Places to Visit & Things to Do

1. Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat should be the first stop of any visit to Siem Reap. This world largest religious monument is architectural amazing and visually breathtaking. It is the symbol of the Khmer Kingdom at its peak and is the heart and soul of all Khmer people. The temple itself measures at more than 1 square kilometers and is surrounded by water. The walls of the temples are covered by carvings depicting stories and characters from Ramayana and historical wars. There are also nearly 2000 Apsara carvings with distinctive hair styles and clothing.

Angkor Wat is a great place to see sunrise. Morning or Afternoon visit is recommended.

2. Bayon and Angkor Thom

Bayon is renowned for its of numerous four-face-tower. Also worth mentioning is the bas-reliefs on the exterior of the lower level. A must see and a great place for photography enthusiasts. A visit to Bayon should be accompanied by a visit to various other temples within the Angkor Thom perimeter such as Baphoun, Phimean Akas, Terrace of the Elephants and Prasat Suor Prat.

Morning visit for 8 to 10 am recommended.

3. Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom is a quiet complex in the middle of the jungle with some massive trees still left growing on the temple corridors offering some of the best photographic opportunities.

Afternoon visit recommended.

4. Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei or “Citadel of women” is slightly further away from the rest of the temples. It is made of pink stones and is famous for its deep and beautiful carvings which are amongst the best of any Angkorian temple. It may be convenient to combine the visit to Banteay Srei with the Kulen Mountain which is on the same road.

Morning visit before 10am on a shiny day recommended.

5. Preah Khan and the Grand Circuit

Preah Khan “sacred sword” is renowned for its 2-stories tower- the only one of its kind in the Angkorian period. Around the Grand Circuit check out also Neak Pean which is a small island temple sitting in the center of a lotus pattern made up of 8 pools. Neak Pean is best for photography in the wet season when the water in the pools is full. Also worth mentioning are Pre Rup and East Mebon temples.

Afternoon visit recommended. 1 to 2 hours should be enough.

6. Baray and West Mebon

Barays are man-made water reservoir built during the Angkor period to catch and hold water for agricultural use, although some researches suggest that they were for political and religious purposes. The west baray is the biggest one with West Mebon Island in the center. It is a good place for relaxing and catching some fresh air the evening before sun set.

Evening visit recommended.

7. Bird Sanctuary at Prek Toal

Prek Toal at the great Tonle Sap lake is home to 120 bird species including some rare protected species such as storks, ibises, cormorants, pelicans and adjuncts. A boat trip to Prek Toal will also enable you to witness the livings of people of the floating fishing village. A must-see for researchers and photography enthusiasts. Consult tour operator or our staff.

Start off early in the morning. Expect to spend most of the day for the trip.

8. Sunset on the Bakheng Mountain

Sunset is one of the greatest spectacles of any visit to Angkor. The best place to see the sunset is on the Bakheng Mountain where you can see the sun setting over the Baray. The Bakheng Mountain itself is only 65 meters high and is easy to climb. There is also Elephant rides up and down the mountain. Check out also the Bakheng Mountain Temple on top of it. Sunset is at around 6pm.

Start early in the evening around 4pm as there is always a huge crowd on top.

9. Bakong and Rolous Group

Bakong is large temple-mountain of the pre-Angkorian era which was once the centre capital of the Khmer Kingdom. Picturesque country side view for the top. Check out also Preah Koh and Lolei in the same area.

Best view in the morning sunshine. Expect to spend about 1 to 2 hours.

10. Beng Mealea and Koh Ker

Beng Mealea is a very impressive jungle temple covering over 1 kilometer square whose style and size are comparable to those of Angkor Wat. Its far location and jungle surroundings give the relatively few visitors a unique “lost in the jungle” adventure. Koh Ker is another unique pyramid temple lost in the jungle further away. Recommended for historians, explorers and photography enthusiasts. Consult our staff or local guide.

Start off early and expect to spend much of the day.

11. School of Arts

The school is run by Enfant d’Asie Aspeca and is a place where local children (many are orphans or poor) get to learn Khmer traditional dances arts and music. The school is open for free to visitors during weekdays. All visitors are welcomed. The school may also admit foreign students. Consult the school teachers or principal.

Take note that photography may be prohibited inside the school compound.

