More information: Tourism Cambodia | Official Angkor Pass | Footprint Cafes

Maybe not everyone has heard of Siem Reap but most people have likely heard of Angkor Wat, the world-famous Hindu-Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A majestic complex located on a site larger than 400 acres, it was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King, Suryavarman II. Its cultural, architectural and artistic significance has made it a certified UNESCO World Heritage site and it is no wonder that the temple serves as a national symbol on the Cambodian flag. It is therefore safe to say that Angkor Wat is the main reason that more than 2 million tourists visit Siem Reap every year – but it’s not the only reason.

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is about 40km away from Angkor Wat. It is a newly built airport that only started operating in October 2023, replacing the old one which could not handle the increased traffic into the province. Arriving at Siem Reap, tourists are greeted by a rather spacious terminal with a refreshing vibe – the kind that hits you when you walk into a brand-new place. First impression – tick!

While Siem Reap is mainly famous for the Angkor Wat, it is actually home to more than 100 other temples, making it the biggest religious site in the world. One of the more famous ones is the Ta Prohm or sometimes referred to as the “Tomb Raider Temple” due to its depiction in Angeline Jolie’s Lara Croft Tomb Raider film. It was following the global success of this film in 2001 that Cambodia saw a major boost in tourism. A distinctive feature of the temple are the gigantic tree roots growing out of the temple ruins and extending like skirts through the stones. Your visit to Siem Reap would not be complete without a photo with one of these monstrous roots.

There are other temples worth visiting in Siem Reap and one way to save money is to buy a pass that gives you access to the Angkor Archaeological Park which includes access to major temples.

But Siem Reap is not just about the temples. There are various museums worth visiting depending on your interests. The War Museum for example, would give you an insightful view of the violent history of Cambodia including an understanding of the atrocities brought about by the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian Civil War. Much of the museum is set in an outdoor area where various old war machineries and weapons are on display.

In the evening, you may stroll along the river and explore the Riverside Night Market for a bit of shopping, or you may opt to go to an Apsara dinner performance where you get to enjoy Cambodia’s traditional dance while enjoying your meal. There are quite a few places that offer this kind of dinner show and it’s worth going at least once!

Finally, what’s a vacation without exploring the local food culture? Restaurants are basically everywhere in Siem Reap, and it’s cheap and easy to get around on a tuk tuk. Cafe hunting is one way to give back to the local community as there are quite a number of NGO cafes. Footprint Cafe is one such establishment where 100% of net profits are given back to the local community as educational and entrepreneurial grants. It is also a perfect place for bookworms as it offers a large selection of second-hand books available for customers to browse or even buy.

There are of course other options too if you’re looking for something more traditional. Banlle Vegetarian Restaurant for example is set in a traditional Cambodian wooden house with the lower floor set as a dining room surrounded by glass wall, and just outside is a beautiful garden of vegetables and herbs. This restaurant offers a mix of Khmer menu and western. I would recommend their Mushroom Lok Lak and Aubergine Tempura – yum!

Or, if you can’t decide what to eat, then head over to Garden Market Siem Reap! This is an upscale hawkers’ market with a range of international street food to choose from and the best part is there’s live music! It’s just a really cool place to hang out and eat.

All in all, with its rich cultural history and a vibrant food culture, we can conclude that Siem Reap is indeed simply hip!