- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 5th Revised edition edition (1 Aug 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1740595254
- ISBN-13: 978-1740595254
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
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- #15 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Asia > Cambodia
Lonely Planet Cambodia
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Product Description
Review
Nobody covers the world like Lonely Planet.' --New York Post, May 2004
Product Description
the market-leading, most comprehensively updated guide to one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing tourist hot-spots written by a Cambodian travel-writing expert including a whole chapter dedicated to the Unesco World Heritage listed Angkor Wat and tough travel in the north-eastern provinces brand new suggested itineraries chapter with hot tips on the best way to get around the country be it on a classic route or off the beaten path dedicated chapter on Angkor Wat includes cultural and historical background, temple floor plans and detailed maps breakdown of the chapter formerly known as Facts about & into dedicated History, The Culture, Environment and Food & Drink chapters, all positioned at the front of the book all information sections, including the new Directory (formerly Facts for the Visitor) and Transport chapters at the back of the book, arranged in alphabetical order
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Firstly - the strengths of the book. As with most Lonely Planet guides, it does provide a reasonable guide to the major areas, paticuarly Phnom Penh and Siem Riep. I stayed in a number of recommended guest houses and found them to be pretty decent and the maps, transport guides, saftey advice etc. mean that this book is probably advisable for people traveling to Cambodia for the first time.
However, many travellers in Asia who I've met have commented that 'there didn't seem like there was much to do in Cambodia apart from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh', and this (I believe) is probably a result of 'lonely planet syndrome'. Beyond these two destinations (and a few on the coast near phnom penh, the book treats the rest of the country very briefly, which may leave the impression that these areas aren't worht visiting. Evidently, this is because these areas simply are not touristy - and is what you'd expect from a guidebook like this (so no discrdit whatsoever to the author). But, all I'd say is don't let this put you off. I spent three months travelling the country, largely following reccomendations from locals as I went, and found many areas barely mentioned in the book but which were more than worth exploring. For example, a highlight of my trip was a trek in Botum Sakor national park, an outstandingly beautiful (and large) national park which isn't even mentioned at all in the guide (as far as I can tell). Cambodia has a huge amount to offer any traveller - you could easily spend years exploring the country - so please (please) don't flick through the lonely planet and decide its only worth a few days.
The other main problem is that Cambodia is a rapidly changing country and as such even a one month old guide would probably be out of date. Yes - the LP Cambodia says that you can get to town X in 40 mins by share taxi for $Y, but thats only a rough guide. Roads change, prices change, new public mini bus services arise and die out, and a new hotel / housing development / factory is built right over that lake that you're looking for. Its useful as a guide - but don't make the mistake of thinking that everything it says is some kind of enshrined fact.
Finally, watch out for some of the guesthouse reccomendations. Occasionally owners find out they are in the lonely planet and stop caring because they have a guranteed customer base for the next four years. I found this several times. If the guesthouse doesn't match up to the LP's glowing description - move on. There's always a freindly, clean, well run guesthouse around the next corner in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Overall I'd say this is a sturdy travel guide and very useful, and reamins by far the best guide on Cambodia for the average tourist and traveller - but I would warn against assuming that it is covers everything and sticking to its reccomendations like glue, because if you do you may never get to see the real country. And if you find yourself in an area which isn't really in the LP - don't assume that you should leave for somewhere that is.
However, many travellers in Asia who I've met have commented that 'there didn't seem like there was much to do in Cambodia apart from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh', and this (I believe) is probably a result of 'lonely planet syndrome'. Beyond these two destinations (and a few on the coast near phnom penh, the book treats the rest of the country very briefly, which may leave the impression that these areas aren't worht visiting. Evidently, this is because these areas simply are not touristy - and is what you'd expect from a guidebook like this (so no discrdit whatsoever to the author). But, all I'd say is don't let this put you off. I spent three months travelling the country, largely following reccomendations from locals as I went, and found many areas barely mentioned in the book but which were more than worth exploring. For example, a highlight of my trip was a trek in Botum Sakor national park, an outstandingly beautiful (and large) national park which isn't even mentioned at all in the guide (as far as I can tell). Cambodia has a huge amount to offer any traveller - you could easily spend years exploring the country - so please (please) don't flick through the lonely planet and decide its only worth a few days.
