Cambodia is famous for its Angkor Wat temple. Many travellers are fascinated by the scene. But if you come to Cambodia, there are many places to see besides the iconic Angkor Wat. Million of tourists come to Cambodia to witness its culture and tradition with their own eyes. Here are an in-depth lists of things to do in Siem Reap!
1. Angkor Wat
One reason people come to Cambodia is for Angkor Wat. Where else would it be? It is one of the highlight of Siem Reap and travellers that visit Cambodia would come here as their first destination. You will be amazed by the scale of this complex. Being noted as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by the Khmer. It primarily draws tourists due to the numbers of temples that grow like jungle.
You need a three day pass that probably costs around $40 to fully explore the area. The ruins and the carvings, these are such an impressive site! The sacred place has always had perfect time to visit whether it is sunset or during the hot day. The magical morning however, is adored by many. You can immediately feel the sacredness of the place. It is a great idea however, to come here early because the place won’t be packed with too many tourists. During the day, you will experience the overrun bustles of tourists.
2. Balloon ride above the Angkor Wat
Now that you have visited Angkor Wat, it wouldn’t be complete if you don’t ride the balloon. Yes, just like the Turk’s Cappadocia hot balloon ride, Angkor Wat has its own. This is the first balloon trip in Cambodia and you can enjoy bird eye view of the Angkor Wat with that unique silence and romance picturesque. The privately own business offers a touring service that is totally different from anything you see in this country. If you want to appreciate the ruins without having to compete with other tourists hordes, then this is the best way to see Angkor Wat, from 600 feet above! The new perspective is much more fascinating as you can witness the whole complex beneath you. The price is quite friendly with $35 you can enjoy the ride.
3. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is one of the breeding place for water birds. It is situated just near the Tonle Sap Lake. This sanctuary houses hundreds of birds species and you can see rare birds by boat. Hiring a boat will cost $45 for a return ride. Once you arrive at the sanctuary you can begin your walking tour in this wildlife area. Expect to see rare species from Black head ibis, Milky Stork, Lesser Adjuncts and more! The diverse biosphere offers tons of things to see near the Tonle Sap. Visit the sanctuary during the dry season that occurs in the month of December to May. At this particular season, you can see migrating birds fly above you and fly to the sanctuary. The birds amount increase as the water recedes.
4. Angkor National Museum
Museum indeed, makes you smarter. For a quick learning session about Cambodia, the museum would be the right place to start.
To learn more about Cambodia, the best place to visit is Angkor National Museum. The area takes 2 hours to complete and it houses artifacts and statues dated from centuries ago. It has a complete insight on how Khmer civilization played a huge role in Cambodia. These artifacts have been recovered from around the world and the preserved collections become the first archaeological museum dedicated to the Angkorians. If you want to know the awesome story of khmer and the civilization back then, then Angkor National Museum is where you should be!
5. Kampong Phluk
Situated 13 miles from Siem Reap, kampong Phluk is the iconic floating market of Cambodia. It is actually a fishing village with swamps that surround the Tonle Sap Lake. Tourists can take boat or ride a bus and hop off at the Kampong. As there are not many tourists jam in Kampong Phluk, you can still feel the authenticity of this village. It was where the Khmer people do their daily fishing routines back then. The activities in the cluster include crab eating, boat rowing, and entering the submerged forest. During the dry season, the water will be low and the houses seem to have high construction. The lakeside view is untouched by the tourists and it is worth your time and adventure. To come here, you can rent a boat from Chong Khneas. Or you can cross the road with Tuk Tuk and reach Rolouse village. It will take you to the flooded forest.
6. Wat Thmei
During the reign of Khmer, many people were massacred brutally and the glass walled stupa in Wat Thmei becomes a symbol to commemorate the event. The horrible Khmer rule that created insanity is a famous thing you learn about Cambodia. And the temple is a living reminder of it.
You will witness the bones inside the complex and there is a monastery that houses monks and orphans. Wat thmei is popularly known as the Killing Field. The active pagoda houses some of statues although they are not as inspiring as the bones. But looking around this place will teach you many things about the past.
Life in the dark days during the Pol Pot rule was an incredible yet horrible thing to remember as more than 2 millions of people were killed. If you want to know about the Khmer brutality, you can ask an elder guide and he will tell you the real story of just that!
