What to do in this rip. Siem Reap in Cambodia - information and guide to the city of Siem Reap

Siem Reap is one of the most visited cities in Cambodia. Although the local population is small, only 200 thousand people, this popularity is due to the fact that not far from it there is a popular tourist place - Angkor Wat.

Siem Reap city on the map of Cambodia:

The name of the city was not chosen by chance. Translated from Khmer, “Siem Reap” literally means “Siem is defeated.” The city, founded in 802, was given this name after the troops of the Khmer Empire expelled the Thais from here in the 16th century. Before this event, the city was simply called "Siem".

Active transformation into a resort area began in the 90s of the 20th century. Today it is a popular historical resort, but with a rather weak infrastructure (which is typical for all of Cambodia). Nevertheless, 2 million people from all over the world come here every year for the sake of it.

Sights and excursions of Siem Reap

The city is not the most interesting, and if you try, you can find interesting places. For example:

• Elephant Terrace, which was rebuilt by order of King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire. In this way he honored his powerful elephant army, which was feared by the king's enemies. There is a huge number of sculptural reliefs and statues of these amazing animals.
• Independence Monument- an exact copy of a similar monument erected in the capital of Cambodia in honor of liberation from French colonization.
• Tonle Sap Lake is the largest body of water in all of Cambodia, although its size is variable and depends on the rainy season. In times of drought, the area of ​​this wonderful place is approximately 3 thousand m2. When it rains, it increases to 16 thousand m2. The fauna presented in the reservoir and its surroundings is impressive: about 850 species of fish, birds, snakes, turtles, etc.
• Mine Museum- one of the most unusual museums in the world. Completely dedicated to mines and the effects of this terrible type of weapon. By the way, 40% of the entrance ticket goes to charity: one half to sponsor the work of sappers, the other half to help those affected by explosions.

Also popular here are such activities as riding elephants or walking through a crocodile farm, visiting fishing villages and rice fields, and flying in a helicopter or hot air balloon around the outskirts of Siem Reap.

For those who cannot live without shopping, this is the best place for shopping in Cambodia. There are many shops and stalls throughout the city, and several markets. The most famous and largest are the Old Market, the Central Market and the Night Market.

Well, for lovers of nightlife, a whole street has been built - Pub Street. There are entertainment venues, restaurants, and nightclubs here.

Urban transport

The main form of transport in the city is the tuk-tuk, which is a bike with a carriage attached to it. Such transport carries from 2 to 4 people at a time, depending on the number of seats in it. The fare ranges from $2 to $5 per trip for all passengers.

Another possible option is a bike. It can be rented for independent travel for $15-20 per day. Or you can take a motorcycle taxi with a driver who will take you wherever you need to go for a nominal fee of $1 to $5.

If you want to drive the road yourself, but are afraid to get behind the wheel of a bike, then rent a bike. It will cost from $1 to $3 per day of rental.

There are no buses in the city as such, not even many cars. But it is possible to rent an old Toyota Camry with a driver to help you get to the temple area, lake or other cities. It will cost $6-$8.

Cheap hotels in Siem Reap

There are more than enough options for living in the city. Here are some of them:

• Lin Ratanak Angkor Hotel is one of the best options for a family holiday. The hotel itself is not located in the city center and is popular due to its service. The hotel belongs to the category of four-star hotels, but those who vacationed here rate the level and quality of service as full five stars. The hotel residential complex has 104 rooms, on site there is a restaurant with local, Asian and European cuisine, a grocery store, a fitness center with a spa and a swimming pool. The hotel complex provides guests with free transfer from the airport and back.
• De Sonyn Boutique is located a ten-minute walk from the city's main entertainment street, Pub Street, and a fifteen-minute drive from the airport. The hotel is relatively young, built in 2012, but has already earned a place on the list of favorite hotels among tourists. This is a mini-hotel in size: there are 16 rooms, a garden, an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant for guests.
• The Bayon Villa is another place to stay almost in the very center of the city. The journey from the airport takes 10 minutes. The hotel offers comfortable rooms with a TV and minibar, as well as free internet and barbecue facilities.
• Ring Boutique Hotel stands out among city buildings with its unusual architecture. There is an illuminated swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar. Transfer from and to the airport is provided.

