Siem Reap literally means 'Siam Defeated' and it is here that the legacy of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge Killing Fields can still be seen. Although these chilling reminders are testament to how close history is to this town, it is also a testament to how far Cambodia has come in recent years.
Ankor Wat
Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, home of a thousand Buddhas and temples. This is the prime reason that tourists visit Siem Reap, although the area has plenty of other attractions. Tours through Angkor are plentiful, and the enormous temples and tall golden Buddhas are awe-inspiring as well as serene, set as they are in lush jungle surrounds. Contained in the Park is the Angkor National Museum, which at $12 has one of the most expensive entry fees in the country, but the combination of support for the local economy coupled with the extensive and beautifully maintained exhibits make the price good value.
The number of visitors to Ankor is increasing every year, and there will be a point of time where visiting the temples will become nearly impossible. So if you do intend to travel to Siem Reap, the sooner the better, really.
Ohter things to See and Do
An ingenious day trip from Siem Reap is the Spend a Day in a Cambodian Village Tour. Visitors interact with villagers and help in the daily tasks of harvesting or planting, as well as helping out in one of the local schools. Most of the proceeds of the tour are returned to the village itself and tourists are not only entertained but also educated, as well as having a chance to make a practical contribution to daily life.
Siem Reap is home to several Khmer massage therapists. This is not Bangkok, the only service on sale is a genuine massage, and the combination of deep tissue therapy (painful, but worth it) and the soothing application of oils revive and rejuvenate the body.
If the budget extends to it, take in Angkor Park by air. Sokha Helicopters run trips over the magnificent park from $120 per person.
Markets
Siem Reap has plenty of markets to browse. Psar Chas is the prettiest of these, being the Old Market. Take plenty of dollars, or even Thai Baht, as these are much preferred over the local currency. Also, although there are some curios for sale, if anything is presented as 'antique' it is either fake or stolen, so exercise caution. Angkor Market is a fixed-price open air grocery store, where the prices of the food, although higher than elsewhere, are reasonable and offer a respite from the constant haggling of other venues.
Food
Cambodian food is fantastic, and although there are tourist eateries that offer pizza and hamburgers, as well as Westernized versions of local dishes (usually involving less spice and more fat), the real finds are in the back streets. Your tuk-tuk driver will know where to go, and if you are far out of town he will probably be happy to wait for you, as long as you tip accordingly.
Just off Pub Street, the open-air food vendors offer cheap and delicious meals, with two-course menus or 'like it or its free' offers for around $2 or $3 per sitting.
Hotels
While there are plenty of chain hotels around Siem Reap, you may prefer to choose something locally owned, to support the local economy rather than an international corporation. Places like Bun Kao Guesthouse (in Banteay Chash Village) offer – very slow, but free – internet, free breakfast and a private bathroom in a double room for about $5 a head.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Salt Siem Reap, Cambodia.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/MasterLu)