7. The Land Mine Museum
Siem Reap was not a safe place to travel, and during the year of 1970, the Khmer Rouge was a brutal thing in the country. Millions of land mines became left behind after the reign ended. Hence, it is now a living proof of the past and the conflicts. In present days, you can see these dangerous land mines unexploded. This museum is an eye opener to anyone who visits and you can take advantage of the quiet area as not many tourists often come to this place.
8. Angkor night Market
The scenic of night market in Siem Reap is one place to visit for sure. As a popular place for cheap shopping, the destination sells various products from handy crafts to the local foods. Night market gives you a cooler temperature way from the heat of the sun. There are also plenty of authentic local foods to try out and you will find great deals of brands from Ray Ban to Prada. Of course, these aren’t genuine stuffs but they are worth for souvenirs. Just like Cathucak market in Thailand, this night market requires a little skill in bargaining, by the way. Other activities to enjoy are the Dr. Fish massage, 3D movie, and chill out in one of the bar. Don’t forget to try the local snacks!
Monday 25 May 2015
Monday 11 May 2015
6 things to do in Chicago
If you choose Chicago as your travel destination this year, this summary list will give you a quick review of each attraction you must do and see in the area. From exploring the ocean deep to tasting local culinary here are the things to do in Chicago!
1. Visit museums
It’s always an interesting thing to do when you visit the local museums. Chicago owns some of the most impressive and modern museums from contemporary art to Veteran museum. In fact, Chicago also owns the only art museum that exhibitis Vietnam vets from the recent wars. Of course, you won’t find the life and death of soldiers but this memorial place has indeed, rich history. On the second floor, the sound of clinking tags for more than 50,000 of men and women who died during the war in Vietnam.
Keeping afloat to the local culture, the Museum of Contemporary art in Chicago. As one of the best museum in the state, MCA is devoted to art with its diverse facilities that exhibit provoking sculptures, paintings, photography and also artsy performance from the local and international artists. The museum is situated in Chicago downtown so it is not difficult to find. Inside the complex, there are restaurants, theatre, book store and souvenir shop. The terrace has a breathtaking view that overlooks the Michigan Lake.
2. Chicago skyscrapers
Discover the great heights of Chicago. This metropolitan city has modern skyscrapers with unique and innovative design. It is a symbol of American architecture and décor. The buildings have been featured in various magazines as one of the best tourist attraction due to its skyline. The stunning views of modern day can be viewed from the highest deck of Chicago. Don’t be in awe just yet if you haven’t experienced it.
Enjoy the high level of panorama that overlooks the busy street of the city. The gleaming gothic style of Tribune Tower. Owned by the media group, Tribune company, this headquarter isn’t just an office but merely a landmark of Chicago. Another skyscraper worth visiting is the Skydeck Chicago. It has a place called the Ledge. What’s great about this place is that it is designed with daring feature of glass balcony! It takes courage to actually step on the transparent floor and get a view of Chicago from 103rd level!
Aqua tower has that wavy texture on the architecture design. It has 82 storeys of lofts. What’s great about the design is that silky-like texture that resembles fabrics. The curving parts are actually ripples of concrete.
3. Millenium Park
Millenium Park is chicago’s most famous landmark. It has iconic architecture with public art emblazoned the area. It boasts 25 acres of landscape with green space dominantly decorates the area.
There are numbers of events that happen in the park throughout the year and all of them are free. This includes concerts, art exhibitions, workouts of alfresco and even film screenings. You can really take great pictures around the Millenium Park. There is a cloud gate – a massive architectural of stainless construction that is the signature of the park. The construction enables you to see your own reflection as well as the downtown behind you.
Take a walk around the park and you will find loads of features to see including the restaurant nearby and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion that have become the faces of Chicago. In the Park Gate Lawn, you can enjoy futuristic picnic under the wire construction that gives a unique outdoor view of the sky and the surroundings. The horizon seems really bright and this park is an eco-friendly garden with all constructions made from recycled materials.
