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Banteay Srei:
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, this complex is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite. Located approximately 40 km north of Siem Reap, a visit to this temple requires a half-day excursion. See Excursions.
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Bayon:
A perennial favorite, the Bayon appears to be an unprepossessing pile of stone from a distance. Once visitors have scaled the first two levels, they emerge from the narrow staircases and corridors to find over 50 towers decorated with huge, enigmatically smiling stone faces, thought to represent Bodhisattvas. The lower levels have some of the best preserved bas-reliefs extant, depicting everyday life scenes as well as the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. |
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Ta Phrom:
One of the most popular temples, this sprawling complex is famous for its jungle-like, ruined atmosphere, and the giant trees which rise from the stone, gripping the temple in their extensive roots. The temple appears very much as it would have to the first European explores and invites visitors to linger in its crumbling passageways.
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Phnom Bakheng:
The first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, this temple-mountain offers extraordinary views of the Tonle Sap and Angkor wat. It is especially popular for sunset viewing. |
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Angkor Wat:
The largest, best preserved, and probably the most significant of the Angkor temples is Angkor Wat itself. It impresses the visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well the delicate artistry of its carvings.
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Angkor Thom:
The fortified city of Angkor Thom, built by Jayarvarman VII, covers a surface of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and 100m wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular monuments - the South Gate, the Bayon, the Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. The city has five twenty-meter-high monumental gates, each decorated on both sides of the passageway with stone elephants and crowned by four gargantuan stone faces. |
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Cambodian Cultural Village:
Situated on the airport road, the Cambodian Cultural Village (CCV) is a unique open air museum with exhibits that represent the various ethnicities and cultures in Cambodia. Exhibits include replicas of important buildings and building styles, traditional Apsara dances, ethnic performances, shows "Gudgement Tunnel" |
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| and "My Father is the Ghost" and demonstrations of traditional Khmer rituals. CCV also provides clients to enjoy the private party: the Theme Party Package; inclusive of private place, shows (45min), Stage, lighting, decoration, chairs and tables provided, in different places with distinct attraction. | ||
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Silk Farm:
Located 15 km outside Siem Reap, this silk production farm was established in 1993 and is connected to the Chantiers Ecoles. The farm displays all steps involved in silk fabric production, from the plantation of mulberry trees and the breeding of silk worms, to the collection of cocoons, spinning, dyeing and the final woven fabric. The tours are well organised with English and French speaking guides.
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Angkor National Museum:
Located on the main road to Angkor, this museum will display artifacts and sculptures from the Angkorian period as well as multi-media exhibitions. It is attached to the Cultural Mall, a 10,000 sq m shooping mall. The Angkor National Museum is actually much nicer than the National Museum in Phnom Penh because of the movies and visual aids (but also more expensive at $12/person). You get a good introduction to the temples and history of the pre-Angkor and Angkor periods, which gives you an idea what to expect at the temples themselves. There are 8 galleries with short movies, sculptures and artifacts. The sound systems are not great, and it sometimes hard to hear when there are many people. There will be audio tour guide sets in 7 languages (Khmer, English, French, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Thai), available at a additional charge. |
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Tonle Sap Lake:
Tonle Sap Lake is about 15 km south of Siem Reap town, a huge dumbbell-shaped body of water stretching across the northwest section of the country. In the wet season, the Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, swelling to an expansive 12,000 Km2. During the dry half of the year the Lake shrinks to as small as 2500 km2. the human occupations at the edges of the lake is similarly distinctive - floating villages, towering stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters. |
| Chantier Ecoles/ Artisans D’Angkor:
As a half-day excursion, this workshop for traditional crafts and accompanying store is best combined with the Tonle Sap excursion. |
| Landmine Museum:
This museum is small but extremely informative, giving a valuable glimpse into the turbulent recent history of Cambodia and the ongoing problems with mines. Opened in 1999, it was the first of its kind in Cambodia. The museum is the brainchild of Mr. Aki Ra, a very engaged, young Cambodian with an eventful past and a strong commitment to education about all mine related topics. (Western market). |
| Psah Chas (Old Market):
This lively market, located on the river at the south of the Old French Quater, has a wide variety of souvenir, handicraft, textiles, statues and curies. The area around the Old Market ia burgeoning with shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and more. |
| Krousa Thmei ( New Family ) Organisation, A Source of Life :
is a permanent exhibition in Siem Reap. This exhibition is located in a compound with other school buildings. The exhibition is very informative about the biodiversity and cultures of the Tonle Sap Lake, with many photos, maps and diagrams. All explanations are in Khmer, English and French. There is also a 12-minute video about the life on the lake. Located on the road to Angkor Wat, about 2 km out of town, 800 m after the Sofitel Hotel on the right side. |
| War Museum:
Established by the Ministry of Defense, this museum has tanks, artillery and other weaponry on display in a garden setting with nice paths to go around. Every weapon has a sign in Khmer and in English language to describe the technical details, the origin, and the period of use. (Asian market). |
| Wat Bo:
Located in Siem Reap. It is one of the town's oldest wats and has a collection of well-preserved wall paintings depicting the life of Buddha. |
OTHERS PLACE OF INTEREST
