【By Observer Group, Wang Yong / Editor Zhao Qianjin】

According to the Cambodia Daily on December 3, Cambodia has decided to implement a trial visa-free policy for Chinese citizens. From June 15 to October 15, 2026, Chinese citizens can enter Cambodia without a visa for a stay of up to 14 days per visit, without applying and without any fees.

According to relevant policies, during the validity period of the visa exemption, Chinese tourists can enter Cambodia multiple times by filling out an electronic entry card only.

After the release of this news, the search volume for flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the main cities in Cambodia, increased significantly.

According to data provided by Qunar to Observer Group, the search volume for flights from Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen to Phnom Penh increased 5.2 times, 4.3 times, and 3 times respectively compared to the previous hour, while the search volume for flights from Guangzhou and Xiamen to Phnom Penh increased more than double. Currently, flights from major Chinese cities to Phnom Penh are available at prices below 1,000 yuan, with flight tickets from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Phnom Penh priced below 500 yuan.

Chinese tourists visiting the Angkor Wat. Cambodia Daily

Data shows that Siem Reap, a tourist city known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat, has seen a significant increase in flight searches. The search volume for flights from Shanghai to Siem Reap increased five times compared to the previous hour, while the search volume for flights from Guangzhou to Siem Reap increased 3.7 times. Currently, there are low-cost flights from Guangzhou to Siem Reap priced below 800 yuan.

Information indicates that in September this year, the Sihanoukville International Airport (KTI/VDTI), Cambodia's largest airport located in the capital Phnom Penh, officially started operations, replacing the Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH/VDPP) which had been in service for 66 years.

The Sihanoukville International Airport, which cost 1.5 billion US dollars, is about 20 kilometers from the center of Phnom Penh, spanning the provinces of Kandal and Takeo. It is a 4F-level airport, the highest global standard, capable of accommodating Airbus A380 or Boeing 747-8 aircraft.

Compared to the old airport, the new airport has made upgrades in all aspects, including faster security checks and clearer signposts, providing great convenience for passengers to board. Public facilities such as cafes, duty-free shops, and restaurants are complete. In the future, the airport will also be connected to the city center via light rail.

Currently, there are direct flights from many cities in China to the new airport in Phnom Penh, with a flight time of about 3–4 hours.

According to the Cambodia Daily on December 2, the Cambodia Tourism Authority formally signed a cooperation agreement with the Chinese company Ctrip on December 1 in Shanghai. This collaboration aims to further enhance the international influence of Cambodia as a popular tourist destination through digital marketing and attract more Chinese tourists.

Kim Meany, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Authority, said at the signing ceremony, "Cambodia has unique cultural heritage and natural landscapes. We are very pleased to cooperate with Ctrip, leveraging its strong technological empowerment and user base to showcase the diverse charm of Cambodia to Chinese tourists."

Phnom Penh city view, Visual China

The report mentioned that in recent years, Cambodia has continuously optimized tourism facilities and introduced various measures to attract international tourists. This collaboration with Ctrip will further promote the digital transformation of Cambodia's tourism industry, enhancing its competitiveness in the Chinese and global markets through precise marketing and innovative content.

At the 2025 Cambodia-China Tourism Forum held on November 27, themed "Seizing the Opportunity of the Chinese Tourism Market and Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind," Cambodia's Minister of Tourism Huot Hak clearly stated that Cambodia is fully prepared to comprehensively welcome the return of Chinese tourists and investors by improving the reception environment, optimizing service systems, and perfecting investment facilitation measures. By leveraging the "Cambodia-China Tourism Year," it will deepen bilateral cultural and tourism cooperation and inject new momentum into national economic growth.

Huot Hak emphasized that tourism has always been a priority area for Cambodia's social and economic development. The government is promoting high-quality industry development by cultivating green, clean, and smart tourism products, developing high-value cultural and tourism projects, and creating business tourism formats.

Data shows that in the first ten months of 2025, Cambodia received approximately 4.8 million international tourists, including nearly 1 million Chinese tourists, highlighting the core position of the Chinese market; whereas before the pandemic in 2019, Chinese tourists reached 2.3 million, accounting for one-third of the total number of international tourists, becoming an important pillar of the tourism industry. "China is not only a strategic partner of Cambodia but also one of the most important sources of global tourism markets. Its tourist return brings significant opportunities for the recovery of Cambodia's tourism industry and related investment," said Huot Hak.

Related information indicates that the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is located at the confluence of the Mekong River, Tonle Sap River, and Bassac River. Here, you can see traditional buildings and modern skyscrapers arranged in a picturesque way. Buddhist relics and urban neon lights depict a unique scenery of the old and new.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7579467780328636974/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.