10 Most Instagrammable Sites in Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the most beautiful and intriguing countries in Southeast Asia. Located between Thailand and Vietnam, this small country has had it’s share of historic and cultural upheaval. Now, Cambodia is a peaceful country known for incredible ruins, stunning landscapes, and friendly people. I love Cambodia so much. All the history and beautiful ruins. It’s just so amazing. And if beautiful places to post on Instagram is what you’re looking for, Cambodia has you covered. I’ve worked together with other travel bloggers to narrow down the most Instagrammable sites in Cambodia.
First up is my absolute favorite place in Cambodia.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the most famous site in Cambodia. Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu during the early 12th century. Not long after it was built, it was converted to a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat covers over 400 acres and is considered the largest religious monument in the world.
During the early 13th century, Angkor Wat was no longer the focal point of Khmer culture and fell into disrepair. A French explorer came across the near-abandoned temple in the 1840s, sparking renewed interest in Cambodian history and culture. Angkor Wat’s unique architecture, design, and décor make it the marvel that it is today. Visitors will find thousands of bas-reliefs inside the temple grounds as well as sandstone sculptures and temple shrines.
Getting to Angkor Wat is fairly easy. You can either take a flight to Siem Reap or ride a bus from Phnom Penh. We took a bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and ended up having quite the adventure. I highly recommend taking the actual night bus if you go that route. Siem Reap is five miles from Angkor Wat and there are many tuk-tuks ready to take tourists to the temple complex.
To visit Angkor Wat, you’ll need an Angkor Park tourist permit. A one-day permit costs $37, a three-day permit is $62, and a seven-day permit is $72. Well worth it for the beautiful views and incredible sites. As the most iconic landmark in the country, Angkor Wat is the best Instagrammable site in Cambodia.
Now see what places other travel bloggers recommend:
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Cambodia is located in the center of Phnom Penh, right where Tonle Sap River meets the Mekong River. This complex of royal buildings was constructed between 1866 and 1870 and features Khmer architecture alongside French colonial design elements. Highlights of the site include the beautifully ornamented golden roofs and the Silver Pagoda building, which houses gold and emerald Buddha statues.
Visitors can explore the throne hall, reception hall, banquet hall, and two pavilion areas. There are also a small museum and gardens containing manicured shrubberies and tropical plants and flowers.
Around the temple, there is a lack of detailed signage and information. Guides and guided tour groups are available for visitors who are interest in learning the history of the palace.
Be sure to dress modestly when visiting any of the temples. Temple entrants should have back, shoulders, and knees covered when entering the temple. Remove shoes and hats when entering certain buildings. Plan to arrive early to avoid the mid-day heat and crowds. The entrance cost is approximately $10 USD per person. The Royal Palace can be reached by a short tuk-tuk taxi ride from anywhere in the Phnom Penh city area.
Contributed by Claire from Claire Pins Travel
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom is one of the most popular things to see in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. This is not only because of the stupa’s impressive façade, but also because the temple is the highest in the city. Wat Phnom was built on the top of a small mountain, giving the temple impressive views of the city. This is also where the temple gets its name: Wat Phnom means “mountain temple.”
Legend has it that Wat Phnom was built in the 14th century after an elderly woman in Phnom Penh found four Buddha statues in a koki tree she fished out of the river. This woman had a temple built on a small mountain to house the statues. The temple has been renovated several times since it was built and has drastically changed in appearance.
The way up to the temple is worthwhile because you can enjoy an impressive view over the city. You should also take a walk through the park on the temple grounds. From the garden park, you can shoot the most beautiful photos of the temple. The most popular is arguably the view of the temple from the impressive giant clock, which is located on the lawn of the park. These views make Wat Phnom one of the most Instagrammable sites in Cambodia.
The temple is located in the city center of Phnom Penh and is therefore easy to reach on foot. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is $1.
Contributed by Vicki from Vicki Viaja
Prasat Preah Vihear
Cambodia is a beautiful place to visit in South-East Asia and to say there are a few Instagrammable sites in Cambodia would be a massive understatement. Of course, the place everyone’s mind immediately jumps to when thinking about Cambodia’s impressive history is Angkor Wat, but there are so many other stunning sites to see.
The ancient temple of Prasat Preah Vihear is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cambodia. It was built by King Jayavarman VII. between the 7th and 9th centuries, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The small, remote temple is situated in the East Baray area and surrounded by rice fields.
The Hindu temple was built during the Khmer Empire, but the style of the building is different from other Khmer temples because it has a square base instead of being based on a rectangular plan. It’s an immense structure that towers above the surrounding forests and boasts more than 2000 Buddha statues.
The temple is located 107 miles from Siem Reap and perched dramatically on top of a cliff near the Thai border. It costs approximately $10 USD to visit. The easiest way to reach Preah Vihear is from the town of Sra’em, 30km south but you can also reach the temple via day trip from Siem Reap – but expect an early start!’
Contributed by Alice from Adventures of Alice
Tonle Sap Lake
The Tonle Sap Lake, located close to Siem Reap is the largest lake in South East Asia. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and the unique so-called “floating villages” where hundreds of people live on the water. The lake is easily reachable in just a quick drive from Siem Reap. You can find a wide variety of tour operators who will take you there or hire a private driver. There are several floating villages you can visit, two of the most popular being Kampong Phluk and Chong Kneas. It usually costs a fee to see the lake and the villages (around $20 USD) although this will vary according to the tour operator.
How the floating villages look will depend very much on the season when you are visiting Cambodia. During the wet season, the lake will be much larger and more of the villages will actually be floating. Most of the villages consist of houses built on stilts. During the dry season, the stilts are visible above the water. Both are incredible experiences although they are very different from each other.