Other hotels in Siem Reap with discounts from Booking:

Cafes and restaurants, local cuisine

Eating out in restaurants in Cambodia is more expensive than in Vietnam or Thailand. But Cambodian cuisine is quite tasty, although not very diverse. Tourists are also offered Chinese and Japanese, Italian, French, Thai and other cuisines.

The average check is no higher than $15, usually $6-$8 per person, which is also quite a lot.
Some interesting places include:

• Grill Wine Cafe- with incredibly delicious cuisine for meat lovers.
• Mango Cuisine- a small restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. Suitable for vegetarians.
• Spoons- a restaurant where you can taste Asian or local cuisine at reasonable prices.
• Happy Angkor Pizza— the best happy pizza in Siem Reap with the addition of ganja. The effect is achieved within an hour and can last for several hours - it is better not to drive.
• Angkor What? bar- the most famous bar in Siem Reap with inexpensive alcohol and an incendiary atmosphere. Their slogan reads: “Encouraging irresponsible drinking since 1998.”

The most common local dish is fish amok cooked in coconut milk. No less popular among tourists: pork with ginger or fried fish with sweet and sour vegetable sauce.

Here are some prices for food in cafes in Cambodia:

Useful information for visitors

• When packing your suitcases for a trip, take with you several pairs of waterproof shoes. The roads here are often flooded with rain, and they are rarely repaired.
• The local currency is , but don’t rush to exchange money for it. The usual dollars are easily accepted here.
• Don't forget to bargain in shops and markets, that’s how it is done here. It is quite possible to knock down the original price tag several times and walk away with the desired product, purchasing it at the right price.
• At the hotel get a free guide so as not to wander around the city looking for the right locations. Or download a set of required ones to your phone.
• And, of course, be polite and courteous with the staff of the hotel where you are staying and with the local population. And then your vacation will be comfortable and enjoyable.

How to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville?

Sihanoukville is the main resort city of Cambodia, where people most often travel from Siem Reap. There are several ways to get there:

• By bus at night— Travel time is 11 hours, from 8 pm to 6 am. The cost of the trip is $20 dollars if you buy a ticket from the hotel receptionist. If you choose this option, be sure to take warm clothes with you to stay warm on the bus at night.

Cabins on a hotel bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

• By taxi— order a car from the hotel. This option is convenient because you don’t have to adjust to the schedule of other passengers, but it is significantly more expensive – starting from $200.
• By plane- the fastest option for those who value their time. Travel time is only 50 minutes. Buy tickets at aviasales.ru, cost from $178. Get to the airport using a tuk-tuk or transfer from the hotel where you stayed in Siem Reap.

We are looking for cheap flights here:

Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a popular but unremarkable city in the northern Khmer Kingdom. Sim Reap owes its popularity to the Angkor Wat temple complex, which tourists from all over the world come to see. Read a separate article about Angkor, and today we will share our impressions of this city.

Siem Reap: street photos and impressions

Many locals move around the city not only on bikes and tuk-tuks, but also bicycles; there are no traffic jams. There is no variety in cars either. We noticed traffic lights on a couple of streets, this is very rare in Asia. They are a little scarce in Cambodia, but they are available in the tourist areas of Siem Reap. All we can say about the roads is that they are currently paved, but many are undergoing repair work.

Siem Reap street photo

Siem Reap: tourist quarter

In the city center everything is more or less clean and very decent. There are many cafes, guest houses and hotels. One of the best hotels - Regency Angkor Hotel.

Hotels in Siem Reap

• Tropical Breeze Guesthouse
• Baphuon Villa
• Laysung Boutique
• Angkor Spirit Palace

All hotels in Siem Reap

Hotel in Siem Reap Regency Angkor Hotel

In one of the central squares we saw birds being sold. They are so cute, although they don't look very healthy in the photo.

It made me laugh that in Siem Reap there is a 6-Eleven store, an analogue of the Thai 7-Eleven. Only the assortment leaves much to be desired. Nothing healthy or tasty is sold, mostly chips, cookies, noodles, nuts, water, and alcohol. However, prices are very high for Asia.

6-Eleven Siem Reap

Siem Reap non-tourist

In Siem Reap, if you move a little away from the center, it is quite dirty; you often come across places where construction material is scattered or everything is simply dug up. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if all this “beauty” has been in this state for more than one year.