4. Visit Navy Pier
Navy Pier is another park to visit. It has 50 acre of landscaped filled with entertainment spots, restaurants, playgrounds and museums. The complex is a perfect family getaway. The iconic ferris wheel with 150 tall can give you a bright view of Chicago in bird-eye angle. The lake Michigan view captures the attention of visitors all year round. You can also play along with the carousel, wave swinger and even bring your remote control boats and play in the lake. There is also a golf course in mini size to entertain you. For children, Navy Pier owns a dozen of activities. Chicago children
Museum is one of the best one in the world. It houses inventing lab, dinosaur exhibition, climbing activities and funhouse maze. Getting lost in Navy Pier is definitely worth your time. If you want to watch movie like how Americans do, visit the IMAX theatre. If you come during summer, Navy Pier hosts boat cruises that line up at the water front. During various months like October, Navy Pier also hosts interactive events like Octoberfest and Halloween parade. On winter, enjoy the ice sculptures exhibited at the park.
5. Shopper’s paradise
Even if Chicago is not a fashion city, you can still get the best out of your shopping cart. Chicago retail like the Magnificent Mile offers sections of stores and restaurants worth the visit. Any tour guide or travellers blog would point out Magnificent Mile as the root of all retail in Chicago. The treasure consists of upscale brands such as the Macy’s, Salvator Feragamo, Bulgari and Chanel. For fashionista, the spectacular area houses some of the megabrands in jewelleries like Swarovski, Rolex, and more.
Chicago's shopping destinations also extend throughout the city. Chicago’s Loop has been a shopper’s paradise for more than a century and is anchored by State Street, where you can stroll through the legendary Macy's on State Street that's part retail mecca, part history museum. Also don't miss the boutiques that line the streets of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.
6. The Loop
Chicago’s loop houses some of the best tourist attractions in the Chicago. One of them is the Adler Planetarium. It is a world class research facilities but for ordinary visitors who perhaps, know nothing about the Quantum theories or stuffs, you can still enjoy that virtual trip to the space!
The Art institute of Chicago is located near the Adler Planetarium. It has a collection of arts and contemporary designs from local and international artists. There are more than 200,000 of arts and crafts displayed in the halls and it’s probably the best place for art enthusiasts. The institute overlooks that famous Millenium Park so this is like a day trip touring you can give to yourself.
Chicago cultural center was established in 1991. Before it was a center of cultural display, it was a library. Now, it hosts some of the classical concerts of all time on various schedules. Even when you are not planning to watch any concert, you can still enjoy the magnificent interior of this building.
Daley Plaza is a culture park for the locals. At certain dates, the plaza hosts food truck events, parades, and many other interactive events. Named after Major Richard Daley, this hub annually hosts farmer’s market where you can buy fresh ingredients.
Don’t forget to taste the local cuisines of Americans at its best in Chicago bustling restaurants and diner places. Try out some of the authentic dishes and get that savory taste of America!
1. Visit museums
It’s always an interesting thing to do when you visit the local museums. Chicago owns some of the most impressive and modern museums from contemporary art to Veteran museum. In fact, Chicago also owns the only art museum that exhibitis Vietnam vets from the recent wars. Of course, you won’t find the life and death of soldiers but this memorial place has indeed, rich history. On the second floor, the sound of clinking tags for more than 50,000 of men and women who died during the war in Vietnam.
Keeping afloat to the local culture, the Museum of Contemporary art in Chicago. As one of the best museum in the state, MCA is devoted to art with its diverse facilities that exhibit provoking sculptures, paintings, photography and also artsy performance from the local and international artists. The museum is situated in Chicago downtown so it is not difficult to find. Inside the complex, there are restaurants, theatre, book store and souvenir shop. The terrace has a breathtaking view that overlooks the Michigan Lake.
2. Chicago skyscrapers
Discover the great heights of Chicago. This metropolitan city has modern skyscrapers with unique and innovative design. It is a symbol of American architecture and décor. The buildings have been featured in various magazines as one of the best tourist attraction due to its skyline. The stunning views of modern day can be viewed from the highest deck of Chicago. Don’t be in awe just yet if you haven’t experienced it.
