’s most dangerous hiking trail. The most famous part of this mountain isn’t the very top but a path of narrow, wooden planks haphazardly bolted onto the mountainside. Other than getting that hair raising selfie on the edge of this mountain, it also boasts breathtaking scenery through the trail. 

6. Mount Apo, Philippines

Located between Davao city and Cotabato province, Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines & a potentially active volcano. Attracting trekkers from all over the world, expect an array of landscapes — from an endless rock face to lush green forests, mossy swamps to volcanic structures. The first campsite is also where the Mainit hot springs can be found where trekkers are welcome to take a dip.

5. Mount Rinjani, Indonesia

If you’re looking for a little more thrill, how about having a go at climbing an active volcano? In fact, Mount Rinjani last eruption happened very recently in August 2016 causing flight disruption around the area. However, once the ash settles, it very quickly continues to be a popular hiking route in the area. Visitors often take on a 3-day trekking route to the crater rim, down to the famous crater lake where you’ll find turquoise blue waters. If you’re feeling adventurous, continue all the way to the summit of the volcano for a panoramic view over the crescent shaped crater lake, Segara Anak.

4. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

Despite being closed for 3 months after it was hit by a 6.0 magnitude earth quake back in June 2015, Mount Kinabalu remains on many bucket lists as it’s the tallest mountain in South East Asia. Although the more scenic Mesilau route is now deemed inaccessible, the shorter Timpohon route still stands strong. Trekkers usually split the climb into 2 days — arriving at the base camp then starting again at 2am to catch the sunrise at the peak.

3. Mount Khuiten, Mongolia

Mount Khuiten is the tallest peak in Mongolia and considered as one of the most remote and untouched regions in the world. So remote that it takes a couple of flights, a 400km drive from the nearest airport and a 17km trek to reach the base camp of Mount Khuiten — only then does the climb really begin. A challenging climb up on varied terrain — endless green lands to thick snow and barren rock faces. It takes about 9 days to acclimatise and reach the peak, requiring 15 days for a round trip.

2. Annapurna, Nepal

At over 8,000m above sea level, the Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world but ranked as one of the most dangerous to climb, even beating Mount Everest! It has a shocking fatality rate of 40% but those fit for the challenge can take part in an exciting trail run.

The Annapurna Marathon, Annapurna 100 and Annapurna Ultra Mountain run are popular choices amongst adrenaline seekers. Participants of the marathon get to experience beautiful landscapes and views of the surrounding mountains.

1. Mount Everest, Nepal

But of course, a worthy mention would be none other than the highest mountain on Earth. The one height every mountaineer aspires to check off their bucket list — who wouldn’t want to be at the highest place on earth at some point in their lives right? Located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, there are 2 ways to tackle this mountain — one from the southeast of Nepal and the other from the north in Tibet. Surprisingly, the dangers this mountain presents aren’t in its technical climb but the extreme weather and life threatening altitude sickness. 

See more: A journey to Himalayas

Source: redbull