Immerse yourself in Cambodia’s premier cultural offerings. At All Asia Tours, we’re passionate about providing tours that spotlight the country’s UNESCO-recognized treasures. Cambodia currently offers three World Heritage Sites and two types of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. It comes as no surprise that awe-inspiring Angkor Wat tops this list, but there are other sites and art forms you may not yet be aware of:

Angkor includes iconic Angkor Wat and surrounding temples, which span almost 155 square miles (400 sq. km). The Angkor complex’s intricate layout, large water reservoirs, and masterfully designed buildings are a testament to the Khmer kingdom’s exceptional creativity and building prowess. UNESCO recognized this site in 1992 based on its religious, artistic, and archaeological value.

Remote Preah Vihear Temple, located on the Cambodia-Thailand border, is dedicated to Shiva. Like Angkor Wat, this temple is a Khmer architectural masterpiece. The temple’s surroundings are equally stunning; it sits on a 1,640-foot high (500 m) cliff and overlooks the plains in the Dongrek Mountains.

Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk was recently added to UNESCO’s roster in 2017. Nestled in a serene forest setting, you’ll find over 100 sandstone temples with pre-Angkorian (6th and 7th centuries AD) architecture and decorations. Not only are these some of Cambodia’s oldest extant buildings, but they are believed to have laid the foundation for Angkor’s later architectural majesty.

Apsara, also known as Cambodia’s Royal Ballet, is a classical form of Khmer dance that dates back over 1,000 years. According to legend, Apsaras were celestial dancers who entertained gods and kings. Dancers display graceful and intricate hand gestures, and they wear ornate costumes often accented with deep jewel tones and shimmering gold.

Khmer shadow theater has both ceremonial and artistic roots. Each puppet represents a deity and is crafted from an individual piece of leather supported by two bamboo sticks. Skillful artists enliven each puppet with precise movements and dances. Music and narration also accompany these atmospheric performances.