The other main problem is that Cambodia is a rapidly changing country and as such even a one month old guide would probably be out of date. Yes - the LP Cambodia says that you can get to town X in 40 mins by share taxi for $Y, but thats only a rough guide. Roads change, prices change, new public mini bus services arise and die out, and a new hotel / housing development / factory is built right over that lake that you're looking for. Its useful as a guide - but don't make the mistake of thinking that everything it says is some kind of enshrined fact.
Finally, watch out for some of the guesthouse reccomendations. Occasionally owners find out they are in the lonely planet and stop caring because they have a guranteed customer base for the next four years. I found this several times. If the guesthouse doesn't match up to the LP's glowing description - move on. There's always a freindly, clean, well run guesthouse around the next corner in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Overall I'd say this is a sturdy travel guide and very useful, and reamins by far the best guide on Cambodia for the average tourist and traveller - but I would warn against assuming that it is covers everything and sticking to its reccomendations like glue, because if you do you may never get to see the real country. And if you find yourself in an area which isn't really in the LP - don't assume that you should leave for somewhere that is.
57 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The guide book is useful, interesting and really helps you make the most of your time in Cambodia. I wouldn't have seen half of the amazing places if I hadn't taken it with me. The information in it is accurate despite what the local taxi drivers may say!! Stand your ground!! There is no need to buy any extra guide books when you're there either - all of their information is included in this one.
The only thing the book doesn't prepare you for is the random overpricing that has occurred, the variation from shop to shop is immense. Shop where the locals shop and you'll save a fortune.
The only thing the book doesn't prepare you for is the random overpricing that has occurred, the variation from shop to shop is immense. Shop where the locals shop and you'll save a fortune.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lively and deeply informative commentary for independent travellers like me who prefer to get away from the usual tourist crowds. Includes all the information you need about this fascinating country - political history, religion, safety and those offbeat excursions (plus where to get your hands on deep fried spider. Lovely)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
LP guide to Cambodia: well put together but with a few missing pieces
The LP guides are consistently the best overall for the independent traveller, though some of the Rough Guides run them close; both have straightforward practical information about... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. Trang
Good enough but not as useful as others in the series
I bought this book primarily for the Siem Reap/Angkor Wat section. It was helpful but the writing style didn't appeal this time (I've bought other LP books). Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ellie
Where's the sense of adventure?!?!
As with most LP books, too much detail! Its a real shame to see so many travellers who clutch their copy of the LP like it is a lifeline. Read more
Published 9 months ago by neats
Almost great on Kindle
I really think that travel guides as Kindle (or other ebooks) are the future; the Lonely Planet guide makes an excellent kindle book when you are travelling - for a start the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Chris Hoare
best guides
as always,i find the lonely planet guides the best for providing essential information for world travel. Read more
Published 21 months ago by mark t
Lonely Planet Guide to Cambodia
During a recent holiday in Cambodia, I found this book extremely helpful with information on the history and development of the country and its inhabitants, details of interesting... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Christine Holt
Interesting and Informative
This is both an interesing and informative guidebook which lives up to the qulaity of all the other Lonely Planet books. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Wendy Jones
Its a guide book and it guides ...
Does what it says on the tin, although I would ensure you download the updates from the Lonely Planet website as although new, a lot of the prices have already changed and some... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Mr. Michael S. Race
Typical lonely planet performance
As with all lonely planets, it does the job. If you wait until you can get to Cambodia you can get a copy for a third of the price!
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by Kristy Revell
Listmania!
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