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.

Gas cylinder refill station

Vegetation and green grass are difficult to find. In the central tourist areas you will see it, but as soon as you turn into an alley, it all disappears, the landscape changes dramatically. You can walk down the street and see a beautiful building or unusual stone buildings in the Khmer style. Turning the corner, you come across old houses on stilts. There are many temples in the city itself and in the surrounding area.

Some Khmer temples at the entrance to Siem Reap

By the way, in Cambodia it is customary to build houses on stilts due to the threat of floods. Traveling around Cambodia, you can constantly see the following buildings:

Houses on stilts in Cambodia

Then walk a little more through the slums and you again find yourself on a dusty street buzzing with the traffic of motorbikes with a bunch of tourists.

Siem Reap reviews

The atmosphere in Simrip leaves a feeling of incompleteness. It’s as if this is not a full-fledged city, but a transfer point where everything is being built and repaired and will never be completed, where people transport huge carts (of garbage?), and children run barefoot through the streets, play with bricks and look curiously at the Europeans.

We got such reviews about Siem Reap. But don’t be alarmed, in the tourist quarter everything is clean and very decent! We are describing life in Siem Reap in general, since ordinary residents of the city do not live in hotels, but in houses and barns like this.

The whole picture is complemented by houses of the same type. It is rare to come across a more or less decent house. And then, when you see one, you think that it could be a hotel or a guesthouse.

Neighborhoods of Siem Reap

On our way to Thailand between cities, we saw other views from the window of our bus. Endless fields, poor dirty villages and detached houses on stilts, tall palm trees with a round crown, these are found only in Cambodia.

Wonderful views of Siem Reap behind the city

Desert nature, palm trees mixed with occasional houses. Scorched grass due to lack of rain. In winter, the nature here is very reminiscent of our autumn.

Excursion to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap

So, everyone comes to Siem Reap for the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. Is it worth watching? Definitely yes! Perhaps this is one of the greatest attractions not only in Cambodia, but throughout Asia. We would put Angkor Wat on the same level as. After Angkor, we are no longer interested in looking at other temples.

Siem Reap hotels

Hotels in Siem Reap are available for every taste and budget. This is because people come here from all over the world. Tourists from poor Asian countries stay in cheap hotels and guesthouses. More affluent travelers from Europe and the USA choose high-level hotels in Siem Reap, up to five-star ones. There are also mid-level hotels, costing $30-50 per night, where most tourists can afford to stay.

• Tropical Breeze Guesthouse
• Mantra Angkor Boutique Villa
• Baphuon Villa
• Laysung Boutique
• Angkor Spirit Palace

All hotels in Siem Reap

In the north of Cambodia there is a small but popular town among tourists. It is called Siem Reap, which means “victory over Siam”. Its population is 200,000 people.

The city was founded in the ninth century. Now there are many hotels, restaurants, shops, banks, bars, cinemas, and an international airport. In general, in Siem Reap everything has been done to make travelers feel comfortable and not need anything. There are no skyscrapers in the city, most buildings have two to four floors, Siem Reap does not look like a big city, people feel comfortable in it.

Five kilometers from the city lies one of the most valuable and important attractions in East Asia. Angkor Wat is a temple complex. Previously, this was the capital of the Khmer state.

Legend has it that the temple was built by the son of God; after seeing his father’s home, he wanted the same beautiful structures to stand on the ground. There is a moat around the temple. The five towers of the structure can be seen from afar. Their shape is extraordinary. The towers are famous, they have become a symbol of the country. You can see their images on the coat of arms and flag of the country. There are many sculptures on the temple grounds.

Silk fabric has long been considered noble. Not far from Siem Reap there is a silk farm. Here visitors can see the fabric production process. The guide will tell you about each stage of fabric production, you will see workshops, learn how to dye silk and draw on it. Natural dyes for fabric are produced near the farm. There is also a store nearby with souvenirs, various items and clothing.

There is a farm in the south of the city. It was opened in the second half of the 20th century, and for ten years it was a zoo. Then the farm became private property. There is no fight here to preserve and increase the animal population; the farm owners have commercial interests.

