Going to Cambodia? Don’t miss these top things in Siem Reap!
Most people visiting Siem Reap, Cambodia, go for Angkor Wat, the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, the legendary city of the ancient Khmer Empire.
Watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is an amazing and unforgettable experience! Exploring the ruins of Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom, and Bang Melia temples is incredible too.
But Siem Reap itself is often overshadowed by its nearby ancient temples. And that’s a shame; the city has a number of real gems. So what can you do in Siem Reap besides visiting Angkor Wat?
1. Get Tickets to Phare
Cost: There are three tiers of ticket price
- $18 (general seating)
- $28 (reserved seating at the center)
- $38 (preferred seating)
More than an unforgettable show, Phare is a good cause. Phare was founded as an organization with a dual purpose: to preserve traditional Cambodian performance arts and to empower rural Cambodians.
The shows that Phare performs are breathtaking and heartwarming. The acrobatic performances are incredibly impressive, but it’s even more meaningful when you know a little bit about the circus’ history.
As sunset nears and you head out of the river onto the lake, your boat might be approached by a little elderly woman in a small wooden speedboat selling a cooler of ice-cold beer. There is absolutely no better way to enjoy the view.
http://www.angkornationalmuseum.com/
Cost: $12 (optional audio guide $3)
Entry to the Angkor National Museum is a bit pricey by Cambodian standards, but it’s well worth the admission for anyone interested in art or history.
From the Angkor Collection to the Hall of 1000 Buddhas, the museum houses an impressive and well-organized collection of historical artifacts and exhibits about the history and culture of the Ancient Khmer Empire. The museum is rather new, and housed in a beautiful air-conditioned building (not true for the Cambodian National Museum in Phnom Penh!) with gardens and fountains.
4. Take a Cooking Class
http://www.letigredepapier.com/en/cooking.php
Cost: $15
A three-hour class at Le Tigre de Papier restaurant includes a tour of the local market and instruction in preparing three dishes: a starter, a main course, and a dessert of your choice, chosen from their menu. The local chefs are knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful, and the class is a lot of fun.
And of course, at the end the whole class sits down together and enjoys the fruits of their labor.
<img src="https://lbconvert.travel.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6832e-img.jpg-$0.50)
Perhaps one of the best things to do in Siem Reap is just explore. Take a walk along the river, enjoy a scoop of delicious homemade ice cream at the Blue Pumpkin Cafe, and buy a postcard to write over a $0.25 Cambodia Beer on Pub Street. The Old Market and Pub Street areas are full of picturesque and charming city scenes; excellent places for street photography.
<img src="https://lbconvert.travel.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/d1c7d-img.jpg beer!?
Interested in Cambodia? Check out my first book, “The Long Road From Pub Street: A Cambodia Travelogue” available now!
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Koh Rong, Cambodia (Island Paradise!)
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