Tourist Places To Visit In Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is a serene beach haven that adorns the southern coastal waters of Cambodia. Although the city has undergone large-scale urban development, it has still managed to maintain its old-world charm and natural beauty. Beaches that breed white sands and islands that resemble castaway territories make Sihanoukville a decompression cell for adventurous backpackers. Some of the exciting tourist places in town include picturesque beaches, ancient religious shrines, revitalizing cafes, and bustling market areas. Let us look at how these different tourist spots lure in visitors all year round.

Situated adjacent to Serendipity Beach, Otres Beach nurtures pristine sands, a tranquil atmosphere, and sophisticated accommodation options. With calm aquatic waters constantly splashing against your feet and sands that were tailormade to prepare sand castles, this beach is a perfect tourist spot. Seaside eateries that make Cambodian, as well as international cuisine, are scattered across the shoreline of Otres Beach. Some of the other attractions at this seafront include shady umbrella stands for resting, playful hanging swings, and towering palm trees.

Wat Leu Temple is the most significant religious shrine out of the five sacred Buddhist shrines present in Sihanoukville. Situated atop Sihanoukville Mountain, this shrine is flanked by scenic forest area on all sides. The white elephant architectural structure at this temple has been sculpted out of stone and has three sculptures of Lord Buddha placed atop the three elephant heads. The wonderfully carved out pagodas add a touch of golden color to the shrine's beauty and remind tourists of the brilliant architectural prowess of the kingdoms of yore.

Independence Beach is located adjacent to the prime waterfront of Sihanoukville and has a kilometer-long shoreline. Towards the northwest end of this beach, tourists can find solace at a tranquil freshwater lake that forms water supply for the local inhabitants. Although it has been conferred with names such as "7-Chann Beach", Independence Beach mainly gets its name from the towering Independence Hotel situated atop the neighboring peninsula. Visitors are sure to experience a soothing atmosphere here with neverending sand strips, refreshing sea waters, and mesmerizing sceneries in the horizon.

Starfish Bakery and Café is a cafe that works as a non-profit organization supporting the local inhabitants of Sihanoukville. This NGO prepares re-energizing coffee along with freshly baked food items. The best part of this cafe is that they even hire disabled people as their employees. These people are allowed to earn a livelihood and grow in their career by partaking in projects that enhance housing, business, and healthcare in the local communities. Tourists can contribute to the NGO's donation kitty by buying their wonderfully baked food preparations that contain a touch of the French colonial era.

Phsar Leu Market is a huge flea market that lies within the city of Sihanoukville. This huge plaza is situated right in the heart of the town, boasting of close to 100 vendors putting on sale a plethora of goods. The various stalls set up at Phsar Leu Market offer tourists with bathing suits, children's clothing, gold jewelry and watches, and a variety of food items. This market forms a major hub for locals looking to feed their loved ones, with people thronging the place for things such as vegetables, fruits, and bread. Some vendors also sample traditional dishes such as the fabled Durian and jackfruit.

Situated about 15 km eastwards of the city of Sihanoukville, Ream National Park provides tourists with exciting trekking trails. Also, scenic boat rides through mangrove filled waters and prolonged beach shorelines add to the list of tourist attractions here. Ream National Park nurtures many endangered species of birds such as white-bellied sea eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, and Brahminy kite. Other endangered species of birds thriving here include painted stork and milky stork. It is a stunning display of natural phenomenon when these majestic birds are seen taking flight over the Prek Toeuk Sap Estuary nearby.

Sokha Beach boasts of the most beautiful belt of sandy shoreline across Sihanoukville that extends to 1.5 km. A unique feature of the sands of this beach is its silicone-like texture, which makes loud squeaky sounds under any tourist's foot. The eastern shores of the beach remain isolated and provide tranquil resting areas for visitors. On the other hand, the remaining shoreline forms a part of the lavish Sokha Beach Resort. Tourists can spend refreshing time at this resort with luxurious swimming pools and spas on offer. Sokha Beach can proudly claim that it nurtures unblemished and the cleanest sands in all of Sihanoukville.