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Siem Reap
Home to one of the wonders of the world, not to mention several others that could arguably be considered for the big seven, Siem Reap, Cambodia is packed with sites of interest that may seem daunting to navigate. The key is prioritization: these are the experiences you really can’t miss — from the deservedly famous to the more obscure — plus a few handy hints to getting the most out of your visits.
There’s only really one reason why so many people come to Siem Reap and it’s for Angkor Wat. The temple is the world’s biggest religious structure and its size is breath-taking. You have to remind yourself that this temple was built nearly 1000 years ago without any of the technology we have today. It’s not fully known how the ancient Khmer constructed such large temples with such precision. Today, it’s become one of the world’s most famous buildings and is instantly recognizable. As Siem Reap is only a few kilometres away from the famous temple, it’s become the centre of tourism in Cambodia as the temple continues to draw large crowds.
The Khmer were prolific builders and built hundreds of temples during their time as rulers of the Khmer empire. Other famous and popular temples include Bayon which is where you’ll see the famous faces which look down on you from the towers. Bayon is in the centre of Angkor Thom and it’s a fascinating templet to visit all the nooks and crannies. Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider temple, is another popular one on the tourist trail. The temple is instantly recognisable from scenes in the famous Lara Croft movie and many guests like to re-enact some of the famous scenes from the movie!
Cambodian food is fresh, delicious and healthy – and also inexplicably underrated. The best place to discover the great flavours of traditional Khmer dishes is Siem Reap, and there are dozens of authentic restaurants you can choose from. Marum, Sugar Palm, Khmer Kitchen and Viroth are all excellent, and the street food is very tasty too.
Once you’ve had your fill of traditional Cambodian food, it’s time to check out the modern side to Siem Reap’s culinary scene. The newest and hottest restaurant in town is The Steakhouse, which is located on the town’s famous Pub Street. Meat lovers will obviously be in heaven here, but the restaurant has an extensive menu: choose from seafood pasta, fried mozzarella and salsa, pan fried raisin bread stuffed with gorgonzola, and – of course – a wide range of beef cuts.
For visitors to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, visiting the Killing Fields and learning about the country’s heart-wrenching experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime is essential, but Siem Reap also gives visitors a unique insight into Cambodia’s past. The Landmine Museum is a sobering but fascinating glimpse into the Khmer Rouge regime, and the War Museum also is worth a visit.
Siem Reap is a great place to visit and there are hundreds of reasons why you might want to come and see us in temple town. After you’ve spend a few days exploring Angkor Wat and eating out in town, we’re sure you’ll have hundreds of reasons why you love it here too.