12. Beatocello Concert

Dr. Beat Richner plays cello music every Friday and Saturday from 7:15pm at Kantha Bopha Center. Admission is free. Dr. Richner talks about activities at the Kantha Bopha and Jayavarman VII children hospitals where Cambodian children receive free full medical service. Blood and Cash donations are most welcomed. Visit Kantha Bopha foundation www.beatocello.com.

Concert starts exactly at 7:15pm every Friday and Saturday. It is very chill inside the hall.

13. Carvings

Carving is one of the most important traditions of the Khmer people. There are few places around town to see live carvings. Artisans D’Angkor offers free guided-tour around the workshop to observe artisans making high quality wood and stone carvings from scratch to end-products. Costumed made carvings are also available per request.

The workshop opens from morning till 5pm daily. The visit lasts approximately 1h to 1h30mns.

14. Silk Center

Cambodian silk is renowned for its high quality and unique coloring. The National Silk Center offers a free-guided tour around the silk workshop showing traditional method from silk worm farming to dying and looming the pattern.

The workshop opens from morning till 5pm daily. The visit lasts approximately 1h.

15. Old market (Psar Chas) area

Old Market is an area of the old French quarter with colonial-style buildings surrounding the traditional Asian market (Psar Chas). Plenty of shops, restaurants, services and nightlife in the area.

Psar Chas closes at around 6pm. Restaurants and shops usually open till 8 or 9pm. Some pubs and bars open till very late.

16. Khmer Cultures

There are many ways to experience Khmer culture apart from touring the temples and pagodas. Cultural dance performances such as Apsara dance or Coconut dance are held at various restaurants and private theaters. Some restaurants also show Shadow Puppetry. Cultural Village is another great place showcasing facts about traditional life of Khmer people, history and legends. For historians and researchers please consult Apsara Authority.

Most performances at those restaurants are held during dinner time with only a few places offering performance-only seats.

17. Crocodile farm

For many years, crocodile farming has been a tradition for many Siem Reap people especially those in the southern part of the town and Tonle Sap area. But the business has recently been facing difficulties due to lack of market and high costs. However the provincial crocodile farm is still ever present and open to visitors daily.

The owners of Palm Village were once crocodile farmers as well.

18. Rice paddies and country side

Country side tour is often missed by many visitors. A tour along small enchanting villages, water wheels and scenic rice paddies by tuk tuk or especially bicycle is a unique, peaceful, relaxing experience. The national road 6 and the road to the Tonle Sap lake are picturesque especially in the rice farming season (July to September) and the harvesting season (November to December). Some tour operators offer extensive country side tour.

Bicycle rental is available at Palm Village for only US$2 per day.

19. NGOs

To get to feelings of social development of the locals, a visit to some foreign NGOs is a must. Some NGOs such as Aspeca or Mith Somlanh help poor children or orphans by providing skill trainings. Some assist landmine victims and women. For more info, please consult our staff or local tour guide.

Bicycle rental is available at Palm Village for only US$2 per day.

20. Pagodas & Shrines

For centuries Buddhist pagodas have been the centerpieces of the Khmer community. Visit at least one of these pagodas: Preah Ang Chek & Preah Ang Chorm, Wat Bo, Wat Keseram or Wat Thmei.

Wear proper clothing. Some offerings are good acts.

21. Shopping

There are plenty of shopping opportunities around the town. The Old Market area has a large variety of shops, boutiques, galleries and specialty shops offering Cambodian products ranging from souvenirs, handicrafts, paintings, to replica carvings and garments.

Beware that some shops pay a significant sum of commission to the driver that take you there. Also be careful when buying gems and jewelries.

22. Eatery

There are a large variety of restaurants in Siem Reap offering from Cambodian cuisines to Asian and Western food. Palm Village specialized in authentic Khmer food in a relaxing atmosphere. Check out Banteay Srei Restaurant for a large selection of Asian foods, Le Bistrot de Siem Reap for French cuisine, Russian House for Russian food, Estatic Pizza for Pizza and pastas and the Dead Fish Tower for Thai food.

23. Nightlife

There are numerous western-style pubs and bars around the Old Market area offering different kinds of atmospheres. Live sports and pools are common. Beer girls are rare to non-existent in these bars. Most of them open till very late. Karaoke and dance clubs are also available although are more appealing to Asians and locals.