Siem reap is the former capital of Cambodia and the second largest city in Cambodia outside the present-day capital Phnom Penh. Nearby is the forceful Mekong River that flows through China, Laos and then Cambodia out into the South China Sea.
The best tourist attraction in Siem Reap is Angkor Wat and the other nearby temples built around 900-1000 years ago. There is an enormous collection of contrasting temples to keep you on the go during your visit. Hire a tuk tuk driver or taxi as the best way to get around Siem Reap during your stay
Recommended things to do in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat - Pay a visit to the wonderful temple dedicated to Vishnu, built by Suryavarman II during the 12th century. Walk throughout the 3.6km walls that enclose this astonishing temple. Step indoors and inspect the bas-relief gallery walls filled with fancy carving in sandstone with the famous "Churning of the Sea of Milk" The gallery walls alone are decorated with almost 1,000 square metres of bas-reliefs.
Dirt bike adventure tours (250cc) to Northeast Cambodia, to the district termed Preah Vihea province. Driving dirt bikes about the back roads including visits to Preah Khan temple in this locality.
Quad bike tours. Locate the small villages and backroads neighboring Siem Reap by quad bike. Half day and full day tours available.
Cooking classes with Paul Dubrule - Get wise to how to cook territorial Cambodian dishes at the not for profit school that helps train regional Cambodians in the hospitality industry. All proceeds go towards the schooling of over hundreds of scholars each year.
Apsara dancing - Pay a visit to one of the heaps traditional dancing shows held most nights
Tonle Sap Lake - Discover the floating village on this beautiful lake a short distance beyond Siem Reap
Cambodian Landmine museum - take a Tuk tuk driver to drop in the museum run by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier
Angkor Wat temple permission.
A handy hint when getting your temple admission. Get your tuk tuk driver or taxi driver to drop you off to obtain (money) your day permission or 3 day pass late in the afternoon. It is useful to know that if you enter the sites later than 5pm, your card won't be marked until the subsequent day. This gives you a free sunset at one of the temples!
Angkor Wat Tour Guides
In Cambodia, trip guides have to qualify to request for coaching, then learn and successfully graduate a government-approved exam before they can be issued with a license.
While your Tuk Tuk or Taxi can take you to all the attractions in Siem Reap and surroundings, most tourists find that a guide who is able to go with them indoors the temples brings out the detail of the carvings and all the symbolism, chronicle of events and mythology that you would otherwise overlook when visiting without one. We strongly sanction you book well in beforehand for this service, particularly through the High Season (Oct-Mar).
Angkor Wat Tours
These are just some suitable tours if your are touring for 1,2 or 3 days and want to see as heaps of the temples around Siem Reap as possible.
1 Day tour of Siem Reap
Here for only 1 day then you really want to pack in as much as you possibly can. Get your permission the day before 5pm (approx 4.30pm) which entitles you to use it that sunset. Head up to Angkor Wat and have a fast look encompassing to get some idea of the scale of the place. Head up to Bakheng Hill for sunset but it will be cramped during peak season and the sun actually set behind you. sunup is the best time for sunup at Angkor Wat as the temple faces the West and the sun will rise up behind the temple towards the main entryway.
The Small Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Angkor Thom (including Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Leper Terrace and Baphuon)
Chau Sey Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo (then travelling north east)
Ta Nei (then travelling south)
Ta Prom (then travelling east)
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang
Prasat Kravan
Back to Angkor Wat (total 17km)
The Grand Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Preah Khan
Preah Neak Pean (then travelling east)
Ta Som (then travelling south)
Pre Rup
Back to Angkor Wat (total 26km)
Although you can use these as a guide, your reliable tuk tuk driver knows scores ways to make sure you see as much as possible with whatever time you have available.
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