History and nature combine to create unforgettable Cambodia

The Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the wonders of the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolizes the heart and soul of the Cambodian nation and illuminates its unique culture and civilization, as well as the history of the ancient Angkor Kingdom.

Though Angkor Wat is its main draw, Cambodia now offers tourists a wide variety of additional cultural and historical attractions throughout the country.

Since the dual theme guiding Cambodia tourism is "Culture and Nature", visitors may appreciate the majesty of its unspoiled environment, its richness of fauna and flora, and the uniqueness of the Tonle Sap lake, among many other things.

It is also hoped that visitors to Cambodia may be interested in investigating business opportunities and receiving information about business conditions in today's Cambodia.

Cambodia offers a booming tourist infrastructure, with new hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs with full services, security and safety. Tourist destinations are now easily accessible through comfortable means of transport - by air, water, highway or rail.

From January to November 2007, Cambodia welcomed a total of 1,762,045 international visitors, an 18.63 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Of this, Siem Reap Angkor visitors numbered 997,951, accounting for 56.64 percent of the nation's total, and representing an amazing 33.37 percent growth from 2006, while Phnom Penh and other destinations brought in a total of 764,094 visitors, or 43.36 percent of the nation's total.

Traditional arts and crafts are abundant in Cambodia, including sculptures, paintings and stone carvings done with great care and attention.

One can view such antiquities in market places, shops or museums.

The wide variety of arts and crafts includes items such as silver and gold jewelry, wicker furniture, fine hard-wood furniture, silks, marble sculptures, high-quality china, leather ware and much more.

All these objects exhibit a sharp eye for detail and many of them are intricately carved, especially the furniture and sculptures.

Unfortunately, much of these works completely ceased to exist during the Khmer Rouge dictatorship. Many arts and crafts were willfully destroyed during that time.

Today, there has been a revival, due to a great deal of restoration work initiated by foreign governments. Many centers have now been established to keep the ancient skills alive. You can see examples of this throughout the country.

We hope that the information provided may motivate you to come and visit us, and experience the authenticity and splendor of Cambodia's history, culture and nature. We promise you unforgettable memories to take back home from your visit.

Most international visitors to Cambodia can arrive by air at either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. An increasing number of airlines are operating into Cambodia in response to the government's open skies policy.

The list of international airlines serving Cambodia include Bangkok Airways, China Southern Airlines, Dragonair, EVA Air, Lao Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, Mekong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Siem Reap Airways International, Silk Air, Royal Phnom Penh Airways, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines.

Taxis are available outside the arrival hall for transport to the city center after disembarking at Phnom Penh. The taxi fare from the airport to the city is about $7 and the trip will take approximately 15 minutes, depending on traffic. In Siem Reap the cost of a taxi into the town area from the airport is $5. Many of the larger hotels will offer free transport so let your hotel know your flight arrival details in advance.

Overland travel to Cambodia is possible through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam via border crossings.

Source: Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism Information Page

(China Daily 04/10/2008 page30)