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5 Offbeat Places To Visit in Cambodia

June 4, 2025 by
Lewis Calvert

Whenever you think of Cambodia, you are transported to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, or Phnom Penh. However, there is so much more to Cambodia, which you haven’t explored yet.

We are talking about a temple site built during the Angkor Period, a place to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins and more.

But to see all these offbeat places, you must apply for a Cambodian tourist visa. It’s not a highly complex process. Just fill in all the details correctly, pay the required fee, and wait a few days to receive your visa.

With that being settled, let’s now dive into these offbeat places which you should not miss out on at any cost.

Koh Rong Samloem – A Tranquil Island Paradise

This island is known for its captivating beaches and delicious food. We recommend visiting this place if you’re looking for a place to recharge, away from the crowd. You can take a taxi to the Occheuteal Pier from the airport, and book a ferry from there to reach this place.

Once you’re there, you can enjoy long walks admiring the sea, enjoying speedboat rides, relaxing in the hotels*, and exploring the local village of M’Pai Bay.

*Remember to carry a physical copy of your Cambodia visa form when booking the hotels there.*

Now, when you reach M’Pai Bay, we recommend getting your snorkel gear ready because snorkelling here is something you should not miss.

If you’re serious about snorkelling, then you should head to the western part of the island. However, that’s not all. You can also go kayaking, take a walk around the island, and hike through the jungle.

Yes, you heard that right. Walking through the jungle is the only route to the other side of the island. After spending a whole day exploring M’Pai Bay, you can witness the magic of the bioluminescent plankton lighting up the sea at night.

If you’re a foodie, we recommend places like the Cliff Hostel and The Lookout.

Mondulkiri – Cambodia’s Wildlife Haven

Mondulkiri is located to the south of Cambodia, near the border of Laos and South Vietnam. You can take a bus from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to reach this beautiful location. This place is known for its jungles, waterfalls, and local natives.

Another thing it is also known for is its elephants. You can find these majestic animals enjoying the love and care of the local people in the sanctuaries there.

However, do not expect to ride on them, as these elephants are rescued from such practices. Instead, you can feed and pet them, which you’ll enjoy.

Apart from that, you can go for a trek in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. During the trek, you can enjoy a visit to the local village and lunch. You’ll also catch sight of the Jahoo Gibbon, which is a rare species.

If you love waterfalls, you should not miss checking out the Bou Sra Waterfall and Leng Khin Waterfall.

Finally, we recommend stopping by Phea’s Treats for a quick bite on your way back.

Banteay Chhmar – The Hidden Angkorian Ruins

Imagine a place that will take you back to the magical ruins of Angkor Wat but in a different setting. That's exactly what Banteay Chhmar is.

It is a temple that was built during the same period as the Angkor Wat Temple, which is why it retains many of the architectural elements from that period.

However, it doesn’t receive many visitors due to its relative obscurity compared to the Angkor Wat Temple.

You can also visit the Prasat Samnang Tasok Temple and Banteay Top, where you’ll find some Bayon-inspired faces.

However, most of the walls have begun to give way to Mother Nature. Nonetheless, we recommend visiting the place for its quiet atmosphere and history. You can also visit the Soieries du Mekong Silk Centre for its scarves and kramas.

You can take a taxi from Battambang or Siem Reap to reach this place.

If you have time, you can take a bus from Battambang or Siem Reap to Sisophon. From there, you can take a taxi to reach this temple complex.

Remember that you might have to show a physical copy of your Cambodia visa form during your entry. This is why it’s best to carry a few copies with you.

Kratie – A Riverside Escape

Kratie is one of those places where you can catch an authentic glimpse of Cambodia. You can enjoy the languid charms of the villages and treat your eyes to the beauty of the lotus and rice farms.

You can visit Kratie by taking a bus, taxi, or van from Phnom Penh, which is a 3 to 4 hour journey.

Watching The Irrawaddy Dolphins

But that’s not all Kratie is known for. You can also visit Kampi to spot the endangered Mekong or Irrawaddy dolphins. This town is located 15 kilometres from the main city of Kratie.

You can take a boat from Kampi to enjoy the sight of the dolphins in their natural habitat.

Visiting Kaoh Trong

Apart from that, we recommend visiting Kaoh Trong's island, located one ferry ride away from Kratie, where you can find a floating Vietnamese-style village and pagoda.

Some Other Impressive Places To Visit

Other sights worth visiting in Kratie are the Phnom Sombok Buddhist Temple, Hundred Pillar Temple, Wat Rokar Kandal, Mekong Turtle Conservation Center, and the Cham Pey Waterfall.

The Phnom Sombok Buddhist Temple was built in the 15th century and has an impressive flight of three hundred stairs flanked by Buddhist monk statues. Once you reach the top, you see a statue of a reclined Buddha, a monastery and a medication centre.

On the other hand, the Wat Rokar Kanda is a restored wooden pagoda built in the 1800s. It currently houses a handicrafts centre.

We recommend visiting the Hundred Pillar Temple for its awe-inspiring architecture. This temple was constructed in the 8th century and rebuilt and renovated twice.

You can visit the Mekong Turtle Conservation Center to see the giant Cantor softshell turtle, a rare species. Finally, you can set down your backpack and relax by the side of the Cham Pey Waterfall.

If you’re interested in sculptures, you can visit Rut Cham Pey, which consists of animal, religious and human statues.

Kep – A Seaside Town with a French Colonial Touch

We recommend Kep if you like boat rides, the lush greenery of nature, pepper, butterflies, beaches, and statues. This town is also known for its crabs, so you should definitely try them.

Now, some places worth visiting here are Koh Tonsay, Kep National Park, Sothy’s Pepper Farm, Kep Beach, and the Giant Crab Statue.

Koh Tonsay is known for its boat rides, relaxed lifestyle, and nearby Rabbit Island. The best things to do there include reading books, taking walks by the seashore, sampling the seafood, and visiting Rabbit Island.

If you would like to book a villa there, you’ll have to showcase a physical copy of your Cambodian tourist visa form, along with your passport and other documents.

Kep National Park is known for its circuit. Here, locals and tourists alike enjoy hiking or using motorbikes or mountain bikes to explore the area while enjoying the beauty of nature. We would recommend taking the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ trail here.

That’s because you can enjoy the vista from the Sunset View Point and explore the pagoda.

Sothy’s Pepper Farm is famous for growing premium-quality pepper. You can enjoy a detailed explanation of the growth process from Sothy himself. Afterwards, you can enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

Some Last Minute Tips Before You Set Off

Now that you know about five of the offbeat places in Cambodia worth visiting, there are some things you should keep in mind.

First, you should pack the appropriate clothes like cotton T-shirts, comfortable pants, and hiking shoes.

Second, we recommend carrying mosquito-repellent creams and basic medication to avoid falling ill during the trip.

Third, you should read up on Cambodian culture and learn basic phrases in the local language to show your respect for the place. This knowledge will also help you converse with the locals easily.

Fourth, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and have a good trip!

Ready To Experience Cambodia Beyond Angkor Wat?

Remember to apply for your Cambodian tourist visa on time to avoid delays in the approval process. Apart from that, store all the requisite documents like your passport, travel itinerary, financial documents, and travel insurance in a folder to avoid losing them.

In case of any issues, don’t forget to reach our help desk. Have fun!