Things to do in Cambodia

The town of Siem Reap, the provincial capital of Cambodia, serves as a base for visitors to the ancient capital of Angkor. With the recent completion of international standard hotels, the more than 100 ancient temples and monuments in the vicinity can be enjoyed in style and comfort. Siem Reap, Cambodia has been receiving foreign visitors to the temples for over 100 years. The town is actually a cluster of old villages which originally developed around individual pagodas and were later overlaid with a French colonial-era center. Visitors will note the colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the town center and around the Old Market.

Just six kilometers to the north of this picturesque town lies the world-renowned temple of Angkor Wat. Considered one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world, Angkor Wat is part of the larger Angkor complex, which served as the capital of the great Khmer Empire during the height of its power. Angkor temples represents Khmer civilization which dominated the region during 900 – 1500 AD. The magnificent sandstone ruins cover an area of 400 square kilometers in Siem Reap province containing over 100 monuments, including about two dozen major temples. Some of the main temples, such as Angkor Wat and Bayon, merit repeated visits at different times of day as the reflection on the carved walls and labyrinthine interior spaces are transformed by changing lights.

Siem Reap is situated not far from the northern edge of the large Tonle Sap Lake. Many villages abound along its shores, but because of the lake’s seasonal size variations and regular flooding, the most interesting villages are those that float. Here houseboats dot the canal banks leading from the lake to permanent solid ground. Visitors can watch small boats deliver supplies to the floating community and see children paddling their canoes to and from school.

Visitors can walk around the old Psar Chas Market in Siem Reap and see the busy local trading life. Traditional handcrafts abound including silks, silver jewelry, wood carvings, laquerware and souvenirs. Guests can also experience the vibrant color of the fresh produce market, clothing stalls and household goods along with the dance and music styles of a Khmer dance performance. They will enjoy discovering the history and legends of the kingdom through various types of popular and classical dances performed by the Apsara Ballet troupe at Angkor Hotel, then step back in time to the courts of the Angkorian Kings and wonder at the magnificence of the traditionally styled performers’ costumes.