Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is very much a mix of the old and the new, where traditional Khmer, a colonial past and modern investment blends together the silver pagoda, the royal palace, traditional markets with French villas and modern high rises. Wide tree lined streets are the legacy of French colonists, a sharp contrast to the busy narrow streets of the central market area that more resemble those of Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok.
Most visitors to Phnom Penh will head to the lively waterfront, with its many bars and restaurants making it a great place to people watch. However, the Royal Palace is a 'must-see' for all visitors. This shinning complex of traditional Khmer buildings that surround the distinctly European house in the middle that was a gift from Napoleon III in 1876. Next door is where you will find the stunning Silver Pagoda with over 5000 silver floor tiles and priceless Buddha collection, one is covered in precious gems.
Wat Phnom is the tallest religious structure in the city standing at 27 meters. Built in 1373 it marks the site where the city was founded in 1434. The National Museum is a great place to learn of Cambodia's long and rich history. it houses a comprehensive collection of Khmer artifacts detailing the history and development of the Angkor Kingdom. Visitors wanting to take home their own glittering priceless and not so priceless authentic and not so authentic, must visit the Art Deco Central Market to haggle for the next family heirloom. The Russian market is another great place to practice your bargaining skills, but if you still don't get what you're looking for the Riverfront night markets will save the day.
Cambodia's best range of low-cost and international restaurants serving excellent French cuisine to foods from around the world can be found in Phnom Penh. River sunset cruises are another popular way to experience Phnom Penh. This area and the many side streets is a great investment location to consider for restaurants, entertainment venues, accommodation, day spas and shops catering to tourists.
Sihanoukville
Excellent roads from Phnom Penh make the Southern Cambodia coastline easily accessible. The popular tourist destination is Sihanoukville, this beach town according to the New York Times is "Asia's next trendsetting beach". It features Cambodia's best beaches; even Jacqueline Kennedy visited Sihanoukville when she fulfilled her lifelong dream to see Angkor Wat in 1967. While in Sihanoukville a street was named in honor of John F Kennedy. On her departure to Bangkok she said she was "Enchanted with the splendors of Cambodia" and her tours of the "Kingdom of Wonder".
Sihanoukville boosts postcard beauty and the perfect place in Cambodia to recharge, spend quality time with family and loved ones or even to get some alone time. It's often said that Sihanoukville and the surrounding white powdery sand beaches and idyllic islands with crystal clear turquoise blue water are much like the picturesque beaches of Thailand decades before the package holiday crowds arrived. It is not hard to find a pristine beach that only has your foot prints on it.
Expats and foreign investors have been contributing to the development of Sihanoukville for years and they just keep coming to profit in business or from a better life-style. They own and/or operate many of the great resorts, guest houses, budget and luxury villas, great bars, and great collection of restaurants serving local and Western foods and other businesses around this paradise town.
Kep
In times gone by this sleepy seaside town was the preferred beach resort and weekend playground for wealthy Cambodians visiting from Phnom Penh. Kep remains a popular beach destination for both locals and tourists. Local beach vendors selling freshly caught seafood do a roaring trade. However, while budget and luxury boutique hotels and new restaurants offering a range of dinning options are popping up all over town, Kep has not developed as fast as Sihanoukville, as such great value can be found here for both tourist accommodations and investors. Many foreigners have taken advantage of this and have built dream villas for private use or to operate as vacation rentals.
Cambodia is fast becoming one of the world's tourist hotspots, just visit Tripadvisor.com. The opportunities for business development are in abundance and the future is looking very exciting and should be at the top of any shortlist of best Asian investment locations. For life-style business seekers the beaches of Cambodia offer an amazing opportunity, however these white sand beaches and idyllic islands with crystal clear blue water are fast being exploited and developed by large and small business investors so don't miss out.
Kampot
The glory days of Kampot town are part of the charm of this laid-back sleepy town at the fot of the mountains. Not as popular as busy Sihanoukville or even Kep, smaller numbers of visitors come for an away from it all experience and to see the now faded and rundown waterside colonial buildings and miles of almost empty white sandy beaches. Great diving and snorkeling can be enjoyed here and off the several nearby islands. Ream National Park is a great scenic day tour by river boat or to explore on foot the mangroves, jungle and caves with many containing Buddhist shrines. From the now abandoned hill station at Bokor stunning views of the coastline can be enjoyed. Once home to the French and the Cambodian royal family, remains of the hotel and casino are reminders of such glory days.
Close to Kampot there are many tropical plantations and famous for its Durian fruit. The town of Koh Kong is just 10km to the Thailand border and gateway to the Cardamom Mountains and rainforest that is a popular hiking area to enjoy the many bird varieties and wildlife found here. There are plenty of stunning waterfalls to enjoy. This area is one of Cambodia's last remaining natural wilderness areas and visitors can stay in floating lodges.
Siem Reap
Gateway to the world famous temples of Angkor, Siem Reap sits on the banks of the Siem Reap River. This once sleepy town of traditional and colonial architecture is now a very busy resort town day and night. Siem Reap is reaping the financial benefits from the incredible growth in tourist numbers wishing to visit the temples and the continued foreign investments into the growing tourism market here.
While it must be said that Siem Reap is much more then the legendary Angkor Wat, most visitors to Siem Reap have this temple at the very top of their wish-list and even the wish-list of some very famous people. Back in November 1967 Jacqueline Kennedy (the former wife of the 35th President of the United Sates, John F. Kennedy and First Lady of the United States), spent three days strolling through the noblest remnants of Asia's past in the ruins of some of the 600 temples of Angkor. She picnicked and toured the most famous temple, Angkor Wat, saying it was a dream she had since college to visit the iconic temple.
The entire temple complex at Angkor covers some 400 square miles, so few visitors will devote the time needed to fully explore this region. However, visitors with three days to spare can visit the three main sites including the most famous of all the legendary Angkor Wat, Bayon, with its 54 distinctive towers and Ta Prohm, the Jungle Temple.
The sheer size of Angkor and the immense world-wide interest in this site will require a little planning to get the most out of a visit. Tripadvisor.com lists a large number of accredited guides that have a proven track record of helping visitors get the most out of their visit and plan tours meeting their guest's individual needs and desires. The main temples although less s in the wet season are generally busy all year round. However, an experienced guide will mix and time your tour to visit to less popular sites at peak times and the main sites when less crowded.
Even away from the temples the town of Siem Reap has much to offer visitor's to enjoy and explore. The town has a great atmosphere and is a buzz with activity and tourists and expats from around the world visiting or living and doing business in this unique cultural town. The Siem Reap night market is a must while in Siem Reap and offers great value shopping. The floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake are another fascinating place to visit with its floating houses, schools, shops, and even a floating petrol station. Prek Toal
Bird sanctuary is another very worthwhile place to visit and is refuge to many rare and endangered species.