PEAK TRIP to Angkor Wat, Cambodia (2)
- the first impression of Siem Reap

Cambodia is located in southern Asia and connects with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The country has been recovering from civil war since 1997. There are more than 22 millions land mines in the country which has only the population of 11 million. Those mines took more than 80 years to clear, and caused a lot of people pain and suffering. Therefore, only three cities are open to visitors, they are Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Siem Reap is famous for Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh is the capatial of Cambodia. Sihanoukville is famous for its beach and diving activities.

The three cities have earned a lot of money for Cambodia from tourists, and tourism is the main driver of the rapid growth experienced in Cambodia. The industry is responsible for over 35% of GDP to Cambodia. A good example from our tour guide, "there were only three 4 stars hotels in Angkor Wat 3 years ago, but now they have more than 70 4-star hotels and more than 100 hotels are under construction".

There are two international airport in Cambodia, in Phnom Penh and in Siem Reap, which can only land medium size airplanes. The new open airport does give a nice welcome for those foreigner visitors. The triangle roof is very typical southern Asia style. You can see similar constructions in Thailand, too.

I have to say it is better than what I had imagined before I came here.

~~ posted by PEAK Traveler, Sept. 06, Angkor Wat, Cambodia