To know the Cambodian culture in a better way, you must visit the country during one of the festivals and events in Cambodia . The country of Cambodia or the Kingdom of Cambodia is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the southeastern part of the Asian continent. The cultural and traditional background is very rich in this country.

One of the most exciting ways to explore the Angkor temples is by bicycle. With flat roads that are relatively well maintained, cycling is a fun and easy way to spice up your tour and see the scenery up-close. On my third day in Siem Reap, I traded in my tuk-tuk ride and joined a guided mountain bike tour. A full day of biking took us from downtown Siem Reap, through the Angkor Thom complex out to Preah Khan and Ta Prhom, before circling around to see Angkor Wat on our way back into town.

Motoring up the winding dirt path to the Happy Ranch Horse Farm, the late afternoon sun pushed through the surrounding trees in heavy, orange slats. The stamp of hooves and whinnying of horses greeted us as we turned the corner onto the ranch: a well maintained compound, artfully designed in a flare of Khmer-style architecture. Sary Pann, a squat, portly Cambodian, sporting jeans, boots and a cowboy hat, met us at the entrance to the barn. Mr. Sary, the owner of the Happy Ranch, was born and raised here in Siem Reap, but fled to the United States when the Khmer Rouge took power.  In 1992 he visited Cambodia for this first time since leaving in 1975.

A brief history of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979):

From April 17, 1975 to January 6, 1979 Cambodia was subjected to the tyranny of the Khmer Rouge. In those four years 1.7 million Cambodians were either killed or starved to death. No family survived unscathed.
The Democratic Kampuchea, lead by Pol Pot or “Brother number One,” advertised itself as the savior of the people: the end of poverty and taxation; the end of economic and class distinctions: in essence, the end of French colonial policy and western misrule. Most Cambodians supported the revolution—a movement founded in anti-capitalist and anti-colonial propaganda—imagining it would bring about a better life for themselves and their families.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital, is home to many an ex-pat, but rarely frequented by tourists. Cambodia— often a three-day add-on to an Indochina Tour— gets the majority of its foot traffic through Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples. But if you are feeling more adventurous, or prone to urban exploration, Phnom Penh is definitely worth a stop. Built along the winding banks of the Mekong River, this capital has a charm all its own. From wide, tree-lined boulevards, to quaint side streets hiding excellent boutiques and terraced French and Khmer restaurants, there is always something new to discover.  Phnom Penh also offers an important insight into the recent history of the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields: depressing stops, but imperative to understanding Cambodia and its history.
I compiled a list of must stop places based on my own experiences in the capital.