Travelling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap cuts out the city noise and takes you to a land of myth and legend. Here is a guide to “reap” some of the best things that this north-western resort town in Cambodia has to offer.
Angkor Wat: Siem Reap’s Jewel
Every Siem Reap travel guide
will recommend a visit to Angkor Wat,
which means “City of Temples” in Khmer. This temple was constructed by Khmer
King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Nearby, the 54 towers
of Bayon, the royal grounds
of Elephant Terrace, and the jungle-entwined Ta Phrom,
featured in the movie Tomb Raider,
are also among the most stunning reasons to visit Siem Reap.
Make the most of this
UNESCO Heritage monument; hop on a tuk-tuk and hire an English-speaking tour
guide to tell you the stories behind the Buddhist scenes engraved on the
temple’s bas-relief.
Head out early to Pnohm Bakheng to
catch a breathtaking sunrise. To avoid the crowds at dusk, we’d recommend the serene
Prasat Phom Krom where you can enjoy a panoramic sunset.
Culture and Art in Siem Reap
Immerse yourself in
Khmer culture through Buddhist-inspired lacquer art at Angkor Artwork E&T Stocker and striking Cambodian
photography at the boutique McDermott Gallery. Be inspired at Theam's House, where you’ll find a lush garden within the
atelier and home of Cambodian artist and designer Lim Muy Theam.
The Cambodian Landmine Museum may appeal to history buffs curious about the country’s turbulent past
and how it has continued to affect generations. The museum’s admission proceeds
go towards good causes, like building schools and educating the disadvantaged.
For more art for
good, stop by Artisans Angkor, which seeks to revitalise traditional craft forms while providing fair
employment.
Things to Do in Siem Reap
You’re never short of
attractions to visit in
Siem Reap, from the city to the countryside. Be awestruck by the unusual
at the Phare Circus, where
dance and circus performances fuse Cambodian tradition with theatre. The troupe
was founded in 1994 by a group of former Khmer Rouge refugees and promises an
energetic evening of enjoyment.
Tired of covering Siem Reap on foot? Grasshopper Adventures offers guided tours that will have you cycling through the countryside or kayaking in Tonle Sap, a freshwater lake and floating village community by the Mekong River.
Or stay indoors and spice up your culinary repertoire — sign up for a cooking class at Lily’s Secret Garden, where you can learn to create Cambodian food classics like red curry and lort-cha, a local take on stir-fried rice noodles.
Food in Siem Reap
Treat yourself at one
of Siem Reap’s best restaurants, Cuisine Wat Damnak, where you can enjoy French master chef Joannès
Rivière’s take on Cambodian cuisine. Praised by The New York Times for his use of locally sourced seasonal
ingredients, Chef Joannès refreshes his tasting menus every fortnight, with divine
six-course tastings for about US$30.
More fusion eats offered
in the garden setting of Mie Café contain elements of both the familiar and exotic,
serving dishes like Krill Ravioli, a squid ink ravioli topped with traditional
Cambodian yellow curry.
If authentic traditional
food is more to your taste, head over to Chanrey Tree for a national favourite: amok, a succulent dish of fresh fish with a spicy coconut custard
steamed in a banana leaf. For the adventurous, opt for the frog-leg version of char khroeung,
a meat stir-fry with exotic Khmer spices such as lemongrass, turmeric and lime
leaves.
Once the sun sets, Siem
Reap offers a vibrant nightlife too. Those looking for a nightcap should seek out
Miss Wong cocktail
bar or Asana, Old Wooden House in the old market district, the latter of which serves some unusual
herbal cocktails. Both offer exceptional drinks amid enthralling interiors with
a nod to yesteryear.