Contributed by Victoria from Guide Your Travel.
Sambor Prei Kuk
Sambor Prei Kuk is the ancient capital of the Chenla Kingdom Isanpura, established in 612AD. The Chenla people ruled this part of Southeast Asia before the Khmer. Whilst it (rightly) gets overshadowed by its younger sister up the road at Angkor, this was the original capital city and still has a lot to offer.
The temples of Sambor Prei Kuk are very different to the ones at Angkor and will help you fill in a gap in the history.
Sambor Prei Kuk is around 2 1/2 hours from Siem Reap and despite its recent UNESCO Heritage site status is still not completely on the tourist trail. Our guide told us that only 100 people a day visit even in the high season. We had to organize a driver from a local tour company to take us, which cost $80 for two people. The entrance fee was $3 at the time (now $10) and I would also strongly suggest paying $6 for a local guide who can fill you in on the history.
This incredible destination has only recently become clear of landmines, so a visit here is very different to the crowded Angkor temples and offers an ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experience. Being relatively undisturbed, lesser known, and less crowded helps make Sambor Prei Kuk one of the best Instagrammable sites in Cambodia.
Contributed by Ben from The Sabbatical Guide
Wat Banan
If you want to explore a historic Cambodian temple without running into hordes of tourists, you should head to Wat Banan. All the lush greenery, hidden temples, and sparse tourism makes this a good Instagrammable site in Cambodia. This temple dates back to the 11th century, though it has changed over the years. King Udayadityavarman II constructed the oldest parts, but archaeologists believe that later rulers of the Angkor Kingdom also added some structures.
You can find Wat Banan on a hill close to Battambang, and during your visit, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the rice paddies below. Before climbing up the 300 stairs that take you to the temple, check out the nagas that flank the steps.
To get to Wat Banan, you can either hire a tuk-tuk in Battambang or rent a motorbike. The temple is around 20 kilometres away from the town, so it makes for a perfect half-day trip. As you can find many more sights around Battambang, like a bamboo train or a bat cave, you can also combine those for a day trip. Expect to pay between $15 – 20 USD for hiring a tuk-tuk for the day or around $10$ USD to rent a motorbike. The entrance to Wat Banan itself costs another $2 USD.
Daniel and Ilona from Top Travel Sights
Banteay Srei
The Banteay Srei Temple is part of the Siem Reap’s Grand Tour, located in the outskirt of Angkor main temples. It was built in the year of 967, dedicating to the Hindu God Shiva. The stunning colors, unique sculptures, and beautiful architecture make this one of the must-see Instagrammable sites in Cambodia.
Banteay Srei is nicknamed the “a citadel of the women”, or the “lady temple”. This name comes from the unique pink sandstone and the delicate, ethereal and intricate motifs of Khmer Art. French craftsman, Henry Marshal, restored Banteay Srei using the same technique used to restore Borobudur.
One of the reasons why the temple is a perfect Instagram spot is the detailed walls and arches. These are the perfect background, in a distinct color that stands out from the rest of the historic temples in Siem Reap. The temple is a short tuk tuk ride away from the city center through idyllic villages and rice fields. The best time to visit the temple is in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the travel crowds. If you bought the Angkor Wat tourist past, there is no additional charge for visiting Banteay Srei.
Contributed by Kenny from Knycx Journeying
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple is less known than Angkor Wat, but it’s just as distinctive with its features. And it should be on every list of Instagrammable sites in Cambodia. Bayon is located only 20 minutes’ drive from the city of Siem Reap, in the center of Angkor Thom, and a short distance from Angkor Wat.
Bayon Temple was built in the late 12th or early 13th Century as the official Temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman V11. It has no walls or moats, covering a 9 kilometers squared area, and can be accessed from all sides. Bayon Temple was constructed as the capital city of the Khmer empire, and all four entrances lead directly to the Temple.
The many mysterious faces sculptured into the towers are what make the Bayon Temple so unique. Today there are over 50 towers and 200 faces surrounding the Temple, some even 2.5 meters high. While most towers contain four faces, some have three, and one column has a single feature. They are said to be images of bodhisattva Avalokitesvara that reflect the “Smile of Angkor”!
There is no separate cost to visit Bayon temple as it is included in the $37 USD Angkor Park tourist pass.
Submitted by Chris Fry from The Aquarius Traveller
Phnom Penh Central Market
Daily life in Cambodia revolves around the local produce market – and there is no market in Phnom Penh more iconic than the Art Deco Phsar Thom Thmey. With it’s bright colors, beautiful architecture, and unique wares, this market should be on every list of Instagrammable sites in Cambodia.
Better known as Central Market, this was the largest undercover market in Asia when it was completed in 1937. Central Market was built when Cambodia was part of French Indochina. Architects Jean Desbois and Louis Chauchon designed the market, making it the stunning sight it is today.
The distinctive design centers on a lemon-colored 26-metre dome, which is covered with open slots for ventilation. Under the main dome, rows of shops sell clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. Beyond the central area, a labyrinth of smaller food stalls stretches out along narrow curved walkways and into the outdoor area beyond the market.
Central Market is located near Riverside, roughly a 20-minute walk from the Royal Palace. Entrance is free. The market is open daily at 6am. It’s recommended to visit early in the morning when the stalls are plentiful and the market is buzzing. While you’re there, grab a traditional Phnom Penh breakfast of Bobor porridge or Kuy teav noodle soup to start your day.
Contributed by Emily from Wander-Lush
