What to do and see in Siem Reap (Center)

Before visiting Angkor, visitors have to buy tickets from the place which is about 2 km from Anglor. There are 3 types of tickets: 1 day, 1-3 days, 7 days which are not the same price. If you have time, 1 day ticket is not a good choice as this is quite a large area that cannot be visit in just 1 day.
 
There will be the date of visit and your photo on the ticket. The opening time of the temple is from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm. You should keep the ticket during your travel time to easily in or out at the opening time. 


Spend from 3 - 7 days to discover ancient Angkor temples

Angkor wat

Serving as the symbol of Cambodia, Angkor Wat worshipping Vishnu God is the temple with the best conservation in the area and remains its position as the religion center. Its image is also recorded in the national flag of Cambodia. Angkor Wat was built under Suryavarman II King in XI century with the initial purpose as a Hindu temple. After that, under Khmer dynasty worshpping Buddhist, the temple turned into a Buddhist temple.
 
Visiting Angkor Wat, you will be admiring a wonderful scene with an immense lake planting lotus, the whole temple is covered with a huge wall. The main temple is divided into 3 storeys: the hell, underworld and heaven with 398 rooms containing stone carving on the roof  and  handrails, the reliefs along balcony and 1.700 statues of Aspara dancer which are all different from each other in both facial expressions and dancing postures. 
 
Contemplate the mysterious sunrise in Angkor Wat
Contemplate the mysterious sunrise in Angkor Wat
 
Visiting this attraction, you should come to see the sunset in the peak of Bakheng Hill which is in the middle of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. In addition, the music and Apsara dancing programs performed by skillful dancers are really interesting to see. 

Angkor Thom

This attraction is impressive with the 4 secretly smiling faces. While some say that it is the face of Jayavarman King VII, some think that it is the friendly smile which seems to understand everything from above.  That creates the interest of art, of the obvioustly existing things but difficult to accurately define. 

Ta Prohm 

Ta Prohm one of the most romantic temples among the Angkor Wat temple complex with the image of a loyalty tree which roofs are crossed embracing each other. It is believed that if a couple take photos under this tree, they will be together for good. This is not the biggest or most outstanding temple in Angkor, but the specialty in carving art and the wild beauty make it to be the main cinematic stage of the famous film called “Secret tomb”.
 
Come over Ta Prohm temple

Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) was constructed to worship Shiva Hindu. The Banteay Srei temple which is also known as “women’s temple” was built mainly from red sandstone which is the material added into the sophisticated decorative sculptures on the walls as can be seen nowadays. The temple is a masterpiece of sculpture art on laterite and red sandstone. The details on stones include flowers and plants, Gods, lions… which are all sculpted skillfully into details.

Those works make Banteay Srei a small version of Angkor War. Thus, the temple is famous to visitors and is known for the names of “the jewel” or “decorator of Khmer art”.
 
Banteay Srei Temple is one of the must-see places in Siem Reap
Banteay Srei Temple is one of the must-see places in Siem Reap
 

Banteay Samre 

Banteay Samré is a temple in Angkor, Cambodia which located to the East of East Baray. Constructed under Suryavarman King II and Yasovarman King II, at the early of 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the style of Angkor Wat. The temple was made from the same materials as Banteay Srei and was named after Samré, an ancient ethnic group in Indochina.
 

Beng Mealea

Located in a remote area which is about 70 km from Siem Riep, Beng Mealea is the burying place of Suryavarman King II. This is considered the second version of Angkor Wat but larger and was discovered by French scientists in 1954. 
 
Beng Mealea temple
 
This area has partly collapsed, but its imposing appearance can still be recognized which is even bigger than Angkor Wat. Those stones are about 8 tons in average in compared to 3 to 5 tons in Angkor Wat. In the past, Beng Mealea Temple was considered a small city with the acreage of 108 ha with surrounding water streams and was protected by the giant stone gates. In the middle of the city is a 42m high tower which had been felt. More specially, there are 4 libraries in the four corners of Beng Mealea which are all partially collapsed, in comparison with other temples at the same time which have only 2 libraries. Passing the collapsed brick groups, we move into the center of the temple. At present, the remains are just devastated. The damages of wars, time and human have caused a historical relic to be deep into forgotten. 
 

