The town of Siem Reap is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South East Asia due to its close proximity to the Angkor temple complex. There is lots to do in the local area with plenty of options for travelers on a tight budget as well as those who have a bit more money to spend. Here are just some of the things you might like to see and do during your time in this part of Cambodia.
Things to See in Siem Reap
It would be almost unthinkable to visit Siem Reap and not spend a bit of time at Angkor Archaeological Park. This UNESCO National Heritage site is about 3km to the north of the town. This is the largest religious monument in the world, and the temple complex is located within an area with outer wall that is 3.6km in length. It is possible to go tour the park on bicycle or motorbike, but you might want to sure your travel insurance covers you for this type of adventure first – it is recommended that you stick to an organised tour rather than going off exploring by yourself.
The Angkor National Museum can be found on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, and this is definitely worth checking out if you want understand more about the temple complex and local area. There are some fancy multimedia displays here that really bring the local history to life. This is also the place to go if you want to learn more about Cambodian culture.
One thing you are sure to notice during your stay in Siem Reap is beggars who are missing limbs. Most of these unfortunate people ended up this way due to land mines during the seventies by the Khmer Rouge – these bombs are still killing people today. The Land Mind Museum is the place to visit if you want to find out more about the history of these land mines.
The Angkor silk farm is free to visit, and there is also a free shuttle service to take you to it (you get to enjoy a nice trip out the countryside). During your visit you will get to find out how silk is made – it’s a fascinating process.
Things to Do in Siem Reap
Here are just some of the things you can do during your trip to Siem Reap:
- See Angkor Wat from a hot air balloon
- Play golf at Angkor Golf Resort – this was designed by Nick Faldo
- Learn to make Khmer cuisine by attending one of the local cookery schools (most courses only last a half day, and you usually get to visit a local market to learn about ingredients)
- Enjoy a relaxing Khmer massage
- Party the night away on Pub Street
- Enjoy some cheap tasty food around the Old Market area
