China and Cambodia Tourism Year: Exploring the beautiful cities of Cambodia
Updated 20:21, 01-Feb-2019
CGTN
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The "China and Cambodia Tourism Year" had its opening ceremony on January 30 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Talks, exchange of experiences, and collaborations on tourism will be happening this year, and so will the boom in Cambodia's tourism industry. Below are five cities that showcase the mysterious beauty of Cambodia.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia, and the biggest in terms of population in the country. It is the center of Cambodia's politics, economy, industry, tourism, and culture. 
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. /VCG Photo

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. /VCG Photo

A view of the Royal Palace, Tonle Sap River, and Mekong. /VCG Photo

A view of the Royal Palace, Tonle Sap River, and Mekong. /VCG Photo

The site of S21 prison during the reign of Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. /VCG Photo

The site of S21 prison during the reign of Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. /VCG Photo

The site of S21 prison during the reign of Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. /VCG Photo

The site of S21 prison during the reign of Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. /VCG Photo

Phnom Penh's central market. /VCG Photo

Phnom Penh's central market. /VCG Photo

A bustling shopping street in downtown Phnom Penh. /VCG Photo

A bustling shopping street in downtown Phnom Penh. /VCG Photo

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is where the famous Angkor Wat is located in. Angkor Wat does not refer to one temple, although among all temples under this name, this is the most famous one. It was founded in the mid 12th century and was built for the worship of the Hindu god Vishnu. In the late 13th century, it became a Buddhist temple. There are four popular temples here, the Angkor Wat temple, Beng Mealea, Banteay Srei, and the Bayon temple.
The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, 1870. /VCG Photo

The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, 1870. /VCG Photo

The Angkor Wat temple /VCG Photo

The Angkor Wat temple /VCG Photo

A wall of the Angkor Wat temple. /VCG Photo

A wall of the Angkor Wat temple. /VCG Photo

Monks walking to the temple in the early morning. /VCG Photo

Monks walking to the temple in the early morning. /VCG Photo

Monks standing atop the Angkor Wat. /VCG Photo

Monks standing atop the Angkor Wat. /VCG Photo

The Beng Mealea. /VCG Photo

The Beng Mealea. /VCG Photo

A young tourist inside the Beng Mealea. /VCG Photo

A young tourist inside the Beng Mealea. /VCG Photo

A female tourist photographs the Banteay Srei temple at sunrise. /VCG Photo

A female tourist photographs the Banteay Srei temple at sunrise. /VCG Photo

The Banteay Srei temple. /VCG Photo

The Banteay Srei temple. /VCG Photo

The mystery smile face tower at the Bayon Temple. /VCG Photo

The mystery smile face tower at the Bayon Temple. /VCG Photo

The main gate of the Bayon Temple. /VCG Photo

The main gate of the Bayon Temple. /VCG Photo

Battambang

Battambang is the second-largest city and is ranked fourth in population in the country. It may not have the most well-known temples, but it sure has cool things to experience and see, one might even turn you into a superhero. 
Tourists riding on a bamboo train. /VCG Photo

Tourists riding on a bamboo train. /VCG Photo

Cooking class /VCG Photo

Cooking class /VCG Photo

Colonial architecture /VCG Photo

Colonial architecture /VCG Photo

A bat cave at the Sempow mountain. /VCG Photo

A bat cave at the Sempow mountain. /VCG Photo

Kampot

Kampot, the capital city of Kampot province, has the biggest natural resort in the south of Cambodia, Bokor National Park, just 20 kilometers away. The park is also referred to as the "Preah Monivong National Park".
A motorbike ride to the Bokor Hill Station. /VCG Photo

A motorbike ride to the Bokor Hill Station. /VCG Photo

A view toward the Vietnamese border. /VCG Photo

A view toward the Vietnamese border. /VCG Photo

An old Catholic church at the Bokor Hill Station. /VCG Photo

An old Catholic church at the Bokor Hill Station. /VCG Photo

Monks sitting outside a building in the Bokor National Park. /VCG Photo

Monks sitting outside a building in the Bokor National Park. /VCG Photo

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, also known as "Kampong Som", is a coastal city and has the biggest port in Cambodia. It is the capital city of the Sihanoukville province. Here we introduce five of its most beautiful beaches. 
Sokha Beach /VCG Photo

Sokha Beach /VCG Photo

Independence Beach is just 1.5 kilometers away from Sokha Beach. /VCG Photo

Independence Beach is just 1.5 kilometers away from Sokha Beach. /VCG Photo

Ochheuteal Beach at dusk. /VCG Photo

Ochheuteal Beach at dusk. /VCG Photo

Otres Beach is the next beach south of Ochheuteal Beach. /VCG Photo

Otres Beach is the next beach south of Ochheuteal Beach. /VCG Photo

A view from Victory Beach. /VCG Photo

A view from Victory Beach. /VCG Photo

Bars on the beach line. /VCG Photo

Bars on the beach line. /VCG Photo