The Cambodia Fact file

Country Name: The Kingdom of Cambodia, In Khmer Language( Kampuchea)
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Motto: National Religion King
Language: Khmer, some speak English and French.
Ethnic: Khmer 90-95%
Government: Multi-party democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Tourist Destination: Siem Reap Province, Battam Bong Province, Prah Vihear Province.
Lakes/River: Tonle Sap Lake, Mekong River, Bassac River
Bordering Countries: Vietnam, Thai, Lao
Religion: Buddhism 95%
Population:  17 million 
Land area: 181,035km2
Currency: Riel (R)

Voltage: 220v/50Hz
Time: GMT+7hours
Country Code: 855
Siem Reap Province area code: 063
Working Hours: 7:00-11:00, 01:00-05:00 Close Saturday afternoon and Sunday
Internet: You can find internet in your hotel, Guest House, Restaurant, Bar, and Many internet Cafes in town, one hour less than $1.
Taxi: Motor Dup (for one person), Tuk Tuk(for two people), Car (for three people), Mini Van (4-12 people)
International airport: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
Food: Many Local and foreign restaurants. You can get good food at some restaurants in the temple area on your driver's advice.
Climate: Cambodia has two distinct seasons, the rainy season (May-October) and the dry season (November-April). We divide these two seasons into four small seasons: 1. December-February, cool/dry. 2. March-May, hot/dry. 3. June-Ausgust, hot/rainy. 4. September-November, Cool/diminishing rain. During the hot season, the hot day rarely climbs above 40°C and the cool season may push the mercury as low as 18°C. The monsoon rains follow a fairly regular pattern in the morning with 1-3 hours and rain in the afternoon. The countryside and temples of Angkor are particularly picturesque during the wet season.
Visas: One-month visas are available upon arrival at the international airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, at Cambodian embassies, and at most border crossings with Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Business visa: $25.00, Tourist visa: $20.00.
Airport Tax: International: $25.00, Domestic: $6.00
Money: Cambodian riel (R) is the official currency in Cambodia, but Visitors can pay U.S. Dollars anywhere in Cambodia, you should change large bills at banks, hotels, or exchange places. Many places at the temples or countryside will not have change for small purchases. Almost all currencies can be exchanged in the town.
Banking: There are many national and international banks in Siem Reap where you can change or withdraw money. Banks working hours are 8:00 Am-3:30 Pm, from Monday-Friday. All banks will accept Visa, Master, JCB cards, American Express, Cheques ...etc, and all kinds of currencies. To get cash from credit cards and cheques you will need identification (passport) to copy. The ATMs are available in Siem Reap town 24 hours.
Emergency Services:
Hospital: Siem Reap Provincial Hospital is 200m from the old market. Rudimentary facilities, Tel: 063 963 111
Tourist Police: The police station is located opposite the main entrance station to the Angkor Archaeological Park, Tel: 012 40 24 24. 
Fire: Tel: 012 78 44 64.
Temple Ticket: Passes are sold in one-day $37, Three-day $62 and seven-day $72. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker but includes Beng Melea.
How Long to visit Siem Reap: One day visit you can see the highlights of the most famous temples only. Three days are sufficient to visit all of the major temples. Seven days is enough time to visit.
Time to see the temple:
Sunrise: 5:00 a.m. Leave from your hotel or Guest House. You can see the sunrise at Angkor Wat temple and Srah Srang. Normally tour guide and driver do the extra charge ($5 -Tuk, $10 - Taxi, $15 - Mini Van).
Sunset: Before 4:00 Pm climb Phnom Bakeng (Bakeng Hill) to the top to see sunset, or you can see at Pre Rup temple and Tonle Sap Lake.

Phnom Kulen (Kulen Mountain): is the best water-fall, more than 50km from Siem Reap. You can go there by Motor-Dups, Car, Van and the drive-up time is until 12:00 Pm only. You can't go down before 12:00. You can ask your driver or your company to buy the ticket for you before you go there. Some restaurants are available there for your lunch.

Kbal Spean: is the small waterfall on the hill, more than 40km from Siem Reap and it will close at 3:00 Pm. There are many restaurants available for your lunch. Most of the temples are closed at 5:00 P.m. except at sunset place.

Beng Melea Temple: It is open from morning to 5:00 P.m. Two ways (go and back) is 150km from Siem Reap Town.

