Siem Reap and Angkor Wat: Jewels of Cambodia

In a very special part of the world, sits a phenomenal masterpiece of ancient design. The sheer scale of the temples and ancient structures in the Siem Reap region are beyond what you can imagine, and despite the fame of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap remains a simply lovely town with a gentle, welcome, pace for the weary tourist.

Angkor Wat itself is the world’s largest religious structure. Built in the 12th century, it is an architectural masterpiece by any standard. It is a complex covering over 400 acres, surrounded by lush, green, forests.

But wait, there’s more, because within those lush, green, forests, lay many, many more structures such as the incredible Ta Prohm Temple featured in the movie Tomb Raider, and the imposing city of Angkor Thom, and so many more temples, gates, monuments, and structures. You could spend days – weeks – exploring these forests and the incredible finds within. You must see them, but how you see them is up to you!

We Recommend:

Angkor Wat at sunrise

Catch your first views of Angkor Wat in a sunrise tour: This is a great one that also guides you through the complex and beyond. They will pick you up from your hotel super early, and transport you the short distance to Angkor Wat. In the dark you’ll be guided to a place to sit. You’ll sit quietly waiting, and as the sun comes up, you’ll see something quite unlike anything else on earth. The imposing outline of Angkor Wat will be revealed to you, slowly coming into focus as the light hits it. It will start out as a shadow, an ill-defined shape, and while you watch on it will be revealed to you in all its wonder. And as the sun hits the scene around you, you’ll realise in wonder that you are one of hundreds or thousands of people quietly marvelling at the sight. As daylight hits, you’ll be gathered into a group, and led into the temple itself to see inside this incredible structure yourself.

Monkey goes about its business in the temple of Angkor Wat

What lies within the temple would be described in chapters, not a few sentences! But, in a nutshell, you’ll be treated to walls and walls of long, epic sagas carved into the stone, tales of religious figures and stories of old are told on those walls. Ornate carvings, endless rooms, archways, staircases, and windows. You’ll see countless bullet holes from long ago battles scaring the stones. You’ll probably see monkeys, horses, and all manner of local wildlife and people from all over the world. It is a delight!

Cycling through one of the gates of the city of Angkor Thom

After Angkor Wat there is so much more to see. You can choose private tours, hire your own tuktuk and driver, or large group tours. We recommend you look into a bicycle tour. Its access all areas on the bikes, and most tours are small and come with a competent guide and a bike mechanic just in case. Cycling through the epic gates of Angkor Thom is a moment you’ll not forget.

Ziplining with the Gibbons

Ziplining with Flight of the Gibbons

Gibbons used to thrive as native animals in the jungles of Siem Reap, however were hunted to extinction in the area long ago. In more recent times they have been reintroduced in the wild - you might be lucky enough to see them if you embark on a Zip Lining adventure!

A Night Market

The town of Siem Reap boasts a thriving night market that serves the local community and tourists alike. There you’ll find beautiful textiles – a great spot for finding beautiful silk. And those elephant pants loved by backpackers since the dawn of the first backpack – you’ll find them in abundance here!

You’ll find it on Street 08, nightly.

Apsara Dancing

Cambodian Dancing is a style all of its own, using elaborate choreography and expression to tell stories and legends of old. Dancers wear elaborate silk custom and traditional heavy jewels. Many hotels and cultural centres have Apsara Dancing displays, make sure you enquire at your hotel and look for a chance to see this for yourself.

Phnom Kulen National Park and Kulen Falls

Kulen Falls near Siem Reap

This national park is an often-overlooked treasure of the Siem Reap region, but it is well worth the time. Set aside a day for this. You’ll travel up the mountain, and find a fabulous array of cabana-like structures for your use; set up a picnic, get comfortable and relax in this incredible setting. Food and beverage stands are aplenty.

The Kulen falls are stunning, unspoiled, and naturally spilling over into an enormous natural swimming hole. Sit back and watch children throw themselves off rocks into the water below, in front of a back drop of an epic view of the incredible waterfall behind.

This is a place to hang out, to relax, to swim, to people watch, and pass the time-of-day marvelling at what surrounds you.

There are multiple tour options to get you to Kulen Falls, we loved this one!

The Floating Villages

The Siem Reap area boasts several floating villages, where locals live like they always have. You’ll float past homes, commercial premises, and schools, and see life in action on the large fresh water lake. Floating Villages such as Meychrey, Kompong Khleang, and Kompong Phluk all have a variety of options for tours.

Don’t Forget:

Tourist traps such as Pub Street are popular for a reason, and the nightlife is buzzing if you’re looking for great food, a few drinks, and a party vibe.

The Old French Quarter is a charming place to find pretty streets and convenient, beautiful accommodation – check if your accommodation provides free transportation around the area as many do, and this is quite a bonus.

You might be offered food seasoned with marijuana; all we can say is: please make good choices!