At the crocodile farm, tourists can look at exotic animals. There are about three hundred of them here. Moreover, crocodile leather production is located here. There are swimming pools on the farm for their habitat. You can make your trip unforgettable by feeding the predators duck, chicken or fish. This can be done for a fee. There is a shop next to the farm that sells a variety of crocodile leather products such as belts and bags, as well as stuffed animals.

Ruler Jayavarman VII had a large army of elephants. She brought fear to all the king's enemies. The ruler decided to make a terrace in their honor. Parades and ceremonies used to take place at this site. Now this place is valued as an architectural monument of the twelfth century. There are many sculptures and images of elephants on the terrace. You can also find images of war scenes and horse sculptures here. Travelers can take wonderful memorable photographs here and immerse themselves in an old era and foreign culture.

Bayon is a large temple glorifying Buddha. It was built in the twelfth century. The temple consists of stone blocks that look like heads and has three terraces. Near the walls of the building there are statues of lions. On the walls of the terraces you will see images of historical events, everyday life, and scenes from mythology.

The central tower symbolizes the center of the world. Previously, there was a statue of Buddha on it, but only its remains have reached us. Not counting the central tower, there are 52 towers on the temple grounds, but they are not that tall. The temple is a very valuable and important heritage of the country.

The temple did not reach us in the form in which it was created, since the building material was of poor quality. Now it is in a dilapidated state. It is assumed that the temple was founded in the twelfth century. The temple represents several architectural movements. Today the temple is recommended.

In the Cultural Village, visitors will see more than ten villages. The place will introduce you to the life, history, architecture and culture of the peoples of the country. There is a wax museum here. It showcases famous people of the country: kings and queens, monks, generals, dancers, movie stars. Moreover, the museum shows various historical scenes, miniatures of architectural monuments: palaces, temples.

In the museum you will learn about the history of the country from antiquity to the present day. Music and dance performances also take place here.

The tunnel is located in the Cultural Village. Its location is under a rock. The tunnel shows hell as the Khemers imagined it. People who have committed many sins during their lifetime end up here. During the tour, visitors will learn for what sins sinners are subjected to what punishment.

Previously, artisans created magnificent temples, which still amaze travelers with their splendor. The goal of the school is to develop new masters. The school is attended by people who have no education and no great wealth; they are taught for free. The school hopes to revive a forgotten tradition.

After driving fifty kilometers from the city, you will see Mt. There is a beautiful waterfall here. And next to it there is a small temple. It was built in the 9th century. There is also a statue of Buddha located here. A colorful forest and river will also open before the eyes of travelers. The mountain offers a magical view that will not leave anyone indifferent.

There is a temple 25 kilometers from the city. It was built at the end of the tenth century and consists of three towers. There is a moat next to the building. Despite the fact that the temple is quite small, it should not be ignored.

The material for the construction of the masterpiece was pink sandstone. The chosen material is quite durable, so the architectural monument has been well preserved to this day.

The main city market sells a large amount of fruit. Their prices are inexpensive, so they are in great demand among travelers. You can also buy souvenirs, shoes, clothes, accessories and jewelry here.

River Kbai Spean

There is a river near the city. It flows through the jungle. The place is unique. At the bottom of the river, travelers see many carved pictures. There are images of animals and gods. The creation of the monument dates back to the time when the Indians arrived at this place. If you walk along the river, you can see a waterfall.

The airport is located eight kilometers from the city. You can come here by taxi. Tickets are sold in the building. From here it is convenient to go on excursions to various attractions. This airport is the largest in the state. You can buy tickets here for both international and domestic flights. The halls of the building are spacious, the airport itself is convenient. There is also a small garden, shops, a bookstore, and a cafe.

When French colonization ended in the country, the residents were very happy. The population to this day believes that it owes its modern history to this event. The monument is a symbol of freedom, liberation from colonization. There is a copy in Siem Reap, the original monument is located in Phnom Penh.

The structure is a modern interpretation of old Khemer buildings. The monument includes several tiers, at the edges of each of them there are cobra heads. The height of the monument is twenty meters. There are spotlights next to the monument, so in the evening the monument is especially beautiful. During holidays, a flag is hung on the monument.

The supermarket is located in the city center in a multi-storey building. It was built in 2011. On the ground floor of the building there are shops, there are more than a hundred of them. There are restaurants and rooms on the second and third floors. The top floor offers a beautiful view of the city. On the balconies of the building there are flower beds with exotic plants. The supermarket is very popular among travelers and locals.

