Photo by allPhoto Bangkok on Unsplash
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital, is surrounded by day trip destinations that can be reached by road or by boat via the Mekong River. The three destinations we’ve listed below all lie within a few hours’ drive of Phnom Penh, and offer a fascinating view into the history, natural beauty, and cultural experiences that have shaped the capital city and its surrounding countryside.
Royal Ruins: Oudong
Located some 35 km northwest of Phnom Penh in Kandal Province, the former royal capital of Oudong features a stunning array of stupas scattered across a mountaintop. Once a flourishing post-Angkorian city created in the 17th century, Oudong still retains remnants from various Angkorian eras, with Phnom Oudong (Oudong Mountain) being home to 16 stupas erected by local Kings and the royal families.
Visitors to Oudong can explore the stupas, and enjoy panoramic views of the countryside from the peak. To see local mastery at work, visit the silversmith village of Por Touch and watch artisans craft beautiful silver objects.
Image courtesy of Hodag on flickr
Silk Island: Koh Dach
Koh Dach is an idyllic escape just up the Mekong River from Phnom Penh. This island is just 30 square kilometers in size, and is mostly famous for its traditional silk artisans who work on looms beneath stilted houses, producing silk sarong and krama (scarves).
A tour of Koh Dach may include a visit to one of the local workshops, where visitors can observe the entire silk-making process, from spinning and dyeing to weaving. If you visit during the dry season, you can visit a beach on the north side of the island, where you can join the locals as they swim and sun themselves. (During the wet season, the water covers the sand and turns muddy.)
Care Bears: Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center
The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually, who come to see the rescued wildlife and learn about conservation efforts in Cambodia. This expansive 2,000-hectare park is home to over 1,200 animals retrieved from the illegal wildlife trade, including monkeys, tigers, elephants, and the world’s largest group of Malayan sun bears.
The bear sanctuary alone covers an area of over 10 hectares, with over 130 rescued bears in its care. Tourists can book a one-day “bear care tour” to help with the care of the bears and take a behind the scenes peek of the world’s biggest sanctuary for the world’s smallest bear. Proceeds support ongoing conservation efforts in Cambodia and the region.
