Tourist Attractions in Cambodia

This is a covered market that has everything. Much cheaper to shop here than in stores. But at the end of April it was so hot and crowded, and truly claustrophobic. I did buy some lovely scarve, cushion covers and it would a great place to buy fabric for curtains, saris, or dresses if you were able to ship or carry out.

There are people begging throughout the market as elsewhere in the streets.

It's very hard to ignore beggars and peddlers, especially when they are children or are disfigured from land mines. Be aware that this is commonplace to experience in Cambodia.

Unique Suggestions: Be kind.

Fun Alternatives: Carry baguettes with you to break in half to give to the children. They seem just as happy to have food to eat. Sugar-free gum works well, too.

in general you should avoid the motorbike taxis.
they are quite unsafe in various ways.
mostly cause they drive like crazy, but in the bigger cities they often act as pimps and drug dealers too and they will often ppester you to be taken to a brothel or a drug dealer.
Regular taxis are generally much better and if you have the time for it, then the bicycle taxis are very fine and i have only met good and honest people among the bicycle taxi drivers.

Fun Alternatives: Like i mentioned before the best and most honest taxi drivers are generally the ones with the bicycle ricksahws.

The "official" exchange rate for US$1.00 is about 4000 Cambodian riels (as at Sep 2007 and reconfirmed in May 2008). A recent (May 2008) report stated that the money changers at the Thai/Cambodia border crossing at Aranyaprathet gave a rate of US$1.00 to 3200 riels only. 800 riels is not a lot of money but if changing a large amount of US$, they do add up. Rest assured US dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. However, if paying in US dollars, do expect to be given change in Cambodian riels.

Unique Suggestions: Ask around for the best rates or change only a small amount of US$. Do carry small US$ notes as some street vendors/shops are unable to break down large US$ notes, especially in the early mornings.

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WHat we can think when we hear about National Museum? Of course its about culture, king or previous president, bad incident, histroy and indepedent. But this Museum, its only a buddha statue...everywhere. Nothing you can see except a Buddha statue, with head or without head. So, I called this museum is Buddha museum, instead of National Museum!

Unique Suggestions: There are nothing you can do except get off from this place.

Fun Alternatives: There are one palace beside this museum. Its quite interesting place to see...yeah, because its a royal palace and most of big event held here.

Lots of cute children vendors at the Angkor Park, but they can charge quite exorbitant prices for the souvenirs. Pay only if you want to exercise charity but one can gets really tired of it as hordes of them are scattered at every Wat and stone wall. But they won't harrass you too much if you just wave your hand and said 'no thanks'.
also, street vendors have a double scale and pricing for tourists when you buy things like fruits that need to be weighed. Bring a small tiny scale if you are concerned or judge the weight yourself.

Fun Alternatives: Best price is at the old market, bargin down to 30-40% discount. Cambodians are poor so do not rip them off as much as you don't want to be ripped off.

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is it good or bad to donate? go figure..

Unique Suggestions: give food or candy instead of money.

Fun Alternatives: bring your own bottle of drink, so you don't have to buy drink instead, maybe not only one but 2 or 3 if there is whole bunch of kids running after you.

pesky kids, trying to sell you stuff. i managed to talk a less pesky one who was also trying to sell me something, and i realised that he is doing it for additional cash while he goes to school. so not all of them are uneducated. he goes to public school in the day, sells stuff at the wats in the afternoon, and goes to english classes at night! phew. in any case, bring western candy or stationary for them. they will appreciate it.