Visit Angkor National Museum

Having opened for tourists since 2007, the Angkor National Museum located in Siem Riep is one of the most famous and attractive museums in Cambodia. The number of Buddhist statues, images of Angkor wat and Angkor Thom inside he museum will make you surprised as they were sculpted carefully and presented in all rooms. Besides, with the tour guide doing voice over in many different languages, visitors can see and listen to some stories related to religion of the Khmer. 
 
The ancient objects in Angkor National Museum
The ancient objects in Angkor National Museum
 

Wander in Pub Street

One of the busiest areas in the city is the Old Market with every class restaurants, cafes. If you want to go to noisy bars, you should go to Pub Street Road.

See Cambodian Circus

Except The Angkor Wat complex and night market, Cambodian circus is one of the most interesting things that you need to see in Siem Reap. Cambodian Circus is reputedly the art of Cambodian Youth which is transforming their lives with amazing vibes and energy.​
 
Let see Cambodian Circus to feel about the young power of Cambodia
Let see Cambodian Circus to feel about the young power of Cambodia

Experience Ox Cart

OX CART COMMUNITY - an interesting project of APSARA (The Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap). With the aim of supporting the traditional Cambodian vehicles, traveling Siem Reap with the ox cart is not only authentic exotically, but also useful in generating income to local villagers. Price for an ox cart tour: $7/ trip/ person.

Enjoy an APSARA dance Performance

You can enjoy the Cambodian royal dance while savoring dinner in Cambodia Package
You can enjoy the Cambodian royal dance while savoring dinner in Cambodia Vietnam Package

 
       Angkor Wat travel tips
  • It is advisable to travel early to avoid the intense sun at noon, and the morning and sunset views are often nicer
  • Take care to keep the entrance ticket so you can easily move to the attractions in the ruins
  • At Angkor Wat, there are often frauds pretending to be charities or collecting money to maintain the temple ... you should be careful not to give money to these people.
  • Begging in relics is very common, you should pay attention to this issue.
  • It is recommended to bring some itchy creams because there are many mosquitoes in Angkor Wat area
  • Souvenirs are very cheap.
  • There are still unexploded ordnance in Cambodia, so when traveling you should not go off the main trail
  • You should take tuk tuk when going out because this is cheap and convenient vehicle


Travel Conversation Questions :

Fraser3568 :
Went for the sunrise and it’s great! 
A bit crowded as it was to expect since it’s high season but you can visit the temple with ease. 
Great experience to cross the river in the evening on the floating bridge. 
Seeing the sun coming up on the main tower is something hard to forget. smiley

Lelia Samson:

Amazing. A stone temple over 400 acres built in 12th Century. The stones carried from 50+kms away. The most popular temple in the Angkor region and with good reason. It has been maintained very well although no safety features to stop tourist climbing, falling, tripping, from 10 metres or so up. Its a shame people are still allowed to climb on these places. Stone Henge, the pyramids etc have all banned climbing but "not here". Shame! The photo opportunities are plentiful especially sunrise and sunset but even through the day amazing laugh


AimsPerth31 :

Angkor Wat... is one of the 7th ancient wonders of the world. It is also the largest, oldest and grandest monument in the world. It was constructed by Khmer King, Suryavarman II. In order to construct the building, it used local material such as laterit stone and this stone was transported from Kulen Hill (30km) to the north.. I can't even imagine how on earth this is possible. Yeah.. ask your guide for this story! 
Definitely a place to visit when in Siem Reap - cause you will be mesmerised and amazed by the architectural design and artistic style carved on the wall and its surroundings heart


Iswanto H :

This was a highlight of my trip in Cambodia. The energy and talent is outstanding, it was such as awesome insight into Cambodian culture and a top-class display of professionalism and skills. It is well worth the money, very easy to arrange and easy to get to. I could not recommend it more highly yes

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