Location: Wat Bo Road.

There is a plantation not far from Siem Reap. Lotuses are fabulously beautiful flowers. They attract tourists with their beauty. But what is important to local residents is not the wonderful appearance of flowers, but their benefits. The seeds of the flower are used as sweetness. The leaves of the flower are used as packaging material. And lotus roots are the raw material for flour.

Siem Reap, Siem Reap or Siem Reap is perhaps the most popular city in Cambodia. And all because just a few kilometers from the city there is a grandiose temple complex of the ancient city of Angkor. Siem Reap serves as a small addition to the Angkor tour. We spent three days in this city and got to know it well. Despite the fact that there is no sea here, I would happily live a little and travel around the districts. Perhaps I will implement this idea again.

Let's take a walk around the city together and I'll introduce it to you a little.

In the 19th century, Siem Reap was known as an ordinary village. With the arrival of French explorers who rediscovered Angkor, Siem Reap began to grow and develop as a tourist destination. In 1975, the population of Siem Reap (as well as other cities in Cambodia) was evicted by the Khmer Rouge to the countryside. Due to the long civil war, the city was in decline and began to slowly recover as a tourist center only in the mid-1990s.

Today, Siem Reap is a fast-growing city in Cambodia, which, thanks to Angkor, has become a bustling tourist destination. The flow of tourists is huge and this undoubtedly creates a certain international influence. Residents of Siem Reap speak excellent English and French. However strong the influence, the people of Siem Reap have retained much of the city's traditional character and culture.

Houses in the city center, as in the center of Phnom Penh, are low, which creates an atmosphere of comfort and genuine Asian flavor.

As befits a tourist city, Siem Reap has many comfortable hotels and budget guesthouses, travel agencies offering a variety of excursions, shops and supermarkets, and spa salons. In the evening you can relax in cafes or restaurants on Pub Street. Pub Street is a mini version of Khao San Street in Bangkok or the main streets in Nha Trang.

During the day, tourists have a cultural program around Angkor, and in the evening they can relax and unwind in the city.

Map of central Siem Reap

Almost all hotels in Siem Reap have stands with tourist information, where you can get free useful guides to the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide and Siem Reap Pocket Guide.

Although there is a local currency in Cambodia, payments are made in dollars everywhere. You will receive Cambodian riel in change; we did not change money anywhere on purpose. Even when withdrawing from an ATM, you have a choice: dollar or riel.

We spent every evening outside with Pub Street bars. There is a cafe here for every taste. I really liked Khmer cuisine. My favorite is chicken amok. The chicken is cooked in curry sauce, served with rice, of course. The cost of the dish is somewhere around $3.5-5.

Amok on top, and below in the photo is a regular American burger :-)
Pub Street is all lit up in the evening, and music sounds from every cafe
Funny advertisement for an Italian cafe
Soft, cozy and atmospheric
Pub Street is more deserted during the day
And such “goodies” can be found here

I'm a market lover and we couldn't pass by the Old Market. It's right next to Pub Street. You can buy any souvenir. This is where I made the deal of the century! I really liked one silver bracelet, but I wasn't ready to pay $25 for it. Gleb even joined in my bargaining with the Khmer girl (he doesn’t like to bargain at all). We discussed the price for about 10 minutes, in the end I got the bracelet for $5. Now I have doubts - is it silver?! But it has not yet oxidized in water and has not changed color.

Figurines, paintings, magnets, keychains - souvenirs for all occasions
I couldn't get away from these pictures! Local artists carve this beauty from cow skin. Next time I'll definitely take one with me!

If you want a more relaxing holiday, I recommend checking out the nearby Passage street. Enter the name on Google maps, it will quickly show you. This street was recommended to us at the hotel. Prices there are a little lower and there is less noise.

Cafe in a building built in colonial style. It's all from the French

I didn’t notice much dirt and garbage in the center of Siem Reap. Perhaps I have been living in Asia for a long time and this picture has become familiar to me))) Although I can say that “garbage reform” is needed in Cambodia. Compared to Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia seemed dirtier to me. Although the garbage is removed here, no one washes away the dirt that remains with water and in some parts of the city there is a very pungent smell. But all this is erased by the beauty seen! Only in Sihanoukville this was most clearly visible, but more on that in the next article.

