Cambodia is bursting with a rich legacy of culture, tradition and arts that go beyond its beautiful temples and scenic landscapes. The country's varied craftsmanship stretches back centuries, with the production of textiles, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware and ceramics reaching its peak during the Angkor period (approximately the ninth to 15th centuries).
Then there are the vivid cultural festivals of the Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and Bon Om Touk, which showcase a remarkable diversity of rituals and performances that bring together communities and honour the country’s cultural identity.
If you’re curious about exploring Cambodia beyond its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat, here are five cultural experiences you must witness firsthand.
Renowned for its graceful hand gestures and stunning costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia is a classical dance tradition that has been closely associated with the Khmer court for over one 1,000 years. Performances would traditionally accompany royal ceremonies and observances such as coronations, marriages, funerals or Khmer holidays.
The Royal Ballet embodies the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. Its repertoire perpetuates the legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people. The dancers’ gestures and poses, mastered after years of intensive training, evoke a gamut of human emotions, from fear and rage to love and joy. An orchestra accompanies the dance, and a female chorus provides a running commentary on the plot.
The art form narrowly escaped annihilation in the 1970s. Today, it is cherished by many Cambodians and was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
Where to go: Tourists can watch a Royal Ballet of Cambodia performance at the Chaktomuk Theatre.
The tradition of Cambodian ceramics dates back to the third millennium BCE and was an essential part of the trade between Cambodia and its neighbours.
Around the end of the sixth century, Khmer potters instituted an important technique for mass-producing ceramics when they began using the wheel. A Khmer inscription dating to 674 AD compares the source of creation to the potter’s wheel. Ceramics of this period were sometimes decorated with slip and paint, but this practice was abandoned after 800 AD, when glazed stoneware first appeared.
The Khmer Ceramics and Fine Arts Centre was founded in 2006 with the aim of revitalising the Cambodian ceramics industry. Located close to the historic temples of Angkor, visitors to the organisation can see local craftspeople at work.
Where to go: The Kampong Chhnang province is a hub of Cambodia’s pottery tradition. Tourists can also consider a pottery and clay class at the Khmer Ceramics and Fine Arts Centre in Siem Reap.
Phnom Penh is often overlooked as one of Southeast Asia’s top street food cities. But day or night, the capital of Cambodia is bustling with patrons snacking on local delicacies.
In the morning, try nom banh chok, a quintessential breakfast dish you'll find at virtually every street corner. Fondly known as “Khmer noodles,” the dish consists of fish curry, fresh rice noodles, wild herbs and vegetables. For lunch, consider lok lak, a stir-fried beef dish made with thinly sliced beef marinated in a savoury sauce and onions and served with fresh vegetables, steamed rice and a pepper-lime dipping sauce. You will be left licking your lips with a helping of sankhya lapov, a traditional dessert that consists of a small pumpkin filled with creamy custard containing coconut milk or cream, palm sugar paste, eggs and salt.
One of the more unique items you will find in Cambodia is fried tarantulas. Often rolled in sugar or garlic, the spiders are eaten by the handful out of street vendors’ carts by local residents and adventurous tourists alike.
Where to go: Phnom Penh’s Night Market, Russian Market, Boeng Keng Kang and Sisowath Quay are the top street food spots. The town of Skuon is also a street food hub.
Koh Dach (“Silk Island”) is a 45-minute tuk-tuk drive and short ferry journey away from Phnom Penh. The picturesque island on the banks of the Mekong River is a popular tourist destination for travellers seeking tranquillity and cultural experiences.
Visitors here can witness traditional handicrafts like silk weaving, pottery, dyeing and wood carving up close. The island is an important silk weaving centre, producing high-quality hand-woven silk in scarf, shawl and garment form. You can rest assured that your purchase of traditional garments like krama scarves and sampot skirts alongside unique silk jewellery will benefit the artisans themselves.
Where to go: Koh Dach is 20 km from Phnom Penh by road.
There is no better way to experience Cambodian tradition and culture than by witnessing its unique festivals. The Khmer New Year in April celebrates the end of the traditional harvest season and is arguably the country’s biggest event. The three-day festival includes traditional rituals, family reunions, dances, feasting and games.
The Bon Om Touk, also known as the Cambodian Water Festival, is celebrated in late October or early November to mark the end of the monsoon season. The festivities are accompanied by dragon boat races, fireworks and evening concerts.
Pchum Ben is a Buddhist festival that honours ancestors and the spirits of the dead. Families visit pagodas to offer prayers and food to monks, believing that this act helps ease the suffering of their ancestors in the afterlife.
Another popular cultural celebration is the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni, the current monarch of Cambodia. The three-day festival is marked by ceremonies, parades and performances, especially around the Royal Palace.
The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April during the dry season when there is little rain and the temperatures are comfortable.
Take a flight to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) or Siem Reap International Airport (REP) from Singapore, Hanoi, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
Indian citizens need a visa to enter Cambodia, which can be obtained either online as an e-visa or upon arrival. Both options typically allow for a 30-day stay for tourism purposes. To apply for an e-visa, visit the official government website (http://www.evisa.gov.kh/).
