Siem Reap Sightseeing

With so many splendid ancient temples on display just to the north of the city centre, Siem Reap has as many sights as any other destination in Southeast Asia, meaning you’ll need at least four days just to scratch the surface. Other sights are well worth a visit too if the huge number of temples starts to get a bit much.

Angkor Wat
The most important of all the Angkor ruins, Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world, is a domed masterpiece of exotic, architectural indulgence. If you only decide to get a one-day pass to the temple complex, then make this the priority. You’ve seen it in pictures and as the emblem on the Cambodian flag but nothing comes close to seeing it up close – it’s one of those places that everybody should visit at least once in any lifetime.

Bayon
Dating back to the end of the 12^th century, Bayon is one of the most iconic of the temple structures with its 216 stone faces and many galleries depicting scenes from the time. The site consists of three concentric square levels, all of which can be explored. Make sure you’ve got lots of room left on your digital camera after first visiting Angkor Wat as you’ll be shooting just as much here.

Killing Fields
Like the other similar sites dotted around Cambodia, this sombre spot outside of Siem Reap marks where thousands of people were buried after being killed either directly or indirectly by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979. The sight is marked by a small temple built of the bones of the victims. Give a donation to help the structure expand in the future.

Landmine Museum
Having moved from its original location, the intriguing Landmine Museum is now 31kms from Siem Reap city centre and should expect a 40-minute ride here. A look at Cambodia’s struggle against unexploded ordinance and landmines during the second half of the 20^th century makes this a poignant exhibition. The entry fee and donations help support this project.

Outer temples
If you’ve opted for the week-long Angkor Wat pass, then you’ll probably be keen to get out a bit away from the crowds to some of the lesser visited temples. Try for instance Banteay Srei with its wonderfully detailed architecture; or Kbal Spean, the most splendid of all the riverbed carvings in Angkor. Do it by bike to see all the details but be sure to take plenty of sunscreen and a few supplies.

Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
Northwest of Siem Reap beside Tonlé Sap, this bird sanctuary is home to huge populations of migrating birds from across Southeast Asia whose numbers swell considerably during the dry season. Take a boat up from the lake’s edge just south of Siem Reap, and a water tour of the sanctuary itself. Trips to the sanctuary can be arranged from Siem Reap-based tour operators and usually last a whole day or longer with a night’s stay at the main research station here.

Tonlé Sap Lake
During the monsoon season, Siem Reap lies just a few kilometres from this unique water system, a distance which increases by about 10kms when the lake shrivels up in the dry season. As the largest body of water in Southeast Asia, it’s a lively ecosystem supporting huge numbers of birds and other wildlife along with the local human population, some of which live in attractive houses on stilts out on the water at the village of Chong Kneas.

Tonlé Sap Exhibition
Prior to making a trip to the lake, it makes sense to visit this informative exhibition shown in the city itself. On view are artefacts and explanations of the Tonlé Sap eco-system which outline the various flora and fauna that depend on the lake along with the people who live here. The highlight of the exhibition is a working model explaining the complex water system that connects the lake to the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.

Feed a silkworm. Another activity that is rarely seen in the West, visitors can get interactive with the exhibits at the Silkworm Farm by feeding the worms themselves before they churn out the valuable material that goes into making the many textiles produced here.

Fire a rocket launcher at the shooting range close to Banteay Srei. Here, visitors can see this rather strange ‘armaments theme park’ as a rare chance to fire a rocket launcher or an automatic weapon. Ask a tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap and he will surely know how to get you here.

Get a bird’s eye view of Angkor Wat. Close to Siem Reap it is possible to take the Angkor Balloon on a 10-minute airborne trip of the Angkor temples on a tethered balloon ride. It’s a short-lived ride but makes for one of the most memorable Angkor experiences going.

Haggle at the local markets. Get your riel/Thai baht/US dollars handy for a trip to Psar Chas and Central Market, both shopping destinations that offer a range of potential souvenirs where the asking price is always lower than the eventual selling price.

Ride an elephant. Some people choose to see the Angkor temples on foot, others by bicycle – but why get all hot and sweaty seeing Cambodia’s number one attraction under your own steam when there’s an elephant ready to do the hard work for you? Find them at the south gate of Angkor Thom in the day and at Phnom Bakheng during the evening.

See Siem Reap by motorbike. Numerous adventure tours can be arranged from the city allowing tourists the chance to see the Siem Reap countryside by dirt bike as part of a guided tour.

Watch traditional Khmer theatre. A few different venues in the city offer the chance to watch Khmer performances with the most popular the Aspara Theatre at the Angkor Village Resort, which is also a restaurant. The evening shows feature a wealth of traditionally dressed performers meaning there is lots of gold finery on display and the chance to experience classical Khmer music and dance.