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Cambodia, our neighboring country, holds many fascinating secrets that travelers may not be aware of. Check out the following article to understand more about this country and make your Cambodia trip perfect!
Explore Cambodia – Discover Hidden Gems You Might Not Know
The Flag of Cambodia
The Cambodian flag is the only flag in the world featuring an architectural monument, the Angkor Wat temple complex. The temple complex is a symbol of Cham Pa culture and was placed on the flag in 1850.
The Capital City of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, once known as the 'Pearl of Asia' in the 1920s, alongside Siem Reap, are two cities that attract visitors to Cambodia.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is part of the architectural complex of the Khmer Empire built from the 9th to the 15th centuries, initially as a Hindu temple and later transformed into a Buddhist shrine.
Giant Catfish in the Mekong River
Giant catfish are a rare and precious species in the lower Mekong River in Cambodian territory. However, these giant catfish are toothless, feeding only on plants and algae, with a length that can reach up to 3 meters.
Angkor Devotees
Angkor devotees leave lotus flowers beneath the feet of the Buddha statue as the lotus is closely associated with the symbol of Buddhism.
Traditional Cambodian Attire
The traditional attire, Sampot, is made of silk and consists of a piece of cloth about 3 meters long and 1 meter wide. It is wrapped around the waist, extended out, tied with a knot, pulled up between the legs, and secured by a metal belt.
Prahok (Fermented Fish Paste)
Prahok is a traditional dish of Cambodian ethnic groups and has also been introduced to provinces in the Southern region by the Khmer community. Fermented fish paste is made from river fish. The fish is gutted, scaled, then mashed. The mashed fish is sun-dried, then compressed in a basket with salt and spices, finally left to ferment for several months.
Language
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. Besides Khmer, people also use English and French to integrate with the world and attract tourists and investors. So when you're traveling in Cambodia, you don't need to worry about language differences.
Currency
The Riel is the currency of Cambodia used for everyday transactions, and the US dollar is also widely accepted here.
Housing
Most people live in wooden stilt houses and prefer rural areas. Temples in Cambodia are all built very beautifully.
Greetings
Clasping hands together resembling a lotus bud in front of the chest is a way to greet friends and relatives. Placing hands horizontally (below the nose) indicates a respectful greeting. Placing hands below the forehead is a gesture of respect towards monks, elders, teachers, parents, and those deserving reverence. Placing hands above the forehead and over the head is a gesture of greeting towards the king.
Religion
Buddhism is the state religion, practiced in Cambodia under the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Monks must observe the 227 precepts. The head of the monks is the Elder. Young adults must enter the temple to perform the 'Ordination for Merit' ceremony before entering adulthood.
Chol Chnam Thmey New Year
Cambodian New Year coincides with the Laos New Year (Bumimay), Myanmar New Year (Thingyan), Thai New Year (Songkran) from April 15th to 17th. The New Year's Eve is not fixed and varies from year to year, sometimes occurring during the day. The New Year in Cambodia is very simple, mainly a time for people to rest, visit parents, relatives, and friends, go to temples, and pay respects to the deceased through cremation.
These interesting facts will surely help you understand more about the neighboring country of Cambodia. Don't forget to follow Mytour for more exciting articles!
As per Mytour
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourJuly 15, 2022
