Discover Cambodia: Top 11 Amazing and Unique Fun Facts You Never Knew!

1. Fried Tarantula Snacks

Why did the tarantula cross the road? To become a tasty Cambodian snack, of course: In the town of Skuon, known as "Spiderville," fried tarantulas called "a-ping" in Khmer are a popular specialty treat, both bred in holes and foraged in forests nearby, believed to have surged in popularity during the Khmer Rouge rule when food was scarce – although some might be put off by the brown paste of organs, eggs, and excrement found in the spider's abdomen.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Heroic Landmine-Sniffing Rats

Whoever said rats couldn't be superheroes obviously never met these whiskered wonder-workers in Cambodia: The nation hosts Africa's famous scent detection rats from APOPO, who work alongside the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) to sniff out landmines and explosives, using a heroic team of over 60 animals, including rats and technical survey dogs, to return safe lands to communities.
Source => apopo.org

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3. Angkor Wat's Musical Secrets

You know what they say, "Where words fail, music speaks": in the mysterious depths of Angkor Wat, hidden paintings were discovered depicting Khmer musical bands with instruments such as gongs and xylophones, as well as scenes of people on horseback seemingly riding between two structures possibly within the temple complex.
Source => originalbuddhas.com

4. Harvest Celebration at Khmer New Year

As farmers in Cambodia prepare to shake their tail feathers to celebrate a well-earned break, they bid adieu to their plowin' around days: The Khmer New Year, occurring around April 13th or 14th, marks the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of a three-day extravaganza. It's filled with traditional costumes, games, homage to Buddha's teachings, and tasty treats such as "kralan" cake—where rice, beans, and coconut mingle in delicious harmony just like the festive folks!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Business Card Boogie

In Cambodia, the business card boogie is no joke: don't forget to pack these prized paper passports before your trip, as even the tiniest transaction has you trading cards like Pokémon masters. Double-hand them over for double appreciation, and consider yourself the belle of the business ball: In Cambodia, the exchange of business cards is an essential part of any transaction or professional meeting, and it's advised to carry them with you, presenting them with both hands as a sign of respect.
Source => lonelyplanet.com

6. Resting Bayon Face

Ever had a bad case of "resting Bayon face?" You're in good company at Cambodia's Bayon Temple: Home to over 50 towers boasting four unique facial expressions each, thought to depict King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century as a bodhisattva – that's an enlightened being in Mahayana Buddhism to you and me. Sadly, not all face towers have survived the test of time, but the bas-relief carvings on the temple walls still narrate heroics and Khmer life from the king's time with immortal charm.
Source => ncpedia.org

7. Ballet-Dancing King

When he's not choreographing a royal pas de deux, this king is making diplomatic jetés on the world stage: King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia studied classical dance and music in Prague, taught ballet in France for nearly 20 years, and even served as the country's ambassador to UNESCO, championing the preservation of Cambodian culture.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Reviving Cambodia's Rock Legacy

Ground control to Major Pan Ron: There's a band that's rocketing Cambodia's lost rock'n'roll legacy back to life on the world stage like a groovy lunar mission: The Cambodian Space Project, a group inspired by the country's 1960s musical icons, bridges the cultural gap between Cambodia and the U.S., whilst performing both original tunes and covers of famed divas such as Pan Ron and Ros Sereysothea on their mini-tour across Washington D.C., New York City, and Long Beach, the latter housing the largest Cambodian population in the U.S.
Source => voanews.com

9. Honey-Loving Sun Bears

Once believed to be the secret lovechild of Goldilocks' sweetheart and Winnie the Pooh's distant cousin: the sun bear – the tiniest of all bear species – roams the wilds of Cambodia, bearing an unmistakable sun-shaped orange patch on its chest and an insatiable passion for honey. When found in its natural habitat, however, these endearing little creatures might just growl you a not-so-sweet rejection, touting a reputation as one of Cambodia's most dangerous animals while standing at the forefront of fashion in the endangered species club.
Source => jtgtravel.com

10. Navigating Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh's streets: where even Louis Pasteur couldn't find a cure for this navigational nightmare! : The city's unique and confusing street naming system includes streets named after historical figures, such as Louis Pasteur, while others like Quais Verneville and Piquet have been forgotten or renamed, making the use of street numbers and landmarks mandatory for locals navigating the chaotic layout.
Source => phnompenhpost.com

11. Dragon Boat Racing Festival

When it rains, it pours – and then comes the dragon boat racing: Every year during the late October or early November in Cambodia, the Bon Om Tuk festival is celebrated to mark the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest season, featuring spectacularly colorful and intricately decorated dragon boats that zoom across the Tonle Sap river, keeping the spirit of Angkor Wat alive since the 12th century.
Source => amber-kampot.com