Siem Reap – The Magic Extends Beyond Angkor Wat

Siem Reap, which means ‘Defeat of Siam’, is a humble town in the northwestern Cambodia. But despite its down-to-earth feel, Siem Reap is also the gateway to one of the world’s most ancient monuments: Angkor Wat. But it also offers so much more.

Read on to find out what else you can do on top of exploring the ancient temples…

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WHAT TO VISIT

Angkor National Museum

If you are unsure where to begin your Siem Reap experience, then Angkor National Museum might be a good start. To be frank, I barely remember the story behind the Khmer civilisation when I learned it during secondary school. A visit to this museum definitely refreshes my memory and improves my understanding towards the civilisation due to its highly educational content.

There are seven galleries inside the museum namely the Gallery of 1,000 Buddha Images, Khmer Civilisation, Religion and Beliefs, The Great Khmer Kings, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Story from Stones and Ancient Costumes. Travellers can rent an audio guide at an additional fee of USD5.

Entrance fee: USD12 (Adult) / USD6 (Child)

Cambodia Land Mine Museum

Cambodia Land Mine Museum

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45 minutes by car from the town centre lies a hidden attraction called Cambodia Land Mine Museum. Founded by Aki Ra, a Cambodian man who once served as a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge, this museum not only proves his dedication in collecting and removing defused ordnances across the country, but a wake-up call to the devastating aftermath of wars. His job as a deminer continues to this day because although millions of ordnances had been deactivated, millions more still left buried under Cambodian soil.

Entrance fee: USD5 (Adult) / Free (Child)

Wat Thmey Killing Field

Before reaching this site, our local driver shared with us his family’s story during the infamous era of Khmer Rouge. He said his father and a few other friends were forced to flee to another place to escape prison, therefore were separated from their families – the driver still can’t trace his lost father and relatives up until today.

Wat Thmey Killing Field is just one of many killing fields that can be found across the country where innocent citizens were executed by Khmer Rouge and buried in mass graves. Here, travellers can witness a memorial stupa that functions as an ossuary containing skulls and bones of those killed by Khmer Rouge as a grim reminder to Cambodia’s deeply tragic past.

Angkor Archaeological Park

Covering 400 square kilometres of land, this park is the ultimate destination travellers from all over the world flocked to the city of Siem Reap. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 and unofficially regarded as the 8^th Wonder of the World. The entrance fee to this park for a day-pass is USD37.

The most popular attraction is Angkor Wat, an ancient temple complex that is one of the largest and finest in the world. Built by King Suryavarman II in the 12^th century, it was originally built as a Hindu temple before gradually converted into a Buddhist temple. One of the highly-recommended activities here is to witness the sunrise over the temple complex, which is absolutely glorious!

Other notable temple is Ta Prohm. This temple distinguishes itself from other temples due to the large trees grown between the structures as a result of centuries of abandonment. Built as a Buddhist monastery and education centre, the temple is also made famous by Angelina Jolie’s blockbuster movie, Tomb Raider, which used the temple as one of its shooting locations.

Bayon Temple

We visited Bayon, popular among tourists due to its distinctive 216 smiling faces of Avalokiteśvara assiduously carved on its 54 towers.

Since the entire park consists of so many temples, if you are really into history or photography, a day-pass is definitely not enough! And that is why I am planning to return to Siem Reap soon…

Artisans Angkor

A member of World Crafts Council since 2012, Artisans Angkor is also the place where travellers can witness how diligent locals painstakingly make traditional Khmer arts and crafts by hand. This non-governmental organisation is recognised by UNESCO, winning several Awards of Excellence for Handicrafts. Besides preserving Khmer arts and crafts, the centre also help workers from rural areas to improve their economic standing by teaching them skills in making such crafts.

Phsar Leu Thom Thmey

It is always good to get up close and personal with locals, and travellers can do so at Phsar Leu Thom Thmey, the biggest local market in Siem Reap. Come in the morning and stroll around the indoor market where locals buy their daily provisions ranging from textiles to fresh produce. If you are stout-hearted, you can also taste exotic foods here.

Pub Street and Angkor Night Market

Pub Street

Pub Street, as its name suggests, is a street full of pubs and bars that you could hop from one to another the whole night! Angkor Night Market, on the other hand, is a great shopping idea for souvenirs and tasting local delicacies at the many small stalls available. And when I say ‘local delicacies’, it also refers to exotic ones like crickets, silkworms, scorpions and tarantulas!

WHERE TO EAT

Georges French Restaurant

This fusion restaurant is quite well-known among travellers and expatriates, mainly serving French cuisine with Asian twist. Most interestingly, the menus are all made from natural ingredients and rich in not only Cambodian flavours but also Japanese and even Creole, based on spices and herbs imported from La Reunion Island, where the owner came from.

Sala Kdei

Located within the Angkor Archaeological Park and set in a traditional Khmer house overlooking the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang, this restaurant only accepts advance booking, making it exclusively private. This place is probably one of the best places for travellers to have breakfast after witnessing sunrise or lunch after exploring at least half of the park. This restaurant specialises in Khmer traditional cuisine.

Chanrey Tree Restaurant

This is another restaurant where you can experience Khmer specialties. Nestled in the riverside district of Siem Reap river, Chanrey Tree Restaurant is actually built from a restored Khmer traditional wooden house with a contemporary design. Among the popular menus are Homemade Fresh Spring Rolls, Fish Amok (traditional Khmer curry with steamed bar fish), and mango and sticky rice.

Muslim Friendly Kitchen

If you’re looking for halal restaurants, then head your way to Steung Thmey Village where a small community of Muslim families live. There are more than five halal restaurants here but among the popular ones is Muslim Family Kitchen, which serves delectable dishes like green mango salad, seafood fried rice and lok lak fried rice.

WHERE TO STAY

Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort 

Set in a modern Khmer architecture, this resort has everything you need for an ideal stay in the heart of Siem Reap. From spacious and comfy room, state-of-the-art facilities including gym, spa, Kid’s Club and huge pool to culinary excellence via Lok Lak Restaurant and Upper Deck rooftop bar, this property is ideal for business and leisure travellers alike.

Rambutan Hotel & Resort Siem Reap

Rambutan Hotel & Resort Siem Reap

One thing we like about this property is its villa, which has homely and relaxing ambience. Stepping inside made me feel as if I were at home with other villas fronting each other, forming a small, vibrant village in a garden-like setting. There is a pool of salt water in the middle and a restaurant, bar, reading space and spa. This property is hidden from the main road but only five minutes’ walk to Phsar Cha Old Market in the centre of town.