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!
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