If you have one free day, I advise you to just walk around the city. Our hotel was a $2 drive from Pub Street, I think about 1-2 km. Since we were in Siem Reap for 3 days, 2 of which we spent in Angkor, we were very interested in learning a little about the city.

During the break between Angkor we explored the city. We picked up a tuk-tuker near the hotel to take us to the center, and then we went for a walk.

We walked a little away from Pub Street and saw a very beautiful street. It felt like we were somewhere in Europe, and not in Cambodia. Everything is clean and tidy, the lawns are mowed, frangipani trees and palm trees are planted everywhere.

And you can’t say that this is Asia. Only knock-knock gives everything away

Leaving the temple we found ourselves on the embankment. Someone wrote that there wasn’t much of a smell, but I didn’t feel it at all (we were there in January). There is a small path and benches along the embankment.

It will take 2-3 hours to get around the center, everything is very close. The last time I had such a feeling was in the historical center of Valencia. Everything is on the palm of your hand: a step to the right, a step to the left and you’ve already walked around everything. I love cities like this.

On Google maps we found a store with Duty Free goods. I wouldn’t be me if we hadn’t gotten there))) This is a three-story building 15-20 walk from Pub Street. Everything is here for the Chinese! Signs, announcements in Chinese and a ton of Chinese who sweep away everything.

If the store does not have a sign about the promotion, then the sellers will definitely tell you that today they have 30-50% discounts.

The only thing is that we didn’t have time to go to the Angkor Miniature Museum. It is located near Duty Free. I liked that we walked around the whole city without haste or running around, took a bunch of photos and returned to the hotel satisfied.

If time permits, check out Koulen Restaurant and Live Performance. At 18:00 in the evening the buffet begins there, and at 19:30 the Apsara show begins - national Khmer dances. We miscalculated the time a little and didn't make it to the show. Admission is $12 per person. I also read reviews that the food there is not very good, many complain about the lack of seafood and poor choice of meat. Therefore, it is better to tune in to the show rather than the opportunity to eat

We have very warm and tender memories from Siem Reap! In the next article I’ll tell you how we went to Tonle Sap Lake, but didn’t get to the floating village, but instead discovered the suburbs of Siem Reap and found some amazing places!

Its history is closely connected with the very origins of the Khmer Empire. Who knows what the future of this place would have been if, at the dawn of the 9th century, the local ruler Jayavarman II had not called himself Devaraj - the god-king of his lands. It is generally accepted that it was at this time that the Khmer Empire emerged.

General information about the city

The city of Siem Reap is located in the north-west of Cambodia in the province of the same name and is its administrative center. Since its founding, the city has had several ancient names, and the modern one was firmly established after the victory in the 16th century. over Thailand. Indeed, translated from Khmer, “Siem Reap” (“Siem Reap”) means “victory over Siam” or “Siam is defeated,” because Siam is the second ancient name of Thailand.

Climate and weather of Siem Reap

The historical city, like the rest of the city, has a tropical climate. Regardless of the time of year, Siem Reap is hot every day, with an average annual temperature of +35 degrees. From November to April the so-called dry season reigns. During this period, precipitation is extremely rare, the average temperature is quite comfortable and, as a rule, does not rise above +25 degrees.

From May to mid-October the rainy season begins, the average air temperature rises to +35 degrees, and about 80% of the annual precipitation falls.

Natural landscapes

The surroundings of Siem Reap are practically untouched by civilization. A river of the same name runs through the city, which is closely approached by tropical forests, entirely consisting of various palm trees, mangroves and lianas. The forest is densely populated with wild monkeys and exotic birds. But sometimes you can see a tiger or an elephant.

Natural attractions include the Eastern and Western artificial reservoirs. They were created to supply water for the city during severe drought. In the center of each lake there is an island with a Buddhist temple. Today the lakes have become very shallow, the Vostochnoye lake has practically dried up.

History and present of Siem Reap

Even at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, the city actually did not exist; it was a very modest settlement that had only historical special significance for its country. Everything changed when, in 1908, under an agreement with the Cambodian government, visiting French restorers began large-scale work to restore ancient temples. The first curious tourists began to appear in the village, hotels were actively built, restaurants were opened, and an extensive tourism infrastructure was created at a rapid pace.