Enjoy the high level of panorama that overlooks the busy street of the city. The gleaming gothic style of Tribune Tower. Owned by the media group, Tribune company, this headquarter isn’t just an office but merely a landmark of Chicago. Another skyscraper worth visiting is the Skydeck Chicago. It has a place called the Ledge. What’s great about this place is that it is designed with daring feature of glass balcony! It takes courage to actually step on the transparent floor and get a view of Chicago from 103rd level!
Aqua tower has that wavy texture on the architecture design. It has 82 storeys of lofts. What’s great about the design is that silky-like texture that resembles fabrics. The curving parts are actually ripples of concrete.
3. Millenium Park
Millenium Park is chicago’s most famous landmark. It has iconic architecture with public art emblazoned the area. It boasts 25 acres of landscape with green space dominantly decorates the area.
There are numbers of events that happen in the park throughout the year and all of them are free. This includes concerts, art exhibitions, workouts of alfresco and even film screenings. You can really take great pictures around the Millenium Park. There is a cloud gate – a massive architectural of stainless construction that is the signature of the park. The construction enables you to see your own reflection as well as the downtown behind you.
Take a walk around the park and you will find loads of features to see including the restaurant nearby and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion that have become the faces of Chicago. In the Park Gate Lawn, you can enjoy futuristic picnic under the wire construction that gives a unique outdoor view of the sky and the surroundings. The horizon seems really bright and this park is an eco-friendly garden with all constructions made from recycled materials.
4. Visit Navy Pier
Navy Pier is another park to visit. It has 50 acre of landscaped filled with entertainment spots, restaurants, playgrounds and museums. The complex is a perfect family getaway. The iconic ferris wheel with 150 tall can give you a bright view of Chicago in bird-eye angle. The lake Michigan view captures the attention of visitors all year round. You can also play along with the carousel, wave swinger and even bring your remote control boats and play in the lake. There is also a golf course in mini size to entertain you. For children, Navy Pier owns a dozen of activities. Chicago children
Museum is one of the best one in the world. It houses inventing lab, dinosaur exhibition, climbing activities and funhouse maze. Getting lost in Navy Pier is definitely worth your time. If you want to watch movie like how Americans do, visit the IMAX theatre. If you come during summer, Navy Pier hosts boat cruises that line up at the water front. During various months like October, Navy Pier also hosts interactive events like Octoberfest and Halloween parade. On winter, enjoy the ice sculptures exhibited at the park.
5. Shopper’s paradise
Even if Chicago is not a fashion city, you can still get the best out of your shopping cart. Chicago retail like the Magnificent Mile offers sections of stores and restaurants worth the visit. Any tour guide or travellers blog would point out Magnificent Mile as the root of all retail in Chicago. The treasure consists of upscale brands such as the Macy’s, Salvator Feragamo, Bulgari and Chanel. For fashionista, the spectacular area houses some of the megabrands in jewelleries like Swarovski, Rolex, and more.
Chicago's shopping destinations also extend throughout the city. Chicago’s Loop has been a shopper’s paradise for more than a century and is anchored by State Street, where you can stroll through the legendary Macy's on State Street that's part retail mecca, part history museum. Also don't miss the boutiques that line the streets of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.
6. The Loop
Chicago’s loop houses some of the best tourist attractions in the Chicago. One of them is the Adler Planetarium. It is a world class research facilities but for ordinary visitors who perhaps, know nothing about the Quantum theories or stuffs, you can still enjoy that virtual trip to the space!
The Art institute of Chicago is located near the Adler Planetarium. It has a collection of arts and contemporary designs from local and international artists. There are more than 200,000 of arts and crafts displayed in the halls and it’s probably the best place for art enthusiasts. The institute overlooks that famous Millenium Park so this is like a day trip touring you can give to yourself.
Chicago cultural center was established in 1991. Before it was a center of cultural display, it was a library. Now, it hosts some of the classical concerts of all time on various schedules. Even when you are not planning to watch any concert, you can still enjoy the magnificent interior of this building.
Daley Plaza is a culture park for the locals. At certain dates, the plaza hosts food truck events, parades, and many other interactive events. Named after Major Richard Daley, this hub annually hosts farmer’s market where you can buy fresh ingredients.
Don’t forget to taste the local cuisines of Americans at its best in Chicago bustling restaurants and diner places. Try out some of the authentic dishes and get that savory taste of America!
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