Southeast Asia has become a top bucket list destination for many tourists looking to head to the other side of the world and experience a culture and landscape very different from Europe’s.

However, most head for Thailand and Vietnam, resulting in crowded hotspots and steeper prices.

Few decide to explore the beautiful country which separates them – Cambodia – home to low-lying plains, mountains and a stunning coastline.

What’s more, Cambodia is generally much cheaper than Thailand, with accommodation, food and transport often significantly less expensive, thanks to it being less developed as a tourist destination – but no less beautiful.

December to February is also one of the best times to visit, with temperatures averaging around 27C across the country. The hottest months of the year are just around the corner so you can expect temperatures to rise gradually throughout the month. And there is the added benefit of being well outside of the rainy season, which brings with it humidity and strong winds.

There are many key sights that should sit high on your “to be visited” list in Cambodia, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world. Here visitors can watch the sunrise or sunset over this majestic temple complex.

Other must-see temples include the Royal Palace, a seat of the Cambodian royal family, and the Bayon Temple, which features intricate carvings and smiling stone faces. The well-preserved colonial-era town of Battambang is also home to shophouses, art galleries and Fairtrade cafes.

Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samleom Islands are known for their beauty and unspoilt surroundings and Cambodia in general is home to many white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue seas, unlike Phuket which is now inundated with tourists.

Finally, Phnom Penh, the capital and most populous city of Cambodia has a cost of living far lower than the UK and Thailand, meaning it’s very cheap for British tourists. Covering an area of 345 sq km, Phnom Penh is situated in the south-central region of Cambodia, where the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers meet. The city is a vibrant, bustling hotspot but there are plenty of things to keep tourists busy.

According to Skyscanner, flights from London to Phnom Penh at the end of January start from as little as £228 and when a return flight is combined with the cheapest four-star hotel, prices only reach a total of £1,010 per person. Flights from London to Bangkok on the same date, meanwhile, start at around £552.

Although Cambodia has a dark history, it is now a safe and welcoming country for tourists from all over the world, and in fact, the country is now positioned perfectly to share and educate visitors on its past.

For example, Cambodia’s tragic “Killing Fields” are now an often-frequented site for tourists, where they come to learn about the country’s genocide and pay their respects. During the 1970s, the Khmer Rouge began the systematic persecution and killing of citizens, resulting in the deaths of 1.5 to two million people in just four years – approximately 25% of Cambodia’s population.

It is understood that over 1.3 million people were buried in the Killing Fields, with around 20,000 killed at the site itself, and, in heavy rain, human bones are unearthed. There are about 8,000 human skulls on display that were exhumed from the mass graves.

Cambodia has set about revitalising its tourism sector after the pandemic, opening a brand-new £1.1 billion airport in Siem Reap, making it easier than ever for tourists to visit the famed Angkor Wat temple complex. The vast archaeological park, one of the world’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites home to ancient temples and ruins, is a key draw for international visitors.

It can handle up to 7 million passengers per year, significantly more than the former Siem Reap International Airport, allowing for more direct international flights, including long-haul routes.