During the dictatorship of Pol Pot, a “dark streak” came for the city: there were neither local nor, especially, wealthy foreign tourists. However, under the Khmer Rouge regime, neither the city itself nor the precious Angkor were destroyed or looted. The next stage of rapid development overtook Siem Reap in the 90s of the twentieth century.

Today Siem Reap is already a real city, the population of which is close to 200 thousand inhabitants, a significant part of whom work in the tourism sector. Visitors have a choice of rooms in both prestigious luxury hotels and inexpensive home-type hotels. The city has many different shops and markets, spas, private tour guides, especially worth noting is the appetizing quarter with bars, cafes and restaurants and Pub Street. In general, absolutely all conditions have been created so that tourists can relax and unwind well after an excursion visit to the temples. About 2 million people come here every year.

Sights of Siem Reap

Of all the things you will see during excursions in Siem Reap, this is certainly the most memorable. It is believed that this magnificent complex was built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The towers built here are decorated with amazingly finely carved faces of forgotten gods. Entering the territory of Angkor, you immediately begin to feel like a bug under the menacing gaze of stone sculptures. It is also surprising that depending on the angle at which the light falls on the statues, their facial expressions change. In their faces one can read an ironic grin, and then a grin distorted by a grimace of hatred. Many scientists believe that local residents also noticed this. Perhaps that is why they left these majestic buildings. Only Buddhist monks remained faithful to their alma mater. Available in the city and.

In addition to ancient Angkor, in the vicinity of Siem Reap there are many other interesting natural attractions and man-made monuments.

Roluos complex Located just 10 km from Siem Reap, it was once the ancient Khmer capital built by Hariharalay (Jayavarman II). The first striking buildings worth paying attention to are the religious buildings: Lo Lei Temple with an active Buddhist monastery, Preah Ko Temple and Bakong Temple, it has five levels and three protective walls. The total area of ​​these great objects is about 3 sq. km.

A little further, 45 km away, you can get acquainted with the most popular place among pilgrims Phnom Kulen, near the sacred mountain. It was here that the history of the development of modern Cambodia and its independence from Java began. After climbing the mountain, you can visit the temple located right in the rock. Inside the temple, a statue of Buddha and a small pool with a central lingam were once hollowed out of the stone; these are very revered creations and places of worship. In Phnom Kulen National Park, one of the largest waterfalls of the same name in Cambodia falls, its height is 25 meters.

Natural water is very popular; in addition to its beauty, it supplies rice fields with abundant moisture during floods, thanks to which Cambodians can harvest at least three rice harvests a year. In addition, there are a lot of fish in the lake.

Siem Reap has a magnificent Cambodian Butterfly Garden. This is a real cloud of thousands of 50 different species of winged beauties that carelessly fly over numerous fountains and ponds with colorful exotic fish.

One former deminer recently opened in Siem Reap. An interesting collection is exhibited here, which tells about the consequences of the civil war and minefields. Near the city, excursions are held at the silk factory for everyone, where you can see in person the process of obtaining excellent material, from raising silkworms to making unique products.

Entertainment and relaxation in Siem Reap

In addition to all kinds of excursions to the sights and suburbs, the city of Siem Reap offers other entertainment. The most popular is elephant riding; such walks are usually carried out near Buddhist temples and at sunset. Animal lovers will enjoy an excursion to a crocodile farm. Thanks to tourists, it is gradually turning into a local zoo: in addition to hundreds of crocodiles, deer, gibbons and many lizards already live on the farm’s territory.

It can be said that Siem Reap is famous for its gentle spa. Elite hotels are additionally equipped with massage rooms and treatment rooms where you can enjoy various types of oriental massage and receive high-quality cosmetic care. From evening to morning, the central streets of the city are lit with signs of nightclubs, bars and discos; all the vibrant life is concentrated on Pub Street. There is no beach holiday here; an even tan can only be obtained near the hotel pool.

Tourists are offered educational excursions to fishing villages, mineral springs and rice fields. Anyone can fly in a helicopter or hot air balloon. Technically, the city is very small in size: in just a few hours you can easily get around it on foot or cycle around it before leaving.

Hotels in Siem Reap

Those who come to Siem Reap usually have no problems with accommodation; there is a large selection of hotels and inns, and even with a very high level of service.

The most popular hotels among Europeans are the Victoria Angkor Resort & SPA, Amansara Hotel, Angkor and Century Resort & Spa. You will be offered spacious, comfortable rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV and internet. Here these are considered excellent benefits of civilization. Room rates range from $150-350 per night.

A budget accommodation option is considered to be gatehouses scattered throughout the city. The rooms are more comfortable and tidy, equipped with everything you need, and the cost is significantly lower. For example, a single room costs $60-90.

Siem Reap Restaurants

Over the course of several decades, Siem Reap has undergone major tourism development. Visiting tourists do not have to look for catering establishments; there is a wide variety of them in the city. Restaurants are pleased to offer dishes of Chinese, Italian, Thai cuisine, French, European and Japanese cuisines, etc. Most of the restaurants and food establishments are located along the roads that lead towards the ancient city of Angkor, as well as near the Old Market.

Vibrant culinary ceremonies and experiments can be seen and tasted in the restaurants of the Sofltel and Grand D'Ahgkor hotels. The chefs offer a menu of national Khmer dishes and masterpieces of European cuisine.

At the DeadFish restaurant you will be treated to a very unusual atmosphere - next to crocodiles. Inside you will be surprised by several multi-level decorated rooms, and the menu consists of the best dishes of European, Thai and Khmer cuisines.

In addition to individual restaurants, there are many pizzerias in Siem Reap where you can treat yourself to the usual pizza or pasta. Happy Special Pizza and Happy Herb Pizza are considered very popular.

The tourism city is actually not expensive in terms of service and food. The average bill is no higher than $10-15, and in most simple cafes and gastronomy establishments you can have a very tasty meal for $6-7 per person.

Is shopping possible in Siem Reap?

Despite the modest size of the city, sometimes it seems that it is simply overrun with souvenir shops, in addition to which there are also several tourist ones. The most popular and largest of them are the Old Market, the Night Market and the Central Market. Here, in addition to souvenirs, you can buy food, clothing, and even precious stones that are mined in the Kingdom of Cambodia. This is the best place for.

If you haven’t decided yet, go to the Psar Leu area: there are many different shops open here, where, in addition to the market assortment, you will find excellent wood carvings and very high-quality inexpensive clothing, items for the home and everyday life made of natural silk. And jewelry or processed precious stones can be bought at a very reasonable price, cheaper than at home.

When selling a stone product, you must be provided with a certificate stating where and by whom the work was carried out, as well as a store mark, so that customs will not have any questions that you stole this beautiful stone from an ancient temple.

Transport in Siem Reap

In the Kingdom of Cambodia, the main popular budget car is a tuk-tuk, which can even be rented for one passenger, a bicycle or a motorbike. Wealthier citizens travel by taxi, and in the tourist city it is common practice to rent a car with a driver from morning until evening for sightseeing or out-of-town trips.

By the way, in Siem Reap it is common to bargain everywhere and for any reason.

How to get to Siem Reap?

Siem Reap is one of the obligatory stops on any bus route passing through the province of the same name. A wide highway connects Siem Reap with the capital of Cambodia and further, with the Thai border. Many wealthy tourists travel from Siem Reap by ferries and speedboats, additionally enjoying the exotic journey along the water route.

It is believed that Siem Reap is a city with its own airport. Indeed, just 7 km from the tourist capital of Cambodia there is one of the international ones. It receives direct flights from nearby cities and countries: Phnom Penh, Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi), China (Taipei), South Korea (Seoul) and other big cities in Asia.

There is not a single direct flight from the CIS countries to Siem Reap, but there are convenient options with a transfer in Thailand (Bangkok) or Vietnam (Hanoi).

Note to tourists

1. Don’t worry that you didn’t find an exchanger in a timely manner; you can also pay for any product or service in Siem Reap in US dollars.
2. Be sure to bargain, this will allow you to reduce the price in some cases several times.
3. The roads here are rarely repaired, and they are often flooded with rain; take this into account when choosing shoes.
4. In hotels you can pick up a free guide to the city and attractions in English.
5. Be attentive and respectful: almost all religious denominations of the world are represented in Siem Reap.