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Top 10 Best Things To Do And See In Siem Reap, Cambodia

1. Discover Angkor Archaeological Park

• Address: Krong Siem Reap, Campuchia
• Entrance ticket price:
  • Ticket for 1 day: 37 USD
  • Ticket for 3 days: 62 USD (valid for 1 week)
  • Ticket for 7 days: 72 USD (valid for 1 month)
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sGccVdNag5cdHzbo6

a. Angkor Wat

This is the most important and also the largest temple in the Angkor area. With the most magnificent architecture in the entire complex, it has its main entrance facing west directly towards the setting sun. Angkor Wat (one of the many incredible best things to do and see in Siem Reap) has 398 interconnected rooms along a 1,500-meter-long corridor. Above are five towers arranged in a sequence of three-tiered structures, including the tallest tower reaching up to 65 meters and four subsidiary towers rising to 40 meters. The road leading to the main entrance of Angkor Wat is also made of stone blocks, measuring 230 meters in length, 5 meters in height, and nearly 10 meters wide compared to the water surface on both sides of the temple.

Angkor Wat, standing proudly by a vast lake, captivates visitors upon arrival. The temple's reflection in the clear, blue waters during the morning sunlight is a breathtaking sight that draws tourists eager to explore and capture its beauty. Climbing the stairs offers a different perspective, but expect a somewhat lengthy wait in this popular area.

b. Bayon Temple

The temple, which is situated in the center of Angkor Thom ,was constructed around the 12th century. Bayon Temple stands out with its 54 small and large towers, each adorned with carvings featuring four faces of the deity Lokesvara, facing in different directions.

The architecture of Bayon Temple stands out one of the best things to do and see in Siem Reap, strongly reflects Buddhist influences as King Jayavarman VII followed Buddhism. However, the temple underwent some alterations after the king's passing, taking on a more Hindu character. Bayon Temple was abandoned for an extended period until 1995 when it underwent restoration using the Anastylosis technique. Today, Bayon Temple is considered one of Cambodia's architectural masterpieces. Covering an area of 9 km2 and lacking surrounding walls, the temple is approximately 1 km from the main entrance of Angkor Thom. The structure consists of three levels, with the lower two levels designed in a square shape adorned with numerous bas-reliefs depicting famous battles and royal processions.

c. Ta Prohm

Among the captivating best things to do and see in Siem Reap, the ancient temple, popularized by the 2001 film Tomb Raider, exudes a mystical charm with towering tree roots clinging to the stones like giant serpents, despite its mostly ruined state. Constructed in 1186, the temple is situated to the east of the Angkor Thom complex. Anyone who comes to Ta Prohm must be mesmerized by the beauty of the temple. The towering silk-cotton and ancient fig trees grow through the stone walls, with tree roots covering the entire outer surface of the temple.

The roots of these ancient trees create a peculiar and enchanting appearance, covering almost the entirety of Ta Prohm, adding a unique allure. What's more, these tree roots don't grow from the ground up but descend from above, stemming from the scattered seeds dropped by birds. The best time to appreciate the full beauty of the temple is in the early morning when there are very few tourists. The eerie sensation amid the scenery of the crumbling towers is sure to be an unforgettable experience for your travel journey.

2. Explore the vibrant Pub Street in Siem Reap, the lively heart of Cambodia.

• Address: Siem Reap, Campuchia
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XXXj2KBsz87MFHn46

Explore the interesting place in Siem Reap, Pub Street is an area bustling with numerous bars, restaurants, and eateries. Therefore, if you want to savor traditional Cambodian dishes or enticing Western cuisine, just visit Pub Street. Here, you'll encounter a diverse and rich culinary world waiting for your exploration.

This lively night market is a culinary haven for you to enjoy and indulge. Here, you can find a variety of dishes ranging from traditional Khmer cuisine to Western, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese delights. The bars on Pub Street are lively and vibrant, so besides relishing delicious and tempting dishes and indulging in shopping to your heart's content, visitors can also hop from one bar to another for entertainment and dancing. The bars on this Western-style street are always crowded, and people can gather to dance, enjoy drinks, and savor the special flavors of beautiful Cambodia. Additionally, when you come to the Pub Street night market area, you can also experience massage services, where you can comfortably relax and unwind as small fish give your feet a soothing massage.