Bird Watching:
The Prek Toal bird sanctuary on the Tonle Sap Lake. There are many kinds of birds for visitors to see during their stay in Siem Reap. Prek Toal is the most popular bird watching of the year for viewing in the dry season in (Dec-May). You ask your driver to arrange a trip to Prek Toal or do it through your tour company. You need a taxi driver to bring you from Siem Reap Town to Phnom Krom/Chong Khneas (boat station), and then you rent the boat to Prek Toal Environmental Research Station starting at $50 return, and $20 for the entrance fee and $30 for a guide boat tour of the sanctuary. You can come back or stay there a night to see the sunset and early morning viewing hours.

Countryside Tour:
If you are enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalo, houses on stilts, and little villages. You will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside truly worthwhile.

War Museum:
A limited display of guns, mines, tanks, and other military hardware. Open from 8:00 Am to 5:30 Pm. Entry costs $3 and it is located on Road No.6 on the way to the airport.

Mine Museum:
Founded by Mr. Akira, a former soldier and demine, this museum is a fascinating testament to Cambodia's violent past, and to Akira's personal survival. The museum is home to several young landmine victims taken in by Akira and his wife. The museum is open from 7:00 Am to 6:00 P.m. Admission is $2, It is located on the right-hand side of the road to Banteay Srey temple.

Balloon Rides:
The balloon station is one kilometer to the west of Angkor Wat. The balloon rises 200 meters in the air on a fixed wire and provides amazing views of the temples and landscape. Sunrise and Sunset are the most popular times for a ride. The ticket price is $12 for adults.

Massage and Spas:
After climbing around temples ruins a long day, a relaxing foot massage or a reinvigorating afternoon at the spa can be just what the doctor ordered. Massage for health and relaxation is a time-honored tradition throughout Southeast Asia with Cambodia offering its own distinctive traditions in massage therapy. Siem Reap has several massage shops and spas catering to visitors.

Tour Guide:
Even if you use your guidebook it is not easy to find the bas-reliefs, hiring a tour guide is essential for the main temples. The price of an English tour guide is $30-$40/day. During the high season (September-March) you should be booking the hotel, guest house, and tour guide at least a week before.

Hotel and Guest House
We can make reservations on your behalf at hotels and guesthouses with a variety of options: electric fan or air-conditioned rooms, cable TV, hot water, mini-bar, free Internet, complimentary soft drinks and fruit, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Five minutes by foot from the old market of Siem Reap, safe, and comfortable. Please make a reservation with us at least one week before your trip in low season and one month in high season.

What to Bring:
Please dress in a tropical environment warm, sunny, and humid. Wear light, airy, covering clothing to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a book, Guide book, and a flashlight for a serious temple, and wear practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces.

Siem Reap Bus Station:
The bus station is located at Borey Seang Num east of the town center 2 kilometers. Motordups from the station into town price $1.5-$2, Tuk Tuk $2-4. If you depart from Siem Reap, most of the companies arrange a free pick-up from your staying place.

Siem Reap Boat Station:
The Boat Station is located at Chong Khneas near Phnom Krom around 16km south of Siem Reap town. The Boat trips are Siem Reap - Phnom Penh and Siem Reap - Battambang, which take a 5-6 hours journey across the Tonle Sab Lake and it is picturesque.

Siem Reap Airport:
The airport is 7km from town. Passengers can rent Motordups-$2, Tuk Tuk-$5, and Car-$10-$15, spend 15mn. Some of the hotels, Guest houses, and Travel agencies arrange a free pick-up from the Airport and Transfer.

Traditional Apsara Dancing:
It has been a tradition since the earliest days of tourism in the 19^th century to treat visitors to Siem Reap with an Apsara Dance performance a taste of living Khmer culture. No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one performance. Traditional Khmer dance is better described as dance-drama in that the dance is not merely dance but also meant to convey a story. There are four main modern genres of traditional Khmer dance: 1. Classical Dance; 2. Shadow threaters; 3. Lakhon Khol; 4. Folk Dance.

Old Market:
The Old Market (Phsar Chas) is near the pub street and night market. They are located in the heart of town on Sivutha Blvd. The Old Market closes at 5:00Pm, but there are some of Souvenir Shop open until 9:00Pm.

Phsar Leu Thom Thmey (Big New, upper Market):
Phsar Leu is the main traditional market for the local and foreign visitor too. You can buy cloths, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh meat and local food in the low price. It is located on Route #6 east of Royal Palace 1500m. Open early morning and close at 4:00Pm, Monday-Sunday.

What to buy:
Hand woven Cambodian silks, stone, woodcarving statues and castings, contemporary Cambodian art, Cambodian handicrafts and traditional musical instruments, temple rubbings, silver areca (betel) containers, basketry and colored gems are among the most popular souvenirs. 

The Distances from Phnom Penh to Provinces: