Cambodia is a country known as a pit stop for those who want to visit neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam. 

However, Cambodia also has a fair share of historical sites that deserve backpackers’ and luxury travelers’ attention. 

Your Cambodia adventure won’t be complete without visiting the City Of Temples. The place is composed of numerous temples, monuments, and structures – making it the destination with the largest collection of religious memorials in the world. 

The temple structure is so complex, it is considered the purest manifestation of the Khmer architectural style. 

The reign of the Khmer Regime from 1975 to 1979 is one of the darkest times of Cambodians. Almost two million people were executed, including many professionals.  

Now, the remains of the horrible episode can be found in the village of Choeung Ek. The park was built around the mass graves of thousands of victims. Most of the mass graves are visible above the ground, so don’t be surprised if you see bones or skulls. 

Aside from Buddhist memorials, you can also visit the Toul Sleng, the museum that commemorates annihilation. You will see haunting photos of the Khmer Regime and their victims as well as chronicles of the genocide.

Another exceptional masterwork of the Khmer architecture, the Preah Vihear reveals its value in every detail. 

Built in the 11th century, the temple is settled on a hill overlooking the plains of both Cambodia and Thailand. This temple has witnessed important events of the Cambodian history including the invasion of Vietnam. 

It also served as a fort for the Lon Nol government when the Khmer Rouge took power. 

For that reason, the surroundings of Preah Vihear is full of land mines- the most heavily land mind area in the whole of Cambodia.  

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