3. Visit Cambodia Landmine Museum

• Address: 67, Phumi Khna, Cambodia
• Entrance ticket price: 5 USD
• Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m
• Tel: +85 512 971 198
• Web: http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B86Cs177kPm9jy4eA

The Cambodia Landmine Museum is situated to the south of Banteay Srey Temple within the Angkor National Park. Built in 2007 and featuring four exhibition rooms, it serves as a repository for various types of landmines, grenades, and firearms that were once used in the wars in Cambodia.

This place is closely linked to Aki Ra's story. He gathered landmines from all over Cambodia to show and highlight the difficulties caused by war in this beautiful country. One of the best things to do and see in Siem Reap, the Landmine Museum is second only to Angkor Wat which stands out with displays of different war weapons and landmines. Visitors will encounter deactivated mines, artillery pieces, and trap devices recovered from different parts of the country. The museum ensures safety by adhering to the rules of the Ottawa International Agreement and the CMAA association. The Cambodia Landmine Museum is undoubtedly one of the renowned historical museums that tourists should not miss.

4. Explore ancient Khmer civilization at Angkor National Museum

• Address: 968 Vithei Charles De Gaulle, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Entrance ticket price:
  • Adult : 12 USD /pax
  • Children under 12 years old : 6 USD /pax
  • Children under 5 years old : free
• Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. - 18:00 p.m
• Tel: +85 563 966 601
• Web: http://www.angkornationalmuseum.com/
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EwEFfrGaUfLDHyaSA

The Angkor National Museum - one of best things to do and see in Siem Reap exhibits collections and materials from the Angkor period to the Khmer Empire, roughly from the 9th to the 13th century. Upon entering the exhibition rooms, visitors are guided to the audio room with a clear path. There, they can enjoy historical films in a mini theater with around 80 seats. The film content provides a general overview of the museum . Each film lasts approximately 15 minutes and is available in multiple languages to cater to foreign tourists, including Khmer, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, English, and French.

The Angkor National Museum is really worthwhile for Cambodian people. It keeps old traditions and cultural values from a long time ago, showing how the Khmer people used to live. This museum is in the heart's Cambodians because it holds special stories and things that make their history and culture unique.

5. Tour the Cambodia War Museum

• Address: Sra Nge Commune, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Entrance ticket price: 5 USD / pax
• Tel: +85 597 457 8666
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MuTYcK85xs9duATQ7

What to see in Siem Reap ? The Cambodia War Museum is an outdoor museum located approximately 5 km from the city of Siem Reap. While typical tourists may only see war vehicles like tanks and helicopters in movies, at the Cambodia War Museum, you can witness them up close and personal. This allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the intense war that lasted nearly three decades in Cambodia.

Moreover, tourists can observe a multitude of weapons used in World War II. The distinctive feature of this museum is the presence of many guides who are former veterans, individuals with practical knowledge and experience from the war. Visitors can listen to numerous intriguing stories and battlefield experiences directly from them. The Cambodia War Museum displays images, tanks, and weapons from Cambodia's historical wars. They have things like the T-54 tank, MiG-19 fighter jet, Mil Mi-8 helicopter, and different guns used by the Cambodian military. Local guides from the museum can show visitors around for free and tell stories about the wars and brave battles that happened in this country.

6. Stroll and shop at the markets in Siem Reap

What to do in Siem Reap? Head to the markets immediately. Night markets in Siem Reap offers a diverse array of handmade crafts and fresh products at affordable prices, mainly concentrated in the city center. These vibrant markets, active every day, showcase Cambodia's traditional handicrafts such as stone carvings, silverware, lacquer paintings, ceramics, silk, etc., sourced primarily from local Khmer artisans.

Here are the top 03 markets in Siem Reap:

a. Full Moon Night Market

• Address: 56 Sivutha Blvd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Tel : +85 515 258 283
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kYX8WXGXsha3KRM77

This interesting place in Siem Reap has a range of souvenirs, accessories, jewelry, and crafts, and 10% of the earnings go towards supporting a local orphanage. Positioned between Sivutha Boulevard and the Angkor Night Market, Noon Night Market's walkway is lit with silk lamps and has fans to beat the heat, creating a pleasant environment for sightseeing and shopping. After spending a few hours at the Noon Night Market, visitors can unwind with Khmer-style massages or savor imported beers and cocktails at the hotel's bar. All these activities promise to provide travelers with a highly enjoyable experience as they explore the 'Land of Temples'.

b. Old Market

• Address: Pokambor Ave, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdyqiYAUsXtuFBxj8

The Old Market (also known as Phsar Chas) is the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap. Situated in the heart of Siem Reap, this market boasts over 100 stalls offering a wide range of products at affordable prices. Particularly popular here are items made from silk and Cambodian silk. Here, tourists can easily find vendors offering affordable goods such as clothing, jewelry, shoes, souvenirs, etc. Most of the stalls are concentrated near the entrance of the market. After exploring and shopping, if visitors feel hungry, they can also stop by the small eateries near the market to enjoy traditional Khmer dishes such as rice meals, baguettes, spiced frog, dried fish, pork sausages, and more.

c. Made in Cambodia market

• Address: Oum Khun St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Tel : +85 510 345 643
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jDdciBR9d8huQGww6

The Made in Cambodia Market (one of best things to do and see in Siem Reap) offers a variety of live performances, delicious local cuisine, and stylish Cambodian-themed souvenir items crafted by renowned local artisans. Taking place in front of the Shinta Mani Resort in Siem Reap, this lively outdoor market features products that are generally more expensive than those found in other markets in Siem Reap. However, the uniqueness and quality of clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, paintings, and toys are truly impressive and worth the price. A highly popular beverage here is Sombai rice wine, infused with cinnamon, mango, star anise, and red chili.

7. Experience Angkor Zipline at Angkor Archaeological Park

• Address: Rohal village, Nokor Thom commune, Campuchia
• Entrance ticket price: 53.63 USD
• Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. - 17:00 p.m
• Tel: +85 596 999 9100
• Web: http://www.angkorzipline.com/
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i3kBEytK8bY7xS7x9

8. Visit Wat Preah Prom Rath

• Address: Opposite Temple Coffee & Bakery, Pokambor Ave, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Tel : +85 512 327 655
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GLz8iwX8s7g8a5by9

Wat Preah Prom Rath is a standout pagoda in Siem Reap and Cambodia, located along the riverside near the Old Market, making it conveniently accessible from most hotels in town. In addition to numerous statues, the temple's allure is heightened by vibrant wall paintings and intricately adorned rooms.

As one of Siem Reap's oldest temples, Wat Preah Prom Rath has a significant historical legacy, dating back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, boasting a rich 500-year history. The temple entrances captivate with visually striking wall decorations. Inside, you'll find Buddhist lecture halls and monks' quarters. The pictures in the gallery share stories and make the temple feel special.

9. Enjoy an Apsara Dance Performance

• Address: Wat Bo Road, Street 26, Opposite Angkor Village Hotel,Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Tel: +855 9957 7077
• Web: https://apsaratheatre.asia/
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xAekCaNR1r6z4QkPA

What to do in Siem Reap? Visiting Cambodia without experiencing the Apsara dance at least once would be a significant omission for any traveler to this land of temples. Apsara is a traditional dance in the Cambodian royal court, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of the world. In Hindu mythology, the Apsara dance is a captivating performance by beautiful nymphs serving the gods, characterized by slow, graceful, and charming movements. The Apsara nymphs are the wives of Gandharva musicians in the celestial realm, tasked with dancing and singing for the gods.

Characteristic of the Apsara dance is a main female dancer accompanied by a group of dancers performing movements resembling celestial nymphs strolling in a rose garden, enhancing the beauty of the garden. Unlike traditional dances in other countries, the Apsara dance requires slow and delicate movements to fully showcase the beauty of the dancers and the uniqueness of this artistic dance form.

10. Discover Kampong Phluk floating village - an authentic Cambodian floating village

• Address: Kampong Phluk, Cambodia
• Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/L6TYXf6v5DLxistcA

Kampong Phluk comprises three small villages, all built on stilts above the water. This cluster of villages is located approximately 16 km from Siem Reap and is one of best things to do and see in Siem Reap .

The houses in Kampong Phluk are constructed about 6-10 meters above the riverbed to avoid flooding during the wet season in the Tonle Sap area, Cambodia. The residents here primarily engage in fishing, netting, and supplement their income through tourism. Surrounding the villages are mangrove forests, flooded forests, and closely spaced vegetation. Visitors can explore Kampong Phluk by small boat, and the cost for a two-hour boat tour per person ranges from about $6 to $8 .

What to see in Siem Reap ? Here are some suggestions for the top tourist destinations in Siem Reap that you definitely have to visit at least once in your lifetime if possible. Explore Cambodia's rich heritage from the stunning Angkor Wat to the lively local markets. Immerse yourself in the captivating Apsara dance, explore the tranquil floating villages like Kampong Phluk, and wander through the delightful Old Market. Autour Asia strongly recommends Siem Reap as a must-visit destination, promising a diverse and wonderful experience for every visitors.